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January 28, 2014

First Drive: Volkswagen Polo Notch 1.6 TDI M/T and Jetta TDI 2.0 TDI M/T Trendline

Photos by Ulysses Ang

When you think of ‘diesel’, the first things that come to mind are pick-ups, large SUVs, and MPVs. They’re normally associated with anything that requires fuel economy and hauling power at the expense of everything else, including refinement. But the notion of the unrefined diesel engine is something best left to your grandfather. Technology has remarkably changed transforming today’s diesel engine into one that actually improves the overall driving experience thanks to exhilarating performance and outstanding fuel economy without sacrificing emissions. In fact, Europe has taken notice. In 2012, about 55 percent of cars sold there were diesel, that’s up from 31 percent in 2000. And the leader in the diesel revolution is Volkswagen and their TDI technology.

Isuzu Cagayan de Oro is Isuzu Dealer of the Year in 2013

Isuzu Cagayan de Oro (CDO), for five years now, has been adjudged as the 2013 Dealer of the Year among all 21 authorized dealerships of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC). The award—given recently at the Solaire Resort in Parañaque City—was handed over by IPC president Nobuo Izumina and executive vice president Takashi Tomita.

Honda Cars Philippines officially launched the 2014 Accord, the latest car to wear a storied nameplate known for sophistication, efficiency, and driving joy in the executive sedan segment. Completely new from the ground up, the all-new Accord provides a host of powertrain, engineering, electronic and safety firsts combined with Honda’s trademark smart design and sporty handling.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

The Clark International Speedway transformed into a festival of speed last weekend as Toyota Motor Philippines finally held the Vios Cup Exhibition Race. Originally scheduled last October, the Vios Cup was postponed due to Typhoon Santi hitting the Northern and Central Luzon area. The three-month delay simply wetted the appetite of Filipino motorsport enthusiasts, packing the stands of the Clark International Speedway. The unexpected delay also enabled the 12 Vios Cup racers, composed of 7 motoring media and 5 celebrities, to hone their track skills even further. In the end, AutoIndustriya Editor-in-Chief Vince Pornelos emerged the clear victor after sweeping the two-heat race.

Chevrolet Philippines Achieves Impressive 52% Growth in 2013

Chevrolet Philippines has achieved unprecedented record numbers in terms of sales this past 2013. Chevrolet unit sales now ranks 9th overall in the Philippine automotive industry with an impressive 52% growth from 2012 to 2013 and a total of 5,058 sales for the year.

Kia Welcomes the New Year with Amazing Discount Deals until January 31!

Gallop your way to the nearest Kia dealer as the Korean automaker giant introduces a limited-time only Year of the Horse Deals.

Wanting to surprise and delight its loyal and potential customers, Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines, carries out a promo to usher in the year 2014. Tagged as Kia’s Year of the Horse Deals, the Kia Carens and Kia Sportage will be made available at more than 10% off of their suggested retail prices.

Testing for Car of the Year - Philippines and Truck of the Year - Philippines is done and dusted, and who came out with top honors? It comes as no big surprise as the Mazda’s executive sedan offering, the 6 walked away with the highly-coveted Car of the Year – Philippines (CoTY – P) while the Ford redeemed itself with Truck of the Year – Philippines (ToTY – P) as its Ranger Wildtrak scooped the other top prize of the night.

The Big Baguio Test: Driving the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 to the Philippines's Summer Capital

Thirty five liters—it’s not exactly much to go by, especially for a 267-kilometer drive to Baguio. Whether you’re putting pedal to the metal or driving gingerly, you’ll most likely eat through 35 liters on a one-way trip up to the Philippines’s summer capital. This is all well and good if you’re driving a car that has a 45-, 60-, or even 70-liter tank—you have a lot more fuel to play with, a bigger margin for error if you will. But what if you’re tasked to drive a car with a 35-liter tank all the way to Baguio? Forgetting that this is a fuel economy run, the real test for the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is if it can prove its worth outside the city; if it can reach Baguio with some fuel left in the tank and four passengers who’ll find the journey comfortable and relaxing. Glad to say, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 passed with flying colors.

