By Tessa R. Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer
OH, you lucky devil, mister or miss sole winner of the biggest lotto jackpot in this small corner of the world. Two hundred forty nine million pesos is truly a mind-boggling amount, and we’re sure you’d want to do a million things with that moolah. But we’re also equally certain that the first thing you’d want to buy with your “hard-earned” cash is some decent wheels, wouldn’t you?
So, before you run to the nearest showroom and clean out everything that’s on display, check out first the latest cars introduced by the leading carmakers. Hey, Inquirer Motoring won’t tell you to save your money (you’d probably laugh your head off if we said that), but what we could probably help save you is time.
The new Honda Accord and the new Mazda 6 — direct competitors and both former grand winners of Car of the Year Philippines — have been launched by their respective manufacturers Honda Cars Philippines and Mazda Philippines.
The new 8th generation Honda Accord, which the motoring media got to spin repeatedly at the Honda Automobile R&D center in Tochigi during the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, boasts not only of the most powerful Accord ever with its 3.5-liter V6 variant with 275 ps @ 6,200 rpm, but with the Variable Cylinder Management or VCM643 system which allows the engine to go through the 6-4-3 process, improving the overall fuel economy while maintaining the high power output of a V6 engine, as it smoothly shifts from 6 cylinders into 4-cylinder and further into 3-cylinder operation, depending on the driver’s needs (the VCM technology is illustrated thoroughly at www.vcm643.com).
The new Accord is longer at 4,935 mm (from 4,831), wider at 1,845 mm (from 1,821), and taller at 1,476 mm (vs 1,455). It has a longer wheelbase at 2,800 mm (from 2,738). Its tread in front and rear is bigger at 1,580/1,580 from the previous 1,555/1,555. Powered by the i-VTEC engine, the Accord is also available in 2.4-liter DOHC inline 4 variant (180 ps @ 6,500 rpm). The 3.5-liter is priced at P1.995 million and the 2.41-liter at P1.645 million.
The new Mazda6, which is noticeable with its prominent front fenders and short overhangs, is equipped with an MZR engine with larger engine displacement at 2.5-liter automatic transmission (170 ps/6,000 rpm) compared to the previous 2.3-L model.
It has a five-speed automatic transmission and with the trappings of tech safety features such as Active Adaptive Shift for linear, lively shift feel that self adapts to the road and the way the car is driven, rack-drive electric power assist steering, variable intake system and a sequential valve timing for increased torque. It has antilock braking system and dynamic stability control.
Mazda engineers boast of its improved aerodynamic levels at high speed while improving fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions with enhanced e-type multilink rear suspension. It is also equipped with Triple H body structure for improved collision resistance and disperses impact energy into the body frame.
The newly launched Mazda6 is longer (4,735 mm from 4,670), wider (1,795 mm from 1,780) and slightly taller (1,440 from 1,435). It has a longer wheel base (2,725 mm from 2,675) so expect a more comfy ride. It also has bigger front and rear tread (1,560/1,560 from 1,540/1,540). Its 2.5 AT has 170 ps (168 hp)/6,000 rpm from the previous 2.3AT that has 166 (164 hp)/6,500 rpm. The max torque for the new Mazda6 is 23.0 kgm (226 Nm)/4,000 rpm from the previous 21.0 (207Nm)/4,000 rpm. The new mazda6 is priced at P1.499 million.
Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp-which announced that it has reached cumulative sales of 500,000 units in this market since it started in 1971-launched three haulers for its 2008 model lineup: the Outlander GLX 2WD, the 2008 Pajero 4WD Special Edition, and a “beautified” 2008 Grandis. Competitively priced at P1,248,000, the Outlander GLX 2WD looks exactly like the four-wheel-drive variants (3.0 V6 GLS Sport 3.0 and 2.4 GLS), as it flaunts the same 18-inch wheels shod with 225/55 R18 tires.
It is equipped with the new 2.4-liter DOHC Mivec 4B12 engine that produces 170 ps @ 6,000 rpm and 226 Nm of torque @ 4,100 rpm. It has Invecs-3 Continuously Variable Transmission with 6-speed Sportronic mode that converts all of the engine’s energy into motion via the front wheels. Magnesium alloy paddle shifters are also standard to add to the sporty character of this SUV. It has a four-speaker 6-disc in-dash changer.
