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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

MIAS 2015: Ford to Preview All-New Everest


Already shown to the public at the Bangkok International Motor Show, Ford Philippines has officially announced that the all-new 2015 Everest will have its public debut at the 2015 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) slated this April 9 to 12 at the World Trade Center.

This marks the first time Ford’s revolutionary mid-sized SUV will break cover in Manila and will offer the best indication yet of what the final specs would be. Stay tuned to CarGuide.PH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the latest news on the all-new Everest and on the Manila International Auto Show. Or read more about the all-new Ford Everest in Bangkok here. Or at the global launch here.

Review: 2015 Suzuki Ertiga 1.4 GLX A/T

Photos by Ulysses Ang
Just when you thought the AUV kingdom was dead and buried, a new crop of vehicles start taking the place of the old guard. With the exception of the immortals: the Crosswind and the Adventure, the rest of the choices are relatively new to the market. The latest one to lock horns comes from the least likely source: Suzuki. Known more for their cute kei cars with unforgettable names (Hustler, anyone?), Suzuki jumped straight into one of the bloodiest battles as it tries to gain a foothold in the AUV kingdom. Their steed is the Ertiga.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 Provides Maximum Control


Tires are integral to a car’s performance. In the most basic sense, they are the only four points of contact a car has to the road. That narrow patch of rubber, measuring no more than a few centimeters wide, help determine the handling characteristics that separate an ordinary vehicle and an extraordinary one.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

MIAS 2015: Chevrolet Trax Set to Challenge Ford EcoSport


Chevrolet is the first to launch a fighter to Ford’s best-selling EcoSport with a Philippine market sneak peek of its Trax at the 2015 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) at the World Trade Center on April 9 to 12, 2015.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Nissan Brings GT Academy to the Philippines


Nissan is looking for the next big racing star with the launch of famous virtual-to-pro racing competition, GT Academy. Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) officially joins the newly formed GT Academy Asia which pits the best Philippine “couch racer” against other countries including Japan.

Caltex Launches Techron in Concentrated Form


Chevron Philippines Inc. announces the launch of its patented Techron Concentrate Plus (TCP) fuel system cleaner in the country.

Chevrolet to Offer Roadside Assistance and Free Services this Lenten Season


Chevrolet Philippines-The Covenant Car Company Incorporated demonstrates its commitment to the safety of Chevy customers and the Filipino public, by staging its annual Chevrolet Holy Week Motorist Assistance Campaign.

Kia Continues Winning Ways


The year is shaping up to be a great one for Kia Motors as their vehicles gained recognition globally.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Michelin is Tire of Choice for Porsche Cayman GT4


For the launch of its new Cayman GT4, Porsche has chosen to equip all of the cars with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 ultra-high-performance tires: 245/35 ZR20 (91Y) TL N0 front and 295/30 ZR20 (101Y) XL TL N0 rear.

Refreshed Audi Q3 Now Available in the Philippines


Since its market launch, the Q3 model series has been a successful model for the Audi brand. With the desire to constantly improve its automobiles, Audi has launched the new Audi Q3—not only with a refreshed design, but also boasting with a number of advance technical innovations.

Dare to Drive with the Volvo V40 CrossCountry


In a daring program to show how confident Volvo is in the 2015 Volvo V40 CC, Volvo challenges car buyers to test drive and experience the new hatchback and compare it to its competitors. If, after putting the car through its paces and experiencing its uniquely class-leading delights, and clients still choose other compact premium hatchbacks over it, Volvo Philippines will gladly shoulder a free tank of fuel and wish you on your merry way.

Drift Tire Tracks Make History: 2015 Hyundai Lateral Drift Round 1


History has been made as the first and longest running drift series in the country as it started out its 10th season of the Hyundai later drift championship series and year 3 for the Hyundai brand as title sponsor. It was held last Saturday, March 21 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines parking lot and alongside the Atomized 5th Carshow by the De La Salle university of Mechanical Engineering.

