C! Magazine July 2020

SPECIAL FEATURE! The C! Team compiled a list of floodconquering vehicles to have in time for the rainy season.

Entering the fray with a value-oriented offering that challenges the best the segment has to offer

SUZUKI XL7 GLX

THE DRIVES

SECTIONS

FORD RANGER FX4 • HONDA CIVIC RS TURBO • VOLVO XC40 T5 R-DESIGN

EX TRA TIME: CHEF'S KNIFE • FOCUS ON: THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEGACY • TUNER: TOYOTA COROLLA 2ZZGE & TOYOTA YARIS SUPERCHARGED • WHEEL2WHEEL: ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR 650 & KTM 790 ADVENTURE AND 790 ADVENTURE R

PhP 195 ISSUE 223 JULY 2020

W W W.C- M AG A Z I N E .CO M

T H E U LT I M AT E AU TO M OT I V E AU T H O R I T Y

SPECIAL FEATURE! The C! Team compiled a list of floodconquering vehicles to have in time for the rainy season.

Entering the fray with a value-oriented offering that challenges the best the segment has to offer

SUZUKI XL7 GLX

THE DRIVES

SECTIONS

FORD RANGER FX4 • HONDA CIVIC RS TURBO • VOLVO XC40 T5 R-DESIGN

EX TRA TIME: CHEF'S KNIFE • FOCUS ON: THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEGACY • TUNER: TOYOTA COROLLA 2ZZGE & TOYOTA YARIS SUPERCHARGED • WHEEL2WHEEL: ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR 650 & KTM 790 ADVENTURE AND 790 ADVENTURE R

PhP 195 ISSUE 223 JULY 2020

W W W.C- M AG A Z I N E .CO M

T H E U LT I M AT E AU TO M OT I V E AU T H O R I T Y

TAG HEUER INTRODUCES

THE NEW GENERATION OF ITS LUXURY CONNECTED WATCH

e Swiss luxury watchmaker combines elegance and craftsmanship with new high-tech features for a customized physical and digital experience focused on performance.

e TAG Heuer Connected watch is a unique combination of the reenement and elegance of a chronograph-inspired timepiece crafted in the purest watchmaking tradition, with a state-of-the-art, custom-designed digital experience geared towards performance. It offers customers a striking and versatile wristwatch to enhance their individual li lifestyle, from daily connected services offered from Wear OS by Google, to immersive sports experiences thanks to the new TAG Heuer Sports app, which provides detailed tracking for golf, running, cycling, walking, etness and other sessions, thanks to the watch’s built-in GPS and heart-rate monitor, among other sensors. e experience on the wrist is complemented by a newly developed TAG Heuer mobile companion app that allows for even greater personalization and insights into the wearer’s achievements.

TAG Heuer’s Chief Strategy and Digital Officer, Frédéric Arnault, who has led this ambitious project since its start eighteen months ago, explains: “ e TAG Heuer Connected watch was designed and engineered with the same passion and attention to detail as our mechanical watches. Quality of execution is paramount in everything we do, and we never compromise on aesthetics or emotion. e Connected watch is not only a beautiful timepiece, it’s a truly immersive experience, as it now sits within a complete TAG Heuer digital ecosystem geared towards performance and sports. e navigation has been deeply reened so the product is as intuitive and easy to use as possibl both in everyday life and during sports sessions. It possible, expresses the brand in a completely new way and offers limitless possibilities in terms of innovation for the future. anks to the talent and dedication of our teams, the new Connected is a truly brand-deening product that will lead the way into a new era for TAG Heuer.”

Diameter: 45 mm mickness: 13.5 mm Weight: Steel case and rubber strap: 108 g Steel case and steel bracelet: 179 g Titanium case and rubber strap: 86 g Water resistance: 5 ATM Batte Battery: 430 mAh all-day battery Battery life:

All-day standard use (20 hours including a 1-hour workout), 6 hours of sports use (using GPS, HR and music) Charging time: 100% in 1.5 hours at temperatures between 15°C and 45°C Sensors: Heart rate, compass, accelerometer, gyroscope, NFC,

microphone Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wearr 3100 Connectivity: BT SMART, WiFi GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, QZSS Display: OLED display 1.39" 454×454 pixels (326 ppi) Navigation: With touchscreen or crown and pushers - Top button: launch Sports app

- Middle button/crown: Google navigation - Lower button: stopwatch

SBG8A10.BT6219

SBG8A12.BT6219

Steel case Black ceramic bezel Black rubber strap

Steel case Black ceramic bezel with PVD treatment Black rubber strap

EDITOR’S NOTE

Challenge, opportunity, attitude, and authenticity ind of hard to figure out where we really are right now.

This is a time that will define generations, not only because of the health issues but also because of the political, social, and economic issues that have either come along with or that have become magnified by it.

The Philippines has been going strong for quite a while, and many dared to hope that the country’s tendency to be its own worst enemy was behind us. Sadly that may not be the case.

Private enterprise has led the way, as many people see it.

Individuals and companies, large and small and groups, and communities. We are a country used to having to handle things that many other nations have already developed past.

The individuals and small businesses that have been the true growth indicator of our market though are now the ones possibly most at risk. The ones that brought in the money or brought out the abilities, the ones who created jobs, and indeed, markets and niches. The ones who bet heavy on the potential and the future.

In the automotive industry, we see several layers just as in the society itself. We see very well-funded groups that have taken to using their strengths to watch out for the community, we have seen companies that have brought forth the best discussions and given the best assessments we have seen in months. But we have also seen the smaller companies that have to make some tough choices to move their stock.

We have seen new vehicles launched all over the world as well as in our own market, and we see new products and new technologies that excite us. At the same time we are seeing what some people are calling “fire-sale” prices. How do we consolidate all this into one reality?

An enthusiast put it quite well, saying that this is a wonderful chance to take home two nice vehicles for the price of basically one. How does this happen when at the same time new cars are being launched? When brands and

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Carl S. Cunanan E D I TO R- I N - C H I E F

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companies need to keep themselves in people’s minds and in a positive way? One way it happens is because the guys selling the cars to the public, the dealers, need to move what they ordered a year ago and for which they very probably had contracts already, so they can take in the cool new stuff.

This is not a case of shoving bad stuff out to the public, not at all. This is all a function of a very weird market. And remember, many people choose to buy the last runs of a car because that’s the one they believe has already been fully sorted out, that’s the one where all the development has reached its peak.

We have had “fire sale” situations before, the most often quoted when you supposedly got a Mazda Miata for free when you bought a van. Yet the situations and realities are completely different. Now all the vehicles are all extremely well-developed, and their structural supports are for the most part fully in place. So that attitude, that now is a great time to make a good deal, is a very good one. You don’t really have the worries of fly-by-night companies that will not stand behind their products, even the new players are backed by companies that stayed in the market when they were the only one left.

So basically we all have to get through this. Our priorities will change, hopefully for the better, but we will get through this. We will see who really puts their money where their mouth is, who truly delivers service and support, who actually acts the way they talk. Or we might not, because for many companies as well as people, time is spent actually doing the things that just need to get done.

On a particularly fun note, that “giveaway with a van Miata” deal from the previous century? Please note that this was the very first Miata, what they call the NA, the one with the flip-up headlights. The one that now costs more than many of the newer models. The one being called a classic.

The one you still see running, racing, and gathering looks.

Turns out that that was the real deal after all.

COVER S TORY

CONTENTS JULY 2020 / IS SUE 223

38 SUZUKI XL7 GLX Family Values

“With a fantastic track record across the globe of producing excellent subcompact sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs, it’s no surprise that Suzuki would enter the segment with a sub-compact SUV offering of their own with the Suzuki XL7.”

— Chris Van Hoven Managing Editor

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FE ATURES

CONTENTS JULY 2020 / IS SUE 223

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FLOOD FIGHTERS C! PICKS

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RAINY DAY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 101

What to check when preparing your ride for rainy day motoring

THE DRIVES

CONTENTS JULY 2020 / IS SUE 223

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FORD RANGER FX4 Wants and Needs

34 HONDA CIVIC RS TURBO Crowd Favorite

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VOLVO XC40 T5 R-DESIGN First Time’s a Charm

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E X TR A TIME

CONTENTS JULY 2020 / IS SUE 223

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BLADES OF GLORY A Beginner’s Guide to Kitchen Knives

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FOCUS ON

CONTENTS JULY 2020 / IS SUE 223

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THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEGACY A story for the ages

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TUNER

CONTENTS JULY 2020 / IS SUE 223

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BOOSTED!

By Francis G. Pallarco

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BATTERY MAINTENANCE

Learn how to make your car batteries last longer

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PEERLESS

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YARIS GO LIGHTLY

Here’s a Euro-themed Corolla build that stands out

Because in racing, lighter is better

WHEEL 2WHEEL

CONTENTS JULY 2020 / IS SUE 223

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TWO WHEELS ONLY

By Maynard M. Marcelo

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BMW MOTORRAD PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES ALL-NEW F900R

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ADD TO CART! BUY A SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE ONLINE

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THIS GENTLEMANS RIDE CAN ALSO BE TOUGH Another Look at the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

2020 KTM 790 ADVENTURE AND 790 ADVENTURE R REVIEW

These KTM 790 Adventure bikes are now proudly Philippine made.

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HONDA XRM CUB BY 3B CUSTOMS

REG UL ARS

CONTENTS JULY 2020 / IS SUE 223

02

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Carl S. Cunanan

Georges B. Ramirez

EDITOR’S NOTE

20

26

Nicolas A. Calanoc

Iñigo S. Roces

APEX AND APERTURES

BACKFIRE

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Chris Van Hoven

Angel S. Rivero

INSIDE LINE

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ON THE EDGE

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EVENT HORIZON

99

MONTHLY BUYER’S GUIDE

APEX AND APERTURES

Nicolas A. Calanoc E X E C U T I V E E D I TO R

To Stay or to Leave

’ve been doing a lot of thinking now that I don’t drive as much as before during the pandemic.

The less I get to drive my Hyundai Genesis Coupé, the smaller my need is for driving around in a low and well-planted driver’s car. Granted, it is just a sporty gran tourer and not a sports car, but it delivers an experience that SUVs and pick-ups will never come to.

I

As much as that desire for an athletic drive is getting smaller, my need to go out into the wild has grown. I am an introvert, so just staying at home has never been a problem.

But when you have friends that want you to join in the great outdoors where no one has really gone before (overlanding), the thought of having a truck is not such a bad idea. Having tested a pick-up for 2 months has made the temptation to leave low and smooth for high and mighty even bigger.

I’ve been in sort of a dilemma on whether I should stay with what works and just maintain it us much as I can, or go for a new vehicle that comes with a new hobby that might just become my “new normal.”

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So now that I have been driving the Genesis Coupé again, I’ve been in sort of a dilemma on whether I should stay with what works and just maintain it us much as I can, or go for a new vehicle that comes with a new hobby that might just become my “new normal.” On one hand, no one has ever become broke when saving. On the other hand, selling the old car to get a brand-new one prolongs the ease of ownership. And in that same hand, it’s a good change of pace and an introduction to a hobby that I am eager to join.

I am still in the saving process if I go for the new pick-up option, so I do have time to think. I do also have to consider that if I don’t buy the pick-up, I don’t have to spend on that hobby either. So clearly, I am in a dilemma or paralysis by analysis, but I’m sure I’ll get through this soon. I think though, that going through a thought process, whichever side I pick, will make whichever decision I choose a good one.

I hope all of you are doing well in these trying times. I believe though, that we are all going to make it.

INSIDE LINE

Chris Van Hoven M A N A G I N G E D I TO R

The Emergence of Alternatives

s terrible, debilitating, and horrifying as this pandemic has been to economies and lives around the world, it’s also given everyone a chance to kind of reset. A way to view things from another perspective that we wouldn’t have considered otherwise, especially in the way we look at transportation. With cars, trucks, buses, and jeepneys relegated to garages, we’ve seen the benefits of a pollution-free environment, leaving people to look at electric vehicles in a new light. In a similar light, with the interruption of public transportation, commuters have started to look towards other ways to get around, which is leading to a drastic uptick in the use of bicycles and electric kick scooters. It’s fantastic because I honestly believe that this is truly a step in the right direction. Not only do these alternative forms of personal transportation contribute to lessening our carbon footprint, but they’re also much cheaper to maintain and operate when compared to owning a private car or

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paying for public transportation. There’s just one hitch: Our infrastructure simply doesn’t support it.

The government has taken notice, however. There’s been a marked improvement in terms of offering more bike lanes along minor roads, but they’re so poorly implemented that these roads are often encroached on by riders on motorcycles, which ironically ends up endangering cyclists even more than before.

And while bike lanes are being created on more roads than ever before, options for traversing from city to city is still extremely limited, if not non-existent. We’re certainly on the right track, but why does it seem like these half-baked implementations stop here? If the government provided ways to encourage the use of alternative modes of self-transportation in terms of infrastructure and safety, I’m positive we’d see a significant improvement not just with the environment and traffic congestion in general, but with an improvement of personal health as an added bonus.

I’ve often looked at countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, or Sweden with envy because of how far they’ve come with embracing cycling as a legitimate way to get around. Amsterdam has over 500 kilometers of bike lanes, with around 50% of total commuting done on bikes. Over 57% of Japan’s population use bicycles to get around, and it seems that number will keep increasing moving forward. The encouragement to use bicycles or electric kick scooters doesn’t end on the government level, however.

More malls, buildings and parks need to be more bike and electric scooter friendly, with accessible and safe parking solutions.

Imagining a country where more than half the population uses bicycles to get around is something that I find myself doing often. I imagine how much traffic would improve for everyone. I imagine how much cleaner the air would be. And while we’re still a long ways off, I can take comfort in the fact that we’re still headed in that direction, albeit slowly. One step forward is always better than two steps back. Or not stepping at all.

ON THE EDGE

Georges B. Ramirez S E N I O R E D I TO R

Normal, What a Concept!

ince ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) was lifted in Metro Manila, I have been traveling to and from Subic every week to assist my brother with nonautomotive business concerns, and it’s been interesting to see how the new normal seems to be evolving.

Basically, our work week was now in Subic.

On the first trip, we didn’t encounter any active check points till we got to the Subic entrance along Tipo road, and the other as we entered the residential area in Subic, which was reassuring as there were no cases there, and they seemed to be intent on keeping it that way. They were quite stringent then.

Residents had a curfew, only essential stores were open and only one pass per household to go shopping.

On these trips, we have no intentions of stopping along the way so as to minimize any risk. So, sanitize, get in the car, and stay safely in our bubble till we got to our destination.

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As we passed the fuel stations on the first trip, we noticed that the few coffee shops and restaurants that were open seemed to have very few customers, if at all. I suppose most motorists must have felt the same way we did.

What I did thoroughly enjoy was the light traffic flow both on our way to and our return trip on Friday. Though, the same could not be said for the following week. On the way out of the city, traffic was notably heavier and this carried onto the expressway too! Even the numbers of vehicles in Subic increased, but not to anything like Manila.

What was astonishing was the drive back to Manila. It was nuts! On the Expressway alone, it was like a bad day before the lockdown started, excluding those days with accidents on the expressway. We took two cars up that week and were about 20 to 25 minutes apart, and by the time we were in Bulacan, Waze suggested EDSA to the leading car and Mindanao to the second, which was mine.

