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By Aida Sevilla-Mendoza Philippine Daily Inquirer SIX years ago, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) introduced an out-of-town driving excursion and competition called the Isuzu Challenge to demonstrate the versatility and fuel efficiency of its vehicles. The Isuzu Challenge soon became a much-anticipated annual event for motoring journalists and Isuzu vehicle owners alike. Lately, IPC has expanded participation in its out-of-town driving events to include the lifestyle as well as the motoring media. IPC’s recent “Great Drive, Great Life” two-day happening, for example, had trendy lifestyle outdoor activities on the agenda such as trap shooting, cruising aboard a yacht around Subic Bay, horseback riding and sailing as well as the usual driving skill contest of an off-road slalom course and river crossing with the 2008 Isuzu Alterra. Apparently, IPC is presenting its flagship model, the Alterra, in a new light. Strong, durable, reliable, all-terrain and fuel-efficient, yes, but also comfortable, smooth, on-street driveable and well-suited for long family trips and leisure activities. Since the Alterra is built on the same platform as the Global D-Max and is powered by the same engine, it inevitably acquired the rough-and-ready image of a made-over pickup truck rather than a family-friendly sport utility vehicle. IPC is trying to balance that image. Anyway, more than any other truck-based SUV, the Alterra is equipped with on-board entertainment facilities and safety features to make long hauls out of town relaxing, enjoyable and safe for families with small children. Dominating the dashboard is a new JVC DVD/ tuner with 3.5-inch monitor, Dolby digital decoder, iPod and Bluetooth wireless capability, 5.1-channel digital surround 10-speakers system with a slim-design, detachable 180-watt pre-Amp subwoofer at the back. Second row passengers can watch a DVD movie via dual 7-inch LCD screens with tilting function mounted on the backs of the front headrests. On a trip to Clark with a professional driver at the wheel, I sat in the back and was able to enjoy the entertainment offered by the Alterra’s DVD system. The DVD I viewed was a Wallace & Grommit movie. Driving the Alterra myself on another day toward Makati, I watched a DVD movie on the life of Bobby Darin -- but to play it safe, I only looked at the in-dash monitor whenever traffic crawled to a full stop, which happens often on the South Luzon Expressway. The Alterra’s audiovisual system, by the way, includes a rear spoiler-installed video reverse camera and backup sensor that aid the driver in parking maneuvers. The Alterra’s other safety features are dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, 3-pt height adjustable ELR seatbelts on the front and second row seats, anti-theft system with integrated keyless entry and large high-mount stop lamp. Aside from the question of safety, people often ask how comfortable a ride a truck-based SUV like the Alterra can provide. Not as comfortable as a passenger sedan, certainly, but better than that of a leading truck-based SUV brand. Whether I was the driver or the back seat passenger, I found the ride quality not as bouncy or as harsh, comparatively speaking. However, my test-drive and -ride of the Alterra did not include the third row seat. Being a seven-seater, the Alterra has a bench-type fold-and-tumble third seat which requires some effort to access and may be comfortable only for kids. The Alterra’s suspension is similar to the D-Max’s: independent double wishbone with torsion bar springs and torsion bar up front plus Flex Ride semi-elliptical leaf springs with telescopic shock absorbers at the rear. Befitting its aspirations as a lifestyle as well as an off-road vehicle, the 2008 Alterra has nice upscale touches such as power-retract side view mirrors with integrated LED signal lamps, black leather steering wheel, leather-and-vinyl combination upholstery, chromed interior door handles, digital average fuel consumption meter display and digital ambient temperature display. Both the 4x4 (P1,673,000) and 4x2 (P1,490,000–P1,555,000) versions of the 2008 Alterra retain Isuzu’s powerful yet fuel-efficient 4JJI-TC iTEQ 3.0-liter 3rd generation common rail direct injection diesel engine with turbo intercooler that is Euro-3 compliant and packs 146 ps/ 3,800 rpm and 294 Nm max torque starting at 1,400 rpm and steadying at 2,400 rpm. The brakes are ventilated discs in front and drums at the rear while projector-type halogen headlamps and fog lamps light the way. Alloy wheels are shod with 245/70 R16 tires. Summing up, does the Alterra qualify as a family-oriented life-and-leisure vehicle? No, when it comes to looks—its leading common rail diesel competitor looks more stylish. Yes, when it comes to on-board entertainment features and amenities, safety equipment, space and comparative riding comfort. * * * TODAY’S BUMPER STICKER: If you don’t stop when I do, smile as you go under!

