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By Fung Yu Contributor Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Adobe Flash 10 or higher is required to view the 360-degree VRs. Average VR size is 2.5Mb each. January 7, 2009 saw Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. launch the all new City. The much anticipated third generation Honda City, following the recent success of the new Jazz, completes Honda’s all i-VTEC line-up and reinforces its claim in the passenger car segment. Taking inspiration from an arrowshot concept, the new City ascertains sleek and powerful stance from any angle. It features streamlined grille, sharp headlights harmonization, smoother contours and a 15-inch tire size to enhance its overall sporty appearance. With cutting-edge design and technologies that set new standards in its class, the City merges modernism with practicality for an ultimate driving pleasure, forever changing the rules on how subcompacts should be. Sharing the same powerplant as the Jazz, the i-VTEC engine of the new City delivers maximum power output of 120ps at 6600rpm and 100ps at 6000rpm for the 1.5 liter and the 1.3 liter variants respectively. The i-VTEC engine technology delivers power and torque intelligently, thus contributing to a fuel efficient driving performance. Further fuel efficiency is enhanced with a 5-speed automatic transmission to reduce engine revolution and stress. An F1-inspired paddle shift (available only for the 1.5E variant) enables manual shifting of gears without the clutch to deliver superb driving pleasure of a manual transmission. Retaining its compact form despite the increase in interior and trunk space, the all new City radiates a refreshing atmosphere with careful selection of materials and design. The spacious interior creates a relaxing ambience filled with strength and character. It instantly relaxes and cools down passenger auras as soon as they get in. Complimenting the City’s relaxing air is an advanced audio system that is compatible with iPod and other MP3 players via USB and AUX ports. A multi-information display in the instrument panel also makes it possible to easily track fuel consumption with the fuel economy and range indicators in LCD. The new City conforms to EURO 4 level emission standards, a G-CON body structure, ABS with EBD and Brake-Assist comes standard, plus dual SRS airbags are available for the 1.5E and 1.3S variants. The City continues to be manufactured in Honda’s Sta. Rosa plant in Laguna, a testament of Honda’s confidence in local manufacturing operations and commitment to the Philippine government and the Filipino people. Our 2-day media test drives of the Honda City in the serene province of Bohol toke us on a tour of its prime tourist attractions. On the first day we visited the Clarin Ancestral House in Loay with no less than the former mayor, Mr. Olegario Clarin Jr. as our guide; after which we proceeded to interact with the tarsiers, the world’s smallest primate, near the town of Loboc; a sumptuous buffet lunch awaited us aboard the boat in the Loboc River as we cruised down its emerald waters while being serenaded with folk songs; a stop at the Baclayon Church, one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines; picture taking in the Blood Compact Commemorative Shrine in Barangay Bool; and finally to the classy Amorita Resort in Alona Beach, Panglao Island as we spent the night in total bliss and tranquility. The following day’s drive to Bohol’s best attraction, the Chocolate Hills, fueled us with excitement that morning. The new City was really put to the test in the 3.5 hours drive that took us crossing the municipalities of Dauis, Baclayon, Alburquerque, Loay, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Candijay, Alicia, Pilar, Siera Bullones, and finally to Carmen (site of the Chocolate Hills view deck) on paved coastal roads. The long and relaxing drive on the new City certainly made me appreciate this car even more. Even with the searing heat of the mid-day sun, the increase airflow of the car kept us in cooling comfort. Overall, majority of the car features performed flawlessly, and the drive was indeed one of rule-changing comfort, performance, safety, and style. You can read my related article on Bohol here.  All VRs taken on March 2-3, 2009. The author can be reached at: fung@firefly.ph