Dole Philippines Inc. has complemented its vehicle fleet with the purchase of several units of the All-New Isuzu D-MAX.

The new vehicles, which will be used by the company for its various operations in South Cotabato, were turned over in the last quarter of 2013 by top officials of Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) to Dole Philippines’ executives.

Following the highest ever FIFA ranking of the Philippine Azkals at 127th place and the solid growth of football in the country, the Azkals have recently launched a football program for kids aged 6-12.

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines and the official Transport Provider of the Philippine Azkals, went all-out in its support of the youth football program. CAC Vice President for Marketing Mr. Hernando D. Gañac, Jr. lauds the initiative as “another step towards a more formidable Philippine football scene.”

Nissan Launches All-New Teana, Will it Arrive in the Philippines?

Nissan has launched the all-new Teana in Japan, a model which the company aims to move more than 600,000 units worldwide including the United States and China. To do so, Nissan has gone away with “hospitality”, which was the defining theme of the previous model and instead, pursued “driving performance” for the all-new Teana.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Undoubtedly, Kia has gone through a dramatic design-led transformation of late. They’ve been delivering dynamically-styled vehicle in several important segments at exactly the right time. In the mid-sized SUV segment, a segment more often known for bland utility, the Kia Sorento first came into the market in 2002 and since then has given Filipino buyers a somewhat leftfield choice in the ubiquitous sea of Fortuners and Montero Sports. In 2009, the Sorento (the current model) migrated from its body-on-frame beginnings and transformed into a sophisticated uni-body crossover in the process. Updated with a substantial re-design just last year, the Sorento not only ticks the right boxes when it comes to design, but also in sophistication, drivability, and of course, value for money.

The dawn of the New Year provides an opportunity to start fresh. It’s the perfect time to shed negativities and embrace a new life and a new you. Much like the prospect of endless possibilities, the New Year opens so many roads for those willing to drive off into exciting adventures.

The Volvo Concept XC Coupé won two prestigious design awards this week, further raising the excitement around Volvo Car Group’s (Volvo Cars) new design language. The Concept XC Coupe was awarded the title “Best Concept Car” at the 2014 EyesON Design Awards at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show, while Volvo’s latest concept vehicle also won the award for “Best use of Color, Graphics and Materials”.

Peugeot 208 T16 Pikes Peak Scoops Two Awards

Six months after taking on the stopwatch at the world’s most spectacular hill climb event in Colorado, the 208 T16 Pikes Peak is back in the limelight thanks to two internationally-famed prizes, namely Autosport’s “Rally Car of the Year” and Top Gear’s “Race Car of the Year” awards.

Last October 12, 2013, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) was set to hold the very first Vios Cup. Unfortunately, due to Typhoon Santi that hit the said region, TMP had to postpone the said motorsports festival to put everyone’s safety at the forefront.

The Mazda brand, under the management of Berjaya Auto Philippines Inc. (BAP) in its first year of operation, reported a 60% jump in full year 2013 sales compared to 2012. The growth is spread across the product portfolio, with the majority of the growth coming from Mazda2 small car, Mazda3 sub-compact, Mazda6 executive sedan, BT50 pickup and CX-5 compact CUV.

UPDATED: This is the 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis (w/ Video, Complete Specs)

UPDATE: We've included more photos for your viewing pleasure. Check them after the break.

UPDATE 2: We've also added the official launch video.

UPDATE 3: Here's our full review of the Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0 V.

47 years and 40 million units sold to date, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car nameplate on the planet and has always been the Japanese automaker’s leader when it comes to adopting new concepts and technologies. Sold in 154 countries worldwide, the Corolla is designed to meet and exceed the expectations of a global customer base that has become more discerning when it comes to a car of superior quality, durability, and reliability. Toyota’s response is the all-new, 11th generation Corolla Altis—a car that inherits 50 years of Corolla DNA but with an advanced design, improved roominess and comfort, more dynamic performance, and unrivaled fuel economy. This is Toyota’s best and most capable Corolla Altis yet.