As it was, it really didn’t make a difference, in fact, it may have been worse. My daughter

had to go down to Greenhills the next day (which was a Saturday) and it was just unbearable, apparently. It was like everyone decided to do their thing that weekend, and it just overwhelmed the system.

By the third week, things seemed to have simmered down a bit. It wasn’t as light and easy as the first but much better than the second one. I noticed that there were a few cars parked at the restaurants at the fuel station rest stops.

Not the normal volume, parking was easily available, but at least, not empty. In Subic, restaurants are starting to open and we heard the curfew will be lifted by next week. Things are moving along, the wheels of commerce are starting to turn, and the confidence level of people to start dealing with the new normal conditions seems to be rising, in spite of the increasing number of new cases. I suppose it still is a wait-and-see situation.

So I leave you with this. Fear not of change, but be even more vigilant with your awareness and safety protocols.

Be Safe!

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Iñigo S. Roces

BACKFIRE

C O N T R I B U T I N G E D I TO R

The Value Of Sim Racing

lectronic sports (e-sports) may have become a buzzword in recent times because of the quarantine, yet it’s been around for some time now. E-sports is often associated with competitive strategy and shooter games like Mobile Legends, Fortnite, and Call of Duty, yet it also encompasses many other genres of games, especially racing.

Indeed critics of e-sports always say that the skills acquired and nurtured in these games can hardly ever be applicable to real life, and they might be right to some extent.

Sure, the best Fortnite player probably wouldn’t last a week at a real US Marine Corps or Seal Team Six boot camp. The stamina, strength, and muscle memory required to raid a terrorist compound are built and developed in the real world.

Yet for motorsports, it’s much different.

Race cars, and even race bikes, are powered by an engine, and so one’s physical strength is much less of a factor (but is not completely out of the picture). Yet almost everything else about racing can be quite accurately simulated these days. Thanks to peripherals like a steering wheel with force-feedback, pedals, and stick shifts, one can go through the motions of driving a real car, and develop the skills required to bring it up to competitive speeds. Indeed, factors like G-forces, and the very real risk (and fear) of

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colliding into something are absent. Yet since good driving requires carefully teetering a car on the edge of grip, and finding the right line, any competitive e-sports driver has to learn about how G-forces affect the car, and how hitting a wall or another car (which can be simulated or penalized) is a potentially raceending move.

Perhaps the other beauty of e-sports, or more precisely, simulator (sim) racing, is how it makes a potentially expensive sport far more accessible to many more. In racing, the most expensive acquisition is always the vehicle. Go-karts, cars, and motorcycles are fairly affordable on their own. Yet the race-spec versions are typically farther out of reach for many. After all, those carbon fiber, aluminum, and sometimes titanium parts can cost double or triple their steel counterparts.

Competition-grade engine blocks, exhaust, and especially tires are another accumulating expense. And if you want to have any sort of competitive edge, you want those parts.

Yet thanks to sim racing, these competitive vehicles can be had from the very start of a game, or in some cases, after some amount of in-game currency is accrued to buy them.

All that takes is just a few hours of playing the game, which in turn develops the driver’s skill to manage these better-performing machines. Because many of these vehicles are modeled after the physics of their real life counterparts, it’s easier to get a feel for their handling without even having to buy

the vehicle, giving a driver a leg up when he eventually has to drive the real one.

Finally, these games level the playing field.

Anyone with enough grit can buy a Porsche touring car in the game and compete with the best, provided he has the skill. Any driver can also learn the minutia of tuning and their effects on the car by simply investing a few hours in simulated testing.

In the real world, that feat wouldn’t be so easy. Besides the financial cost of the car, parts, team, and track use, there’s the very real risk of wear and tear, breakage, or even totaling the vehicle.

It’s no surprise it’s suddenly become so popular these days, not just as a cure for boredom. Anyone browsing social media of late may have likely noticed the bumper harvest of e-racing or sim racing events now being organized. After all, with some race tracks still closed and many racing seasons ending without having even begun, some veteran racers need their itch to be scratched.

And with the cost of entry into the sport now virtually eliminated, many more amateurs and pundits can look into sports they once deemed too expensive to pursue, like rally driving, where crashing an expensive racecar is even more likely than in the circuit.

Sponsors, team managers, and even organizers of sports ought to look more closely at these events. They might find a few hidden talents, not just among drivers, but among organizers as well.

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EVENT HORIZON

Angel S. Rivero C O N T R I B U T I N G E D I TO R

Remember the Hyperloop?

“Elon Musk — who is also the mind behind the modern Hyperloop concept — describes the invention as a cross between a Concorde, a railgun, and an air hockey table.”

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ome seven or eight years ago, one of my columns here in C! Magazine was an excited piece about the proposition of the ‘Hyperloop’ — an ambitious and futuristic alternative mode of transportation, wherein people are transported across vast distances at very high speeds, while they are tucked inside levitating pods! Does that sound too bizarre to you?

Well, it’s 2020… and guess what?? Several companies have finally begun collating their cash, so they could start building on the Hyperloop premise, and conduct one of the transportation world’s most adventurous and most expensive experiments yet.

The concept of vacuum transportation, apparently, is not entirely new. As a matter of fact, if you go visit the Brunel Museum in Bristol in the United Kingdom, you can view the original prototype that Isambard Kingdom Brunel — a British engineer who first proposed the use of compressed air to help transport carriages — built in the late 1800s.

Meanwhile, in this twenty-first century, controversial entrepreneur Elon Musk — who is also the mind behind the modern Hyperloop concept — describes the invention as a cross between a Concorde, a railgun, and

S

an air hockey table. Musk claims that this new form of transportation should be faster, safer, more sustainable, more convenient, immune to weather and surprisingly, low-cost.

And among the latest headlines last month was that Virgin Hyperloop One — an American transportation and tech company — already managed to raise millions of dollars in funds together with their partner, DP World (one of Dubai’s major supply-chain firms), in order to build the first experimental Hyperloop in India.

Spirit Aerosystems has now also joined in this partnership, as it prepares to move towards a more commercial product. The conceptualized ‘Hyperloop’ aims for humancarrying pods moving at speeds of more than 600 miles per hour. And as a matter of fact, to illustrate how serious stakeholders are about advancing the technology, different passenger pod types have already been developed and unveiled in Europe, as we speak.

Inside the Hyperloop system, carrier pods accelerate gradually via electric propulsion through a low- pressure tube; and has zero direct emissions. If successfully executed and perfected, this technology may offer the world the greenest form of ultra-fast, mass transportation yet! I’m definitely cheering on from the bleachers on this one!

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Contributing Photographers Andréas N. Delos Reyes, Kyle Estrella, Mike Miranda, Scott Nelson, Juanito Vinluan, Randy Silva-Netto, Patrick Mateo, Jerel Fajardo, Mike Sabarre, Joey Yepez, Bert Casal, Mariony Dela Cruz, Paulo Ferrer, Jakob Kurc, and Jordan Aparicio

FOUNDING EDITOR / PRESIDENT / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

This issue would not have been possible without the help of: Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, Hiroshi Suzuki, Shuzo Hoshikura, EJ Francisco, Mavic Casas, Micki Chua, Rueben M. Jarvina, Nonoy Yulo, Steven Tan, Mikko David, Dax Avenido, Therese Sarmiento, Klaus D. Schadewald, Franz Decloedt, Timmy De Leon, Felix Ang, Rene Nunez, Atty. Albert Arcilla, Lyn Buena, Val De Leon, Manny Aligada, Mac Marcantonio, Chris Lee Yu, Nora Liquido, Lyka-Mae De la Cruz, Tony Si, Reginald See, Felipe Estrella, Camille Lucero, Sab Delos Reyes, Atsushi Najima, Wilbert Lim, Carlo Ablaza, Raymond Rodriguez, Angelo Barron, Paolo Ella, Chris Yu, Willy Tee Ten, Robert Coyiuto Jr., Benedicto Coyiuto, Prudencio Coyiuto, Robert Coyiuto III, Cheyenne Lewis, Jake Scussel, Jimmy Diaz, Roderick Narciso, Stanley Luu, Aaron Hansen, Jona Atienza, Froilan Dytianquin, Saul Babas, Cameron Arciaga, Jelene Sulit, Felix Limcaoco, Brian Badilla, Michael Dennis E. Uy, Lawrence Dimaunahan, Akira Utsumi, Norminio Mojica, Dominic Busran, CJ Yucoco, Mark Parulan, and PRIXM/IdeasXMachina Group of Hakuhodo

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The Drives

FORD RANGER FX4 Wants and Needs

Words and photos by Nicolas A. Calanoc

WITH EVERYTHING THAT has happened recently, pick-ups have been more popular than ever. It’s because of their practical nature that they are on top of everyone’s list when it comes to purchasing a new car. Since a lot of people don’t plan to use it for off-roading, the 4x2 segment has been an alluring proposition since their 4x4 counterparts come with prices that skyrocket close to the 2 million mark. This is where the Ford Ranger FX4 comes in.

I’m sure that everyone who is familiar with Ford’s new 2.0L bi-turbo and singleturbo engines, together with the 10-speed transmission, is asking why the new Ford FX4 comes with the predecessor, which is the 2.2L turbocharged engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. Of course I can’t speak for Ford on that, but what I can say is that with the older Ford Rangers roaming around with that same drivetrain, we are assured at least that the old tech is good tech.

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For a pick-up, it is a robust vehicle that is capable of heavy lifting. And despite that, the suspension is relatively smooth compared to other pick-ups in its segment. The steering is light and the power delivery is equal parts predictable and intuitive. It’s nice as well that it comes with a bed-liner so that you won't have a fear of scratching the flatbed when in use. The included sports bar comes in handy too when things must be tied down. So as far as it comes to the mechanical and practical side of pickups, the Ford Ranger FX4 ticks all the boxes.

When you consider that with the black front grille and wheels, this pick-up looks premium outside despite its attainable price tag.

The real highlight of the Ford Ranger FX4 is when you go inside. It comes with the impressive leather interior accompanied by a flattering stitching all throughout. The dashboard design is fantastic together with the steering wheel, making it feel so premium instead of base model. The best part of the Ford Ranger FX4 is its Sync 3 that comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It may seem trivial for those looking at the car through the goggles of a man who only sees practicality, but also with shades of someone who drives a lot and who has a smartphone, this addition

that can cost PhP 50,000 to put on any other vehicle makes it such a handy tool to drive in.

It reminds us that driving isn’t only from the inputs on the steering wheel and pedals, it’s also from the thought process and decision making of the driver, which the Sync 3 delivers so well. Whether its navigation, making calls, sending messages, or playing music, the Sync 3 makes handless operation an occasion to do.

So in a nutshell, the Ford Ranger FX4 is a base pick-up truck mechanically with the looks of a special variant and with an interior and amenities of a premium model. Because of that, it is safe to say that this Ford Ranger is for buyers who are looking for a practical pick-up and are willing to add a little bit more cash as long as it delivers things that make every peso worth it. And that is where the Ford Ranger FX4 checks all the boxes for that person’s checklist.

SPECIFICATIONS — 2020 Ford Ranger FX4 Engine: Inline-4, 2198, dohc, 16V, TDCi, Turbocharged, 6-Speed Automatic Transmission | Max Power: 158 bhp @ 3200 rpm | Max Torque: 284 lb-ft @ 1600-2500 rpm 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 11.2 sec. | Top Speed: 170 km/h (106 mph) | Fuel Mileage: 13.3 km/L Combined | Price as Tested: PhP 1,316,000.00 Plus: Ford’s Sync 3 with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Best interior in class, practical | Minus: Could use better headlights |

Rating: 9.5/10

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The Drives

HONDA CIVIC RS TURBO Crowd Favorite

Words and photos by Paolo de Borja

BACK WHEN THE NAMES City and Vios were unheard of, two formidable sedans dominated local roads — the Civic and the Corolla. These two iconic models were owned and driven by consumers across various backgrounds; professionals, students, new drivers, among others. Growing up in the 90s, these two compacts were the cars that got me into automobiles in the first place. I’d memorize the different variants; and I was especially enamored with the Civic SiR, as many of you might have been back then.

The tenth and current generation Honda Civic RS Turbo has been around for a while now but still flaunts one of the most eyecatching designs in the segment; even with the all-new Corolla Altis and Mazda 3 onboard.

Having been on the local market since 2016, the Civic’s exterior, particularly on this RS variant, nicely blends a sporty vibe with daily driving practicality and comfort.

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In 2019, the Honda Civic received some minor yet commendable upgrades. At first glance, the facelift looks almost identical as the first iteration of this generation. Updates include a subtly more rounded front bumper replacing the edgy bumper from the last version. Foglamp housings have also been updated to make the overall front fascia look more seamless. The face still flaunts an aggressive and sporty stance with thin and classy headlights. Everything from the

Daytime Running Lights, headlights, and foglamps come standard in LED – making the car a treat to look at night or in the parking lot. This range-topping RS Turbo has gloss black trimmings all over; save for the chrome door handles. The shiny black coating on the grille with RS-badging complements the car’s aggressive and premium feel upfront. Runners for the Civic RS Turbo have been upgraded with new 18-inch alloys, which look excellent with the RS Turbo colors and aesthetic

The Drives

upgrades. Again, exterior upgrades aren’t transformative but this generation of the Civic still holds its ground with competitors due to its clean looks and the lowered, sporty stance.

One of the most remarkable observations about the Civic is its driving position. I drove the pre-facelifted model back in 2018 but the same can still be said about the updated version. It has one of the most comfortable driving positions in cars at this level or

class. The low-seating position undoubtedly reminded me that I was in a sporty sedan. The seat hugs the body just right with cushions that are neither too soft nor too firm. Being inside also felt like being in an airline cockpit with digital gauge clusters and an overall dark-themed interior with red accents. The RS Turbo variant gets red stitching on the steering wheel, dashboard, seats, and door sidings.

The dual-climate control is unchanged but

still simple and easy to operate whether with the use of physical switches or touchscreen controls. The infotainment system with its Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatible 7-inch touchscreen that’s connected to six speakers from the pre-facelift also remains for this range-topping trim. The base variant gets a four-speaker set-up without Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A simple yet commendable update here is the switch from touch-control to a physical knob for volume controls.

A plethora of safety tech can be found here. Standard for the RS Turbo variant are dual front, side, and curtain airbags, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, ABS with EBD, emergency stop signal, speed sensing door locks, multi-view reverse camera, walk-away auto-lock feature, and a keyless entry system with a push-start button.

The Civic RS Turbo didn’t receive engine upgrades for the 2019 model but it continues to deliver an exciting drive at higher speeds and remains to be a comfortable cruiser in urban roads. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 173 bhp and 162 lb-ft of torque that’s connected to a continuously variable transmission. The Civic RS Turbo may have a refined ride but it’s still capable of more exciting runs when pushed to do so. And despite the stereotype on CVTs being lifeless and uninspiring, this sporty-looking sedan has some pull in it with the help of the paddle shifters and when the accelerator is floored.

With regard to the drive, steering might be a tad bit light for purists but it can definitely handle tight turns even at high speeds.

The Honda Civic RS Turbo continues to be a crowd favorite amongst newer competitors thanks to the sleek and sporty design, roomy and cozy interior, and a wide collection of convenience and safety features. It may have strayed away from its roots as a no-frills and simple sedan, but the Civic RS Turbo is also thriving in its newfound haven as a more premium choice without undermining its roots. The nameplate has surely come a long way since first arriving in the Philippines.