By Fung Yu Contributor Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Adobe Flash 9.0 or above is required to view the 360-degree VRs. Average VR size is 2.0Mb each. Yellow ‘hotspots’ are clickable. SO I got an invitation from Honda Cars Philippines a while back to test drive the all new Jazz for 2 days in picturesque Ilocos Norte. My first thought was to clear my schedules, refresh my memories of Ilocos, and pray that we’ll have fair weather during those days. Alas, I guess I didn’t pray hard enough. Having seen the 2008 Honda Jazz in the recent 2nd Philippine International Motor Show, I can say it is indeed a beauty. The new Jazz expresses dynamism and a super-forward looking form that you can readily see at a glance. The new body structure conforms to a variety of design requirements, including safety and spaciousness. This is a car that merges seemingly contradictory traits to genuinely enhance people’s lifestyles; the design is sporty yet spacious; performance is powerful yet efficient; utility is compact yet capacious, comfortable yet versatile. Among the new exterior features of the all-new Jazz are: the push-lift fuel lid that is synchronized with the door lock; the larger side-view mirrors providing 30 percent more visibility (as compare to the old Jazz); a wider 80-degree angle rear doors that open for easier loading and unloading; bigger front and rear lamps that provide more distinctive styling. As one enters the Jazz, you immediately notice the spaciousness of the interior, couple that with the wider glass area and larger front windshield makes you feel almost boundless. The cockpit is an awe-inspiring 3D design with large-diameter meters of sculpted surface and hairline accents; this exudes in a sporty and advanced feeling that contributes to enhanced visibility. One notable new feature in the dashboard is the fuel consumption meter; a first for small cars, this instantaneous and average reading of fuel consumption provides a LCD display of fuel utilization that translates to better economical driving. View 360VR So what was it like for a 2-day test drive with the Honda Jazz in Ilocos Norte? Our first day was rather gloomy. Rain clouds seem to follow us from Manila to Loaog; the only time we felt the warm sunshine was for a few minutes at 30,000 feet. We arrived in Honda Cars Ilocos before noon and after a sumptuous lunch and briefing, we all put on our Jazz t-shirts and did the first challenge: the utility contest. This challenge aims to show the spaciousness of the Jazz and by configuring the seats, you can stuffed big and long items together almost effortlessly. After which, it was finally time to do our test drives. The drive towards the town of Burgos is both idyllic and relaxing, along the way, we performed several more trivia challenges from counting palayoks (urn), haggling prices of some local commodities, to interviewing the caretaker of Cape Bojeador lighthouse; and lastly, en route to our resort, a treasure hunt in Paoay Church. We reached our place of accommodations after sunset, dinner was coupled with a picture sharing session, and a light social capped the night. View 360VR View 360VR Waking up in the Bali-inspired Playa Tropical Resort the next day, all well rested and up for another days’ activities; with weather a lot better, I took the wheel, this time of the 1.5 Jazz, on a leisurely cruise. Our group started the drive from Currimao to Saud Beach in Pagudpud; stopping at the town of Bangui to appreciate the giant wind turbines and more photo-ops. Compare to the 1.3 model we drove yesterday, the 1.5 Jazz feels much more ‘solid’, acceleration is more responsive, and a host of other features and technologies such as the paddle shift makes driving more enjoyable. View 360VR View 360VR View 360VR View 360VR We started the Eco Challenge after lunch. Four teams, with two teams driving the same engine displacement models pitted against each other in a ‘race’ of speed and fuel efficiency. With Ulysses Ang of motioncars.com at the helm and this writer as navigator, it took us about 1.5 hours to cover a distance of 66Km and consumed 2.9 liters of fuel, a 22.67 kilometers/liter average on uncongested rural roads. The other team did much better with a 30.39 kilometers/liter finish. Of the 4 teams in our batch, each team won a challenge or more: team 4 of Jouel Lacampuenga and Kankan Ramos won the utility challenge and the eco challenge in the 1.3 category; team 2 of Marvin Tan & Albert Goquingco won one category of the photo contest; team 1 of Roy Medina and Iñigo Roces won the utility challenge, the treasure hunt, another category of the photo contest, and the eco challenge for the 1.5 category, they also emerged as the overall winner; our team ate the most slices of pizza, oh wait, that wasn’t a challenge!? All VRs taken on October 15, 2008; with the exception of Bangui Wind Turbines, Poaoy Church and Cape Bojeador Lighthouse taken on December 2006. The author can be reach at: fung@firefly.ph.

