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September 19, 2014

PIMS 2014: Toyota Updates Fortuner, Hilux; Shows Unique Fun Vii Concept

The largest automaker in the Philippines showed off its latest motor show brand identity display, Wave Design at the Philippine International Motor Show. Opening the waku-doki themed display was concert queen Sarah Geronimo. After her mini concert, it was down to business where Mr. Michinobu Sugata reiterated Toyota’s commitment to bring motorsports to the people by bringing the third round of the Toyota Vios Cup to Manila. The race, which will be held on October 18 to 19 will be at a specially designed circuit in McKinley, Taguig.

Asian Carmakers Corporation, the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, made waves at the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) by showing the complete line-up of its X Series line. The BMW X Series Pavilion provided guests with a chance to experience endless explorations with the complete range of BMW X Series composed of the X1, X3, X4, X5, and X6.

Volkswagen showed off its sporty side by unveiling two new additions to its line-up. The first is the Jetta Sport Edition, a new variant of Volkswagen’s globally best-selling compact sedan that now offers a more stylish exterior. The second is the Philippine sneak peek of the much-anticipated all-new Golf GTI Mark 7, a car that Volkswagen Philippines will launch in 2015.

Peugeot, through its official Philippine distributor Eurobrands Distributor, Inc. (EDI), showed off a bit of French high fashion at its pavilion in the Philippine International Motor Show. With a full model line-up display: 3008 crossover, 5008 MPV, 508 executive sedan, Expert Tepee family van, and RCZ sports car, Peugeot held a mini fashion show to welcome special guests on the opening day.

Known for its “zoom-zoom” driving fun, Mazda Philippines is adding yet another reason for buyers to consider getting a Mazda: Bose sound system. At The Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), Berjaya Auto Philippines has announced that more local Mazda units will feature the Bose sound system as standard equipment. During the same event, the company also unveiled its new range-topping variant for the Mazda3: the Mazda3 Speed.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) is using the Philippine International Motor Show to showcase a robust line-up of vehicles including concept cars that have debuted in other international motor show such as the Geneva Motor Show and Tokyo Motor Show. MMPC flew in these concepts along with the Pajero Dakar Rally car to showcase the brand’s heritage as well as future product direction. Aside from these concept cars, MMPC’s pavilion also has a sneak preview of the all-new Outlander as well as the recently soft-launched ASX crossover.

In a page seemingly lifted from their 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013 exhibit, Honda Cars Philippines decided to show off the brand’s racing heritage by bringing over not one but two motorsports inspired exhibits: the NSX Concept and the Japan Super Formula open-wheeled race car. Of course, they decided to use the Philippine International Motor Show to finally unveil their all-new Brio and Brio Amaze B-segment car.

Nissan Philippines is aiming to increase excitement in its local line-up as the unified company launches the all-new X-Trail at the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). Perhaps the model with the strongest consumer recall locally, the third-generation X-Trail is Nissan’s global compact crossover offering that is slated to be sold in over 190 countries worldwide. The Philippines is one of the first countries in the ASEAN market to receive the X-Trail which is built at Nissan’s Kyushu, Japan plant.

PIMS 2014 Events Schedule and Highlights

Ask and you shall receive. This is the CAMPI Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) official schedule of events and activities from Thursday, September 18 to Sunday, September 21. See you at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Gates open at 10 AM and don’t close until 9 PM.

Photos by Ulysses and Honda Press (Jam Ramos)

For our full review of the Honda City 1.5 VX Aero Sport Modulo, click here.

Honda has always prided itself with producing environmentally-friendly cars. From creating CVCC in the 1970s to bringing VTEC in the 1980s to developing gasoline-electric hybrids in the 1990s, Honda has successfully broken the barrier between what’s possible and impossible. The Japanese company’s relentless pursuit of engineering excellence as well as its unconventional approach has put them in high regard when it comes to drivetrain design. Locally, their approach is no different. Apart from introducing variable valve timing to its products, Honda is the first car company in the country to be Euro-4 compliant across its entire line, a feat it has done as early as 2004.

Ford Philippines today announced an all-time record monthly performance with overall retail sales in August soaring 138 percent year-over-year to 1,967 units.