SPECIFICATIONS — 2020 Honda Civic RS Turbo Engine: Inline-4, 1498 cc, dohc 16V, Direct Injection Intercooled Turbo, CVT | Max Power: 173 bhp @ 5500 rpm | Max Torque: 162 lb-ft @ 1700-5000 rpm 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 7.5 sec. | Top Speed: 220 km/h | Fuel Mileage: 8.3 km/L Overall | Price as Tested: PhP 1,608,000.00 | Plus: Ageless exterior design, cozy interior, wide collection of convenience and safety tech, comfortable and refined ride | Minus: Touchscreen can be laggy, CVT is more than satisfactory but still could be more responsive Rating: 9/10

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The Drives

VOLVO XC40 T5 R-DESIGN First Time’s a Charm

Words and photos by Chris Van Hoven

I’VE ALWAYS RESPECTED VOLVO. They’ve been consistently impressive with their latest models, with quality offerings that can go toeto-toe with the best of the Germans. The Volvo XC40 is Volvo’s first foray into the subcompact SUV arena, sporting a distinctive design that sets it apart from the rest of the cookie-cutter Euro SUVs. And this top-of-the-line XC40 T5 R-Design puts everything on the line to show us how you get things right the first time around.

There’s no lack of Volvo sensibilities when you step inside the cabin. The interior oozes with Swedish charm and feels truly upscale.

The cabin is kept highly minimalistic and clean by incorporating a lot of the controls into the massive 12-inch vertical touchscreen at the center of the dash. The housekeeping may have gotten a bit out of hand though, as even the climate controls are adjusted from the touchscreen. It’s modern and sleek, but not everyone’s cup of tea. The instrument cluster

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is fully digital and highly legible, and a wireless charger sits at the center compartment which fits all modern mobile phones snuggly. The seating position is higher than most of its rivals, giving you the feeling of driving a proper SUV, and not just a jacked-up hatchback. The seats up front are extremely comfortable and supportive – full electronic adjustments, of course – though the rear seats, extremely roomy for a subcompact SUV, are a bit too upright. The power tailgate opens to reveal a surprisingly spacious cargo area, with the option to drop the rear seats down for even more storage capacity. The Volvo XC40 won’t have any problems bringing luggage for four people. There are other interesting details here too such as a removable bin in the mid console, a small fold-away hook in the glove compartment, and slots for parking cards. The XC40’s interior build quality is exceptional all throughout. Everything you touch, from the

leather upholstery to the metal inlays and the switches and knobs feel fantastic, rivalling the best the segment has to offer.

At the heart of this top-of-the-line T5 variant is Volvo’s turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The XC40’s small package results in delightfully quick performance off the line, reaching 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. Engine response is brilliant, and the transmission handles shifting without delay or hesitation. On twisty roads, the XC40 remains impeccably composed thanks to the sport-tuned suspension found in this R-Design trim and a light and sharp steering response.

While the XC40 absorbs bumps and road irregularities nicely from up front, its shorter wheelbase means that passengers in the second row won’t feel as coddled. Nevertheless, the XC40 rewards its driver with an invigorating

drive whether on straight roads or twisties – something other manufacturers always aim to achieve but rarely do. The T5 R-Design variant comes with all-wheel drive as standard, and while this doesn’t make it a dedicated offroader, its 211mm ground clearance is decent enough to clear small obstacles on the road and is certainly capable of traversing unpaved or rough roads. Fuel economy is decent, but not spectacular, as we achieved around 8.5 km/L on combined city and highway driving.

Volvo being Volvo, the XC40’s safety features are a mile long, with a full suite of Volvo’s IntelliSafe and City Safety package included.

While some might say the XC40’s position in the industry is for a niche audience, Volvo deserves recognition for even bringing it to our shores in the first place. As far as European subcompact SUVs go, the XC40 T5 R-Design is in a class of its own, and simply can’t be touched in the category right now.

SPECIFICATIONS — 2020 Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design Engine: Inline-4, 1969 cc, dohc 16V, Direct Injection Turbo, VVT, 8-speed AT | Max Power: 247 bhp @ 5500 rpm | Max Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1800-4800 rpm 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 6.2 sec. | Top Speed: 230 km/h (143 mph) | Fuel Mileage: 8.5 km/L Overall | Price as Tested: PhP 3,895,000.00 | Plus: Quick performance, premium interior, top-class safety, handsome styling | Minus: Not the most comfortable 2nd row, suspension a bit stiffer than average |

Rating: 9/10

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LX G 7 L X I K U Z U S

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WORDS

C H R I S VA N H OV E N PHOTOS

NICOLAS A. CALANOC

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The sub-compact SUV category has been one of the more interesting segments steadily gaining popularity in the automotive industry over the last three years.

The reason for their popularity is easy enough to understand. When standard 7-seater ladder-frame SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, or Ford Everest remain over the budget limit, and sub-compact people movers such as the Mitsubishi Xpander, Toyota Avanza, or Suzuki Ertiga don’t offer the kind of reassurance and peace of mind an SUV does, these 7-seater mini marvels do an excellent job of filling the gap. Ranging anywhere from PhP 1-million to PhP 1.3-million, they present a best-of-bothworlds solution by offering seven seats and ample ground clearance while remaining in the affordable range.

Suzuki Motor Corporation is no stranger to small cars. With a fantastic track record across the globe of producing excellent sub-compact sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs (Swift and Jimny, anyone?), it’s no surprise that they would enter the segment with a sub-compact SUV offering of their own with the Suzuki XL7. The XL7 badge itself isn’t new by any means. It first saw light in 1998 (as the XL-7 with a hyphen) with a body-on-frame construction resembling its close cousin, the Suzuki Grand Vitara.

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All the essential are here — fog lamps, high ground clearance, skid plates, side skirts, body moldings, roof rails — giving the XL7 the SUV credence it deserves at a much more attractive price than the rest.

It was the most affordable three-row SUV in North America at the time and proved to be successful during its 8-year stint. In 2006, the XL7 (now without the hyphen) was introduced in partnership with General Motors, using a unibody platform with shared components from the Chevrolet Equinox, again differentiating itself with a third-row option that the Equinox didn’t have. Today’s XL7 retains the 7-seat capacity the model line has always been known for, this time using the Suzuki Ertiga as a foundation to spring from.

While it would be easy to say that the Suzuki XL7 is simply an Ertiga on stilts (20mm stilts to be exact, for a minimum ground clearance of 200mm), this just simply wouldn’t be accurate. Instead, the XL7 is more of an evolution to the Ertiga concept. Suzuki themselves claim that there are around 200 parts differences between the two, including the engine control module or ECU, and body control module which handles the electronics. But

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more than that, the XL7 succeeds in feeling like a unique product, not only with the way it’s styled on the inside and out, but the way it drives as well.

On the outside, you can see where Suzuki has gone through great lengths into giving the XL7 that all-important dose of SUV ‘oomph’. It’s got a high nose showcasing a prominent grille with chrome accents that connect to the daytime running lamps, which are in turn accompanied by full LED

headlamps. It has new front fenders with SUV-flavored lines that make it look similar to the Suzuki Vitara. It has roof rails offering some versatility for loading up to 50 kg of cargo on the roof. It has blacked-out wheel arches to give it that beefy SUV look.

And while the XL7 does well to reflect solid SUV sensibilities on the outside, the inside does a great job in making you feel like you’re driving a legitimate SUV as well.

It starts, as always, with a commanding view

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2020 SUZUKI XL7 GLX Engine: Inline-4 Location: Front, Transversal Displacement: 1462 cc Cylinder block: Aluminum Alloy Cylinder head: Aluminum, dohc, 4 valves per cylinder Fuel Injection: Multipoint Injection Max power: 103 bhp @ 6000 rpm Max torque: 102 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Drag Coefficient: 0.36 cd Front suspension: Macpherson Strut with Coil Spring Rear suspension: Torsion beam with Coil Spring Fuel Capacity: 45 liters LxWxH: 4450mm x 1775mm x 1710mm Wheelbase: 2740mm Brakes: Front: 9.9” (252mm) Ventilated Discs with Single-Piston Aluminum Fixed Calipers Rear: 9.0” (229mm) Drum with ABS and ESP Wheels: 16” Polished Alloy Wheel Tires: 195/60 R16 Weight (kerb): 1180 kg (2601 lbs.)

0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 13.0 sec.

Top Speed: 160 km/h (99 mph) Fuel Mileage: 10.3 km/L Overall Price as tested: PhP 1,068,000.00

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LX G 7 L X I K U Z U S

offered by flexible seating adjustments.

The driver’s seat height can be adjusted and raised up to 60mm, which goes a long way in offering the kind of confidence that an SUV brings its driver in terms of visibility.

The 2nd row seats feature a 60:40 split and can slide and recline — a feature that is highly important in this segment — since it allows the passengers to create more room for the legs of the 3rd row occupants. The 3rd row seats are a bit more fixed in terms of how upright they are, but they do fold in a 50:50 split. With the 3rd row seats up, the XL7 offers a fairly generous 153 liters of space for luggage which is enough for several duffel bags, pillows, or a cooler or two. The cargo area also features the unique addition of a luggage board that you can raise to give you an additional few inches of depth to play with. This comes in handy when you need to store tall pieces of luggage such as suitcases while having all the seats up. With the luggage board installed, and the 3rd row seats folded down flat, the XL7 opens itself up to an almost fully flat 550 liters of available luggage space, which rivals some of the best-selling compact SUVs on the market. Seating at the 3rd row, while a little too upright for some, is surprisingly comfortable as well; and two medium-sized passengers would be able to go on an out of town trip without feeling too much discomfort, thanks in part to the extra room afforded by the sliding 2nd row.

The seats themselves are well cushioned and highly supportive. Two passengers can sit comfortably on the 2nd row while enjoying a center armrest. Fold the armrest up, and you’ve got room for three, though the middle passenger will have to deal with a bit of a rise in his cushion. The rest of the cabin is well-built, which we’ve come to expect from Suzuki by now. Front panels feature a carbon fiber motif that adds some character, but the real highlight for me is the massive 10-inch touchscreen that dominates the center console. It’s the same big, bright display we’ve seen Suzuki use with their other models from the Dzire all the way to the Vitara, but it’s now been upgraded with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity — something we’ve been praying for from day one. The infotainment system also natively handles offline navigation, and its audio and communication features can be controlled through the steering wheel. Another upgrade from the Ertiga is the inclusion

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C! RATING

9/10

PLUS

Superb value for money, equipped with features that matter the most in the segment.

MINUS

Powertrain could use an upgrade, needs more airbags

of an additional two tweeters up front for a total of 6 speakers. They didn’t have to, but it’s pretty awesome that they did, and it greatly contributes to an improved listening experience. And while we’re talking about cool things they didn’t have to do but did anyway, the instrument cluster features a 4.2-inch full color TFT LCD screen that not only provides the usual information such as fuel economy or door status, but it also shows telemetry on engine output for torque and power, and — of all things — a G-force meter that you’d usually find in

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sports cars like the Toyota 86. Other cool bits inside the cabin worth mentioning are ventilated cup holders up front, for keeping your drinks cool throughout the drive, various smartphone pockets, and one 12V/120W power outlet for each of the three rows to keep the kids happy. For families with even younger kids, the 2nd row seats come with ISOFIX anchors for child seats.

Powered by the same 1.5-liter K15B engine from the Ertiga producing 103 bhp and 102 lb-ft of torque mated to a

4-speed automatic transmission, the XL7 more or less matches the field in terms of the powertrain it offers. The engine is responsive and eager when the RPMs are kept low while going about the city on errands, which is really where the XL7 feels most at home. It’s 55mm longer, 40mm wider, and 20mm taller than the Suzuki Ertiga, but its added size doesn’t make it any harder to drive around the city. Once it’s time to break the city’s confines, the XL7 does a commendable job keeping pace at speed, but the limitations of the

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LX SUZUKI XL7 G 4-speed automatic and its accompanying powerplant will be felt while overtaking and carrying a full complement of passengers and cargo. The upside is you’ll be rewarded with excellent fuel economy, as we managed to get around 10 km/L driving around the city. The XL7 handles bumps and other road irregularities perfectly well while maintaining an agreeable level of composure on the road.

In terms of safety, the Suzuki XL7 does quite well. It comes with ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors with a rear-view camera, an impact-absorbing structure up front, electronic stability control, and hill-hold assist, though I wish it had more than dual SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger to really achieve perfect scores in safety. Still, given its price tag of PhP 1,068,000, the accompanying convenience and safety features offer excellent value for money. If you take a look at its closest rival, the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross, you’ll notice they both carry features that are remarkably similar spec-for-spec, with the Suzuki XL7 coming out as a clear winner on pricing. As one of the most affordable entries in the segment, the Suzuki XL7 provides a complete, wellrounded package, balancing out essential kit with accompanying features that really matter, and is well worth a look for anyone shopping in this category.

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FLOO FIGHT 46

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OD TERS C! PICKS

Last year, the C! Team compiled a list of flood-conquering vehicles to have in time for the wet season. Dubbed the Rainy Season Heroes, the selections were composed of apex predators led by the astonishing Ford Ranger Raptor, followed by the Toyota FJ Cruiser, and the Land Rover Defender among others. In order to make things more challenging for the editors this year, the team has prepared a lineup of Flood Fighter solutions priced under PhP 1,500,000. The selections include mid-variants of popular SUVs, crossovers, and pickups, along with newly-launched models. Enjoy!

C! PICKS

FLOOD FIGHTERS

MPV/CROSSOVER

Mitsubishi Xpander Cross Price: PhP 1,255,000.00

BUILDING ON THE successes of the

Kevin C. Limjoco President / Founding Editor / Editorial Director

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versatile award-winning 7-seater MPV/Crossover Mitsubishi Xpander GLS Sport, the lifted Cross variant, for P127,000.00 more over the updated GLS model, now replaces that top-spec model. The new model offers appropriately significant and compelling updates for buyers looking for more cabin comfort, more occupant

safety, and more traversing ability.

The good-looking Xpander Cross has more than enough aesthetic nuances to differentiate itself from its stablemates but with a weight increase of about 60 kilos. Before you all freak out that the significant weight increase will severely tax the humble front-wheel-driven 105 bhp / 104 lb-ft of torque 1.5-liter MIVEC

transverse gasoline engine, the direct real-world road results are nowhere as bad as you would think. The 4% tire diameter variance of the new 17-inch alloy rolling stock combined with the increased, by 20 mm (.8 inches), ride height and slight aerodynamic loss reduces outright acceleration from rest to 100 km/h by two-tenths of a second. However, on the contrary, I’ll take that inconsequential loss to gain the daily enjoyment of significantly improved overall ride comfort and better interior acoustics thanks to the longer suspension damping stroke, upgraded interior materials (two-tone leather on the seats and contrasting dashboard together with matching brown stitching on the leather steering wheel), and more tire rubber. The extra ground clearance is very usable and allows a touch more adventure but do travel realistically. The new topspec Xpander Cross model also gets standard LED headlights, packaged with additional Active Stability Control, Traction Control, and Hill Start Assist.