In the recent 2nd Philippine International Motor Show, INQUIRER.net speaks with several car manufacturers about the recent concept cars they have lined up in the future. These "cars of the future" are now using other alternative means of powering engines, including electricity (using more powerful and less expensive batteries). Hybrid cars are also the rage today, as manufacturers respond to pressures the global green movement to come up with ways to cut on energy consumption amid the oil price increases. Here's a video interview with Mitsubishi vice president for customer service Dante Santos who explains how an electric car works. Here's a video interview with Korean carmaker Kia Motors explaining the displayed "fuel cell electric vehicle" or FCEV. The FCEV runs on electricity produced by combining stored liquid hydrogen with oxygen, as explained by Edgardo Castro Jr., training manager for Columbian Autocar Corp, Kia's local distributor. Here's also a closer look at Toyota's hybrid Prius sedan that alternately runs on gas and electricity. Toyota has created a hybrid pickup naming it as one of their "cars for the future." Unveiled earlier this year, the Toyota A-Bat is further elaborated on by Allen Rufo, Toyota Philippines vice president for customer service marketing, who also gives his views about hybrid vehicles in the local market. Video taken at the Philippine International Motor Show held at the World Trade Center. Finally, Japanese carmaker Honda unveils a new version of the Jazz, also called Fit in other countries. In this video interview, Honda Philippines head of sales operations Voltaire Gonzales talks about the new features in the Jazz.

By Tessa R. Salazar Philippine Daily Inquirer BRING it on! Now that could have been a cute takeoff for a fun motoring article, except that at almost P50 per liter (and counting), the cost of fuel is no longer a laughing matter. And the next time legendary ol’ Tito Poch utters this now-famous sentence, it may be to face a rioting mob of motorists fed up with the rising cost of the rice-gasoline cocktail. Intoxicating thought, isn’t it? For those who haven’t gone to the extent of installing their cars with LPG tanks, or at the extreme dumping their old (or new) gas guzzlers for some two-wheeled fuel misers, they may be holding on to the hope that, perhaps, changing some wasteful driving habits may do the trick of squeezing out a few more kilometers out of that last precious drop of fuel. Some car manufacturers, understandably, are willing to help. Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) recently held the motoring media edition of a fuel-efficiency driving competition on a combination of city and highway driving. This turns out to be a bold move on the part of HCPI, which cited a survey that most Honda owners still preferred performance over fuel economy. Here's Mario Marasigan, the director for the Department of Energy’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau, and HCPI president and GM Hiroshi Shimizu signaling the start of Honda Challenge Cup. HCPI vice president for marketing Arnel Doria revealed that the Japanese manufacturer had, indeed, lined up a series of fuel economy activities for the motoring public to be increasingly aware of the benefits of fuel-efficient driving. For this edition planned specially for the media (willing guinea pigs, at that), HCPI had prepared a route consisting of a 39.9-km city drive from Petron C5 passing through Ayala, Buendia, Edsa all the way to Petron North Luzon Expressway northbound, and a 65-km highway drive starting from Petron NLEX to Petron in Dau, Pampanga. Fourteen teams (each comprised of a driver and a navigator) were allotted the Honda vehicles City 1.3 CVT, City 1.5 CVT, Jazz 1.3 CVT, Jazz 1.5 CVT, Civic 1.8 A/T, Civic 2.0 A/T, and the CR-V 2.4 A/T. For each Honda variant, two teams went head-to-head, for a total of seven competing groups. Unlike past fuel economy runs, HCPI urged the participating teams to practice “normal” day-to-day driving, with the air-conditioning and thermostats on at comfortable settings, and city and highway speeds maintained at “legal” levels. That meant a minimum speed of anywhere from 0 to 30 kph during city driving, and 60 kph on the highway drives. HCPI made sure all participants would follow this speed guidelines by setting a time requirement of a maximum 2-hour completion of the city route and 1.5 hours for the highway route.According to HCPI technicians, all of the competing units had just been tuned up. One factor, however, was not made constant: the total mileages of competing cars were not identical. Thus, while one team was to drive a relatively brand-new car (of less than 25,000 km in the odometer, for example), the competing team had to make do with a 50,000-km-old car. Questions about cylinder friction and other matters related with age were brought up. HCPI explained, however, that today's cars have virtually “less friction,” especially at the parts where it mattered most -- the engine. As long as the cars were regularly tuned up, such age differences were negligible. HCPI went on to stress that vehicle age was just one factor of a myriad of factors playing on fuel efficiencies. Other major aspects to consider were the driver’s skills, driver-navigator teamwork and the car's total weight. HCPI chose the “rough tank” test. That meant fuel measurements would be determined entirely by the gas pumps, or more specifically by the automatic shutoff of the gas pumps (as fuel economy run is devoid of expensive fuel-measuring instruments). This was not exactly one of the most accurate ways to measure fuel runs but it does give a general idea of how much fuel was consumed.