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May 11, 2016

Happy 50th Birthday, Subaru Boxer!

Fuji Heavy Industries, the manufacturer of Subaru automobiles, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its horizontally-opposed “Boxer” engine. And despite reaching its golden years, the Boxer engine isn’t slowing down one bit. It’s celebrating this milestone by scooping up yet another Ward’s 10 Best Engines of the Year: the 2.0-liter FA20DIT found in the Subaru WRX.

Mazda’s plucky roadster reached a significant milestone as the company announced the production of the one millionth, yes the 1,000,000th unit of the MX-5 (or if you prefer its Japanese name, Roadster). The well-received, well-awarded two-seater roadster achieved this feat after 27 years and four generations.

Philippine Car Price Guide: May 2016

The height of summer brings some of the coolest new cars to hit the Philippine market. In this update of the Philippine Car Price Guide, we have some of the much-awaited new cars making their debut on the list. Also, any vehicle that’s clickable (with a link) brings you to our test drive or first drive of that particular variant. Now neat is that?

Chevrolet Colorado (new variant)
Ford Everest (price increase)
Ford Explorer Sport (price increase)
Great Wall Haval M4
Honda Accord (price increase)
Honda Brio Amaze (new variant)
Honda City (price increase)
Honda Civic
Honda HR-V (price increase)
Honda Jazz (price increase)
Honda Mobilio (price increase)
Honda Odyssey (price increase)
Isuzu mu-X
Kia Soul (new variant)
Mazda6 Skyactiv-D
Mazda CX-5 Skyactiv-D
MINI Cooper Convertible
Suzuki Ertiga
Toyota Wigo (price increase)
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Polo

Last year, over 22,000 fans made history when Monster Jam entertained Pinoy fans of all ages. 2016 gets even bigger as Monster Jam returns to the Philippines on June 18 and 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Michelin boosted the Porsche Dream SUV Drive event on last April with its trademark road safety initiative called the Fill Up With Air campaign (FUWA).

Review: 2016 Mitsubishi Strada GLS Sport V A/T

It’s hard to understand why there’s little love for the all-new Mitsubishi Strada. Many dismissed it for the toothy chrome grille, but besides that, it’s a great performer. It may not spout the same sort of spec sheet worthy numbers like horsepower, torque, or water wading depth, but at the end of the day, the Strada simply works. So, it’s time to go beyond the cover (or in this case, the grille) and witness what could be the best everyday pickup truck.

2017 Chevrolet Colorado High Country vs 2016 Ford Ranger Wildtrak vs 2016 Nissan NP300 Navara

After being previewed as a concept in the Bangkok Motor Show, Chevrolet has finally pulled the wraps off the production version of the 2017 Colorado, a pickup which Chevy says offers greater performance, better safety, increased refinement, and segment-leading technology.

For all intents and purposes, you are looking at the Nissan Juke’s future replacement: meet the Kicks. Sounding like something only millenials could name, the Kicks isn’t a pair of sneakers. Instead, it’s an all-new small crossover designed for the global market. In fact, at its launch in Brazil, Nissan has confirmed that it will sell the Kicks in around 80 markets worldwide. Will the Philippines be a part of that? With left-hand drive assembly confirmed, that sounds very likely.

Ford Philippines today reported an all-time record month with retail sales in April that soared 93 percent year-over-year to 3,152 units, led by strong demand for the Ranger pickup and all-new Everest, EcoSport, and Explorer SUVs.

Just How Fuel Efficient Are the New Toyota Fortuner, Innova, and Hilux?

Bringing out their second-generation IMV or Innovative Multipurpose Vehicle to its first long-distance road trip at the annual Toyota Road Trek, Toyota Motor Philippines took the opportunity to test the real-world fuel mileage provided by the new GD-series diesel and Dual VVT-i equipped TR-series gasoline engines.

Reigning Miss Universe, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, was back in town recently to personally witness the crowning of the next batch of Binibining Pilipinas winners at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum – including her successor as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Maxine Medina.

