CarGuide.PH | Philippine Car News, Car Reviews, Car Prices

March 8, 2015

Ford Focus RS Goes Global, Packs 320-Horsepower EcoBoost Engine and All-Wheel Drive

Ford enters the hot hatch foray with its Focus RS which has been officially shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The highest performing variant of their compact hatchback, the Focus RS slots above the Focus ST and is part of the Blue Oval’s plan to deliver 12 new vehicles (including the Ford GT) under the Ford Performance brand by the year 2020. The all-new Focus RS gets a 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive for the very first time.

Maserati showed off its collaborative effort with the maison of Trivero, Ermenegildo Zegna at the Geneva Motor Show. Available starting later this year, the Ermenegildo Zegna editions of the Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte models carry new exterior and interior elements and will be offered as an option.

The Ford Fiesta R2 is the Perfect Grass Roots Rally Car

Fancy doing some sideways dirt rallying action in a Ford Fiesta EcoBoost? And we’re not talking about the purpose-built WRC car here; we’re talking about the 1.0-liter EcoBoost. Well, your wish has just been fulfilled as Ford Motor Company announced that its 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine equipped Fiesta has just been homologated by the FIA in the R2 rally class.

Goodyear rolled out two concept tires at the Geneva Motor Show which the company says will radically change the role of tires in the cars of the future. Though they are purely concepts at this point, Goodyear says they may play a role in developing practical innovations in the near future.

Philippine Car Price Guide: March 2015

Normally, you’ll expect our monthly price guide to appear on the 15th or thereabouts. This time around, we’ve made an exception because we finally have the most-awaited pricing info of all: the 2015 Mitsubishi Strada. Of course, we also have the brochure in a separate link right here.

The Strada though isn’t the only new entrant in this month’s update. We finally were able to update the following:

Audi
BMW
Geely
Haima
Honda Odyssey
JAC
Jeep
Jinbei
JMC
King Long
Mercedes-Benz
MINI
Porsche
RAM
Volkswagen Golf GTI

We also implemented a new format to make sure it’s more mobile phone friendly. Hope you like it!

UPDATE 1: The all-new 2015 Strada has officially launched! (3/20).

We’ll just leave this here for you even the official launch is still on March 19. Happy weekend.

Video: Ford Drifts 2015 Mustang in China

How do you celebrate the 2015 Ford Mustang’s arrival in China? Send drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. to drift it around the streets of Ordos in Inner Mongolia. Happy weekend.

Video after the break.

Honda just turned bat shit crazy and pulled the curtains off their most insane car yet: the 2015 Civic Type-R. After a long five-year wait, Honda’s hot hatch has returned (at least in Europe) packing a 310-horsepower engine driving the front wheels. The front wheels. Oh, the insanity.

Caltex’s latest boroscope test in Asia, conducted throughout 2013, has revealed the harmful effects that lower quality gasoline have on motor engines, while highlighting the cleaning proposition that Caltex with Techron offers as the ideal solution for motorists. The boroscope test utilized a specially designed camera to examine the interior of a vehicle’s fuel system to inspect the cleanliness of critical engine parts.

Ford Philippines today announced its best-ever February performance with retail sales rising 38 percent year-over-year to 1,759 units, led by the EcoSport, Ranger, Explorer and Fiesta nameplates.

A Gem of a (STI) Gallery

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Should you find yourself with a free day in Tokyo, try one of Tokyo’s little-known gems for car aficionados and Subaru enthusiasts – the STI Gallery. Located just 30 minutes away by train from Tokyo, the STI Gallery is part of the Tokyo Subaru/Car Do, a super Subaru dealership which houses the head office in Tokyo as well as the products and activities of the Subaru racing unit in Mitaka.

Honda Launches Smaller but Smarter 2015 Odyssey MPV (w/ Specs)

Bigger isn’t necessarily better; what counts is the smarts. It’s a trend you see everywhere from toys to gadgets to houses. Now that trend has entered the automotive market, and in a segment you least expect: the premium MPV. In a world where gargantuan people carriers rule, Honda Cars Philippines is taking a bold, new direction; one that takes it to an undiscovered country. And there’s no better ride to take you there than the all-new Odyssey.

Ford Philippines officially introduces its partnership with triathlon team, Ford Forza.Triathlon is a versatile multi-stage sport that tests athletes in the form of swimming, cycling and running. The Ford Forza partnership showcases the personality and lifestyle match of the Ford vehicles with the fast-growing multi-sport.

BPI Auto Madness, the most awaited car selling event of BPI Family Auto Loan, provides you irresistible car offers wherever you are 24/7; making it convenient and affordable for you to own that brand new car you have been dreaming to have! This mad car sale kicks off this March 1 at www.bpiautomadness.com and runs simultaneous in several shopping mall venues all throughout the country until March 31.

Review: 2015 Peugeot 208 GTi

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Even if regular Filipinos didn’t exactly connect with its naughty heritage, Peugeot’s been rolling out the memory of its legendary 205 GTi in marketing its hot hatch offering, the 208 GTi. Keen to trade on the sex appeal of the legendary badge, the latest GTi keeps close to its namesake by offering a genuine fun-to-drive experience without compromising the broad requirements of an everyday driver. Indeed, it’s the automotive equivalent of Christian Grey: a straight-forward boardroom guy by day, a crazy sex machine at night. And if you find yourself behind the wheel of one, you’re definitely playing Ana Steele. Laters baby.

Honda Introduces Click 125i Scooter

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI) officially announces the introduction of New Honda Click 125i, dubbed as the “future of scooters”.