(Note: Based on past fuel economy runs conducted by the Department of Energy using rough tank test, the organizer either generally used the same location and pump as several pumps may produce discrepancies; cars were filled to the brim with indicator; and using ramps taking into consideration the fuel lines, etc. but these procedures have accuracy issues, too). The refueling was supervised by a technical committee composed of HCPI and Automobile Association Philippines representatives. Fuel economy readings would be derived by adding up the actual distance of city and highway driving divided by the total amount of fuel consumed (in liters). Seals were placed on the hood-body gap, fuel lid, trunk, air-con thermostats, fan control dial, recirculation control, and trunk after the initial and second fill-ups. The technical committee also checked the air-con pipelines (to make sure everyone used the car's aircon). The recommended tire pressures (usually seen on the driver’s side door) were followed (underinflated tires increase road resistance, while overinflated tires bring about unstable weight distribution due to insufficient tire-to-surface contact. Adding an interesting sidelight to the run was the participation of HCPI's own hybrid Civic. The DoE's Marasigan, who witnessed the entire run, lauded Honda’s fuel economy initiatives. The results of the fuel economy run were not without its surprises. The tandem of Manila Bulletin’s Aris Ilagan and Manila Standard Today’s Dino Directo, tagged heavy favorites for their nearly decade-old experience in fuel economy runs (and having won several of these runs to boot), were narrowly out-economized by first-time participants Maike Evers and Lory Uy. The two teams drove a Honda CR-V 2.4-L. Inquirer Motoring's Tessa Salazar, in tandem with Road Talk's Aries Espinosa, made the technical committee gasp in disbelief twice -- the first at the first fill-up at the Petron NLEX after the city drive, where the Jazz 1.3 A/T Espinosa drove consumed only 1.13 km in 39.5 km, for an amazing fuel-efficiency reading of 35 km per liter -- and the second at the second fill-up at Petron Dau after the highway drive, where the same vehicle driven by the same driver consumed an appalling 6.09 liters in 65.7 km, for a dismal fuel run of 10.7 km to a liter. The Inquirer team ended up with an average fuel consumption rating of 14.5 km to a liter, a far cry from competitor Manila Bulletin motoring editor Pinky Colmenares and assistant editor Anjo Perez’s result of 26 km to a liter for city and 39.5km to a liter for the highway). Here's a photo of the Honda Challenge Cup winners with Gabby Peren, assistant vice president for Logistics of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (extreme left), Marasigan (third from left) and Doria (third from right). Nobody could explain such big differences in the results, and the losers, expectedly so, cried for a rematch. Hopefully soon, though, before fuel prices hit the roof, and everyone throws in the towel and wears their crash helmets. Bring it on!

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 4x4 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.

By Andre Palma Philippine Daily Inquirer THE 2006 launch of the 8th generation Civic meant a lot of things for many people. For Honda the car made a statement that a product that grows up can still be fun to drive. To the competition, a benchmark was again be set for the tricky compact sedan market. Everyday motorists got a bigger car, with an efficient engine and styling that lived up to the times. For some of us though, a new Civic only meant one thing. While 90 percent of the population will consider the Honda Civic as an entry-level sedan that seats five comfortably and does the daily commute without fussing or missing a beat, smaller niches in the market sees it otherwise. Another nine percent see this car as a blank canvas, a car that allows them to express their individuality and passion for tinkering with cars. Tragedies in personal expression can be seen rolling the streets of Manila on a daily basis, festooned with every conceivable aftermarket trinket and bauble. The remaining one percent, see the Civic for what it really is. If you’ve strapped on a helmet, pulled on gloves and laced up driving boots in the last 15 years of so, there is a large chance you’ve jumped into some make or model of the Civic and driven it in competition. The car’s decent basic DNA is likely the reason for such wide acceptance in the motor sport community. Relatively cheap to