By Andre Palma
Inquirer

CHOOSING a driver’s car is often problematic. Most of the cars that can really rip up the open road at copious amounts of speed are handicapped by prices that would require 25-year mortgages. We would be so lucky to be in that capacity, wouldn’t we?

Thankfully, all is not lost. There are still some cars out there that can fill the budget performance driving requirements of the everyday Filipino motorist. The age of the budget driver’s car is upon us, where low prices don’t automatically translate into the lack of satisfaction.

A blend of simplicity, fun

The mini car segment is loaded to the brim with automobiles that not only drive well, but also are merciful on the bank balance. The Philippine market is lucky though. In the ranks of these small two-box wonders is an automobile that blends simplicity and punch better than most anything in the market today.

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By Tessa R. Salazar
Inquirer

BMW’S sports activity vehicle with the “athletic Asian physique” (as we call the X5’s mini-me version) sports a new engine, a fresh interior and exterior design as well as some new high-tech stuff.

The X3 magic has not yet worn out, as it retains the nimble handling, admirable steering and braking with the touch of that stiff ride.

The new X3 2.5Si makes its debut with its in-line six-cylinder engine that features a lightweight composite magnesium/aluminum crankcase. It weighs just 165 kg and features variable Valvetronic valve control.

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By Aida Sevilla Mendoza
Inquirer

RACING is not the only concern of the Federation Internationale de líAutomobile (FIA) although it makes and implements rules for motor sports worldwide including Formula One, the World Rally Championship, Le Mans, the Dakar Rally and the Race of Champions.

The FIA is also concerned about the clamor for dramatic action to stop global warming which is the subject of the ongoing Climate Change Conference in Bali attended by delegates from nearly 190 nations. Although automobiles today are cleaner and more fuel-efficient as a result of improvements in technology and fuels that reduce both toxic emissions and the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted per vehicle, the FIA knows that the development and deployment of cleaner and more fuel-efficient technologies is the key to future mobility as demand for automobile use rises worldwide.

Target

Last October, the FIA general assembly tackled the global problem of climate change and called on the United Nations to adopt the first-ever worldwide target for carbon dioxide emissions in passenger cars, 140 g/km as part of a new international framework for greener motoring. This could serve as an international target that all can aspire to, the FIA noted, adding that the benchmark would provide a way of measuring progress of the entire automotive fleet worldwide.

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WHEELSTV has an interesting series of videos, showcasing different concept cars from the 30s and other eras.

Here are four of the videos:

CHECK out this Reuters video report on the world’s oldest Rolls-Royce, which was auctioned off for 3.6 million pounds — that’s equivalent to $7.2 million. Whew!