The record month was led by the Ranger’s all-time best monthly performance in the Philippines, continuation of the all-new Ecosport’s early success and continuing demand for the Fiesta and Everest nameplates.

The Car Awards Group Inc. (CAGI), the organization of motoring journalists behind the Philippine Car of the Year awards, recently launched their 2014-2015 Car of the Year-Philippines (COTY-P) and Truck of the Year-Philippines (TOTY-P) testing season.

Subaru Palm Challenge 2014 Crowns Cebu Winner, Last Stop is Manila

Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP), the authorized distributor of Subaru in the Philippines has identified the second member of the Philippine Team through the 2014 Subaru Palm Challenge Philippine Face-Off Cebu Leg. Now going on its sixth year in the Philippines, its second year as a national search, the contest aims to find 10 mentally and physically strong challengers, from across the country, to represent the Philippines at the MediaCorp Subaru Challenge in Singapore this November 2014. There, they will go head-to-head with challengers from around Asia such as Singapore, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, quells the ghost month with August sales up by 10% to a total of 2,073 units compared to its year-ago level. With positive sales performance in August, Hyundai’s year-to-date sales tally reached 15,676 units, 7% higher than the recorded 14,713 units for the first eight months of 2013.

This September, see and experience Progress In Motion as the number one automotive company in the country, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP,) joins the 5th Philippine International Motorshow (PIMS.) Organized by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), the 350 square meter Toyota booth will feature the Vios One Make Race Model, the best-selling Vios, the mini hatchback Wigo, the well-loved Innova and the new Fortuner and Hilux. Moreover, Toyota will also showcase a concept car called the “Fun Vii” representing the brand’s commitment to its future in mobility. The 5th PIMS will be held from September 18 – 21, 2014 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

After driving countless cars throughout the year, there is only a handful you can seriously consider owning; one such car is the Subaru WRX. In Ice Silver Metallic. With the Lineartronic CVT. After tasting what it’s capable of on the track early this year, it’s time to what it can do on public roads. And you know what? It can rekindle your love affair with the open road. It’s a car you beg to drive and then drive some more. It’s the car you want to bring through the “scenic route”, meetings and appointments be damned. Plus, it comes in a package that makes it logical to own. The only thing left is to resist the temptation to sign that check.

A Class Higher: All-New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Now in the Philippines (w/ Complete Brochure, Video)

Mercedes-Benz’s best-selling model globally, the C-Class, has received its most dynamic and radical change yet as it aims to become the benchmark in the premium mid-sized sedan category. Indeed, the German automaker is promising that the all-new C-Class (W205) is now “one class higher” in performance, agility, safety, and comfort. In a jam-packed launch last week, Mercedes-Benz Philippines through its exclusive distributor, Auto Nation Group, Inc. launched the C 200 AMG. This will soon be joined by other engine variants and design lines in the near future including the Avantgarde and Exclusive line.

Chevrolet Philippines is once again readying an assault in the compact crossover market by revamping and re-introducing the Captiva for 2014. Headlined by revisions to its drivetrain as well as new features, Chevrolet is aiming to enlarge its share in this growing segment.

The country’s longest running motorist assistance program, Petron Lakbay Alalay, has evolved from being just a seasonal activity into a series of year-round ongoing programs. Still manned by volunteers, Petron Lakbay Alalay is now activated year-round, each time there is a long holiday weekend like the one held last August at the Petron station on SLEX.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation Launches All-New mu-X (w/ Complete Specs)

UPDATE 3: Here is our First Drive (11/25).

UPDATE 2: We have also included the complete specs below (9/14).

UPDATE: We have included the official television commercial below (9/10).

After months of anticipation, Isuzu Philippines Corporation has finally revealed its new flagship SUV: the mu-X. Replacing the Alterra, the mu-X comes in three variants all packed with new technological and design features combined with Isuzu’s penchant for delivering efficient performance.

Although Apple certainly took the limelight with the launch of the all-new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Mercedes-Benz was launching their own game-changing vehicle on the other side of the world: the Mercedes-AMG GT—the company’s follow-up to the wildly successful and critically acclaimed SLS AMG. The Mercedes-AMG GT marks only the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. Thus, this car features the hallmarks of dynamic performance. However, the company also promises everyday practicality and efficiency that goes with that track capable performance.