procure, easy to prepare, blessed with a decent chassis and available with engines that revved until most others turned blue -- choosing a Civic as the basis for a race car seemed almost default. Yet no matter how prepared and modified your Civic was, there was one particular model that every single one of us wanted: one that was built differently from the rest, one that could only be had, in limited numbers from abroad. Since 1997, the Civic Type R has been the Civic to have. Meaner and leaner than the average member of the flock, these were cars built from standard daily commuters and finished as road racers for the masses. With a reinforced and stiffened chassis, suspension settings for a more spirited nature and an engine so taut and able, these hatches finished in championship white just screamed low-key, affordable performance. Underdog Three generations later, the underdog of the automotive performance world is back. In March of last year, the Japanese domestic market saw the release of another Civic Type R. For the first time available in the very same four-door configuration we have here on Philippine shores, the notion of a local release is tantalizing indeed. One need but look at the claimed performance numbers to see just how different a machine the Civic Type R is from the ordinary family sedan. At the heart of the Type R is a factory-tuned K20A engine, a 2.0-liter inline four cylinder that is rated at 220 bhp and 220 Nm of torque. In typical Honda fashion, most of the power and pull is seen in the later end of the rpm range, upward of 8,000 rpm for horsepower and 6,000 rpm for torque. Six-speed, close ratio manual gearboxes come standard with a limited slip differential. Braking is upgraded by four-piston Brembo calipers. Interesting that the already stiff chassis of the 8th Generation Civic is further made rigid by over 50 percent. A bespoke body kit and Recaro interiors are standard fare also. Think of the current Type R as a race car that seats five. Bright beacon Another bright beacon on the horizon is the fact that another Southeast Asian market is being supplied with the Civic Type R. Malaysia gets exactly the same unit as Japan and has been enjoying the signature, free-revving wail of the Type R since March last year. Contacts in Honda Philippines are noncommittal about a Philippine release of the Civic Type R. Some people I've talked to cite the fact that a left-hand-drive version of this car is not made in Japan and therefore poses the largest hurdle to a local release. Rumor mills further muddle the situation as the US market, which drives on the same side of the road as us, might get this car in the near future. The size of their market allows for such special dispensation from the guys at Tochigi Research and Development. All we can do is to continue waiting and hoping. This is a car that is indeed worth the wait.

By Tessa R. Salazar Philippine Daily Inquirer THEY say the best measure of a product or service’s quality is its ability to thrive even when its competitors are having a tough time. And such is evident in a highly competitive market as the automotive industry, where consumer loyalty can be retained or swayed as swiftly as car manufacturers can produce new vehicle models. Honda Cars Philippines Inc., however, has two models that prove that when you hit the bull’s eye of your target market, loyalty and consequently continued sales are almost always assured despite the influx of competitor models. The Honda Civic has captured a 63-percent market share of the compact class sedan, while the CR-V has gained a 25-percent share in its class. The two vehicles have bolstered HCPI’s No. 2 position in the automotive industry. In a statement released by HCPI citing Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (Campi) report, Honda led the passenger segment in January with a 35-percent market share. HCPI sold 1,045 units in January out of the total passenger car unit sales of 2,961.Arnel Doria, HCPI VP for marketing, said that with continued positive sales trend, Honda hopes to significantly contribute to Campi’s 125,000-unit year-end industry sales target. HCPI registered a 65-percent increase over the same period in 2007. Doria pointed out that despite the 23-percent downtrend in the passenger car market compared to the December 2007 performance, Honda even managed to post a 19-percent growth. Industry historical trends show that the industry normally experiences a sales slump at the beginning of every year due to advanced demands in December when buyers take advantage of aggressive year-end promotions.Honda credits its passenger cars dominance with its iconic Civic model, which has registered a 14,000-unit accumulated sales since its introduction in April 2006. Mirroring buyers’ approval, various industry awards have been heaped on the Civic for its superior engine performance, fuel economy, dynamic styling and overall value. Overall, the Civic emerged as one of the top three best-selling models in 2007. The CR-V is also credited by HCPI as adding a significant contribution in sustaining its position with 431 unit sales.

