Rio de Janerio’s Carnival came to Manila as Columbian Autocar Corp. (CAC), official distributors of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, launched the all-new Rio last January 19 at the Sunset Pavilion of the Sofitel.

Unveiled during the Brazilian-themed festivities, the all-new Rio is Kia’s entry into the sub-compact sedan segment.

Dinner and cocktails were served to special guests and members of the media, while upbeat samba music was provided by Nyko Maca and Gafiera. In addition, the Philippine Azkals, who are endorsers of KIA in the Philippines, were also present for a special game of pick up football with the guests.

Of course, the real star of the show was the Rio, displayed in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatch body styles. The car comes in four variants with engines ranging from 1.2 liter to 1.4 liters paired with 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The 1.4 liter engine can produce a maximum output of 107 ps at 6,300 rpm, while the 1.2 produces up to 87 ps at 6,000 rpm.

The top-of-the-line Rio hatchback boasts of premium features like keyless entry and ignition via its smart key that alerts the vehicle when it is within range or inside the vehicle. Steering mounted audio and cruise controls and even a drink cooler inside the glove box are among the standard convenience features in the 5-door.

The 4-door sedan will have standard features like electric Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), a full sized spare and an audio unit with a CD player and radio with USB/AUX/iPod connectivity.

Though prices have yet to be announced, Kia hopes to move up its Rio from being just a price-driven, discount runabout car to a vehicle with more quality, more choice and an attractive, exciting design. The car’s designer, Massimo Frascella, who also penned the Sportage, aimed to create a confident front end with a fast profile. The vehicle boasts of a larger glass to body ratio, further highlighting the strong wedge form.

Underneath the skin, the shell has been made more rigid thanks to a higher percentage of high-strength steel than the third-generation model. In spite of that, 85% of the car is recyclable.

To conclude the unveiling ceremony, CAC president Ginia Domingo and CAC marketing head Boying Soriano handed the keys of the first Rio in the Philippines to Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong of the Philippine Azkals.

The launch party went on into the night with music provided by DJ Mulan and on-the-spot samba lessons from performers from Escola de Samba Manila.

By Iñigo S. Roces, ABS-CBN News

Tsikot.com Philippines

To explain this oxymoron – yes, another model has again been added to the Prius family… and this time it’s a smaller sibling: a compact hybrid called the Prius C.

The Prius C was first revealed as a concept car in the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and as early as then, Toyota had already announced their plans to mass produce the compact concept in the early part of 2012. True to their word, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) recently unveiled this much-awaited new hybrid to the Philippine motoring press last Friday, during a thanksgiving party at the Hotel Sofitel, celebrating the company’s 10th triple crown feat. TMP president Michinobu Sugata was more than happy to share the exciting news.

The new Prius C showcases Toyota’s “eco-fun” design concept, presenting a compact body with active proportions. This hatchback is about 19 inches shorter than the standard 3rd generation Prius; is two inches narrower, almost two inches lower, and slightly more than 500 pounds lighter. It is in fact, rather reminiscent of the Toyota Yaris.

The C stands for: Compact, Clean, Clever and City. Needless to say, it is equipped with the same HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) technology that Toyota has innovated to produce excellent drive-ability and unparalleled fuel economy. Admittedly, the Toyota Prius line has always been one of my all-time favorite cars.

This new compact is powered by a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder 1NZ-FXE VVT-i Atkinson cycle engine that is Euro-5 compliant. It uses an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system to enhance engine efficiency, and also an electric power pump. The car has an aerodynamic front splitter, and even ridges on its hood (for the wind to flow through) – bringing its drag coefficient to an impressive 0.28. And as in all new Prius models, the driver can select among the Normal, Eco and EV (electric vehicle) drive modes, based on his driving preference.

Just like the standard Prius models before it, the Prius C does not need to be plugged-in to an electric source to be recharged – it uses a regenerative braking system that allows the battery to charge as you drive. It uses a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, which is now located underneath the rear seats, together with the gas tank, each in their own steel casing. (As opposed to the standard Prius that has its battery pack under the rear deck). Cooling vents are also seen under the seats, to make sure that the heat is released.

Apparently, moving the battery and gas tank below the rear seats also had another advantage: It lowered the car’s center of gravity – making this gas-sipper even more fun to drive.

On the inside, the dash has an angular design; the instrument panel is still centrally located and high-mounted; although I think the most noticeable change is how the Prius-signature floppy toggle is now back to a conventional gear selector on the center console.

Other standard features inside the car include automatic climate control, a 3.5-inch color information display, Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone capability, an iPod interface, USB connectivity and remote keyless entry.

