Search CarGuide.PH

April 3, 2014

MIAS 2014: Ford Previews 2015 Escape; Destined to Bring the Fight to Subaru Forester?

Photos by Ulysses Ang
The demise of Ford’s C-segment crossover in the Philippines is greatly exaggerated as the company used the Manila International Auto Show to preview the all-new 2015 Escape—a crossover that’s expected to bridge the gap between the EcoSport and Explorer in terms of both features and price. Though no official specs were given during the preview, Ford Philippines Managing Director Kay Hart announced that the 2015 Escape will be formally launched in the fourth quarter of 2014 with deliveries to start soon thereafter.

MIAS 2014: Deliveries of Ford EcoSport Starts; Winner of Urban Discovery Campaign Announced

Photo by Ulysses Ang
Ford Philippines has announced at its sprawling 1,000-square meter pavilion that deliveries of its segment-busting SUV, the EcoSport has begun. The EcoSport is no stranger to us having been previewed with a Media Launch in January and a Regional Ride and Drive in March. The EcoSport is just one of 15 vehicles showcased by Ford at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) and shows the brand’s commitment in delivering class-leading One Ford vehicles.

Video: Most Epic Car Chase Scene, Period.


There are movie car chases and then there’s this. Coming from sygnan0’s YouTube channel is what could be the most epic car chase made in the history of film. It’s packed with action, explosions, and oddly enough, laughs. Don’t believe us? See for yourself.

April 2, 2014

CATS Motors Holds Summer Sale on Pre-Owned Mercedes, Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge


Enjoy the summer heat with an exclusive treat from CATS Motors Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles: premium pre-owned vehicles will be sold at incredibly marked-down prices for the month of April.

New Ecotec Engines Set to Debut in All-New Cruze; Benchmarked Against Ford's EcoBoost


Chevrolet is set to release its next-generation Ecotec engines which will form the core of the brand’s small displacement engines beginning with the all-new Chevrolet Cruze which launches in China this year. The new Ecotec engines are designed to be adoptable to different vehicle applications thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while offering leading efficiency, refinement, and durability.

MIAS 2014: Kia's P450,000 Picanto to Take Center Stage


With increased competition from its Japanese rivals, Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines isn’t about to take that sitting down. They’ve officially confirmed that the P 450,000 Kia Picanto 1.0 LX M/T will take center stage for the Korean brand at the 2014 Manila International Auto Show.

MIAS 2014: Volvo to Show Off 2014 Line-Up


Volvo Philippines has given us a sneak peek of their upcoming display at the 2014 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) that opens tomorrow, Thursday, April 3. Headlining their display is the all-new 2014 Volvo V40 Cross Country—a more rugged, more off-road friendly version of the V40 sport wagon.

Round 3 of 2014 National Drag Racing Championship Southern Series Takes Place April 5


Expect even more thrilling on track action this coming April 5 as the 2014 National Drag Racing Championship returns to the Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip for Round 3 of the Southern Series.

Caltex Opens Station in La Union


Just in time for summer, Chevron Philippines has announced the opening of its latest gasoline station in La Union—the Surf Capital of the Northern Philippines. Located along the National Highway near Pugo Junction, it’s perfectly situated for vacationers who plan to hit the beaches dotting from Agoo to San Fernando to Ilocos Norte. Motorists are assured of five-star quality fuel because of Caltex with Techron. Caltex La Union is owned and operated by Northern Star Energy and Fuel Distribution Corporation.

April 1, 2014

BMW Confirms X7 at Spartanburg Plant Expansion Ceremony

Photo shows the all-new BMW X4's start of production at the Spartanburg plant.
BMW has officially announced another addition to its growing SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) line-up with the confirmation of the X7. Although no details were given, it was done to coincide with BMW’s additional investment to expand its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA. In total, BMW will invest a total of one billion (yes, that’s with a ‘B’) US dollars by 2016. This increases their annual capacity by 50 percent to 450,000 vehicles from 300,000.

Review: 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost

Photos by Ulysses Ang
Mid-cycle facelifts are mostly just that, facelifts. More often than not, carmakers slap on a new grille, bumpers, and rims, stand back, congratulate themselves, and call it a day; saving the best bits for the next-generation model. But that’s not the case over at Ford. Yes, the Fiesta has also undergone the ubiquitous nose lift late last year (a radical one at that), but more importantly, the main mechanical bit, the engine, has been completely stripped out; all for the better.

March 31, 2014

Toyota Motor Philippines Debuts All-New Yaris (w/ Complete Specs)


Shoulder pads, huge hair, and baggy pants—most of us have gone through at least one fashion trend that we’d rather forget today. Despite wearing outfits that would otherwise call the fashion police’s attention, dressing for fun’s sake is always in; it’s something that doesn’t go out of style. And ‘fun’ is the word that perfectly describes the all-new Yaris, Toyota’s newest sub-compact hatchback offering.

BREAKING NEWS: Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Acquires Ford Philippines Plant Site; Relocation Starts in 2015


Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) has acquired a factory site from FORD MOTOR COMPANY (PHILIPPINES), INC. located in Laguna (Laguna Province). Following the relocation of MMPC's current headquarters/factory in Cainta (Rizal Province) to this site, vehicle production is set to begin in January 2015.

March 30, 2014

MIAS 2014: Rolls-Royce Manila to Introduce Wraith


Rolls-Royce Manila is set to add an additional vehicle to its existing portfolio: the one they deem to be the most dynamic, most powerful Rolls-Royce ever: the Wraith. Packing a 624 horsepower, 800 Nm V12 engine, the Wraith can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. And yet, it’s imbued with the all the qualities typical of Rolls-Royce: sumptuous, luxurious, and contemporary.