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. The numbers of this little hatchback cannot lie. Powered by an able 1.5-liter, twin-cam, common-rail, turbo diesel the resulting engine figures run about 100 bhp and 235 Nm of torque at just 2,000 rpm. Confused by the math? Mere moments in the cockpit of this rocket will clear any sort of bewilderment and make you beg for 4-piston Brembos. None other than the Hyundai Getz 1.5 CRDi delivers this pocket-sized punch. Priced around P630,000, one can imagine that most of the money went into the engine. Learn to live with the cheap plastic of the '90s interior and the aches and groans of the budget chassis and realize that the other "H" brand knows how to build fun cars too. In the next segment, the beleaguered compact sedan niche, an old familiar name delivers the best bang for buck driving. In 35 years of this model's existence, many of this car's faithful followers thought that Honda lost the plot with the bland and boring seventh generation. Mercifully, the eighth generation FD chassis brings back the Honda Civic that Generation X tuners and enthusiasts went goo-goo over -- fun, frugal and loaded with potential. A surprisingly stiff chassis is what really works for this car alongside a suspension design that is made for decent road holding. While the 2.0-liter version comes with more torque and power, it is the 1.8-liter single cam that delivers the best performance, efficiency and retail price. If you endure the sneering looks in public, the bare basic 1.8V, sans ABS, EDB and airbags, is the one to have. At P777,000, this bare basic car leaves a lot of budget for simple modifications that can really polish this gem in the rough. Look no further than a simple Neova tire upgrade to remind you of what Civics are all about. Imagine what adjustable coil-overs and simple engine modifications will deliver. Do I sound like a teenager? See, I told you, this car is fun! Real driving monster Rightfully, at the top of the best cars of 2007 list is a real driving monster. At the lowest rung of true performance automobile is the rally replica. These are turbocharged cars that temper World Rally Championship speed and all-wheel drive handling for public roads. Simply, there is no point A to B car segment faster for the price. And in the Philippine market, there is no more economical example of a rally replica than the Subaru Impreza WRX. Fine, let's concede that the Impreza STi is closer to the full-blown rally car than the street-going WRX but again, the numbers don't mislead. For around P1,700,000 would-be rally rep owners get 230 bhp and 330 Nm of torque. These are really massive numbers for any car that can be made to prowl everyday Philippine roads. Another point to ponder is that at half a million cheaper than a full-blown STi, this everyday rally car conservatively delivers 80 percent of the experience. So there they are, the cars that have helped define the 2007 motoring year. For the sheer volume of choice, we consumers are better off than ever before. So raise a glass with me to the year about to pass and the one still to come. Here's to an equally exciting 2008 and if my crystal ball is anywhere near clear as before, we are in for another wild ride. Cheers!

By Tessa R. Salazar Inquirer WAS it just coincidence that as the Inquirer flashed the news about climate change on its banner page, its Motoring section had in its possession (for a couple of days, at least) two hybrid cars from two of the world's trailblazers in hybrid power technology? Maybe there has been, indeed, an ultimate purpose for endeavors that would, at first, seem meaningless and a waste of time. Take, for example, our effort to drive these two hybrid cars (a Toyota Prius and a Honda Civic with Integrated Motor Assist) through some of the most congested locations in Metro Manila at the worst possible driving times (payday Friday night and Saturday afternoon). Thus, the 1.5-liter Prius (a second-generation test unit) and the 2006 Civic 1.3 i-DSi with IMA were virtually inseparable for two days, driven in identical routes and lanes, loaded up at the same fuel stations and subjected to the same traffic situations. Two for the road The Prius had already been test driven earlier this year by Inquirer Motoring. This would be the first time, though, that it would have a fellow hybrid for a companion. At the onset, the Prius evidently has a more space-age "look" than the Civic, owing to a prominent energy screen monitor at the center of the dashboard, a unique, tiny gearshift lever just below that monitor, and an EV mode on the left side of the dashboard. Pushing the EV button would give the driver full-time electric power for speed up to 42 kph for as far as 3 km, or depending on the battery charge levels. The Prius demolished all our misconceptions of hybrids as being slowpokes. This Prius, with a body as big as a 1.8-liter Altis, pulled like it was a 2-liter sedan, even during uphill runs. As we noted previously, the gasoline engine may produce a measly 76 hp at 5,000 rpm, but when combined with the 67 hp at 1,200 to 1,540 rpm of the electric engine, you effectively harness over 478 Nm (net of torque) and 110 horsepower at its peak. We have also observed that the electric motor's characteristic high torque was also an immense help on the uphill (both engines worked during steep climbs). The Civic Hybrid, on the other hand, looks every bit a regular Civic sedan except for the large side markings spelling out "Integrated Motor Assist" and the decal "hybrid" at the rear. The digital monitors at the dash betray its hidden nature, of course, with noticeable gauges for battery charge and the IMA system. The Civic driver control package looks more user friendly for its needle-type gauges, conventional ignition switch, and regular A/T gearshift lever. Photos courtesy of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