The updated Xpander GLS also features LED headlights now but it doesn’t have the additional safety measures of the Cross. For exterior colors, the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross comes in a model-exclusive Sunrise Orange, Quartz White Pearl (my recommendation to complement the new interior), Sterling Silver Metallic, and Graphite Gray. ◼

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C! PICKS

FLOOD FIGHTERS MIDSIZE CROSSOVER

Chery Tiggo 8 Luxury EX Price: PhP 1,340,000.00

CHERY MAY BE A RELATIVELY NEW nameplate in the Philippines, but it has reigned as China's number one exporter of passenger cars for the last 16 years. Having said that, I think the Chery Tiggo 8 is a delightful and extremely cost-friendly vehicle that can comfortably shuttle one around, even amid the environmental threats of our harsh monsoon season.

All of Chery's products offered in the Philippines are powered by a modern, 1.5-liter inline-4 DOHC 16-valve petrol engine that is already Euro-5 compliant. But the Tiggo 8 carries a turbocharged version of the same engine, and this gifts the SUV with an especially fun and powerful drive.

Nevertheless, it is still a very versatile and fuel-efficient vehicle — offering lots of space, high comfort, and even a Smartwatch key!

The exclusive Smartwatch key is a wearable device that looks like a sleek fitness band, and has several functions that can control the car remotely.

These include locking/unlocking the vehicle, remotely turning on the engine

and the air-conditioning, and even opening the windows or trunk.

It is no surprise then that the Tiggo was recently voted the Best in Entry-Level, Medium-Large SUVs in a customer satisfaction survey conducted by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd. Lastly, Chery Philippines has committed to a mind-blowing 10-year (or 1-Million km, whichever comes first) powertrain warranty to all of its customers, on top of the 5-year 'bumper-to-bumper' general vehicle warranty that they offer. And this is still in addition to their free, 3-year Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) package. How can you beat an offer like that?? ◼

Angel S. Rivero Contributing Editor

PICK-UP

Ford Ranger FX4 Price: PhP 1,316,000.00

FOR FIGHTING THE FLOOD, it’s an easy

Nicolas A. Calanoc Executive Editor

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win if you choose an SUV or pick-up.

But what everyone does not have is convenience. This is why for this year, I choose the 2020 Ford Ranger FX-4.

Sure, it doesn’t have 4WD, 10-speed automatic transmission, or the new 2.0L turbocharged engine of Ford, but its tried and tested 2.2L turbocharged

engine and 6-speed transmission gets the job done together with its water wading height.

The best part of the Ford Ranger FX4 is that it has a looker with its black grille and sports bar, it’s leather interior, and most of all: the Ford Sync 3. At its price, the Ranger FX4 having an impressive infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay makes it so convenient to go around places. So not only does the Ford Ranger FX4 fight floods, it gives you an edge when it comes to going around places you are not familiar with. ◼

SUBCOMPACT CROSSOVER

Geely Coolray Sport Turbo Price: PhP 1,198,000.00

THIS BRAVE NEW contender in the subcompact crossover stage flaunts an exceptional mix of youthful style, commendable size, and everyday practicality. Considering the PhP 1.5 million cap for this year’s version of the feature, obvious top-of-the-line pickup and SUV selections such as the Ranger Raptor are now out of the question; thus, also allowing for a more engaging discussion on the topic. For

Paolo de Borja Deputy Editor

starters, the Coolray is an interesting choice since it has one of the highest ground clearances in the segment and at this price point with 196 mm — trumped only by the EcoSport with 209 mm. As an urban driver, the Coolray offers the perfect size for daily drives in congested roads yet capable and comfortable enough for weekend runs to different provinces. One could argue

that the Coolray is also a product of the Geely’s purchase of Volvo back in 2010.

European details are easily observable in the beautifully laid-out interior that packs the best collection of features and technology in the segment today.

The Geely Coolray may not be the most natural choice for the subject at hand, but it sure ticks off all the points on my list at an affordable price. ◼

SUBCOMPACT SUV

breakover, and departure angles that would put most rigs to shame.

With this in mind, floods around the Metro, for instance, should be a cinch.

And they are, with its 210mm ground clearance. This thing will treat them as if they were puddles. Moreover, the tidy dimensions mean maneuverability won’t be an issue.

For a little over P1.1 million, you get an off-road ready vehicle with modern day conveniences and a look all its own. And of course, it’s the perfect allweather ride to tackle our perennially flooded streets.

Need we say more? ◼

Suzuki Jimny GLX All-Grip Pro 4x4 Two-Tone Price: PhP 1,175,000.00

IT’S DIMINUTIVE. It’s got regular street tires in stock form. And it wouldn’t look like it could climb a mounting and survive. Yet the truth of the matter is, the Suzuki Jimny can outperform most so-called SUVs out there when it comes to going off road.

With a lineage that dates back 50 years, the Suzuki Jimny has all the gear needed to make it a true off-roader. It’s got all-wheel drive with a low-range transfer case, All-Grip 4x4 system, and suspension articulation and approach,

Gerard Jude L. Castillo Associate Online Editor

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C! PICKS

FLOOD FIGHTERS 7-SEATER LADDER FRAME SUV

Isuzu mu-X RZ4E LS Price: PhP 1,300,000.00

AT A TIME WHEN every single pick up based 7-seater diesel SUV with an automatic transmission is priced at a minimum of PhP 1.6-million, Isuzu comes along and offers a product that gives you all of the benefits of the segment at a highly affordable price tag. At PhP 1.3-million, it severely undercuts pretty much every other mid-sized and compact SUV on the market. There are some compromises to be sure — no foglamps, drum brakes, manual side mirrors, smaller 16-inch tires, no ABS, and an absolutely spartan interior — but the core of what makes the mu-X great is still there: a capable 1.9-liter Blue Power engine, seating for seven, loads of cargo space, and the confidence you get from all that ground clearance. The base model RZ4E LS

even features an 8-inch touchscreen with six speakers! Isuzu may have had to strip the mu-X pretty clean to get to this price, but for those who don’t care about all the flash of a nice body kit, chrome garnishing, leather upholstery, or automatic seats and only want a reliable mid-sized workhorse that won’t break the bank, then it doesn’t get any purer than this. ◼

Chris Van Hoven Managing Editor

PICK-UP

Toyota Hilux 4x4 2.4 E M/T Price: PhP 1,202,000.00

Francis G. Pallarco Tuner Editor

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RESIDING IN AN AREA where flashfloods are considered a normal occurrence, I can truly say that it pays to have a vehicle with adequate ground clearance and 4x4 capability.

Characteristics that the Toyota Hilux 4x4 E possess, making it my choice as the ideal flood fighter. Bestowed with a 700 mm water wading capability, this means the Hilux can easily traverse through knee-high floodwaters and clear minor obstacles with ease.

Should it encounter muddy/slippery terrain once the floodwaters have subsided, Toyota’s ever-reliable 4x4 system and a differential lock can be

utilized for extreme driving situations.

Whether accelerating or pulling, the Hilux 4x4 2.4 E is well up to the task with a 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine. Equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, this allows it to effectively make use of its factory rated 147 bhp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

But aside from being a suitable flood fighter, its versatility and utilitarian aspect is also what makes the Hilux pickup the ideal vehicle to have for the rainy season. Not only can it ferry passengers, but also carry loads of varying sizes and weight that just wouldn’t be possible with an SUV. ◼

WITH JUGGERNAUTS like the Ford

PICK-UP

Mitsubishi Strada Athlete 4x2 AT Price: PhP 1,443,000.00

Ranger and Toyota Hilux as competition, many would quickly gloss over the Mitsubishi Strada. However, recent updates have helped make the Strada well worthy of some attention with its updated looks, larger size and bed, and massive performance improvements.

The Strada is actually among the top performers in its class with one of the most powerful engines that produces 179 bhp and 317 lb-ft of torque.

Another aspect the Strada has focused on is its suspension and chassis. It boasts of one of the tightest turning circles, a ride that can rival the

Navara, and excellent on-road handling.

Mitsubishi says its water wading depth is 600mm, however, just like Nissan’s initial 500mm for the Terra, we’re fairly certain that’s just a conservative estimate. Those high-mount fog lamps aren’t put there for nothing.

The Raptor may have grabbed headlines because of its phenomenal power figures and power slides, yet Mitsubishi has quietly upgraded the Strada to put up a fight, and for significantly less. Plus, in Athlete trim, it comes with black trim, body decals, two-tone seats, black wheels, and a rear sports bar. ◼

Iñigo S. Roces Contributing Editor

SUBCOMPACT CROSSOVER

Kia Seltos 2.0 EX IVT Price: PhP 1,198,000.00

ONE WOULD THINK that by limiting the cost price of the vehicle selection to no more than PhP1.5M it would lessen the option and make it easier to make a choice. Yes, less choices but still extremely difficult to make a selection.

There are several very capable, practical, logical vehicles to choose from and it really depends of your need, most common use and personal appeal.

Throwing big objects on to a pickups bed is something that you may have to do during a typhoon or something but, anyone or anything you put there in the rain will get wet. Getting things in and out of the pickup is easier in most cases but that also means it’s also easier for people with sticky fingers to pinch things from there.

So, one of the closed vehicles I tested before the lock down that was in the price range was the Kia Seltos. I found it pleasant to drive and it felt stable, handled well too and I couldn’t help but think of the influence the former Audi designer Peter Schreyer had nicely rubbed off on the car. The Seltos EX met the criteria at 1,198,000.00 and is my choice. ◼

Georges B. Ramirez Senior Editor

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Feature

RAINY DAY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 101 What to check when preparing your ride for rainy day motoring

WORDS

GERARD JUDE L. CASTILLO

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aincoats, boots, umbrellas — these are the usual things that many of us prepare when the rainy season comes around.

And unless you’ve been hiding under your favorite rock for longer than usual, you’d know that the time of the year has arrived.

Puddles, floods, and poor visiblity — these are the factors that one needs to be prepared for as a driver during this time. Driving in the rain can be tricky, no doubt. But if you have a vehicle that’s been well-prepped, along with a mind that’s been conditioned, you need not worry.

But what exactly does one need to prepare in one’s vehicle during the season of wet roads and possible flash foods? Here are a few essential items to check before heading out this rainy season:

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01 | Tires It’s been said before but we’ll say it again: your vehicle’s tires are the only contact patch you have with the road While this is important when conditions are dry, it is doubly imporatant when road surfaces are slippery.

The analogy that comes to mind is are you wearing a pair of slippers versus wearing boots? Try to climb a wet surface using the former and you’re sure to slip and slide.

Not so with the latter as it provides more grip. Make sure that your tires’ tread depth are still more than sufficient to give you adequate grip on those slippery roads. Also check that your tires are properly inflated.

Nothing is worse than you losing control and hydroplaning because of a poor set of rubber.

03 | Wipers If you wear glassses, you’d know how much of a pain it is whenever these spectacles become foggy. The same holds true for a windshield that gets filled up with rainwater. So make sure your wipers haven’t become brittle or cracked over time. This will not only lessen their effectiveness in clearing up the glass but may even leave those irritating lines while they’re at it.

By the same token, always make sure that your windshield washer tank is filled up. It could spell the difference between saving you from a mishap because of poor visiblity.

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04 | Brakes 02 | Lights You may have heard that piece of advice that encourages you to turn on your lights when driving in the rain. True enough, it does help make you more visible to other motorists. This is because rainy or even foggy conditions tend to decrease visibility, even if it’s high noon.

So it’s advisable to make sure that all lights — headlights, turn signals, daytime running lights for new cars, foglights, and taillights are all in working order. This way, you’re doing your part in lessening the risk of an accident betwen you and a motorist who didn’t see you.

While folks talk about horsepower and going fast, not many of them touch on the importance of brakes. It’s one thing to go fast. But it’s a totally different story when it comes to slowing down your car. This is a safety feature. Both in the dry and even more so when wet conditions arise.

Always make sure that your brake pads and brake lines are in good working order. Check your brake fluid levels regularly. Doing so will ensure that, along with those tires, you will be able to control your car and bring it to a stop when needed — a must in low grip conditions, such as on wet surfaces.

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Feature

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05 | Electrical system To be more specific, check your car battery.

Make sure that it has sufficient charge. This helps ensure that you can use things like lights and other electrical items without fail. It’s not a pleasant experience to be left by the rainy wayside because of a drained battery.

06 | Rubber seals Your vehicle’s doors, windows, trunk or tailgate, and sunroof (if equipped) all have rubber seals to keep water out. Over time, however, along with hot or humid weather, these rubber parts tend to become brittle, harden, and crack. This could result in a leak of massive proportions if left unchecked.

So, make sure that all these parts are in good condition. It could save you from having to wipe off your trunk or your car’s interior every time it rains. Not only is it unpleasant but could damage surfaces like leather upholstery and electrical components in the interior.

07 | Check yourself Are you okay to drive? Remember that rainy day driving means being a bit more alert than usual. As mentioned more than once during this piece, road conditions are slippery and visibility is rather poor. This means stopping distances are a bit more and accidents are more prone to occur.

This is why it is best to stay alert and drive a tad slower than you would normally do.

This will give you enough time to react should someting untoward come up.

Never leave anything to chance during these rainy days. Performing these simple checks could spell the difference between being stranded or worse, getting into a fatal mishap.

Drive safe!

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06

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E X T R A T I M E There is more to life than just cars, so we got you covered on the other things that might interest you.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

For us, innovation must always serve function. For example, raising our bezel by 2mm has improved the grip.

Just a little.

When you care about watches, just a little matters a lot.

Aquis Date

BLADES OF GLORY

EEXXTR TRAA TITIM MEE

This is an encapsulation of probably the most important kitchen tool at home.

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E X TR A TI M E

Shizuka Café’s Executive Chef Paul Simon Tan, left, and Chef/Barista Aaron Trinidad, right, posing in Shizuka Café, a Japanese restaurant that serves Japanese comfort food to replicate a place you can call home.

WORDS & PHOTOS: NICOLAS A. CALANOC

I was on a discussion website one random day and one of the posts asked the question “What is the most important investment of a home?” Surprisingly, the unanimous vote was the kitchen knife.

It initially came as a shock, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. If the saying that the kitchen is the heart of the home, then it is no surprise that a good kitchen knife is required to keep that heart strong.

Now that staying at home is part of the solution to end the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has seemed to be picking up the skill of cooking in the kitchen. So, it was appropriate to dive in on what constitutes a good kitchen knife. But obviously me being a home chef at best, I had no clue where to start when it came to this topic. Luckily, I have a friend, named Aaron Trinidad, who was both a chef and an afficionado of knives.

Our meeting place was at Shizuka Café, where he worked together with Paul Simon Tan, the Executive Chef of said café. I must admit I was at first intimidated when they brought out their bag of knives of different shapes and sizes. But despite the number of knives, they were able to boil it down for everyday cooks like me. So, after half a day of talking about knives, this is what I came to understand.

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E X TR A TI M E

JA PA NE SE

WE ST ER N

THE MAIN TYPES OF CHEF’S KNIFE After looking at their collection of knives, I asked them if there was a way to classify them into main types. To my surprise, it was easy for them to do because there were main types of knives available, with the following being the most common types you can find in stores: Western This is the workhorse of those who cut Western style. What makes it different from the Japanese knife is that the cutting edge is curved from the heel to tip of the blade. It also has a thick bolster, which in effect gives it a dull heel. The spine of the blade is also thick, giving the profile of the blade a tapered effect, which in turn makes the wedge of the blade thicker as you keep sharpening the blade of the Western Chef’s Knife. In this type of knife, the length of the blade is based on your preference on how it feels on your hand and wrist.