This compact hybrid will be primarily available in the following colors: Lime White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Extreme Black and Super Red. Also available through firm order, are the colors: Blue Metallic, Freedom White, Aqua Mica Metallic, and Mandarin Orange Mica Metallic

The Prius C may come in any one of four options: Prius C Full Option (White Pearl) priced at P1,540,000, Prius C Full Option priced at P1,525,000, Prius C Standard (White Pearl) priced at P1,490,000 and Prius C Standard at P1,475,000.

For more information you may visit any one of Toyota’s 30 dealerships nationwide, or log on to the Toyota website: www.toyota.com.ph.

By Angel Rivero, The Philippine Star.  Photo by The Philippine Star

Tsikot.com Philippines

Land Rover has launched its most radical vehicle yet: the Range Rover Evoque, an on-road sport wagon that expands the definition of what a Range Rover is and can do. Evoque is a low-slung, shooting-brake style sport wagon that is Range Rover’s smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient model. Evoque marks a whole new direction for Range Rover. It is primarily an on-road vehicle rather than one built to tackle muddy trails and slippery slopes. Still, there’s decent ground clearance and Land Rover’s vaunted Terrain Response electronic differential control.

Since Land Rover pioneered the luxury SUV in 1970 with the Range Rover, the RR brand has stood for luxurious appointments and comfortable ride combined with the go-anywhere (off-road, no-road) ability of a Land Rover. Range Rovers have since become, for better or for worse, urban status symbols as well. The Range Rover is a design icon as well, being the first car to be displayed at the Louvre museum as an exemplary work of industrial design. Now, with concerns about fuel economy and the need to have vehicles with lower emissions in its range, the brand has added the Evoque crossover.

Wellington Soong, Land Rover Philippines president, said, “Range Rover Evoque is a new generation of SUV that attracts customers who have not previously considered getting an SUV. However, it stands out from the crowd with its performance and design features that can only be experienced from a premium Land Rover vehicle. It is the most exciting Range Rover yet, with worldwide orders already passing the 4000 mark and awards tallying to 53 from 15 different countries.”

These include the Car of the Year in the UK and Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year, among others. Its most high-profile award was given just hours before the Philippine launch: the North American Truck of the Year, Soong noted.

To win the North American Truck of the Year award, the Evoque garnered more votes than the likes of the new Honda CR-V and BMW X3.

Unlike its more conventionally styled sibling, the Freelander, the Evoque revels in its concept-car like styling. Indeed, the Evoque carries many of the styling cues of its LRX Concept forebear.

The objective is to attract a new audience that values sportiness and on-road driving prowess. The lean, low look of a sports sedan is the theme of the Evoque. The roof slopes down as it goes toward the rear, while the lower body line sweeps up, making for a short greenhouse. The HID and LED-equipped headlamps glare out from what is unmistakably a Range Rover fascia.

In a nod to the original Range Rover, Evoque is available in two body styles: two-door and four-door wagon. The “coupe” is 4355 mm in length, while the four-door measures slightly longer at 4365 mm.

Wheelbase is 2660 mm for both models. Evoque uses darkened and hidden pillars for a floating-roof effect. Customers can also order a contrasting white roof, a la Mini Cooper.

Thanks to sufficiently large rear doors, the four-door features easy ingress and egress, even with the sloping roof. The heavily bolstered bucket seats up front and sculpted rear imply a sporty and dynamic driving performance.

There’s available leather and brushed aluminum trim, with a high degree of customization available from the dealer. The shifter is a large knob that pops out from the center console when the engine is started, similar to Jaguar’s.

Meridian Audio supplies the sound systems.

Evoque will be available in three trim levels: Pure, featuring a cabin in neutral colors; Prestige, which adds 19-inch wheels and leather-and-wood interior, as well as metal trim; and Dynamic, with contrasting roof, unique bumpers and grille, and a darker interior with perforated leather seats.

Fuel efficiency and power are the watchwords of Evoque. Evoque’s engine is an aluminum 2.0-liter with turbocharging, direct injection, and variable valve timing. Power is 240 hp and torque is 340 Nm.

This will be the first LR to be offered with two-wheel drive. However, the initial models to be sold here will have permanent four-wheel drive.

The brand’s pushbutton Terrain Response electronics will be on board, with settings for gravel, grass, snow, sand or mud.

On cars with the electronic damping system, there will also be a Dynamic setting. Land Rover quotes the ground clearance at 215 mm and wading depth at 500 mm.

By Jason K. Ang, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tsikot.com Philippines

Motor Image Pilipinas recently disclosed that there will be a new member in the family of Subaru vehicles lined up to be introduced for model year 2012. Last December, its parent company Motor Image Singapore, the region’s distributor for Subaru vehicles invited members of the regional media to test-drive the new Subaru XV model as well as attend its regional launch in Thailand’s Motor Expo 2011, held at the Impact Challenger exhibition center located at Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.