By Aida Sevilla-Mendoza Inquirer THE 4TH Car of the Year (Coty) Philippines Awards program, which was held at the Rockwell Tent in Makati last Thursday, established quite a few firsts. It was the first time that: a European brand won the big trophy. The 2007 Car of the Year, the Volvo C30 (shown in photo) is a sports coupe that aced the Luxury Subcompact category versus the BMW 120i and the Mercedes-Benz B160. What's more, the Swedish carmaker outshone its German rivals two more times when the Volvo S60 T5 won the Executive Car of the Year Award and the Volvo S80 2.5L topped the Luxury Car category. Swept It was also the first time that a Korean brand -- Kia -- swept four category awards, besting Japanese brands. The Kia Picanto 1.1 DLX bagged the Basic Subcompact Car of the Year Award, the Kia Rio 1.4 sedan was adjudged the Executive Subcompact Car of the Year, the Kia Carens CRDi collected the Compact Van/Multipurpose Vehicle of the Year Award and the Kia Carnival LX 2.9 CRDi short wheelbase won the Executive Van/MPV of the Year trophy. For the first time, the Car Awards Group Inc. (Cagi), organizer of Coty, got a big business corporation to be the title sponsor, i.e. Petron Corp. Thus it is now officially known as the Petron 2007 Car of the Year Awards. The decision to get a title sponsor was made by Cagi 2007 president Ira Panganiban with the concurrence of his board: External VP Andy Sevilla, external vice president; Fernan Lao, internal VP and technical committee chair; and Jeff Reyes, treasurer. Media practitioners All the officers and members of Cagi, if you don't know it yet, are media practitioners as Cagi is a nonstock, nonprofit private organization of motoring journalists that conducts consumer-oriented tests of mass production motor vehicles annually to help consumers make an informed choice when buying a car and to recognize the progress of the auto industry in engineering, quality, design and safety features. This time, the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) supported the 2007 Coty Awards not as a sponsor, but as Cagi's technical partner in testing the entries. After all, AAP is a nonprofit, nonstock organization, the national auto club that is the only Philippine affiliate of the FIA, the Paris-based body that governs motor sports worldwide including F1, the WRC and Le Mans. AAP motor sports committee chair Mandy Eduque and AAP director Dave Arcenas participated in some of the car testing sessions. Categories The number of categories was increased from 11 in the 3rd Coty to 23 after the Cagi executive board consulted the technical experts of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (Campi) on how to improve the Coty formula. Passenger cars now have nine categories: Basic Subcompact, Executive Subcompact, Luxury Subcompact, Midsize, Sports Car, Executive, Luxury and Ultra Luxury. Car-based utility vehicles enter four categories: 2WD Crossover/Wagon, 4WD Crossover/Wagon, Luxury Crossover/Wagon and Ultra-Luxury Crossover/Wagon. Minivans were divided into four categories: Compact Van/Multipurpose Vehicle (MPV), Executive Van/MPV, Luxury Van/MPV and Ultra Luxury Van/MPV. Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were also Compact, Executive, Luxury or Ultra Luxury. Pickup trucks have two categories: 2WD (4x2) and 4WD (4x4). Chose The car manufacturers themselves, not Cagi, chose which of their products would participate and in which category each would enter. The car manufacturers also took care of bringing the test units to the test venue. Entries that did not win in their respective categories last time were allowed to try again. Previously, losing entries were not allowed to participate unless the motor vehicle in question had undergone major changes or upgrades in engineering, technology and/or safety features. A facelift -- new headlights or taillights, a new grille, new bumpers -- did not count. 87 entries Eighty-seven cars and trucks were tested over a span of eight Saturdays from Aug. 25 to Oct. 13 at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite. The total number would have been 97 if the test units of 10 models had shown up. The number of Special Awards was increased from four to 19. Supporters of Coty 2007 sponsored the awards. Thus, Toyota Motors Philippines won the AAP Best Road Safety Campaign Award, the Honda Jazz 1.3 won the Standard Insurance Best Value for Money Award, the Nissan Teana the Rockwell Land Best Interior Design Award, the Mercedes-Benz S350 the Bridgestone Most Comfortable Ride Award, the Mitsubishi Outlander the Bosch Best In-Car Entertainment Award, the Subaru Impreza WRX the Globe Media Dream Car Award and the Petron 2007 Car of the Year, the Volvo C30, also won the Concept One Sexiest Car Award. So Coty 2007 was a year of firsts, setting the stage for a more exciting 2008.