Japanese (Santoku) Compared to the Western Knife, the Japanese chef’s knife, or Santoku (translated to “three virtues” or “three uses”) is more of a precision kind of tool because of the way it is used. The defining part that separates it from a western knife is the heel and shape of the blade. The Japanese knife has a sharp heel with no bolster. When you compare cutting edges, the Japanese chef’s knife is relatively straight with the hybrid knives having a curve close to the Western knife.

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THE STYLES OF CUTTING The proverb “different strokes for different folks” could not be any truer when it comes to kitchen knives and especially to chef’s knives.

WESTERN

JAPANESE

EAST MEETS WEST

The different styles of cutting make the blades designed differently. Once you know the style of cutting you prefer, it's all a matter of choosing the blade that conforms to it.

▪ Western Cutting This is the style of cutting you see by western chefs on the Food Network and on YouTube cooking channels, where they use the rocking motion that is conducive because of the curved blade. This allows quick chopping for those who are used to this kind of knife.

â–Ş Japanese Cutting This style of cutting is what you see in Japanese restaurants, dominantly those manning the sashimi and sushi table. This style maximizes the length of the blade; thus it is a cutting motion that starts at the heel and ends at the tip. Because of this, every cut is achieved by one stroke and the integrity of the food cut is preserved. So, the longer the blade, the less pressure required, which leaves more integrity.

This style of cutting benefits food that is fragile like seafood.

â–Ş Vegetable Cutting This is probably the most common cut done in the kitchen because it is the simplest one, which is basically straight down and back up.

For this type of cutting, you might want to get a Vegetable Knife, or in Japanese it is called Nakiri. It is well balanced, light, and its flat base of a blade makes it easy to use.

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E X TR A TI M E

MAINTENANCE The sharpening of the blade of a kitchen knife is something that comes with experience, practice, and a lot of repetition that includes trials and errors. For this article, it is more of a run-through of what it takes to sharpen your blade. There are many techniques and styles for sharpening the blade of a kitchen knife, so just make sure you keep things safe.

This part can be skipped if your blade is already clean and shiny. For those with blades on the dirty side, you can buff off the patina (aged metal) by scrubbing baking soda to restore the shine. For extreme situations, you may use sandpaper starting with a low grit and gradually going up to a fine grit.

For sharpening, the best tool to have is a whetstone with either a sink bridge or a rubber baseplate to keep it stable. Since it is a porous object, it should be submerged in water, depending on the manufacturer's direction. For blades that are dull, you might want to start with a coarse grit that ranges from 120 - 600. You then can work onto the medium grit that ranges from 800-2000. Then you can finish it (if you have available) with finishing stones that range from 3000 grit upwards.

When I asked if there was an angle of a general form to be followed when it came to sharpening, their advice was that it all depends on the blade so much that it is hard to give a sweeping statement on how to sharpen a blade. It will all depend on the factory angle of the cutting edge, which you can feel upon tilting the blade to the whetstone. I also asked how often it should be sharpened, and the statement I got was to sharpen it when it feels dull.

Interestingly, a sharp knife is a safe knife because it promotes good cutting form, the use of less force, instant feedback if you get cut, and when you get cut, it heals faster because of the integrity of the cut.

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BEFORE

AFTER

THE BIG DIFFERENCE

When you take your kitchen knife purchase seriously, you'll be surprised on the return of investment when you give it the care it deserves!

CONCLUSION There is so much to learn about the kitchen knife, but hopefully this will help you on choosing a knife that best suits you. Also, do not forget to get a knife that has a good handle even when wet and a blade with good steel, preferable a high-grade stainless steel. Once you invested on a good chef’s knife, it is all a matter of practicing, maintaining, and most of all enjoying the process of cutting and maintaining that knife to last a long time.

IN SEARCH OF A BADGE'S GREATNESS

F O C U S ON THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEGACY

In 2019, Volkswagen shocked the world when it announced the end of the line for its legendary Beetle; marking the conclusion to an illustrious 80-year career.

True enough, the last VW Beetle rolled off the assembly line last year at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico.

Words: Paolo de Borja Photos: Press and Kevin C. Limjoco

FOCUS ON: THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEGACY

Staying true to its name, the People's Car was an automobile that conquered all types of roads back in the day

Volkswagen, translating to “people’s car” in German, was commissioned by newly appointed German Chancellor Adolf Hitler in 1934 to build an affordable automobile for the masses. In the early 1930s, few Germans were able to afford an automobile since the selections mainly composed of luxury cars. Only one out of 50 Germans had a car to his name. The Bug was designed by high-end vehicle and race car designer Ferdinand Porsche as a practical, dependable, and no-frills roller. The idea

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was to create a low-cost transportation for the average person in Germany. One that was simple and small but big enough that it could fit a whole family; similar to how the Ford Model T was for the Americans. It was then in a 1938 address when Hitler baptized the new automobile as the Kraft durch Freude-Wagen; or “Strength Through Joy Car” in English. Originally known simply as Volkswagen or the Type 1, the first iteration of the Beetle had a rear, air-cooled engine and had design cues from early Porsches

Herbie is a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle that appeared in several Walt Disney films over the decades; starting with "The Love Bug" in 1968

like the Type 12. Styling was also influenced by models of Czechoslovakia-based automaker Tatra. The first produced units were given to high-ranking military officers, while Hitler received the very first convertible. However, production at the original Fallersleben factory was halted when World War II broke out in 1939.

Fast forward to the end of the War, Fallersleben was renamed to Wolfsburg and the factory was rebuilt in 1946.

The Allied-captured Volkswagen factory was handed over

to the British with initial plans of shipping the plant to the United Kingdom. It was only after producing military vehicles that the factory resumed production of the Type 1 as a result of many deliberations on who would head the plant after Germany’s fall. A total of 10,000 Type 1s were produced by the end of 1946. By the 1950s, Volkswagen made its way to the United States; a significant feat towards worldwide prominence. Volkswagen hired advertising agency Doyle, Dane, and Bernbach (DDB) in 1959, who

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FOCUS ON: THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEGACY

The Volkswagen Beetle's legendary exterior design is one that's recognizable by almost anyone in the world

came up with the “Think Small” campaign. This was around the time U.S. automakers started conceptualizing smaller cars so the timing was apt. In the same year that Disney released “Herbie” or the Love Bug in 1968, the U.S. became Volkswagen’s number one market with 562,522 delivered stateside. By 1972, the Volkswagen Beetle surpassed the Ford Model T as the best-selling car of all time. It remained the most popular car in the world until the Toyota Corolla exceeded it in the late 1990s. Over the decades, Volkswagen

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opened new factories in Mexico, Brazil, and Australia due to the growing global demand.

As the 20th century came to a close, Volkswagen took a big step when it unveiled a modern version of the Beetle at the 1994 Detroit Auto Show. And in 1998, 60 years after the first Volkswagen rolled off the Fallersleben plant, the New Beetle was born. Production of the Type 1 continued even with the New Beetle. By 2003, however, the Type 1 was discontinued after being around since 1938 due to stricter

Filipino police officers pose beside their Volkswagen Beetle mobile in 1968

environmental standards and decreasing demand. The last production model VW Type 1 came out of the Puebla, Mexico plant.

Much of the Volkswagen Beetle’s history is well-recorded in the history books. But the People’s Car also has a rich background on Philippine soil. Founded by Domingo M. Guevera Sr. in 1955, Diesel Motors Germany (DMG) earned a partnership with Volkswagen AG in the late 1950s and became the exclusive importer-distributor & assembler of the

marque in the Philippines. DMG started out with assembling Kombi in 1958 before adding the Beetle to its range in 1959.

Former Philippine President Dioasdado Macapagal was present at the factory’s inauguration. The assembly plant, which was located in Libertad St., Mandaluyong City, built Type 1s, Brazilian Beetles, Kombis, and Passats. The first service center was located in Quiapo, Manila. DMG’s best year was in 1970 when it built a total of 6,100 units. Back in the 1960s, even some police mobiles were VW Beetles.

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FOCUS ON: THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEGACY

IT WAS A TESTAMENT TO THE BUG’S POPULARITY AMONG PEOPLE ACROSS DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS EVEN IN THE PHILIPPINES. TODAY, THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CLUB OF THE PHILIPPINES IS ALIVE AND KICKING. OWNERS AND ENTHUSIASTS ARE ABLE TO SHARE THEIR PASSION FOR THE VEHICLE AND PASS ON KNOWLEDGE ON THEIR PRECIOUS BEETLES. It was a testament to the Bug’s popularity among people across different demographics even in the Philippines.

Today, the Volkswagen Beetle Club of the Philippines is alive and kicking. Owners and enthusiasts are able to share their passion for the vehicle and pass on knowledge on their precious Beetles.

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Through the years, the C! Team had the chance to try out different variations of the Beetle. Our Founding Editor Kevin C. Limjoco in particular had his fair share of time behind the wheel of a number. He described the 2017 Beetle Dune 1.8T Convertible as the most comfortable and most planted of the Beetle range back when he tested a unit in the U.S.

Volkswagen made sure to impart retro styling to the interior of even the newest Beetles

The Beetle Turbo Convertible 60s Edition, Beetle Coupe 2.0T Convertible, Beetle Turbo R-design, and Beetle Coupe 2.0TDI are just some of the other models featured on C! It was never perfect especially when the first New Beetle came out, but what’s truly commendable about Volkswagen was how the company was able to insert modern technologies

and conveniences on the Beetle after the turn of the century while staying true to the identity of the model.

After 80 years in production, Volkswagen finally pulled the plug on the iconic Beetle and with the last model rolling off the assembly line in Mexico in 2019. The Beetle Final Edition was released in 2019 in both Coupe and Convertible

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FOCUS ON: THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE LEGACY

PRODUCTION MAY BE OVER BUT THE VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE’S TIMELESS ROUNDED ROOFLINE, REAR ENGINE, AND COUNTLESS ITERATIONS THROUGH THE YEARS WILL models. Equipped with exclusive décor and equipment, the ALWAYS REMAIN IN THE HEARTS Final Edition drew inspiration and paid respects to those that came before. Production may be over but the Volkswagen AND MINDS OF PEOPLE ALL OVER Beetle’s timeless rounded roofline, rear engine, and countless iterations through the years will always remain in the hearts THE GLOBE — TRULY DESERVING and minds of people all over the globe – truly deserving of the OF THE NAME PEOPLE’S CAR. name People’s Car. 70

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TUNER LO U D ER, BA D D ER, FAS TER!

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BOOSTED!

Francis G. Pallarco T U N E R E D I TO R

SLIPPERY WHEN WET Wet weather driving tips for the rainy season

f you’ve ever been caught behind the wheel in a heavy downpour, you know that rain doesn’t make for ideal driving conditions. Driving in the rain can be stressful, not to mention dangerous as this makes it difficult to see the road, making driving conditions less than ideal.

Even without bumper to bumper traffic, water affects how your car handles and may turn what might otherwise be a safe ride into an incident. To get where you need to go safely when it's raining, always plan ahead and adjust your driving habits behind the wheel.

Here are some things to keep in mind to drive more safely in the rain.

I

DON’T BE A HAZARD Never turn on the hazard lights during a heavy downpour thinking that it will make your car more visible to others. It’s better to turn on the park lights or headlights so as not to confuse other drivers into thinking that you have stalled. Using the hazard lights prohibits the function of the turn signals, which is more dangerous. Only use the hazard lights when the vehicle is stationary or stalled.

MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front is always beneficial in any driving condition. However, whenever the road is wet, it is recommended to keep a more than 'safe' distance between the other vehicle in front. Doing so allows a considerable distance

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should the vehicle in front suddenly brake thereby preventing a rear-end collision.

TURN WITH CAUTION Rainy conditions bring about wet roads that become slippery surfaces, making sharp and winding turns dangerous. Taking a turn too fast might cause the tires to lose grip causing the car to skid, resulting in the loss of car control.

Whenever taking a sharp curve, slow down first before taking the turn. This is actually regardless of whether the road is wet or dry.

DRIVING FOCUSED Driving in the rain involves less than ideal conditions including limiting the driver’s visibility. This is why the driver must be more alert and conscious for any hazards that might appear at any time like a dog suddenly crossing the street or another car that turned without signaling. In such situations, the driver’s reaction time becomes crucial, so avoid any distractions while driving.

STOP HYDROPLANING Hydroplaning is what happens when your tires fail to get a grip on the road and you lose control of your car’s direction. This usually occurs when you step on the brakes abruptly while the car is at high speeds. To prevent your car from hydroplaning, keep your speeds at manageable levels when it rains, and again, keep your distance from other vehicles to avoid a collision.

REDUCE SPEED One of the best tips while driving in the rain

is to reduce your speed by a few kph below the speed limit. Keep in mind that the most dangerous moment to drive is right after the rain has started, as the water mixes with the oil residue on the road, creating a slippery and slick surface. Instead of rushing and driving fast, slow down a bit just to be safe as this also helps prevent your car from hydroplaning.

ALWAYS ANTICIPATE Be mindful of other drivers. When turning or changing lanes, signal in advance to give the car behind you enough time to slow down.

Always anticipate what other drivers are doing so you could safely react to abrupt movements such as skidding or swerving. Also anticipate where you want to go to avoid making sudden maneuvers that could cause a mishap.

PLAN AHEAD One of the safest driving decisions you can make is to wait for the weather to clear up. Rainy conditions bring about traffic gridlock, flooded roads, accidents and vehicle breakdowns. If you must drive in heavy rain, check traffic updates for flooded roads and find alternate routes with the least amount of traffic congestion and chances of flooding.

ZERO VISIBILITY If the rain is coming down so hard that you can barely see a thing through the windshield, it is considered unsafe and therefore not advisable to continue driving. Stop and park your vehicle in a safe and dry place and simply wait for the downpour to weaken. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of repairs Every new car has a periodic maintenance schedule that lessens the need for repairs in the future.

So it pays to follow the schedule.

A SAFETY REMINDER FROM

Tuner

Vehicle Maintenance

BATTERY MAINTENANCE Learn how to make your car batteries last longer Words and photos by Francis G. Pallarco

THE BATTERY SUPPLIES ELECTRICAL

energy to a vehicle and its main purpose is to start the engine. Once the engine is running, the alternator supplies the power for all of its electrical needs.

In these trying times brought about by a worldwide pandemic, a vast majority of vehicles aren’t used on a daily basis. As such, it is quite common for batteries to start having problems, the most prominent condition is being discharged, which prevents the engine from starting.

AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY FAQ How long does a car battery normally last? Considering that the electrical

system is working properly, most batteries normally last between two and five years. Each time it is completely discharged, this causes slight damage to the battery and reduces its service life.

How do I know if my battery is defective? Here are some of the most

common signs that your car battery needs charging or must be replaced.

• The warning battery light on the dashboard is lit.

• The horn is weak and the headlights are dimmer than normal.

• You hear a clicking sound, or nothing at all, when starting the engine.

• The engine cranks slowly when starting.

• No-starting: The car just refuses to start.

Note: Should you encounter any of

these warning signs, have the battery immediately checked/tested.

BATTERY MAINTENANCE TIPS

The bottom line is that nothing lasts forever, including the battery, which

“TRI ED AND TESTE D WAYS ON HOW TO PROLONG YOUR CA R ' S BAT TERY PREVENT I T FROM BECOMI NG DI SCHARGED. ” 74

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ROUTINE CHECK

VOLTAGE MONITOR

CHARGE IT

needs to be replaced just like other components of the vehicle. However, there are a few ways on how to prolong the service life of a battery and prevent it from becoming discharged.