The XV was unveiled to the international press and the public at the Thailand International Motor Expo by Glenn Tan, executive director of Tan Chong International (parent and holdings company of Motor Image) and group chief executive of Motor Image Group, together with Guinness Record holder and international stunt performer and motoring celebrity Russ Swift, who also flew in to attend the show.

According to Nicky Mariano, General Manger for Motor Image Pilipinas, the country’s exclusive distributor for Subaru vehicles, the new Subaru XV model will be one of their major product launches for 2012 and it will be launched at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS 2012) this year at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, this coming March 29.

Russ Swift will once again perform live in the four-day international motor show. Dubbed as the biggest motoring event in the country, Subaru will also have a bigger display in this year’s auto show. “All the vehicles that we will display at this year’s MIAS will be all new model year 2012 vehicles. The XV is a totally new car, we will be using a new engine and it will be the first time for us to use the new CVT transmission which will give us an edge as far as fuel economy is concerned. On top of the superb styling, it has a combination of fuel efficiency and good value,” Mariano added.

When asked what their target market is for the new XV, he said that they are targeting the young, urban buyers who need a nimble and able urban daily commute which may not necessarily be extensively used for long out-of-town trips but a kind of vehicle that has a good maneuverability. Aside from its flagship and first showroom on EDSA, Greenhills, Motor Image has set up dealerships in Alabang, San Fernando (Pampanga), Cebu and its soon-to-open showroom at the Bonifacio Global City.

Motor Image entered the Philippine market in 2006, and even as a niche brand, it took the automotive market by storm, growing its sales in high double-digit levels year on year, thanks to its aggressive brand marketing and the market’s demand for value-for-money performance cars like its highly successful Subaru Impreza and Forester models.

Soon, it began to introduce its bigger siblings, the Tribeca, Outback and Legacy models. The Subaru XV was developed as a crossover vehicle and as with all Subaru vehicles, the XV is a combination of Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system with the latest generation of its boxer engine with continuous variable transmission (CVT), which ensures the vehicle to be planted on the road because of its low center of gravity that offers superb handling, plus responsive and smooth driving experience. Its bold fender flares and sleek profile are a glimpse to the new styling cues that are to be expected in the new generation of other models to come in model year 2012 and beyond.

Motor Image Pilipinas’ parent company is based in Singapore and is the Asian region’s distributor for Subaru.

With its strong regional presence and network, it has been actively participating in all the major auto shows in the region and its signature event is the Subaru Russ Swift Show, led by Guinness record-holder Russ Swift, whose signature maneuvers include its famous parallel parking, two-wheel driving and high-speed donut maneuvers that never fails to thrill the crowds. Mariano further added that Swift is confirmed to showcase his driving skills anew for Subaru and local fans at the MIAS.

Text and Photos by Alvin Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tsikot.com Philippines

The 2012 Avanza was unveiled by Toyota Motor Philippines recently, presenting a redesigned style and many improved features that will boost the multi-purpose vehicle’s (MPV) popularity in a market that has accepted it well since it was introduced in 2006. More than 29,000 units of the Avanza have been sold nationwide.

At first glance, the Avanza presents a bolder road presence with its V-shaped aerodynamic design. The front grille and engine bonnet have been built with a three-dimensional design to project a sense of forward thrust that expresses a stronger attitude.

The vehicle seating capacity makes room for up to seven passengers due to its wider cabin. The backseats give ample leg room for comfort.

Boasting its class-top fuel economy, the overall weight of its body has been reduced in order for the Avanza to have increased fuel efficiency of up to 12km/L.

The Avanza is available in six colors: Silver Metallic, Dark Steel Mica, Champagne Metallic, Light Blue Metallic, Gray Metallic and White.

It comes with five different variants: 1.5G A/T priced at P868, 000, 1.5G M/T at P828, 000, 1.3E A/T at P743, 000, 1.3E M/T at P703, 000 and 1.3J M/T at P620, 000.

By PINKY CONCHA COLMENARES, Manila Bulletin Online

Tsikot.com Philippines

It has been quite a while since the Mitsubishi Mirage enjoyed its glory days. Thirty years to be exact.

As a three-door, front-wheel drive compact hatchback, the Mirage (also called the Colt), with its iconic Super Shift transmission (an “eight-speed” shifter thanks to the four forward gears that could be set to either “Power” or “Economy” mode), was an instant hit for a market. It came at a time when there was a demand for a sporty yet inexpensive ride in view of prevailing high crude oil prices because of the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1973 and the Iranian revolution in 1978.

Mitsubishi, however, decided to discontinue the Mirage in the Philippines that by the mid-’80s the market has seen the last of the compact hatch brand’s new units on the roads.