The suspension system was carried over from the 4×4 version: McPherson Struts up front and a heavy-duty multilink rear suspension both having stabilizer bars. The body frame has been developed using the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) technology to reassure collision safety. Brakes are all discs and are equipped with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. Dual stage front SRS airbags are standard and anti-trapping power windows are also equipped.
Sporting a new look this time, the 5-door MPV Grandis catches attention with its black genuine leather seats and door trim inserts. Complementing the seats are woodgrain panel accents. The 2008 model is also fitted with HID headlamps for increased driving visibility, front and rear parking sensors, and a sleeker glass-printed radio antenna.
Its car-like ride can be attributed to the design of its all-wheel independent suspension. It has large 4-wheel disc brakes, assisted by the 4-sensor, 3-channel ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution during emergency evasive braking maneuvers.
The Grandis is powered by the 2.4-liter Mivec 4G69 engine, producing maximum power of 165 PS at 6,000 rpm and 22.1 kg-m of torque at 4,000 rpm. It has 4-speed Invecs-II automatic transmission with Sportronic mode. It uses the RISE body technology. This is just pocket change for you, at a price of just P1,358,000.
The 2008 Pajero 4WD Special Edition now features an elegant black and beige color interiors and genuine beige leather seats with a driver’s 10-way and front passenger’s 8-way power adjustable seats.
The new Pajero, which was just introduced in April last year, sports a bolder but cleaner look. Starting at the front, a new chrome radiator grille and bumper present aggressiveness, while the High Intensity Discharge headlamps provide better luminance during the night.
The hood is not made of sheet metal but of aluminum, helping save weight for better fuel economy. At the rear, the Pajero also gets a refreshed treatment with a new spare tire carrier design with integrated rear fog lamp.
Major features are the Mitsubishi Active Skid and Traction Control (M-ASTC) which controls engine power and brakes to prevent understeer or oversteer, and the antilock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution acting on the 4-point front disc brakes and rear disc brakes.
The monocoque body frame has been developed under the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution body frame technology, helping the occupants withstand various kinds of collisions.
The new Pajero is now available with two more powerful engine options, namely the 3.8-liter 6G75 V6 24-valve Mivec gasoline engine and the Turbocharged and Intercooled 3.2-liter 4M41 16-valve Direct Injection.
Completely imported from Japan, the new Pajero is priced at P2,608,000 (for the 3.8 V6 Mivec) and P2,708,000 for the 3.2 D-ID common rail diesel. Now both are just peanuts for you, dear lotto winner, if you ask us.
PGA Cars Audi Center Philippines held a preview of the Audi A4 3.2 Quattro March 27 at its Edsa, Mandaluyong showroom. The new A4 3.2 Quattro, we learned, is equipped with the most powerful engine available in the new A4 with the 3.2-liter FSI direct injection gas engine (with some foreign car enthusiasts saying it could reach from 0 to 62 mph or 100 kph in 6.2 seconds). It boasts of a permanent four-wheel drive with 40:60 torque split. It is dubbed as a “new saloon” and could be had by special order.
A larger and more powerful A4 sedan, which got its design cues from its two-door sibling A5, is aimed at the Mercedes Benz’s C-Class and BMW 3 Series market. The new A4 designers have altered the sedan’s proportions for a sporty impression, with shorter front overhang and longer bonnet and wheelbase.
An A4 1.8-liter version would also be introduced, also featuring the TFSI multitronic, and also a 2-liter TDI (diesel) multitronic variant this June. Its drag coefficient is measured at just 0.27. Its 480-liter boot is larger than any of its competitors.
Well, dear lotto winner? Can’t seem to make up your mind? Inquirer Motoring has a neat solution for that: Why not buy everything. And while you’re at it, why don’t you let us take you on a joy ride to any point in Luzon (or the Philippines, for that matter)? Sigh. It’s just a thought.
September 18th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
This is a list of Honda engine codes and which model car they belong to. It is interesting to note that Honda manufactures only a few engine models at a time, and tends to keep engine models within certain families. A good example of this is the d- series, b- series and k- series engines. The b- series engines have, by far, the biggest following in the Honda community, and I even have a video of a Honda B18 revving to 10,500RPM. Without further adue.. the list..
April 15th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Sure, I’ve got the odd 20 million pesos lying around to buy all of the cars you mentioned. I’ll let you know pag na-deliver na yung mga kotse.
Yeah, I’ll keep spending like you tell me to and by this time next year, I’ll have less money than what I had before I won.