Chevrolet Batangas Officially Opens


Chevrolet Philippines – The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI) celebrates the expansion of its dealer network with the inauguration of Chevrolet Batangas. Dubbed as an industrial center with its growing population of 2,377,395 residents, the city of Batangas is expected to be another significant market for Chevrolet in southern Luzon.

Volkswagen Officially Opens in Quezon Avenue


Volkswagen continues to expand its reach and market coverage with the opening of its new showroom along Quezon Avenue, now getting to be the busy automotive row of northern Metro Manila.  The brand new facility, Volkswagen QA, is strategically situated at the heart of Quezon City - near the corner of West and Timog avenues on the westbound side.  It is built in more than 1,500-square meter lot area with spacious 14-car display, a delivery handover lounge, parts & accessories shop, customers’ lounge, negotiation and reception offices.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

UPDATED: Ford Unveils Game-Changing Everest for ASEAN Market; Inches Closer to Manila Release

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Ford Press
UPDATE 1: See the Philippine specs, model variants, and prices here (05/19).

Ford continues its product-led transformation with the ASEAN launch of the all-new Everest at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Shown side-by-side with the new Ranger which was unveiled a day earlier, the production version of the all-new Everest is the product of Ford’s intensified customer study to give potential buyers everything they would want in a mid-sized SUV.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Review: 2015 Toyota Fortuner 2.5 V

Photos by Ulysses Ang
You’re looking at what’s possibly the final iteration of the Toyota Fortuner. If rumors are to be believed, Toyota’s venerable mid-sizer will see its first significant change next year; a full ten years since its market launch. During this time, it has endeared itself to the Filipino consumer, crowning it as one of the country’s best-selling vehicles almost perennially. It has proven so strong that despite increased competition from American, Japanese, and Korean quarters, the Fortuner has remained a top-of-mind choice in its class. As Filipino consumers are almost ready to bid farewell to this successful chapter in Toyota’s history, it seems appropriate enough to drive the swansong version in its newly launched variant, the 2.5 V.

Subaru Offers In-Car Entertainment Package for Forester i-L Until March 31


Motor Image Pilipinas Inc., the official distributor of Subaru vehicles in the Philippines, along with Subaru showrooms nationwide is now offering the Forester i-L variant with the ICE Package today until March 31, 2015.

Isuzu Philippines Sets New Record in February, Sells 1,813 Units


Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) continues to show their strength in the car manufacturing industry as their “big boys” provided strong performance for the month of February, boosting its sales for the first two months of the year.

Volkswagen Philippines Announces Results of 3rd Fuel Eco Fun Run


In February 2015, Volkswagen Philippines took eighteen (18) media members to Magalang in Pampanga for the 3rd leg of ECO FUN RUN, a fuel economy test for the Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) engine technology. The event was in cooperation with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum.

7 Things You Can't Miss Inside the New Ranger


Editor's Note: click here for the full launch story.

The Ford Ranger re-wrote the pickup truck rules when it made its debut three years ago. Riding on the Blue Oval’s four brand pillars: Quality, Green, Safe, and Smart, it mixes the best attributes of a passenger car with those of a dependable workhorse. Almost overnight, it transformed the pickup into more than something used by utility men and contractors. It made pickups cool.

Monday, March 23, 2015

UPDATED: New Ford Ranger is an Uncompromising Mix of Tech and Capability (w/ Video)

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Ford Press
UPDATE 2: Ford just revealed the 2015 Wildtrak (6/13).

UPDATE 1: Here are 7 things you cannot miss in the 2015 Ford Ranger (3/24).

Ford is writing the next chapter in the history of the Ranger pickup with the global unveil of the 2015 model at the 36th Bangkok International Motor Show. Heavily revamped, the new Ranger builds upon the world-class capabilities that made it a global success that includes the Philippines, where it’s currently the best-selling nameplate in its segment. For 2015, Ford is widening the bandwidth of comfort and convenience offered by the Ranger without compromising its tough and rugged package.

