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September 14, 2014

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.

Alongside the launch of the WRX S4, Subaru has also made available its high-performance flagship sedan: the WRX STI. It carries one big difference from the global market model: the engine. For years, the global market WRX STI (including ours) has been using the turbocharged 2.5-liter EJ257, while the JDM model has been using the 2.0-liter EJ20.

Subaru has pulled the wraps off the WRX S4—the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) version of the WRX. The “S4” stands for four key attributes of the vehicle: “Sports Performance”, “Safety Performance”, “Smart Driving”, and “Sophisticated Feel”.

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.

Putting up a business does not always require formal training in sales, management or marketing. Take the case of Mrs. Tess Amante, a licensed veterinarian who decided to take an entrepreneurial path founded on practical skills, intuition, perseverance and passion.

2014 Lateral Drift Held at the Historic Quirino Grandstand

Last August 23, 2014, Saturday, Twenty five Filipino drifters from the amateur and pro division burnt rubber and battled it out it at the historical Quirino grandstand parade grounds, a place where Filipino Presidents were inaugurated, and now paved way for another inauguration of third leg of the Hyundai Lateral Drift Champions.

CAMPI Announces 5th Philippine International Motor Show Highlights

In celebration of the Philippine automotive industry’s exponential growth, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI), the country’s largest auto industry organization, gathers motoring industry players for the 5th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) happening on September 18-21 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

It’s all systems go as Kia Sorento gears up for its inaugural run in the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) 40th season. The first big step for the team was settled as Cong. Manny Pacquiao was hailed team coach and soon after, the influx of players via the PBA Dispersal Draft and 2014 Rookie Draft.

Over the last couple of years, the Philippines has experienced the most unpredictable weather patterns and climate changes that led to flash floods, landslides, and other serious calamities; hence, the local market has turned their heads to high stance vehicles like pickup trucks to ride out the country’s ever so changing conditions. With the peak of the rainy season now at hand, Chevrolet Philippines- The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI) launched their Go Big Go Colorado campaign to address the market’s demand to own a power-packed, reliable, and affordable pickup truck, with its best-in-class 800mm or 2.6ft water wading capability, that can see them through the harshest weather conditions and roughest terrains- the Chevrolet Colorado.

The 2014 Race Of Champions will be held at the Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados on December 13-14 after the Caribbean venue saw off a wide range of contenders from all round the world to host the prestigious motor sport event.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Say what you want, but there’s a level of purity to a manual transmission that cannot be matched by any sort of automated gearbox. There’s something about having complete control of when to up or downshift that cannot be replicated by a two-pedal set-up. And though everyone else sees the manual gearbox heading the way of the dinosaurs, Subaru sees things differently. Backpedaling on their decision to offer the all-new WRX solely with a Lineartronic CVT, the 6-speed manual finally arrives to the Philippines six months later.

There and Back Again: What Makes the All-new Honda Jazz Handle So Well

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Honda Press (Jam Ramos)

UPDATE: Here is our in-depth review of the Honda Jazz 1.5 VX+ MUGEN. (9/9/2014)

For those who say that there aren’t any good driving roads in the Philippines, I say you should go out more often. And though some so-called enthusiasts are more than happy pummeling the tires off their cars in a straight line (think NLEX, SLEX, or anything else ending in ‘EX’), real men like it bent. And twisty. And hardcore. Located a mere 15 kilometers or so east of the Ortigas Central Business District is the start of the infamous “Tanayburgring”—a clockwise loop of twisty, mountainous road stretching from Tanay, Rizal looping down to Quezon, Laguna, and Cavite before ending back up in Makati City. It’s a long, arduous route with no fancy pants coffee shop stopovers (at least for the first part) and one that really separates the men from the boys. So like a boy entering into puberty, I took to the Tanayburgring (well, at least a part of it) for the very first time and my weapon of choice: the all-new Honda Jazz.

Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. (ACEI), the official importer and distributor of Volkswagen cars in the Philippines, formally turned over the new 21st Century Beetle to eight-year-old Cherub Nikolai Bedaño.

The Game Has Changed: Lexus Launches All-New NX

Lexus is finally getting into the highly-competitive premium compact crossover segment with the launch of the all-new NX. Following in the track of the GS and IS sedans, the NX marries Lexus’s bold, dramatic design with a platform engineered with the help of racers. Inside out, it’s a crossover truly inspired by performance vehicles.

The ADAC Rallye Deutschland, round nine of the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), ended on Sunday, August 24, with the first win – and first one-two finish! – for Hyundai Motorsport in rallying’s showcase series.

The City of Bacoor in Cavite goes green with the inauguration of its second charging station for electric tricycles (Etrikes) this coming Friday, August 29, 2014 at the V Central Mall. To lead in the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon is Usec. Donato Marcos of the Department of Energy. This second charging station will be commercially operated by KEA Industrial Corporation, a local assembler of ETrikes with a manufacturing plant in Barangay Mambog IV, Bacoor City.

Honda Cars Philippines Receives Recognition in Sustainable Business Awards

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines received citations in the recently held Sustainable Business Awards (SBA) in Dusit Thani, Manila. HCPI bested other companies in the Supply Chain Management category and received a special recognition for Business Responsibility and Ethics.

The world of basketball– players, fans, and teams alike– wait with bated breaths every year for draft day. This year was especially special for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as they welcome three new expansion teams for its 40th season.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

When the Ford EcoSport launched, it was lauded as the best thing to hit the market since, well, sliced bread. Through a careful series of drives and activities, the EcoSport went from strength to strength making you wonder why you should even consider another car. Within the confines of a controlled environment with pre-determined routes and such, it certainly was getting perfect scores. Outside the glitz and glamour of the motor show floor or even exotic locales, the EcoSport loses a bit of that luster. Don’t get it wrong, it’s still a great vehicle, but one that’s just not exactly perfect.

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