This continuous the unique concept of the Honda Zoomer-X. Equipped with New Generation Intelligent 125-cc global engine. It has cutting-edge technological features developed simultaneously in other countries dominated by Honda motorcycles such as Thailand and Indonesia.

BYD Auto China Ltd. Co., through its authorized Philippine distributor, Solar Transport Automotive Resources Corp., (STAR Corp.) supported the recently concluded 4th Electric Vehicle Summit 2015, which was held on February 26-27 at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Meralco Fitness Center, Pasig City. As one of the members of the Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP), the sponsorship of the EV Summit is STAR CORP’s way of expressing its solidarity and support of the goals and objectives of the organization.

Last February 27, Bianca Gonzalez competed against Fahrin Ahmad from Malaysia and Pichaya “Golf” Nitipaisalkul from Thailand on the Shell Eco-marathon track, in a battle to determine who is the most fuel efficient celebrity. Bianca was announced the winner after she drove one lap around the SEM track using only 1.75 liters of fuel per 100 kms (or 57 kms per liter). For this challenge, the celebrities drove the Shell Urban Concept Car, a fuel-economy vehicle of the future that resembles today’s road cars.

Toyota Announces Vios Cup 2015

Toyota Motor Philippines, the country’s undisputed number one automotive company announces the second season of the Vios Cup that kicks off at the Clark International Speedway later this month. Instilling “waku-doki” or “fun-to-drive” attitude in its cars, the Japanese automaker is on a high after the successful staging of the first-ever Vios Cup last year. Already boasting the largest grid in Philippine motorsports history, this year sees even more drivers (38 confirmed participants) including some of the hottest celebrities in the country such as Derek Ramsay, Jasmine Curtis, Kylie Padilla, and Joyce Pring. There will also be four legs this year including one which will be held “outside of Luzon”.

Mercedes-Benz is Premium Mobility Partner of APEC 2015 Summit

In a signing ceremony held last February 17, 2015 between key representatives of the APEC and Auto Nation Group, Inc., Mercedes-Benz was designated as the premium mobility partner of the APEC 2015 Summit.

Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, delivered a total of 722 units in 2014 to mark its 12th consecutive year of leadership in the local premium automotive segment. Through ACC, BMW registered an 11 percent increase in sales locally.

Hyundai, the official mobility partner of Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2015, is showcasing its vision of innovation that promotes energy-efficient motoring. Working hand-in-hand with Shell, Hyundai is aiming to both educate and encourage key stakeholders of the automotive industry in taking the earth-friendly route.

Michelin, in global partnership with Shell, welcomes back the Shell Eco-Marathon Asia (SEMA) for its second year in the Philippines at Luneta Park, Manila today until March 1, 2015.

The original hot hatch is finally here: the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Although the GTI nameplate has been around for a while in Europe, it’s the relative new comer here in the Philippines. In this match up, the Golf GTI is pitted against the Filipino favorites: Subaru WRX, MINI Cooper S, and the Toyota 86.

Photos by Ulysses and Volkswagen Press

UPDATE (1): We pit the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs its rivals. Click here. (2/27).

The Philippines is finally getting a good taste of the coveted European hot hatch flavor with the official arrival of the 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI. After a lengthy preview that started at the 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), the seventh-generation Golf GTI is finally here. An award-winning sporty compact that has won the world over with its technological leadership and sporty prowess, the all-new GTI aims to carry that tradition and continue to be the sustainable, attainable sports car.

Starting the year 2015 strong, Chevrolet Philippines – The Covenant Car Company Inc. cements its presence in the Cagayan Valley region with the inauguration of its newest dealership - Chevrolet Isabela. As the 2nd largest and one of the most progressive provinces of North Luzon, the Queen Province of Isabela is expected to be a sizeable market for Chevrolet.

Search CarGuide.PH

Quick Links

March 8, 2015

Ford Focus RS Goes Global, Packs 320-Horsepower EcoBoost Engine and All-Wheel Drive

Maserati Shows Off Collaboration with Ermenegildo Zegna

March 7, 2015

The Ford Fiesta R2 is the Perfect Grass Roots Rally Car

Goodyear Offers Glimpse of Future Tires

Philippine Car Price Guide: March 2015

UPDATED: 2015 Mitsubishi Strada: This is the Brochure

March 6, 2015

Video: Ford Drifts 2015 Mustang in China

Welcome Crazy: 2015 Honda Civic Type-R Bows In at Geneva (w/ Video)

Caltex Shows Latest Boroscope Test in Asia

Ford Philippines Posts 38-Percent Growth in February

March 5, 2015

A Gem of a (STI) Gallery

March 4, 2015

Honda Launches Smaller but Smarter 2015 Odyssey MPV (w/ Specs)

Go Further with the Ford Forza Triathlon Team

BPI Auto Madness Kicks Off Tomorrow, March 5!

March 3, 2015

Review: 2015 Peugeot 208 GTi

March 2, 2015

Honda Introduces Click 125i Scooter

BYD Supports 4th Electric Vehicle Summit

Bianca Gonzalez Named Winner of Shell FuelSave Celebrity Driving Challenge at SEM Asia 2015

March 1, 2015

Toyota Announces Vios Cup 2015

February 27, 2015

Mercedes-Benz is Premium Mobility Partner of APEC 2015 Summit

BMW Dominates Premium Segment in Philippines

Hyundai Veloster, ix35 Fuell Cell on Display at Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2015

Michelin Takes Challenge of Greener, Safer Motoring at Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2015

2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs the Competition

UPDATED: The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI is Here (w/ Complete Specifications)

Chevrolet Opens Isabela Dealership