World-renowned jazz trumpeter Chris Botti and rock legend Sting both rode in utmost luxury and class aboard the dynamic Volvo XC60 SUV and All-New Volvo 7-seater XC90 SUV during their Manila tour. Ensconced in legendary Volvo safety, they were also ferried around in well-appointed comfort as these Volvos served as their official transport. Both icons shared the stage at the Marriot Grand Ballroom in Resorts World Manila for their Up Close and Personal concert this March 2016.

It had to be seen to be believed. Looking like something out of a Sci-Fi blockbuster, Flyboard Air inventor Franky Zapata piloted his creation 2,253 meters to smash the world record for the farthest distance traveled by hoverboard, which previously stood at 276 meters.

Experience Petron's "Best Day" Promo

Petron gives you some respite from the heat of the summer with its Best Day Promo at participating service stations. Petron helps you start and end the work week right by giving you one free bottle of Magnolia Purewater and Polo candies for any amount of fuel purchase between 6AM to 9AM on Mondays and Fridays from April 22 to May 30, 2016.

Racing under the hot summer sun, it was a day full of on-track action at Round 2 of the 2016 GT Radial FlatOut Race Series (FORS) held last April 9 at the Clark International Speedway (CIS). It was also the biggest turnout this season with 95 drivers competing in the Time Trial challenge and Grid races.

Suzuki Swift Sells 5 Million Globally

Suzuki Motor Corporation’s bestselling compact car, the Suzuki Swift, marks a milestone for having sold five million units worldwide this April, 11 years since its introduction.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) posted 151 percent growth in Q1 2016 against the comparable period last year, bringing the year-to-date sales tally to 21,160 units.

It’s fair to say that the Civic made Honda. Since the nameplate’s introduction in 1972, it has become renowned the world over for its class-leading dynamics and fuel efficiency. In the decades that followed, it revolutionized “the car for all people” and has thus embodied Honda’s challenging spirit. The 2000s though have been largely unfavorable to the Civic with duds such as the 2000-2005 ES (7th generation) and the 2011-2016 FB (9th generation). Though people still bought them, it raised Honda’s vulnerability in the compact car segment. Today, there’s this: the all-new, tenth-generation Honda Civic. Is this, finally, the Civic re-born?

It’s often joked that the typical Filipino family is composed of at least seven people: the parents, the grandparents, two children, and a yaya. This has led to the rise of AUVs or Asian Utility Vehicles, since a 5-seater car can no longer suffice. Even with the phasing out of AUVs in the early 2000’s, the clamor for an affordable family carrier continued and manufacturers have gone through varied routes trying to serve an ever fickle market. The one that has always led the charge is Toyota and their Avanza. Now on its second-generation, it’s become the default choice for those who want seven seats but can’t afford an Innova. But with an increasing number of choices in the small MPV segment, can the big minor change Avanza continue to lead?

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Refreshes Mirage for 2016 (w/ Brochure)

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is confident of regaining the number one spot in the small car category with the launch of the new 2016 Mirage hatchback. Already the country’s best-selling hatchback, the Mirage gets a major update that increases its value-for-money quotient—important in the competitive sub-B and B-segment passenger car category.

Kia's Family Service Heads to Calapan

Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, and its After-Sales group are continuing to stage its year-long customer care service program in select Kia dealerships nationwide called Kia Family Service.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the country displayed bullish growth for the first three months of 2016. Ending the first quarter with 7,469 units, sales are up by 39 percent compared to the 5,364 units sold in the first quarter of the previous year. Quarter-on-quarter results also show auspicious results in automotive sales as the company also posted an identical 39 percent growth.

The continued uptick in demand locally for motor vehicles has helped push Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) to log its best monthly tally in the company’s 19-year history.

You’ve read our first impressions on the new Skyactiv-D equipped Mazda6 and CX-5 AWD. If not, you can check it out here. Meanwhile, if you’re interested in all the specs, well, you came to the right place. Just remember two things: first, the price for both models is P 1,985,000; second, stocks, particularly for the CX-5 AWD Skyactiv-D are limited (due to allocation). So if you’re in the market for a top-end compact crossover, decide now. Anyway, the specs continue after the break.