At the recent 42nd Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi sprang a surprise by putting the incarnation of the Mirage on display. The event bigger surprise is the announcement that this 2012 Mirage is scheduled to go on sale in Thailand this coming March.

Few more months

This means the Philippines will only have to wait for a few more months before finally reuniting with this remarkable brand from Mitsubishi.

This is great news for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp., considering it has been a while since the company had a model that competes in the sub-compact and compact hatch (MMPC’s “smallest” and most affordable model is the 1.6-liter Lancer).

Based on the one displayed at the motor show, the 2012 Mirage is 3.71 meters long, 1.665 meters wide, and 1.49 meters tall and could comfortably seat five passengers.

Emerging markets

Mitsubishi president Osamu Masuko explained during the unveiling that designers of the 2012 Mirage focused on compactness, affordability, and high fuel efficiency in order to fit the needs of emerging markets (like the Philippines) that needs an affordable entry-level model as well as needs of advanced markets that require fuel efficiency and low-CO2 emission.

The 2012 Mirage is fitted with a 1.0 liter, 3-cylinder Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Timing Electronic Control (Mivec) engine. What is more interesting is that this engine is already equipped with the company’s new Auto Stop and Go (AS&G) idle-stop technology, regenerative braking system, and a continuously variable transmission.

The AS&G is an idle-stop mechanism that reduces fuel consumption by automatically shutting off the engine when the car is stopped at traffic lights, etc.

The regenerative braking system is a technology that could recapture much of the kinetic energy as the vehicle brakes, converting it into electricity that can be used to power the vehicle’s other functions.

30 kpl

With these two important features along with the significant weight reduction Mitsubishi did in almost all parts of the car, improvements in the engine, transmission, brakes and in 14-inch tires so the rolling resistance is much reduced, and the reshaping of the body to make it more aerodynamic and much more maneuverable, the 2012 Mirage has been rated to achieve a phenomenal 30 km per liter of gasoline fuel efficiency!

This also means the 2012 Mirage also enjoys a very low CO2 emissions.

But while Mitsubishi did not reveal the 2012 Mirage’s CO2 emission and passive safety standards compliance, it could be assumed that its CO2 emissions is no more than 120 g/km as well as meets the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulations 94 and 95) safety standards.

Masuko said that the 2012 Mirage is expected to do well in such countries as China, Russia, Brazil and those in Southeast Asia. “We will aim to boost sales with globally competitive vehicles such as this compact models that meet the needs of the middle class in emerging markets,” Masuko said.

Text and Photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer Business

Tsikot.com Philippines

Truck body builder Centro Manufacturing Corp. has begun the local assembly of the i-Van body option for the Isuzu NHR at its plant in Maguyam, Cavite.

In a statement, Centro vice president for sales and marketing Rommel Juan said the i-Van is the first locally assembled shuttle van to compete directly with foreign imports.

Designing and producing the i-Van is thus a landmark accomplishment for the Filipino firm, Juan said.

Isuzu Philippines launched the Isuzu NHR with i-Van body earlier this year in response to the growing demand for people and cargo transport.

“The i-Van is what we can consider as proudly Pinoy-made. It was conceptualized and designed by Pinoy engineers with local entrepreneurs and their needs in mind,” Juan explained.

“It also considered local driving conditions and terrain; thus, we can say that the i-Van can move more people and cargo easily and more economically anywhere in the country, whether in the urban communities or the rural areas,” he added.

To prepare for this venture, Centro president Raphael Juan said the company had upgraded its stamping facilities to increase its production capacity and give the company better control of the quality, cost and delivery (QCD) of the metal parts needed.

“We recently invested in two computerized numerical-controlled (CNC) press brake machines to beef up our existing stamping capacity,” Juan said.

According to Juan, Centro had purchased a 120-ton top-of-the-line Trumpf CNC press brake made in Austria to handle metal sheets up to 2.5 millimeters thick and over 10 feet long.

A second investment was made in another bending machine, a 110-ton Taiwan-made Jeng Jih NC press brake that could process metal sheets up to 2.5 mm thick and over 13 feet long.

“This will ensure that the various metal parts needed to assemble the i-Van body are available when needed and probably making us the technical leader in truck body building technology,” Juan explained.

“Coupled with our existing ISO certification and TS 16949 certification we are working for, this will also enable us to produce world-class, export-quality truck bodies for the region,” he added.

Philippine Daily Inquirer Business

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Manila Auto Salon 2011 with the theme “Mad About Styling and Tuning” reels off on November 24 to 27, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.  This year’s event will feature custom cars, sport trucks, extreme tuning and sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Tsikot.com and Tsikot.Tv are official media partners of Manila Auto Salon 2011.

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