Review: 2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 VX+ MUGEN

Photos by Ulysses Ang

There are hatchbacks and there is the Honda Jazz. From Generation One, the Jazz has always been known for combining a sharply styled body, stellar frugality, and mind-blowing interior packaging. Most importantly, it has made small hatchbacks cool again. Since then, a handful of competitors have entered, each outshining the Jazz in one aspect or another be it in terms of price, handling, interior technology or frugality. Nonetheless, the Jazz is still regarded as the most well-rounded hatchback of the bunch. And coming from that, here is the all-new, 2014 Jazz—a car that’s far better than its predecessor and one that simply towers ahead of the entire small hatchback segment.

Ford Adds Limited Edition Trekker to Ranger Line-Up

Ford Philippines today announced the availability of the limited edition 2.2L Ford Ranger Trekker model, an XLT variant in manual transmission fitted with additional accessories and an exclusive Trekker decal that complement the sporty look and confident stance of the Ranger.

Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP), the authorized distributor of Subaru in the Philippines, officially began its nationwide contest of the 2014 Subaru Palm Challenge Philippine Face-off by holding the first leg at SM Lanang in Davao City. Now going on its sixth year in the Philippines, its second year as a national search, the contest aims to find 10 mentally and physically strong challengers, from across the country, to represent the Philippines at the MediaCorp Subaru Challenge in Singapore this November 2014. There, they will go head to head with challengers from around Asia such as Singapore, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Roadster is Back: Mazda Reveals All-New MX-5

Just in time for its 25th anniversary, Mazda has finally unveiled the much-awaited, fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 at simultaneous events all over the world. Although we would have wanted to see Duran Duran belt out some vintage pop, we weren’t lucky enough to be at any of those launch events. Still, we’ve managed to gather the key message of the MX-5’s reveal: the roadster is back.

This is It: All-New Volvo XC90

Months of speculation ended today after Volvo Cars unveiled its all-new Volvo XC90, delivering on its promise to introduce a visually striking, premium quality seven-seat SUV with world leading safety features, new powertrain technologies, an unrivaled combination of power and fuel efficiency and a superlative interior finish.

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September 19, 2014

PIMS 2014: Toyota Updates Fortuner, Hilux; Shows Unique Fun Vii Concept

PIMS 2014: BMW Shows Off First-Ever X4 and Refreshed X3

PIMS 2014: Volkswagen Previews Golf GTI (w/ Complete Specs)

PIMS 2014: French High Fashion at Peugeot

PIMS 2014: Mazda Launches New 3 Speed Model and Equips Bose on Most of Line-Up

PIMS 2014: Mitsubishi Shows Off Its Heritage and Future

PIMS 2014: Honda Reveals Brio and Brio Amaze Pricing (and Its Racing Heritage)

PIMS 2014: Nissan Launches All-New X-Trail (w/ Complete Brochure)

September 17, 2014

PIMS 2014 Events Schedule and Highlights

Challenge Accepted: Honda takes the All-New City on a Fuel Economy Run

Ford Philippine August Sales Soar 138 Percent

Car of the Year 2014-2015 Kicks Off Testing

September 16, 2014

Subaru Palm Challenge 2014 Crowns Cebu Winner, Last Stop is Manila

Hyundai Posts 10 Percent Growth in August

See and Experience Toyota at the 5th Philippine International Motor Show This Weekend

Review: 2014 Subaru WRX CVT

September 14, 2014

A Class Higher: All-New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Now in the Philippines (w/ Complete Brochure, Video)

Chevrolet Philippines Revises Captiva for 2014. Now with 400 Nm of Torque!

Petron Lakbay Alalay: Beyond Roadside Assistance

September 10, 2014

Isuzu Philippines Corporation Launches All-New mu-X (w/ Complete Specs)

Mercedes-AMG Debuts SLS Successor: Meet the Mercedes-AMG GT

September 9, 2014

Review: 2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 VX+ MUGEN

September 8, 2014

Ford Adds Limited Edition Trekker to Ranger Line-Up

Subaru Crowns 2014 Palm Challenge Davao Leg Winner

September 7, 2014

The Roadster is Back: Mazda Reveals All-New MX-5

September 6, 2014

This is It: All-New Volvo XC90