First Drive: 2016 Mazda6 2.2 Skyactiv-D and 2016 Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D AWD

What a difference a letter makes. Though it doesn’t look it, the two Mazda vehicles you see here: the Mazda6 and CX-5 AWD are very different from the models introduced last year. No amount of squinting will help you see the changes, because the only discernable difference is found on a trunk badge that reads, “Skyactiv Technology D”. Yes, Philippines, the Skyactiv-D is now here and it’s going to transform how you’ll drive.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan (Don’t be a foreigner in your country) has been an effective call for Filipinos to explore more of their country first than any other place. It’s a clear message that every region of the country offers not just attractions, but culture and heritage as well. It’s a call that Kia Philippines and Columbian Autocar Coporation (CAC) heeded well as they brought six of their best-selling vehicles to the island of Negros for a three-day journey across three provinces.

UPDATED: The Next Step: Honda Cars Philippines Launches All-New 2016 Civic (w/ Specs)

UPDATE 1: And now, here is our First Drive of the all-new Civic RS Turbo (5/3).

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is celebrating its 25th anniversary by going back to where it all began: the Civic. At the festivities commemorating this occasion, HCPI unveiled the all-new, tenth-generation Civic, a car that pushes the compact segment envelope in terms of styling, driving dynamics, and advanced technologies.

What defines luxury? Is it the amount of wood and leather you touch and feel inside the cabin? Is it the badge and the story it tells through its rich history? For the all-new Honda Legend, it’s none of that. Instead, it’s reinterpreting luxury using cutting-edge technology where science fiction seems to blend with science reality. Whether or not you share that world view is immaterial; it’s undeniable that the company that has brought forth VTEC, ASIMO, and the Honda Jet has every reason to be proud of this flagship sedan.

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May 11, 2016

Happy 50th Birthday, Subaru Boxer!

Mazda Produces One Millionth MX-5

Philippine Car Price Guide: May 2016

Monster Jam is Coming Back to Manila on Father's Day

Michelin Practices Proper Air Inflation at Porsche "Dream SUV Drive" Event

May 10, 2016

Review: 2016 Mitsubishi Strada GLS Sport V A/T

May 9, 2016

2017 Chevrolet Colorado High Country vs 2016 Ford Ranger Wildtrak vs 2016 Nissan NP300 Navara

Will This Replace the Nissan Juke?

Ford Philippines Sales Jump 93 Percent Year-on-Year in April

May 8, 2016

Just How Fuel Efficient Are the New Toyota Fortuner, Innova, and Hilux?

Miss Universe Queens Ride in Style Aboard Porsche Cayenne

Volvo is Official Cars for Chris Botti and Sting in Manila

Daredevil Flies Hoverboard; Smashes World Record with Help of Ford EcoBoost (w/ Video)

May 4, 2016

Experience Petron's "Best Day" Promo

GT Radial FlatOut Race Series Heats Up in Round 2

May 3, 2016

Suzuki Swift Sells 5 Million Globally

AVID Sales Surge 151 Percent in Q1 2016

First Drive: 2016 Honda Civic RS Turbo

Review: 2016 Toyota Avanza 1.5G A/T

May 1, 2016

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Refreshes Mirage for 2016 (w/ Brochure)

April 29, 2016

Kia's Family Service Heads to Calapan

Hyundai Philippines Sales Jump 39 Percent in First Quarter 2016

Isuzu Philippines Posts Record March Performance

2016 Mazda CX-5 AWD and Mazda6 Skyactiv-D: The Full Specs

April 27, 2016

First Drive: 2016 Mazda6 2.2 Skyactiv-D and 2016 Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D AWD

A Journey Begins With a Single Step: Exploring Negros with Kia

April 26, 2016

UPDATED: The Next Step: Honda Cars Philippines Launches All-New 2016 Civic (w/ Specs)

Review: 2016 Honda Legend 3.5 Sports Hybrid SH-AWD