ROUTINE CHECK

Check the negative and positive battery terminals for tightness and signs of corrosion at least once a month. To clean, simply apply a mixture of baking soda and water, or a commercial car battery cleaner using an old toothbrush.

After cleaning, spray on a minimal amount of lubricant on both terminals to prevent corrosion.

VOLTAGE MONITOR

While most modern vehicles come equipped with an on-board voltmeter, other cars may not. Good news is that there are inexpensive voltmeters that

plug directly onto the lighter/power ports. For 12-volt systems, it should ideally be at about 12 to 12.8 volts when the vehicle is not running. When the car is started, the battery should be at about 14 to 14.8 volts. Anything lower or higher than the aforementioned values indicate an electrical/battery problem.

CHARGE IT

Your best move would be to invest in a high-quality automatic battery charger to keep the battery in proper working condition at all times. This is especially most beneficial for those with several vehicles that aren’t used on a daily basis.

Some battery chargers like CTEK can also recondition the battery if needed as it prevents batteries from becoming sulfated and discharged, which in effect prolongs its service life.

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PEER Tuner

HERE’S A EURO-THEMED COROLLA BUILD THAT STANDS OUT

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WORDS

PHOTOS

FRANCIS G. PALLARCO

JUN VINLUAN

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hile others wish for conformity in their builds, there are those who strive towards individuality.

It’s a costly and time-consuming endeavor, but being able to acquire the hardest to find and ultra-rare aftermarket parts will surely transform even the most basic 4-door car platform into something extraordinary. Take our featured Corolla here that has shed all of its econo-car image with an enormous amount of rare OEM and aftermarket parts.

It all started when Alvin Abano saw the car of his dreams as he recalls, “It was in Davao City when I saw a Toyota Corolla Euro 1. It was such an amazing car and became one of my dream cars.” But the time wasn’t right then as he had not one but two Corollas as he explains, “I owned two 1990 Corollas (AE92), which I named based on their respective set-ups. The Japanese-themed one was “Tisoy” while the USDM-themed was “Tisay.”

But in the end, I had to sell both cars because at the back of my mind what I really wanted was a 2000 model Corolla (AE111). Luckily, I got one through my good friend Topeng Delgado. It was a Euro-1 with a manual tranny. I liked it but sold it because the paint wasn’t up to my standards.” For those wondering what a Euro-1 front fascia looks like, it’s

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the one with the single round headlamp on each side while the Euro-2 front fascia has the quad lamp design.

A chance referral finally had Alvin going in the right direction as he narrates, “Edwin and Eugene Osorio of Sleek Auto Spa were selling a Corolla Euro-1 with an automatic tranny.

Upon seeing it, I instantly fell in love with it and could no longer sleep.

After two days of deciding, I bought it.” Since the paint finish was already impeccable, what followed next was a comprehensive line-up of interior

TRD A host of TRD aftermarket parts transform the once basic interior into something interesting.

upgrades consisting of Corolla trim pieces from a Euro-spec variant and must-have TRD goodies such as the Sportivo front seats, steering wheel, shift knob and seatbelt pads. Not to mention replacing all the glass panels in favor of green-tinted ones.

After a few months, the 4-AFE engine was replaced by Koya She of @ Alaganag Parlor for a more powerful 2ZZGE engine. Found on Celicas and 9th-Gen Corollas, this 1.8-liter engine is factory-rated between 160-190 hp.

What’s great about it is that it’s the first

Tuner

Toyota engine to feature Variable Valve timing with Lift intelligence (VVTL-i) technology. Engine technology that makes extra power without increasing displacement or using forced induction.

Made with lightweight internals, the motor is very light and rev happy. While the engine remains fairly stock, Alvin wasn’t content so he had Toyota tuner/ racecar driver Arturo Pasao adopt an individual throttle body intake system. Making it emit all the right intake noises are beautifully machined velocity stacks from Japanese tuning house Tech-Art specializing in Toyotas.

Using a programmable ECU Master, the engine was tuned by Lance Binamira where they estimate it to put out

EURO-THEMED Here's a properly built Corolla that you don't see everyday.

190 whp @ 8400 rpm. It’s definitely a screamer as Alvin notes a huge difference in power compared to the stock set-up.

If the front end reminds you of Carlos Sainz’z WRC-winning Corolla rally car from the nineties, it’s because this one sports a rare Toyota Team Europe (TTE) front bumper. “I got tired of the euro1 stock and I’m always looking for something unique that's why I changed the bumper to TTE.” Considered as the holy grail among enthusiasts, this TTE bumper is a very rare item. In fact, Alvin notes that it’s the only one he knows of locally with provisions for fog lamps and a mesh headlight filler. The other one he sold

Specifications

2000 Toyota Corolla GLi — Alvin Abano — ENGINE: 2ZZ-GE TRD Sports ENGINE TYPE: 1.8-liter, Inline-4, DOHC, 16v with VVTL-i ENGINE MODS: Individual Throttle Body Setup, Tech-Art Velocity Stacks OTHER STUFF: Aluminum radiator, TRD Oil Cap, Oil catch can, Walbro fuel pump, Adjustable fuel regulator, Alum fab cooling plate, Stainless Steel braided fuel lines, Custom header with 2.5-inch pipes, FGK rear muffler TRANSMISSION: 6-Speed Manual, TRD Flywheel, Stage 2 Competition Clutch ENGINE MANAGEMENT: ECU Master (Classic) HORSEPOWER: 190whp at 8400rpm tuned by Lance Binamira SUSPENSION: TEIN Flex coil over (10/8 spring rate), TRD 5-point upper strut bar, Sway bar front and rear BRAKES: TRD (4pot) Calipers with (320mm), TRD brake pads, Rear disc brakes with Dixcel pads, Double D hydrovac, Apex Stainless Steel braided brake hoses

didn’t have those features. Matching the whole TTE theme is the rare and costly 17-inch TTE Grandstand wheels with Bridgestone rubber. Tein coilovers and TRD brakes guarantee that it handles and stops as well as it looks.

Overall, what’s great about this Eurothemed build is the attention to details where everything looks spot on.

For those aspiring enthusiasts, Alvin has this to say, “Little by little, I have built my dream car and I hope to inspire car lovers. The fun is in setting it up and getting to know people who eventually became my good friends. Thank you to everyone who helped and supported me including my wife, Peaches Abano and my kids.”

tires (205/40ZR17) INTERIOR MODS: TRD Sportivo front seats, Sabelt Safety harness, TRD seatbelt pads, Euro door cards and rear seat, TRD steering wheel airbag (red from supra), Lexus steering wheel stalks, Rear fog light with switch, Euro Center panel, Euro aircon center vent with shutter, Euro sun visor, TRD Shift Knob, Rare 240 kph, 9k rpm Gauge, Eclift tech shift -P2 (Shift light), OEM shift booth leather red stitch, Sparco racing pedals, G6R Headhunt, OEM Map light, Air purifier with switch, OEM 111 Floor matting, OEM Small duck tail, Toyota emblem red, Trunk insulator,OEM Trunk plastic matting, Plastic Battery Box EXTERIOR MODS: TTE G6R front bumper with fog lamp, WRC G6R headlight filler, TTE Front mesh grill, TTE Badge, Koito headlight with leveler, OEM Head light bug deflector, OEM Hood bug deflector, OEM Hood damper, 2-Piece rear bumper, Euro-1 Washer tank, OEM Green glass wrap around BODY AND PAINT: Pastel beige with mocha colored body moldings KUDOS TO: Edwin and Eugene Osorio #himassleek, Arturo Pasao #ARTS, Lance Binamira #tunedbylance, Ricky Sagaad #ARTS Edison Alegno #autoson, Koya She #sbsalon, Eiagph, Glenn Porcala #japanice, James Resurreccion, Jan Ira Pugay Molina Josh Subahri, James Lim #ichiharatradinginc, Topeng Delgado #KKK Noel Sarmiento, Benedick Lainez, Amiel Christian de Ocampo #pyesaparts, Miguel Santos, Lyndon Carlo Surreda, Grupo Toyota, E11 Virus, JDMUPH

ROLLERS: TTE Grandstand Wheels (17x7.5 Offset 40) Bridgestone Potenza Adrenaline RE002

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Tuner

YARIS GO LIGHTLY

BECAUSE IN RACING, LIGHTER IS BETTER

WORDS

PHOTOS

FRANCIS G. PALLARCO

JORDAN APARICIO

W

hile most racecar builds are concerned about stratospheric horsepower numbers to measure their car’s performance, there are a select few whose build revolves around achieving an optimal power to weight ratio.

Something crucial in an enthusiasts’ quest to make his/her car go faster. Just think about it, if a car is light enough, even a small displacement engine can turn it into something rapid. It may not have enough beans on the main straight, but it sure as hell can come in and out of any corner very quickly.

Given its sub-compact sized dimensions, light weight, and small displacement engine, the Toyota Yaris is an ideal platform for those looking for an economical daily driver. But who would’ve thought that it could also be

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transformed into an autocross and circuit-winning monster. Thankfully Robert G. Tan of Grupo Toyota has greatly changed how enthusiasts perceive it with his supercharged pocket rocket. So much actually that he seems to have initiated a new generation of Yaris enthusiasts that are now modding it to gain better looks and performance.

The story begins with Robert’s wellsorted out AE111 Corolla (December ’15 feature car), which was already a championship-winning autocross/ circuit racecar. Eventually his setup came to the point where he outgrew the power output from the fully-rebuilt, normally aspirated 1.8-liter engine.

This explains how the Yaris came into the picture as he narrates, “Despite having finished the 4AGE engine swap on the Corolla, the problem was I did a lot of mechanical stuff to it right away.

This left me with an unfinished racecar

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Tuner

as the Flat Out Racing Series (FORS) was about to start. The situation forced me to use a stock 2010 Yaris, and surprisingly, it won my class outright.

I didn’t expect how competitive it can be and how light it was. Even if it was underpowered, I was able to out-brake the others because of its lightness.

So that’s how the team (Hazardboy, Brodeth, SB Salon, NSR Tuned, TTT, Smartfuels2race) ended up using the Yaris for the rest of the FORS season.

Slapped some basic mods like a custom intake by Brodeth, Japan bolt-on muffler from Hazardboy performance parts and an ECU reflash by Niño of NSR Tuned.”

Popping the hood will reveal Toyota’s 1NZ engine, which is a 1.5-liter, twin cam, 16-valve engine that’s factoryrated to put out a hundred plus horsepower. It might not sound much but consider that it's only propelling a car that weighs just over a thousand kgs and you get the idea. With a class championship to defend, Robert sought to increase the engine output as he explains, “The following season, I was able to source a supercharger. Brodeth slapped it on together with custom headers and pipes. We even used a pair of racing camshafts together with a retune by NSR, which yielded around 150 plus horses. But we took out the cams and detuned it as the car couldn’t idle well.” With the current set-up, it is now pushing 138 horsepower at the wheel.

The Blitz supercharger is a roots-type blower and comes as a complete kit for the 1NZ Yaris engine. What’s cool about the Blitz supercharger apart from the fact that it looks as if it were factory-installed is that it is controlled by an electronic clutch. This gives it two different boost levels that’s controlled by modulating the clutch. Serving to counter the effects of the sudden surge in power as the boost comes rushing in is a 6-speed transmission with an LSD installed by SB Salon as Robert quips, “I run a corner a gear higher if I need to temper down the charger, but with a shorter gear ratio as compared to a 5-speed gearbox.”

Getting the Yaris to handle well on the corners are a set of competition-

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BECAUSE RACECAR As important as employing go-fast stuff, much attention has also been given to driver safety.

proven Dynamics coilovers that are custom-tuned by Coilover Specialist.

This entails getting the correct spring rates as well as the optimum preload, ride height and damping settings. An assortment of chassis stiffeners ensures a more rigid unibody to counter the effects of hard cornering. The stock front and rear brakes have all been replaced with a big brake kit from Rustop with Dixcel and Brembo brake pads as well as adding a hydraulic hand brake. The Yaris rolls on a set of 16-inch Wedsport wheel and alternates between Bridgestone and Vitour tires for street/track duties.

While the exterior appears to have

been refinished, it’s actually a highquality colored wrap from Detail Plus.

But not before Robert added a TRD Sportivo body kit together with carbon fiber bits like the hood, tailgate and rear doors from Carbon 101. Reflecting the true nature of the build, the interior is purely business with a 6-point roll cage, Recaro race seats, Sabelt safety harness, and other requisite equipment that can be found on any racecar.

Judging by the lengthy summary of wins and championships, this supercharged Yaris has won, it’s very clear that Robert has struck a perfect balance between being able to use it either for autocross or circuit racing.

Tuner

Specifications

2010 Toyota Yaris — Robert G. Tan Grupo Toyota — ENGINE: 1NZ ENGINE TYPE: 1.5-liter, Inline-4, DOHC, 16-valve engine ENGINE MODS: Blitz supercharger, BC Racing Valve Springs, Innermotive mild camshaft, Fuel Lab fuel filter, Brodeth Motorsports Headers, Lava Wrap, Brodeth Motorsports Resonator and mid pipe, Boot Spot racing muffler, Fabrix Eco Filter Cold Air Intake, Custom Oil Catch Can TRANSMISSION MODS: 6 speed Transmission, Kaaz 1.5 LSD, XTD Stage 3 Clutch

While his previous racecar could also do both, there’s something special about the Yaris as he quips, “Basically I love how light and everything inherent to the Yaris is compared to the Corolla.”

But it’s far from over as future plans call for a significant bump in horsepower levels. “Power is adequate for autocross and circuit, but I want more, so we’re planning a fully built turbo engine with a stand-alone ECU. Actually, we’ve started buying some of the parts already.” Now that’s something to look forward to.

SUPERCHARGED The fully-built 1NZ engine gets an extra dose of power from a Blitz supercharger.