By Charles E. Buban Philippine Daily Inquirer LET’S face it, those who could afford the 2008 4x4 Isuzu Alterra has to be well-situated financially, able to have at least P1.673 million of spare cash (or won’t mind paying the equivalent monthly obligation). Indeed, these Alterra buyer has the ability to enjoy a lifestyle a lot of us could only dream of. Well, this writer was able to taste that sort of lifestyle when Isuzu Philippines organized Isuzu Alterra... Great Drive, Great Life event a couple of weeks ago where invited motoring media participated in an off-road gymkhana, shooting clay targets (with a shotgun), had lunch aboard a yacht (while cruising Subic Bay in Zambales), went sailing, joined in a modified equestrian competition and finally tried Subic Bay Yacht Club’s fabled synchronized head and foot massage. “Alterra would-be buyers or even those who already own one tend to live a more adventurous life—driving their SUVs over and up and down the sand dunes or taking them to far-off or exotic locations where they could pursue their recreational activities,” explained Keiji Takeda, IPC president. To make the event even more exciting, IPC divided the participants into groups where each team has to compete to earn points from the various activities lined up that day (except, of course, the massage portion of the program). “Since the Alterra is IPC’s premium sport utility vehicle model, we decided to let the motoring media get a taste of some of Alterra owner’s recreational activities while at the same time sample the upgraded amenities that is offered in the latest Alterra,” explained Arthur Balmadrid, IPC vice president for Corporate Business. The most outstanding of these features is the much-improved in-car entertainment system that incorporates a reverse-assist camera that enables the driver to just look at a 3.5-inch monitor in front to view the images captured by the wide-angled camera located at the rear spoiler. This feature was greatly appreciated during the off-road gymkhana (held at the dry riverbeds of Sacobia inside the Clark Special Economic Zone) where competing Alterra drivers must complete a series of timed maneuvers that included reverse parking and parallel parking. During the 50-kilometer drive from CSEZ to Subic Bay Freeport Zone -- via the soon-to-be-opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway -- a number of us enjoyed tinkering with the 2008 Alterra’s new JVC entertainment system that boasts, among others, iPod connectivity (the previous as well as the latest iPod nano models were easily detected). This new entertainment system is also dual-zone ready, meaning that the driver and the front passenger could listen to music while rear passengers could watch a DVD movie. “The 2008 Alterra, while retaining its 144 horsepower, 294 (Newton-meters) torque, 3.0-liter common-rail direct-injection turbodiesel, is now better equipped to give its occupants a more enjoyable ride no matter how long their drive might be,” Takeda added. Indeed, while our team failed to earn enough points to land in a much better place (sadly, we finished last), this writer is confident that our team at least enjoyed the day including our stay inside the Alterra. Photo by Charles E. Buban

By Charles E. Buban Philippine Daily Inquirer "PUSH the 4L button, shift to first gear then take your feet off the accelerator and the clutch," commanded our Thai navigator. And before we could even argue with his order, he smilingly repeated the instruction and added, "Trust me, you'll both be surprised." Surprisingly indeed, the pickup did not stall and in fact, continued to drive uphill to the amazement of Bam Olivares (of the Daily Tribune) and this writer. As if we were not yet amazed, Jirayuth Adhidhebnarangkura of Isuzu Operations Thailand even ordered to shift to the second gear and just steer (again, while keeping both feet off the accelerator and clutch). The event was the Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Driving Clinic held last Friday at Canyon Woods in Tagaytay City. Isuzu Philippines Inc. invited Adhidhebnarangkura's team to lead the driving clinic and asked local off-road expert Beeboy Bargas (also Landcraft Adventures Inc. managing director) to design a 3.4-km course inside Canyon Woods. "This event was meant to reveal more of the global D-Max 4x4's best attributes. Launched late last year, we decided for this event so our media partners could experience for themselves why this pickup is the top choice in the region," said IPC president Keiji Takeda. He added that the event is the best chance for the motoring media to drive the global D-Max 4x4 on an off-road course that is similar to those found in the countryside. "We want to convince buyers out there that if they are looking for a pickup that they would want to bring every day to some of the most toughest terrains, the global D-Max 4x4 is the one that would probably fit their requirements," assured Arthur Balmadrid, IPC vice president for corporate business division. In explaining about the pickup's special ability, Bargas said the global D-Max 4x4 has one of the lowest transfer case gear ratios as well as the lowest final drive ratio in the market (which would explain why the pickup would keep on rolling even if the accelerator and clutch are not depressed). "With these attributes, you won't unnecessarily stress the engine during tough climbs or while going through rough terrain. This is crucial if you want a pickup that could be depended on and should last long enough," Bargas explained. Like its 4x2 counterpart, the global D-Max 4x4 is also powered by a 3.0-liter, common-rail direct-injection diesel engine with turbo intercooler (in manual and automatic variants, priced at P1.265 million and P1.325 million, respectively). Additionally, the course that Bargas designed is meant to exhibit the pickup's limits: drive laterally up to 48 degrees; climb uphill up to 55 degrees; test its approach angle of 37 degrees as well as departure angle of 29 degrees; and go through obstacles no higher than 22.5 cm. "Well, with this specification, you could almost go anywhere here in the Philippines," Bargas assured.

By Charles E. Buban Inquirer IF a carmaker would like to celebrate a milestone in its corporate history, it would usually roll out a special edition of its top-selling model. These days, however, carmakers would instead hold an activity or a program that usually pertains to caring for the environment. Such an act may seem ironic considering emissions from vehicles these carmakers produce are often cited as among the major sources of air pollution and thus, a major public health issue. Improving awareness "It's no longer just producing vehicles and engines that have the least impact on the environment, a car company should also help in improving public awareness," explained Isuzu Philippines Corp. president Keiji Takeda. This is why IPC organizes events like fuel economy runs as well as the greening of premiere parks in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao under a park conservation campaign that has become the company's project whenever it celebrates its anniversary. "If the public is more aware of why they should be more environmentally conscious, they would be able to appreciate the things the company is doing with its vehicle product offerings," he said. Up-to-date In the case of car giant Toyota it's all about being up-to-date to the current state-of-the-art environmental practices. Indeed, Toyota Philippines has shown examples of how it's possible to incorporate sustainable practices into large-scale manufacturing facilities and provide a healthy environment for employees. Recently, the company announced it has acquired a "busted fluorescent lamp eater" or a crusher that forms an integral part of a company-wide environmental management system to make busted fluorescent lamps acceptable for glass recycling or fit for sanitary landfills. Processed It needs to be processed thoroughly because fluorescent lamps contains mercury, a poisonous substance (so toxic that a teaspoon of this could contaminate an 81,000-square-meter lake forever). Exposure to high levels of mercury could make children potentially at risk for learning disabilities, motor skill impairment and short-term memory loss. "Indeed, carmakers are exploring new terrain here but the good thing about this campaign is that it does not really end here. Our children and our children's children will surely reap the benefits of having healthy environment for more decades to come," Takeda said.