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

July 26, 2018

First Drive: 2019 Ford Ranger Raptor (w/ Specs, Video)

The Australian Outback—a harsh, unforgiving dingo eat dingo world. Stretching some 160,000 square kilometers, it’s untouched, raw, brutal—the sort of environment where only the toughest survive. It’s here, in a relatively small 4,000-square kilometer patch up in Northern Territory that the Ranger Raptor is given its first shakedown.

The first Supra model was produced in 1978, and 40 years later the hotly anticipated, all-new fifth-generation model has been revealed in prototype form. It’s been experienced dynamically at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed hill course and showcased statically at a special invite-only event for Supra enthusiasts.

The top-selling premium car brand in the Philippines is making luxury much more affordable this month with downpayment schemes as low as P 279,000 on selected models.

UPDATED: Ford Philippines Has An Important Warning to Would-Be Ranger Raptor Buyers

UPDATE: Ford has now officially opened the Ranger Raptor order books (8/2).

We’re inching every bit closer to the launch of the much-anticipated Ford Ranger Raptor for the Philippine market (you can read our First Drive). But before that, we’d like to share a Public Service Announcement or PSA with you.

Over 40 Mazda show cars will vie for this year’s top prize at the Revolution 2: The All-Mazda Autofest car show happening the whole day of Saturday, July 28, 2018 at the Mazda Zoom Fest display along 9th Avenue, Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig City.

The Ford Ranger pickup truck has continued its success in Asia Pacific in 2018 with record sales through the first six months, increasing almost 9 percent year-over-year to 69,103 vehicles.

Kona in Hawaii is known as the site for the Ironman World Championship—a world-renowned triathlon race that tests strength and endurance. Yet, Hyundai decided to partner with a different Iron Man when it wanted to come up with a limited-edition Kona sub-compact SUV.

With half of the 2018 season now done, the battles in the Petron FlatOut Race Series (Petron FORS) are really tightening up as the country’s premier grassroots motorsports event returned to the Batangas Racing Circuit (BRC) last July 14.

Mazda x First/We/Drive Collection to Debut at Zoom Fest 2018

This weekend, passion for cars and the arts come together as Mazda Philippines is set to reveal the new Mazda Collection merchandise at the Zoom Fest 2018 happening at the BGC.

Ceramic coating has become the latest buzzword in the world of automotive detailing. Often marketed as the ultimate in paint protection, it has replaced automotive film (aka wraps or foils) as the go-to for the obsessive-compulsive car owner. The problem is, some detailers have begun to oversell it (exaggerated Facebook videos and posts don’t help) and as such, is creating a big hype around ceramic coating. But is it all worth it?

Six hundred eighty six thousand pesos doesn’t get you much car these days. A second-hand car is possible, but for those who want something new, the choices are limited. You can’t even get an entry-level Kia Rio or Hyundai Accent at those prices, much less something like a Honda City; only the bottom-rung Nissan Almera and Toyota Vios are available, and goodness, they’re pretty much penalty boxes with wheels. But, lo and behold, there’s one new entry that’s pretty much shaken the sub-compact genre and it comes from an unlikely source: Volkswagen. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 2018 Volkswagen Santana.

2018 Toyota Vios in Facts & Figures

The launch of the all-new 2018 Toyota Vios comes at the heels of the brand’s 30th anniversary in the Philippines, as well its record achievement of 1.5 million in cumulative sales in the course of those three decades. The Vios is undoubtedly one of the breakthrough models for Toyota Motor Philippines since its launch in 2003. By the release of the second generation, the Vios was already proudly Philippine-made.

Nissan has reiterated the need for collaboration among automakers, governments, and other stakeholders as key to accelerating electrification in the Asia and Oceania region.

Jeep Head is Now Fiat Chrysler's New CEO

Both Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Ferrari have replaced Sergio Marchionne due to his poor health.

Ford Launches 2019 Ranger for Asia-Pacific; Gets New Engines, Safety, Tech Features

After showing off the 2019 Everest equipped with a new twin-turbo 2.0-liter engine, Ford is now doing the same with the 2019 Ranger. Dubbed the Ranger Raptor’s “Blood Brother,” the 2019 Ranger packs a new drivetrain as well as some exterior and interior enhancements.