Friday, March 20, 2015

New 2015 Toyota Camry Aims to Set Benchmark Once More (w/ Brochure)


The best-selling executive sedan in the Philippines just received a bolder and sportier makeover as it faces stiff competition in the segment this year. The 2015 Toyota Camry boasts of a design that straddles between excitement and refinement. The valiant stance exudes a strong presence that complements its luxurious and iconic title.

The All-New 2015 Mitsubishi Strada is Here! (w/ Full Brochure)


Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMPC) officially pulled the curtains off the all-new 2015 Strada, a pickup that promises to blend passenger car comfort with SUV amenities, functionality, and ruggedness. The fifth-generation model in Mitsubishi’s storied pickup truck history, the all-new Strada takes the concept of “sport utility truck” to the next level as it aims to become the top choice among pickup buyers in the country.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Announces Change of Leadership


Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) formally announced the appointment of Mr. Yoshiaki Kato as the company’s new President and Chief Operating Officer effective April 1, 2015. Mr. Kato will succeed Mr. Hikosaburo Shibata who will have a new role in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)’s global operations.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Honda Cars Philippines Garners 100+ Reservations on All-New Odyssey


Honda Cars Philippines, Inc.  (HCPI) has announced that its new luxury MPV, the all-new 2015 Odyssey has garnered strong traction straight out of the starting block. After the official launch earlier this month, HCPI has revealed that Filipinos love the smartest MPV in the market. They love it so much that more than 100 reservations have already been made.

Experience the Thrill of Extreme Driving Pleasure


In celebration of BMW’s continued leadership in the premium automotive segment Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the exclusive importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, will be sending lucky BMW buyers to the BMW Alpine xDrive Experience, in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Hyundai Lateral Drift Celebrates 10 Years; 2015 Season Kicks Off March 21


This year marks the 10th season of the Lateral Drift Championship Series, which started with the goal to introduce drifting as a motorsport to Filipino enthusiasts. Since 2005, its first season, drifting in the Philippines has come a long way. Amateur and professional drifters have multiplied, cars have evolved, and the number of drifting fans is still growing continuously.

Toyota Motor Philippines Announces 2015 Motorists Assistance Program


Summer is just around the corner and to make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape during your much awaited road-trip, Toyota will once again offer FREE 20-point safety inspection in all 45 dealerships nationwide from March 16-31. Simply bring your car at your preferred Toyota dealership and avail this service for FREE.

Toyota Continues Strong Sales in February


Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) sustains its strong sales as seen in its February performance. Based on the most recent CAMPI report, the number one automotive company in the country records a 28% increase versus the company’s figures from the same period of last year. Moreover, this is TMP’s highest February sales to date at 8,870 units. With a market share of 42.9%, TMP continues to uphold its lead amongst other makes.

Save As Much as P100,000 with Kia's Summer Specials


Knowing how much Filipinos love road trips during summer, Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in the Philippines, offers Kia Sorento, Kia Rio, and Kia Picanto at significantly discounted prices.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Review: 2015 Toyota 86 M/T

Photos by Ulysses Ang
Out of the box, the Toyota 86 feels like a champ. Yes, there are some people who grumbled that it needs a hundred horsepower more, but consider that the extreme minority. For everyone else, the love affair with the 86 is not found in its straight-line tarmac tearing ability, but in its astute handling. By and large, it’s one of the purest and unadulterated sports cars on the planet. It sticks to the right stuff: lightweight, low center of gravity, engine in front and drive wheels at the back. Show it a tight, hairpin-filled road and it will pretty much oblige while putting a smile on your face.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Mitsubishi Kicks Off Summer with Summer Expo on March 20-22 at SM Mall of Asia


Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) invites everyone to kick-off the summer in a fun and unique way by visiting the Mitsubishi Summer Expo. From March 20 to 22, 2015, MMPC will be holding a Summer Expo at the Block 22 of SM Mall of Asia (in front of One Esplanade).