Audi Moves 1.57 Million Cars in 2013

A new all-time record for AUDI AG: in 2013, the company sold around 1,575,500 automobiles worldwide, 8.3 percent more than in 2012. The premium manufacturer’s sales thus increased by more than 100,000 units for the fourth consecutive year. Major growth drivers over the past year were Audi’s three biggest export markets, all of which reported double-digit growth: with China up 21.2 percent, the United States up 13.5 percent, and the UK up 14.9 percent. In Europe and China, the four rings again led the premium segment in 2013 as the top-selling brand. Audi concluded the year with a 18.4 percent growth to around 130,700 global deliveries in December, increasing sales in all regions of the world compared to the same month of 2012.

Caltex Powers CoTY - Philippines Organizers for 2014

Chevron Philippines, Incorporated (CPI) through its Caltex brand of fuels, now supports the Car Awards Group, Incorporated ( CAGI ) in its activities for the 2014 awards season.

In introducing the new generation 911 Turbo S, Porsche is presenting the top cars of the 911 model series in terms of technology and dynamic performance. More than 40 years after the world premiere of the first Turbo prototype, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is redefining the limits of what is feasible in a sports car for everyday use.

If love is like riding a bicycle, then the first few tries must’ve hurt quite a bit. Just like Ramon Bautista of hit web-series Tales from the Friend Zone Zero, maybe you have gone through your share of heartbreaks that made you say “’di na ako naniniwala sa pag-ibig.”

UPDATED: Mysterious Toyota Hatchback Appears in Toyota Motor Philippines's Facebook Page

UPDATE: Read through the article for the Philippine name, launch date, and price...

UPDATE 2: We have all the launch details here.

After Toyota Motor Philippines gave the go signal to open the flood gates releasing model information and specs of its highly-anticipated Corolla Altis, their official Facebook page just sprung a surprise. There, a mysterious hatchback appears along with the tagline, “Get ready to live the easy life. Soon.”

After countless renders, leaks, reports, and even a reveal of its racing version, Subaru has finally pulled the curtains off the all-new 2014 Subaru WRX STI, and based on the official information, they seem to have concentrated on giving their flagship performance sports sedan better handling. After all, it was designed with “Pure Power in Your Control” as its motto.

UPDATE: Aside from photos, Lexus has now released a slew of data on the RC F.

Lexus has released the first few photos of its new RC F high-performance coupe in the lead up to the North American International Auto Show. And we’re liking what we see. Based on the already spectacular looking RC Coupe launched at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013 in November, the RC F shows off added muscularity and power through more fins, ducts, and scoops. All this and it’s supported by V8 power-eschewing the downsizing trend started by its German rivals.

Spend 60 Days with the All-New Ford Ecosport. Find Out How.

Ford Philippines announced a new interactive pre-launch campaign, in anticipation of the arrival of the all-new Ford EcoSport in the country. ‘EcoSport Urban Discoveries’ is designed to bring out the city adventurer in every Filipino consumer by inviting them to share their favorite urban discoveries around the metro and how the all-new Ford EcoSport makes it easier to get there.

Hyundai’s flagship sedan, the rear-wheel drive Genesis Sedan is getting the full unveil at the North American International Auto Show. Though it’s generally a niche product (here in the Philippines, at least), it showcases the Korean carmaker’s future design direction with Fluidic Sculpture 2.0.

Responding to Akio Toyoda’s call for more design revolution and more heart-pounding design at Toyota, the Japanese carmaker launched the “Future Toyota 1” or FT-1 Concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). So-called because it’s Toyota’s ultimate expression of what a Toyota coupe should be, it successfully builds up on Toyota’s rich heritage with cars including the Celica, Supra, and the 86.

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