The Euro-4 compliant RZ4E engine is now on the Isuzu D-Max. Slated to arrive at all Isuzu showrooms by the end of this month, this small-displacement 1.9-liter engine replaces the previous 2.5-liter mill on all value-oriented trims. Together with the new engine and transmission (all models now get a 6-speed manual or automatic), the D-Max also receives some cosmetic changes inside and out.

Not to be outdone by the US-market WRX STI Type RA, Subaru is now releasing a limited edition WRX STI in the land of the rising sun dubbed the WRX STI Type RA-R. It’s a Japan-only model with just a 500 unit production run to commemorate STI’s 30th year anniversary.

Volkswagen Philippines recently turned over to CW Home Depot 4 units of Santana subcompact sedans that the pioneering home construction and renovation store will issue to its top sales performers.

What's the Best Fuel Economy Figure We Could Do with Isuzu's RZ4E Engine?

Isuzu launched a modern, downsized turbodiesel engine last March in the form of the 1.9-liter RZ4E Blue Power. Fitted under the entry-level mu-X and now, D-Max, the Japanese diesel specialist touts it as a technical tour-de-force with two goals in mind: offer response expected for an SUV (or pick-up) in its class while returning even better fuel economy than the outgoing 2.5-liter motor.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was recently cited by the Commission on Audit for having been able to meet a 90-percent achievement rate in registering new vehicles and issuing them Motor Vehicle plates and stickers within 7 days.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the country, capped off its 1st Semester 2018 sales with 15,957 unit sales.

The smile of would-be sub-compact sedan buyers would be as wide as the all-new 2018 Toyota Vios’s front maw as the number one carmaker in the country has finally revealed the pricing and specs of their best-selling passenger car.

Isuzu Philippines Corp (IPC), continued its road show to promote the modern jeepney, this time at the Philippine Bus & Truck Show 2018.

AVID Sales Down 11 Percent in First Half of 2018; Bullish on EVs and Hybrids for Second Half

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) sales momentum waned by 11 percent as it reported 43,138 units sold in the first half of 2018 from 48,344 units sold for the comparable period in 2017.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed has come and gone and people were slightly disappointed that they didn’t see the 2019 Toyota Supra in all its glory. Yes, it did do the hill climb, but it was still sporting the geometric camouflage, so a bit of a bummer there. But, some tidbits about Toyota’s upcoming sportscar did come out courtesy of Road & Track.

Review: 2018 Mercedes-Benz B 180 Urban

Despite what other people say, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is one likeable car. It’s not perfect, but after some days in it, it’s easy to prefer it over its more stylish sibling, the GLA-Class. While it fulfills a very particular niche—one whose needs center around a car with comfort, space, and one that carries a premium brand; it shouldn’t matter. In the end, it’s a sorted little number that deserves a look because it appeals to the sensibilities more than it does to the senses.

Hyundai Dream Centre Philippines (HDCP) is equipping its first batch of scholars with world-class skills in automotive technology and vehicle maintenance. Through the HDCP, partners Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), Plan International, and Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), aim to elevate the skills of the local workforce, broaden opportunities for underprivileged youth to begin productive careers in the automotive industry and, ultimately, boost Philippine competitiveness on the regional and global stages.

Hino Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive distributor of Hino trucks and buses in the country recently launched its fleet of Euro IV trucks and buses in Cebu, the Queen City of the South.

Caltex Philippines Combats Rising Gas Prices with Various Initiatives

From discount lanes for public utility vehicles (PUVs) to rewards points for dining and shopping—Caltex combats the rising gas prices by giving motorists the most benefits per liter.

Caltex, marketed by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), continues to reward the loyalty of its patrons and give back to Filipinos with year-round projects that open opportunities for disadvantaged people.

The Refreshed 2018 Hyundai Grand Starex Has Landed (w/ Brochure)

The refreshed 2018 Hyundai Grand Starex is now here. Tucked quietly in the company’s latest price list, the best-selling van gets a nip and tuck better equipping it to do battle with other full-sized vans in the market.

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