Ford Named a 2015 World's Most Ethical Company by Ethisphere Institute


Ford Motor Company has been named to Ethisphere Institute’s 2015 list of World’s Most Ethical Companies.

The honor comes at a time in which the way a company conducts its business is viewed as every bit as important as the products and services it provides, new research shows.

Sheldon Chua Bests Field at 2nd Leg of NDRC Southern Series


Sheldon Chua bested the field while the usual top-runners struggled with mechanical issues at the 2nd leg of the 2015 National Drag Racing Championship (NDRC) Southern Series, held at the Batangas Racing Circuit last March 7.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Foton Thunder Takes on Off-Road Challenge


After the announcement of the 5-year warranty for the Foton Thunder Pick-up, Foton Philippines continues to surprise with even more exciting things.

Aiming to showcase the powerful and reliable Cummins engine of the Foton Thunder 4x4 Pick-up, Foton Philippines will stage its first ever Thunder 4x4 Outdoor Action Event on March 20-21 at the Parking 4, NE Pacific Mall, Cabanatuan City. The event will start at 10 am and will end at 6 pm.

Gourmet Experience Continues with Volvo


Volvo continues to offer a spectrum of rewarding experiences for its valued clients as it ushers in the summer with its Key to a Gourmet Experience. From today to May 31, 2015, Volvo car owners get 50% off on buffet dining at Spectrum at the Fairmont Makati just by presenting their Volvo car key.

Bautista Joins Team Carmudi to Race at Flat Out Race Series (FORS)


Sixteen year old Slalom and Circuit racer champion Patrick Oliver “Polo” Bautista recently joined Team Carmudi to race at the 2015 Flat Out Race Series (FORS).

Chevron Donates Computer for Crime Prevention


The municipal police in San Pascual, Batangas has reinforced its e-blotter system recently with the use of computers and printers donated by Chevron Philippines Inc. (CPI), marketer of the Caltex fuel and lubricants, and Chevron Holdings Inc. (CHI), a pioneer multi-functional shared services center, in partnership with the American Chamber Foundation Philippines Inc. (AmCham Foundation).

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Your Awesome Nissan Pick-Up Truck Timeline is Here


With the launch of the NP300 Navara, Nissan is capping off 80 years of pick-up truck expertise which can be traced to the time when they were still called ‘Datsun’. If you want to brush up Nissan pick-up truck history for a bit, hit the photo (after the break) and download the awesome timeline.

Ford Wants You to Get Ready for the Long Drive this Summer


To help its customers get ready for long road trips during the coming Lenten season and summer months, Ford Philippines and its nationwide network of dealerships has launched its new service campaign, “Ready For The Long Drive”.

Review: 2015 Honda CR-V 2.4 SX

Photos by Ulysses Ang
The CR-V was once regarded as the default crossover of choice. When it comes to buying a crossover blindly, the girlfriend, the wife, or the daughter would look at the CR-V and nothing else. Well, it seems Pinoys are a fleeting bunch and the zeitgeist has move on. Today, buyers favor crossovers that provide a particular trait (sporty driving, fuel economy, cavernous space) as opposed to being a master of none. And although mid-cycle refreshes can’t do much to fundamentally change a car’s characteristics, Honda has done all they can with the 2015 CR-V. It behaves pretty much as it ever has, but at least it’s got much more kit to keep up with the Joneses.

Sunday, 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 Shows Off Collaboration with Ermenegildo Zegna


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.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

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 Offers Glimpse of Future Tires


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!

UPDATED: 2015 Mitsubishi Strada: This is the Brochure


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.

Friday, March 6, 2015

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.

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


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 Shows Latest Boroscope Test in Asia


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.