ENGINE MANAGEMENT: Stock ECU Reflashed and tuned by NSR Tuned, Dynopro dyno partner HORSEPOWER: 156 whp with Aftermarket camshafts, 138 whp with stock camshafts SUSPENSION MODS: Dynamics Performance Coilovers and tuned

by Coilover Specialist, C-One 4 Point front lower X brace, C-One Mid Body brace, Beatrush Rear Frame Brace, Ultra Racing Rear Anti Roll Bar, Cusco Front Tower Bar BRAKE MODS: Runstop RS1 4pot aluminum 285 big brake kit for the front, Runstop RS2R 2 pot aluminum 285 big disc conversion for the rear, Runstop RS2 2 pot metal calipers for the hydraulic handbrake, Worksbell SMRFS, Dicxel Type RA front Pads, Brembo Pads for the rear, Custom steel braided lines, Runstop Pads for the Hydraulic Hand Brake INTERIOR MODS: Saito 6pt Roll cage, Momo Prototipo, Recaro Pole Position, Custom short shift by TTT, Juran seat rail, Sabelt GT600 carbon seats, Sabelt 6-point Harness, OEM Auto Fab Custom Aluminum Floor and Pedal Plates EXTERIOR MODS: RS2 with a TRD Sportivo body kit, C-One

GT Wing, Carv Vagary Yellow Wrap by Detail Plus, Carbon 101 Carbon Hood, Carbon 101 Carbon Tailgate, Carbon 101 Fiber Rear Doors, LED Manila Bulbs ROLLERS: C-One SA90 Wedsport (16x7), Vitour Tempesta Enzo Tires (205/15R16) Bridgestone RE003 Tires (195/15R16) KUDOS TO: Hazardboy Performance Parts, SmartFuels2Race, AutoPerformance Phil, AutoPerformance Ph, Dynamics Performance Engineering, Runstop PH, Runstop Thailand, Brodeth Motorsports Ph, BMFab, X-1R Philippines, Carbon101, Fabrix Eco Filter PH, NSR Tuned, HP Racing, Total Tuning Team, Prautotype Auto Restoration, SB salon, Alagangparlor, Grupo Toyota, JDM underground, Gmet Trading, DMF Drift, LimitZero Trading, JP Wheels Center, Ganchua Auto Supply, Worksbell JAPAN BRAKE PAD, Riken Auto Supply, Dixcel, Time Attack Manila, LED Manila Performance, Wall City Media Inc., MR Auto Parts & Shop, Aguila Auto Glass, Aguila Glass, Coilover Specialist, M1_modiparts, JJ AutoWorkz, WRG carwash and auto detailing, Pep’s Garage, CleanShine Master, Project VectorSpecifications, Pristine Autos Co CLASS WINS: 2017 Flat Out Race Series (FORS) Overall Champion Bracket F Overall Champion Grid E 2017 Philippine Autocross Championship Series (PACS) Overall Champion Exp Stock C Overall Champion GT Class Overall Champion All Toyota Overall Champion Yaris Class 2018 Petron Flat Out Race Series Overall Champion Bracket D 2nd Overall Grid D 2018 PACS Overall Champion GT Class Overall All Toyota Overall Open B Overall Open C 2019 PACS Overall Champion GT Experienced Overall All Toyota Overall Yaris Class Overall Open C

SUPER SPRINT Honing better drivers on the track We saw a real need for a safer and more accessible venue for our club members to start racing. We wanted to entice more members to come with us when we race but we didn’t want them to just show up and “make sabak.” We saw untoward incidents could happen and our conscience would not be able to handle it. So, we thought they should be prepared before heading out to these races. Racing has its risks... so with Super Sprint, we consider safety our primary concern. Once they get the hang of it... then we entice them to go racing with us at the other sanctioned race series.

For Inquiries: Contact 0917-8565455 or email supersprintph@gmail.com; Follow Super Sprint and Grupo Toyota on Facebook

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WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD AN OIL CHANGE? The engine oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle.

It keeps the many components of the engine working efficiently, and it helps reduce the accumulation of varnish and carbon from collecting on the engine. As oil collects heat, varnish and carbons during the course of protecting and keeping the engine running smoothly, it eventually becomes a sludge, no matter how good the oil is. That’s when you should have your oil changed.

kEEp YOUr CAr WELL-MAINTAINED.

WHEEL2WHEEL E V ERY THIN G A ND A N Y THIN G T WO WHEELS

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TWO WHEELS ONLY

Maynard M. Marcelo S E C T I O N E D I TO R

Riding in the New Normal

our months into the government-imposed community quarantine and we have yet to get the anti-COVID-19 vaccine that would let us revert to our “old normal” routines. In the meantime, all we can do is wait until such time when it’s safe again to do so. Summer came and went but we hardly noticed. At least we now get to ride motorcycles again under the less restrictive General Community Quarantine. And there’s no better mode of transportation to practice social distancing than on a motorcycle as long as you don’t have a passenger. But this doesn’t mean we can go riding with our riding buddies anywhere we want. Each city and municipality have different safety protocols in place so know these first before you go.

Riding in the new normal is very different.

We must exercise extreme caution when riding our motorcycles because we don’t want to end up, God forbid, in a vehicular accident and add unnecessary load to our already overloaded frontline health workers. I’m sure you also don’t want to end up inside a hospital where most COVID-19 cases are confined. So unless truly necessary, just ride your bikes sparingly and carefully. And always wear a face mask on and off your bike in public places.

It’s the rainy season once again and unlike cars motorcycles don’t have the benefit of a roof and four wheel traction. Instead we only

F

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have the sky and two tiny contact patches no bigger than five peso coins under our tires. Of course we have a helmet and we also have the option to wear a raincoat but sadly we cannot add extra wheels to our rides to increase traction. So to compensate for this unique handicap we need to adjust our riding style for the slippery road conditions when it’s raining.

Also, now is the best time to check your bike’s tires if they’re still up to the job. Replace worn out tires with a set from reputable brands.

If you’re a seasoned motorcyclist you probably already know that the most slippery time is when it's just starting to drizzle, when the combination of dust, oil and dirt suddenly act like floor polish. So when you’re caught in a sudden downpour it’s highly advisable for you to slow down, or better yet pull over to the side of the road and wait for the rain to wash away the slippery concoction. Also avoid applying the front brakes abruptly because this will upset your balance and the little traction your tire has. When raining try applying the front and rear brake simultaneously for more stopping power.

Riding in a straight line while raining is no problem. Managing corners at speed is the tricky part. For safety measures, minimize your speed and the time you’re banked over.

As much as possible avoid running over road dividing paint strips and steel manhole covers while leaned over because they can become very slippery. I’ve witnessed several minor spills because of them. Fortunately none of the

riders were seriously hurt. Not even the most sophisticated electronic rider aids available can save you when your tires lose traction.

They say still waters run deep, and sometimes they truly are. So when you encounter a flooded road, don’t attempt to pin the throttle and cross it like Charlie Boorman in Long Way Down. Yes, even if you’re riding a BMW R1200GS. Instead observe the immediate surroundings and try to gauge the depth of the flood water before proceeding.

Also observe other vehicles crossing to see if they run over submerged debris or potholes.

Then try to determine if you can safely cross. If in doubt find an alternative route.

Remember, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

We surmise that the best two wheeler to commute on during the rainy season is a scooter. Their front apron and footboards will prevent your pants and feet from getting wet.

Some top-of-the-line 150cc scooters also offer standard ABS that makes braking in gnarly wet conditions a whole lot safer. If you live far from your office then a big bike like the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 will work just as well. It may not prevent your feet and pants from getting wet but it will surely get you to your destination in style. But if you’re into adventure bikes then you might want to check our review of the two new 790 Adventure bikes from KTM in this issue. A huge price cut makes them hugely irresistible. Always keep safe, folks!

share the road check your mirrors for motorcyclists

a reminder from

ride safe.

stay alive.

Wheel2Wheel

News

BMW MOTORRAD PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES ALL-NEW F900R Words by Maynard M. Marcelo Photos by BMW Motorrad

LAST JUNE 20, 2020, BMW Motorrad Philippines virtually launched the F900R sport naked motorcycle to the Philippine market. It effectively replaced the 11-year-old F800R platform, a bike considered by many motorcycle enthusiasts as an overpriced but underperforming bike that also looks rather dated when compared to its newer Japanese and European counterparts. That’s why for model year 2020, BMW overhauled their middleweight sport naked offering and came out with the all-new F900R. The F900R comes in two variants: Standard and Style Sport. Both are powered by a new 895cc liquid-cooled inline-2 cylinder motor with a unique 270 / 450-degree firing order designed

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to mimic the torque rich and power characteristics of a V-twin motor but in a more lighter and compact package. Power is rated at 105 hp at 8500 rpm and 68 lb-ft of torque at 6500 rpm. Standard features on both variants are the large 6.5-inch color TFT instrument display with Bluetooth connectivity, keyless ride, LED headlight and taillights, LED turn indicators, Automatic Stability Control (ASC), ABS, and Ride Modes (Rain and Road). Unique to the Style Sport variant, however, are the Adaptive Headlights, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment (Dynamic ESA), Gear Shift Assist Pro, Riding Modes Pro (Rain, Road, Dynamic, and Dynamic Pro), and Dynamic Engine Brake Control.

The F900R are completely built units from BMW’s factory in Berlin, Germany. The Standard variant comes in Black Storm Metallic and San Marino Blue Metallic colorways and priced at PhP 655,000 while the Style Sport variant only comes in Hockenheim Silver Metallic and Racing Red combination and priced at PhP 775,000. All F900R are covered by a 5 years/500,000 kilometers warranty (whichever comes first). It’s now available at all six BMW Motorrad dealers, nationwide.

Specifications: Engine: liquid-cooled, fuel injected, inline-2 cylinders, dohc, 8 valves, 4 stroke | Displacement: 895cc | Max Power: 105 hp @ 8500 rpm Max Torque: 68 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm | Transmission: 6-speed Seat Height: 815mm | Fuel Capacity: 13 liters | Tire, front: 120/70-ZR17 Tire, rear: 180/55-ZR17 | Brakes, front/rear: 2 Disc/Disc ABS Curb Weight: 211 kg | Price: PhP 655,000 (Standard), PhP 775,000 (Style Sport)

News

ADD TO CART! BUY A SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE ONLINE Words and photos by Maynard M. Marcelo

PART OF BUYING A NEW MOTORCYCLE

is the dealership experience. Nothing excites a new motorcycle buyer more than walking into a motorcycle showroom and examining each of the offerings. It’s like walking into a toy store. Only the toys are much bigger and more expensive. Then Covid-19 happened. To slow the spread of the new coronavirus, the government imposed a strict community quarantine all over the country.

Businesses closed, schools suspended classes indefinitely, domestic and international flights were cancelled, factories ceased operations, public transportation was suspended, life as we know it changed overnight. Welcome to the “New Normal.” Four months into the quarantine and we are still waiting for a vaccine that will allow us to revert to the “Old Normal.” In the meantime,

all we can do is wait, preferably in the comfort of our own home.

For this reason Suzuki came up with the “Oras na para Magmotor” campaign, which highlights the importance of riding a motorcycle in the new normal and to promote social distancing. Under the less restrictive General Community Quarantine guidelines, riding motorcycles are allowed except with a pillion passenger.

To make buying a new motorcycle possible during a lockdown, Suzuki came up with a solution: Online Suzuki Motorcycle Buying.

Suzuki Philippines formed a dedicated group of employees – the Digital Sales Marketing (DSM) Team - to handle inquiries and purchases from Suzuki's online channels - Suzuki Philippines website and Facebook fan page. The people assigned to handle

Wheel2Wheel

this are called Suzuki Online Specialists (SOS). From comments or chats, they request for the customers’ contact details (Name, Location, preferred motorcycle and Contact Number/s).

Once they have these details, their SOS calls the customer for the next steps.

After a potential buyer receives a call from an SOS, he or she will offer the customer a list of nearby dealers to choose from. If the customer already has a preferred dealer, Suzuki will then arrange the transaction there.

Like buying from a physical store, all the necessary requirements still apply when buying online. What the SOS does is basically assist the customers through the process and help them to do the transactions online e.g. filling up of application form/s, emailing of requirements, online payments etc.

Credit Investigation, or CI, is still done by the dealers. When approved, you may opt for your new motorcycle to be delivered to your home at no extra cost (if available). According to Suzuki Philippines this online service is free, and dealer promos still apply if you opt to buy your new Suzuki motorcycle online. So what are you waiting for?

Oras na para magmotor!

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Wheel2Wheel

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This Gentleman's Ride Can Also Be Tough ANOTHER LOOK AT THE ROYAL ENFIELD INTERCEPTOR 650 WORDS

PHOTOS

MAKI AGANON

RANDY SILVA-NETTO

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T

he Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 was announced to arrive last year, and generated a lot of buzz in the online motorcycle community.

Perceived as one of the most sought after mid-sized big bikes presented as a retro-classic, the 648 cc air-cooled bike is offered in two varieties.

We were given the opportunity to ride the Interceptor, and the recently launched, Royal Enfield Himalayan with Fuel Injection version.

We wanted to give these bikes a go and put them through different riding scenarios to see how well these bikes perform and adapt to the different conditions. I will describe below how I tried to breakdown the Interceptor 650.

This bike is a packed 648cc aircooled 2 cylinder with a max power of 47 bhp @ 7250 rpm, max torque of 38.35 lb-ft @ 5250 rpm. It has 4 valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection that fires on electric start.

I woke up really early to meet my

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"ON THE BREAK AWAY, SHIFTING GEARS AT HIGH SPEED GIVES NO PROBLEM AT ALL, THE THROTTLE IS RESPONSIVE ESPECIALLY ON THE MID-RANGE RPM, GIVING YOU THE PUMP THAT YOU NEED, WHEREVER, WHENEVER."

Wheel2Wheel colleagues in Batangas City, where our meet up point was set. Coming from Pasig, I traversed the whole C5 in a moderate traffic setting, going to SLEX. The Interceptor is really easy to filter through traffic, given the standard riding posture, and a nice comfortable long seat for two. Saddled, you'll be greeted with two round panels showing your speed tick, mileage and fuel level.

It's simple yet effective, and nothing fancy. I find the teardrop tank a bit bulky but it can seriously hold 13.7 L. This is something positive here, which does not spoil the fun with having to gas up every time.

Upon getting to SLEX, I was cruising about a hundred, and it was a pleasure.

No cringy vibrations, the handles are stable and the bike is perfectly balanced.

I was riding to the tune of the Sound of Music, while the sun was shining through my face. That was the feeling.

On the break away, shifting gears at high speed gives no problem at all, the throttle is responsive especially on the mid-range rpm, giving you the pump that you need, wherever, whenever.

The only thing that bugged me is that the fuel gauge does not seem accurate.

For some time, it would indicate it’s full, and then drops 2 lines, then again, from half-full; it drops to a blinking bar.

I have resorted to a full-tank run basis just to be sure.

One more thing revealed to me, is that the foot pegs are oddly positioned, where you have to spread your legs wider than usual to touch the ground.

For me, it's just unusual.

The engine performs brilliantly.

It goes along with you, and the suspension is tough. Upon reaching Malabrigo, where the road narrows and the climbs get tighter, the Interceptor manoeuvres well.

We found ourselves reaching Lobo, where the paved roads end. A magnificent seaside view is remarkable, but the roads are punishment. The Himalayan seems to have reached its playground and the Interceptor is

coping well. We went zooming back and forth in the offroad, like kids set loose to play. If only I had dual sport tires, then it would have been a more exciting ride. The Interceptor is able, and can take any road on any given day.

On our way back, we caught this massive storm and heck did we run through it. The Interceptor is still stable in strong winds gusting, and tires gripping well when you need it. It seemed like a matter of who will tap out first, and this bike is still on the go.

We then caught a long gridlock upon exiting SLEX, and after a long day of

NEO CLASSIC The Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 may look retro, but make no mistake, underneath its classic bodywork is a thoroughly modern motorcycle with ABS and fuel injection.

riding, the engine heat is still fair. I'm sure; this is a pretty reliable bike.

Given all the styling, the vibe of the Interceptor perceived as a retro bike, I would say, it is reliable. Provided for certain flaws, for the base retail price of P362k, I'm sure a lot of faces will still smile in owning one. With the rise of the modern classics to date, the Interceptor has been one of the go-to mid-sized bikes in its class, now with over 120+ units sold from the launch date, you'd still want to own one of these that can work with the daily grind, and weekend play.