March 28, 2014

Could the Ford Fiesta ST Head to ASEAN and Philippines?


The Everest Concept certainly took the limelight at Ford’s display at the 2014 Bangkok International Motor Show. It’s deservingly so, because the almost-production ready 7-seater, three-row SUV is expected to bolster Ford’s SUV line-up.

Volksfest Happening this Weekend; The Best Time to Buy a Volkswagen


Been on the fence about getting a brand-new Volkswagen? Well, perhaps the Volksfest happening this weekend will help you out. From Saturday, March 29 to Sunday, March 30, Volkswagen is inviting everyone to its high-tech digitized showroom at the Bonifacio Global City (28th Street City Center, Bonifacio Global City) to experience Das Auto.

Video: Peugeot Teases Return to Dakar


Peugeot is showing off its latest motorsports foray: Dakar. The brand is no stranger to the dangerous rally winning it four times in a row from 1987-1990. And though the French brand has taken their time to dust off its rally boots, they’re doing so with seasoned Dakar veteran and 2010 winner Carlos Sainz and five-time Dakar motorbike winner Cyril Despres who will now compete in the car category. Peugeot’s challenger is officially called the 2008 DKR and is loosely based on their 2008 crossover.

Hyundai Receives Prestigious Red Dot Design Awards for All-New Genesis, New-Generation i10


Hyundai Motor received two Red Dot Product Design Awards for its recently-launched All-New Genesis and New Generation i10 in the Vehicles category. The internationally acclaimed Red Dot Awards recognize aesthetic form, innovation and ground-breaking ideas. The two Hyundai winners were chosen from an entry list of 4,815 products from 53 countries.

Shell Announces V-Power Nitro+ Trip to Italy Promo Winner


In celebration of its 100th year in the country, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. welcomes 2014 with 100 lucky winners of amazing and exclusive prizes of the Trip to Italy promo launched last year.

March 25, 2014

Motorsports in Their Blood: PGA Cars Holds Driving Experience, Inaugurates the Audi-Porsche Motorsports Lounge


PGA Cars, the exclusive distributor of Audi and Porsche, among other luxury marques, treated some customers to try out their precision machines in the safety of a racetrack. For a day, the Clark International Speedway became a high-speed playground as it hosted the PGA Cars Driving Experience—the first of many according to PGA Cars Sales Director Mr. Lito Jose.

Teachers, Students Join Caltex in Fight Against TB


Forty two teachers out of 48 and 27 out of 476 students from ERDA Technical and Vocational High School in Pandacan, Manila will soon be educating their own classmates, co-teachers, families, and neighbors through classroom talks, community seminars, and house visits as qualified trainers in tuberculosis (TB) awareness in their community. The volunteers were trained and certified as part of “Caltex Labanan ang TB para Tsuper Healthy.”  This multi-awarded TB awareness campaign created by Caltex marketer, Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), is designed to raise awareness and bust myths about TB in partnership with city health offices in Manila, Makati and Quezon City.

Bangkok Motor Show 2014: Ford Everest Concept Unveiled for ASEAN Market, Inches Towards Production


The Ford Everest Concept takes center stage at Ford’s sprawling pavilion at the 35th Bangkok International Motor Show showing the Blue Oval’s commitment to a product-led transformation that promises segment-leading global vehicles for Thailand as well as the ASEAN region.

Review: 2014 Honda CR-Z Mugen CVT

Photos by Ulysses Ang
First-timers will find the Honda CR-Z a mesmerizing, if not, confusing sports car considering all the tech shoved into it. Start it up and the instrument cluster alone has 11, yes, 11 separate clusters and gauges displaying all sorts of information. Add to that the 3-Mode Drive system to the left and the climate control to the right and it becomes apparent that the CR-Z’s made for the Gran Turismo generation. However, as you get used to it, operating the CR-Z becomes second nature; like a well-worn pair of Adidas running shoes (we’ve tested it in Modulo CVT trim and even pitted the MT versus the Toyota 86). Yes, this is one complex machine, but it’s completely understandable too. But what happens when Honda sprinkles a bit of their motorsports magic onto the CR-Z? The resulting sports hybrid is something that’s equally familiar and mysterious—meet the CR-Z Mugen.

March 24, 2014

Hyundai Unveils All-New Sonata in Korea


Hyundai has finally taken the wraps off the all-new Sonata, a car that Hyundai calls “the first application of premium technologies first introduced in the Genesis”. The all-new Sonata features the next evolution of the company’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy, a much more subdued and refined design that promises a more athletic appearance.

Ford Philippines Announces Top 6 EcoSport Urban Discovery Finalists


The results are in, and now six lucky contestants are just one step away from taking part in the most epic urban adventure with the one-of-a-kind urban SUV, the all-new Ford EcoSport.

In anticipation of the arrival of the all-new Ford EcoSport in the Philippines, Ford launched ‘EcoSport Urban Discoveries’ last January 2014, a new interactive campaign designed to engage Filipino consumers to share their own urban discoveries around the metro and why the all-new Ford EcoSport is the ideal vehicle to get there.

Hyundai New Thinkers Camp to Hold Science Classes in Puerto Galera, Mindoro


The Hyundai New Thinkers Camp, a partnership program of HARI Foundation, Inc. (HFI) and the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), brings 60 high school students and teacher delegates from 20 selected public schools in Metro Manila and Regions III and IV for a one-of-a-kind learning experience in oceanography and hydrogeology in Puerto Galera, Mindoro on April 1 to 9, 2014.