Specifications: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 — Engine: Parallel Twin Cylinder, SOHC, 4 valve per cylinder, 4 stroke, Air/Oil cooled | Displacement: 648cc | Max Power: 47 bhp @ 7250 rpm | Max Torque: 38.35 lb-ft @ 5250 rpm Transmission: 6-speed | Seat Height: 804mm | Tire, front: 100/90-18 | Tire, rear: 130/70-18 | Brakes, front/rear: Disc/Disc ABS | Fuel Capacity: 13.7 liters | Curb Weight: 202 kg Price: PhP 365,000.00 | Plus: Superb build quality, smooth and eager motor, neutral handling, ABS, Slipper Clutch | Minus: Heavy to put on centerstand |

Rating: 10/10

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2020 KTM

790 ADVENTURE AND 790 ADVENTURE R

REVIEW

THESE KTM 790 ADVENTURE BIKES ARE NOW PROUDLY PHILIPPINE MADE. WORDS AND PHOTOS

MAYNARD M. MARCELO

U

nlike our other bike reviews, we did this particular review during the 2020 Touratech Travel Event held earlier this year just before the government-imposed lockdown. The ride event kicked off at the KTM BGC showroom on the morning of February 8, 2020. Together with some 50 other riders we took off shortly before 7am.

Maki Aganon rode the KTM 790 Adventure while I was on the 790 Adventure R, graciously lent to us by KTM Philippines for the event.

The 790 Adventure is the more roadbiased of the two 790 adventure bikes.

The 790 Adventure R on the other hand is the more off-road centric, with its higher ground clearance and fully adjustable WP suspension. The 790

Adventure R also looks more aggressive with its one piece enduro style seat, shorter fly screen, and higher set front mudguard, but mechanically they’re the same. They are both powered by the LC8c parallel twin motor borrowed from the 790 Duke, but tuned for more midrange power. Peak power is rated at 95 hp at 8250 rpm and a maximum torque of 66 lb-ft at 6500 rpm (103.26 hp @ 9000 rpm and 64.16 lb-ft @ 8000 rpm for the 790 Duke). The LC8c is smooth throughout the rev range, vibration hardly affects the clarity of the side mirrors.

With a curb weight of just 189 kg., these modest power and torque figures translate to rapid acceleration when you twist the ride-by-wire throttle, depending on the ride mode you choose. There are three ride modes available on the standard 790 Adventure; Street, Rain, and Off Road.

There’s also a Rally Mode which is exclusive to the 790 Adventure R. In this mode, the ECU pre-selects various settings; it disables the rear abs but not the front, and throttle sensitivity and traction control intervention can be adjusted to different levels.

Speaking of riding modes, fiddling with the different settings is made easy with the scroll buttons on the left-hand switchgear and large 5-inch full-color TFT display that automatically adjusts brightness depending on ambient lighting. Like on the 390 Duke, the TFT display can be paired to your mobile phone via Bluetooth so you can see or receive incoming phone calls, text messages, emails, and listen to music. There’s a paid app called “KTM My Ride” that can be downloaded for Android or IOS phones that will allow you to unlock additional features.

Below the TFT screen is a standard

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Wheel2Wheel

12v power outlet for charging mobile phones or GPS receivers.

Our destination for the day was the Unisan Sands White Sands Beach Resort in Unisan, Quezon some 220 kilometers from our starting point in KTM BGC. Our route, which was chosen by draw lots, took us through SLEX and Startollway, then through the towns of Ibaan, Rosario, San Juan, Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, and Lucena where we took the Maharlika Highway towards the Bondoc Peninsula where the town of Unisan is located.

The journey there allowed me to assess the touring ability of the 790 Adventure R, which surprisingly for an off-road bias bike, is quite comfortable.

Not as comfortable as standard 790 Adventure, but comfortable enough for multiple hours on the saddle. The handlebar placement is also natural whether you’re standing up or seated.

The only drawback, for me at least, was the 890 mm seat height which sadly is not adjustable. If you’re as tall as me at 5’7, you’d be challenged to reach the ground with one foot so careful planning is needed before coming to a complete stop. If you think this is a potential problem, the standard 790 Adventure’s seat is lower at 850 mm with two height adjustments.

The aluminum-tapered handlebars can be adjusted 6-ways on both bikes for a more personal fit. The lower windscreen on the 790 Adventure R also provides less wind protection at highway speeds compared to the taller screen on the standard 790 Adventure.

These windscreens are interchangeable so you have the option to buy a taller screen for touring on your Adventure R, or vise versa. Hand-guards are standard on both bikes.

We were caught by a sudden and heavy downpour in Pagbilao, Quezon. While drenched down to my underwear, I never felt insecure knowing KTM’s excellent electronic rider aids will keep me safe in any riding conditions. There’s also something about riding on 18 inch rear and 21 inch front wheels that make you feel you can conquer any terrain.

Potholes and other road debris you normally encounter on Philippine

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roads are no longer a major concern but mere annoyances. Despite having wire spoke rims, both bikes use tubeless tires. The 790 Adventure R are fitted with Metzeler Karoo 3 addventure tires while the standard 790 Adventure rolls on street-biased Avon Trailrider tires of the same size.

If you plan on doing more off-road riding, then you are better off with the 790 Adventure R with its beefier fully-adjustable WP Xplor suspension and slightly higher ground clearance.

But if your rides are mostly kept on paved roads with the occasional dirt roads then the 790 Adventure, with its standard WP Apex suspension, is

ADVENTURE READY: The standard 790 Adventure is the more street-biased of the two, with a lower seat height and taller windscreen.

The 790 Adventure R on the other hand is ready for serious off-roading.

more than adequate for the job. Both suspension set up offer a plush and well controlled ride regardless of terrain.

Braking duties are handled by a pair of floating 320 mm discs with 4-piston radially mounted calipers up front and a single 260 mm disc with doublepiston floating caliper on the rear.

These have cornering ABS and offroad ABS modes.

Weight, or its lack thereof, plays an important role in the 790 Adventure and its R sibling’s quick and easy handling on or off the road. Weighing at just 189 kg, the 790 Adventure bikes accelerates, turns, and stops with hardly any effort. To describe it as “the

Wheel2Wheel

'TO DESCRIBE IT AS “THE SCALPEL” (THE MONIKER GIVEN TO THE 790 DUKE) OF ADVENTURE BIKES IS QUITE PLAUSIBLE.'

Scalpel” (the moniker given to the 790 Duke) of adventure bikes is quite plausible. Thanks to clever engineering, the 790 Adventure possesses a low center-of-gravity that enhances agility and makes it very maneuverable.

Unlike most motorcycles the 790 Adventure’s fuel tank ingenious design is slung down the sides of the bike, with the main tank volume placed as low as possible to the center of mass. This not only significantly lowers the center of gravity, it also makes the bike narrower between your legs for more freedom to move. The 20 liter fuel tank is made of tough materials that’s highly crash resistant according to KTM. The ride to and from Unisan, Quezon was thankfully uneventful. But that’s not to say it’s boring. It’s very fun to ride actually. It’s uneventful because the bikes performed flawlessly and kept us safe all throughout our journey.

And for me that’s all that matters. The 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R presents the best argument that a serious adventure bike need not be big, heavy, and overly powerful to be fun and rewarding to ride. Sometimes, a well engineered middleweight bike with superior electronics like the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R is everything you will ever need.

Another compelling reason to opt for the 790 Adventure is extreme value for money. Last month KTM Philippines announced huge price cuts because the 790 bikes (790 Duke, 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R) are now built in the KTM Philippines plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. From PhP 820,000 the 790 Duke is now priced at only PhP 599,000 (a whopping PhP221,000 savings), the 790 Adventure from PhP 883,000 to just PhP 699,000 (a PhP 184,000 savings), and the 790 Adventure R from PhP 957,000 to PhP 749,000 (another whopping PhP 208,000 savings). This development makes any of these bikes a no-brainer choice, and quite possibly the deal of the century you shouldn’t miss.

Specifications: 2020 KTM 790 Adventure & KTM 790 Adventure R — Engine: EFI, liquid-cooled, inline-2, 4 stroke, 8 valve, dohc | Displacement: 799cc | Max Power: 95 bhp @ 8250 rpm | Max Torque: 66 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm | Transmission: 6-speed Seat Height: 850 mm (790 Adventure), 890 mm (790 Adventure R) | Fuel Capacity: 20 liters | Tire, front: 90/90-21 | Tire, rear: 150/70-18 | Brakes, front/rear: 2 Discs/Disc ABS Curb Weight: 189 kg | Price: PhP 699,000.00 (790 Adventure), PhP 749,000.00 (790 Adventure R) | Plus: Low center of gravity, responsive motor, agile handling, electronic rider aids, value for money | Minus: Not much. |

Rating: 10/10

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Wheel2Wheel

HONDA XRM CUB BY 3B CUSTOMS Words by Maki Aganon Photos by Benjo Sun

TODAY, WE FEATURE A CROSS-OVER OF STYLES. A combined feature of a

modern moped, and the timelessness of the famous, indestructible nature of the Honda Super Cub. We interviewed custom bike builder Benjo Sun of 3B Customs, who's from the north-easternmost tip of Mindanao, serving clients who seek individuality in the lifestyle-centric Island of Siargao.

"The build is for a regular client in Siargao island. The base bike is a Honda XRM 125."

"Like most of our previous cub build transformations, the client wants a cub but can't find one. So the next best thing is we make one for them. Toughest part of the build is the custom/modified frame. We took the old frame and built a new subframe on it. So that's still technically the original frame just modded, so it still has its original chassis number untouched."

"Engine is still the same 125 stock engine, we just changed the sprocket combination to better suit long cruises for the island. The stock fork on front with custom fenders, leg-shield is an aftermarket reproduction."

"We went with classic threaded tires on this build in regular/standard size.

New headlight, turn signals and tail light. We fabricated a detachable carrier rack at the rear as per client request for where they can put their belongings like towels, bags and other island beach necessities."

Like the bike? Ask the builder Benjo Sun of 3B Customs Surigao more about it.

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M AGAZINE'S

BUYER'S GUIDE MINI COMPACT MICRO MACHINES AT YOUR SERVICE

BUYER’S GUIDE

TA K I N G O N T H E C L A S S

MINI COMPACT 100

J U LY 2 0 2 0 • C - M A G A Z I N E . C O M

T

hese cars are literally the bare minimum when it comes to cars. But that doesn’t mean they are lacking. In fact, there is definitely a charm when it comes to any of these vehicles in the Mini-Compact Class.

With the city getting denser, these cars are getting the attention they truly deserve.

So these are the reasons why the most humble class deserves your full attention:

Cheapest Cars You Can Get This might be the pretty obvious reason to get them.

But aside from being the cheapest, it might be the alternative option versus getting a second-hand car because you will know the car’s history right from the start, everything is starting fresh, and you have the complete warranty when you purchase any car brandnew in this class.

Fuel Efficiency Because of its humble size, small engine, and light weight, the mini-compact class is know to have the best fuel efficiency.

When everything is minimized to the bare essentials, it is no wonder that these cars sip fuel. If you are absolutely trying to maximize fuel saving to the limit, this class is the best it’s going to get.

Effective Space For a basic car, how much room do you really need? With mini-compact cars, they prove that even in a small automobile, you can have space that is reasonable for a drive around the metro while still being practical if you need to bring 3 others plus your things that you use throughout the day.

City Size With a small profile comes ease of driving.

With such a small dimension, it is so easy to move around tight spaces with this car.

Not just that, parking even on the smallest side streets should be manageable. Also, being able to easily gauge the size of the car makes it such a treat to have when fitting in, in terms of size is what it is all about.

Affordable Maintenance Because everything in the mini-compact is so small, including parts like the tires, engine, and body, it goes without saying that the cost to maintain the car is just as frugal. Small tires are cheaper. Small amount of engine oil is cheaper. Even car washes will be the cheapest in this class.

With such a tiny footprint on the road, you can expect your wallet to rest easy.

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BUYER’S GUIDE Mini Compact

Chevrolet Spark Chevrolet Spark

Engine/Drive: Front/ Front

Body/Seats: 5 dr Hatchback/ 5

POWERTRAIN

L/W/H: 3635mm/1595mm/1483mm

PERFORMANCE Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2385mm

SAFET Y

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 1019-1049kg

INTERIOR

PRICE

Fuel

Displacement (L)

Config.

Power (bhp)

TM

0-100 km/h

ABS

Airbags

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

Leather

Sun Roof

LT

G

1.4

I4

99

94

5M/CVT

11.1

113

12.3

16.6

N

2

N

S

N

N

694,888

—

Premium

G

1.4

I4

99

94

CVT

11.1

113

12.3

16.6

N

2

S

S

N

N

—

734,000

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

Honda Brio Honda Brio

Engine/Drive: Front/ Front

Body/Seats: 5 dr Hatchback/ 5

POWERTRAIN

102

L/W/H: 3815mm/1680mm/1485mm PERFORMANCE Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 992kg

INTERIOR

PRICE

Fuel

Displacement (L)

Config.

Power (bhp)

TM

0-100 km/h

ABS

Airbags

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

Leather

Sun Roof

S

G

1.2

I4

88

81

5M

13.8

148

11

17

S

2

N

S

N

N

598,000

—

V

G

1.2

I4

88

81

CVT

13.8

148

11

17

S

2

N

S

N

N

—

658,000

RS Navi

G

1.2

I4

88

81

CVT

13.8

148

11

17

S

2

N

S

N

N

—

730,000

RS Black Top Navi

G

1.2

I4

88

81

CVT

13.8

148

11

17

S

2

N

S

N

N

—

735,000

J U LY 2 0 2 0 • C - M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2405mm

SAFET Y

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

BUYER’S GUIDE Mini Compact

Honda Brio Amaze Honda Brio Amaze

Engine/Drive: Front/ Front

Body/Seats: 4 dr Sedan/ 5

POWERTRAIN

L/W/H: 3610mm/1680mm/1485mm PERFORMANCE

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2345mm

SAFET Y

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 937-970kg

INTERIOR

PRICE

Fuel

Displacement (L)

Config.

Power (bhp)

TM

0-100 km/h

ABS

Airbags

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

Leather

Sun Roof

E

G

1.3

I4

100

94

5M

13.2

148

10

16

S

2

S

N

N

N

668,000

—

S

G

1.3

I4

100

94

5A

13.2

148

10

16

S

2

S

S

N

N

—

728,000

V Navi

G

1.3

I4

100

94

5M/5A

13.2

148

10

16

S

2

S

S

N

N

—

848,000

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

Kia Picanto Kia Picanto

Engine/Drive: Front/ Front

Body/Seats: 5 dr Hatchback/ 5

POWERTRAIN

L/W/H: 3595mm/1595mm/1495mm

PERFORMANCE Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2400mm

SAFET Y

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 885-980kg

INTERIOR

PRICE

Fuel

Displacement (L)

Config.

Power (bhp)

TM

0-100 km/h

ABS

Airbags

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

Leather

Sun Roof

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

1.0 LX

G

1

I3

67

71

5M/4A

14.4

153

—

—

N

1

N

S

N

N

590,000

635,000

1.2 EX

G

1.2

I4

84

89

5M/4A

11.6

169

14.3

19.6

N

2

N

S

N

N

700,000

745,000

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BUYER’S GUIDE Mini Compact

Mitsubishi Mirage Mitsubishi Mirage

Engine/Drive: Front/ Front

Body/Seats: 5 dr Hatchback/ 5

POWERTRAIN

GLX

Fuel

Displacement (L)

G

1.2

L/W/H: 3795mm/1665mm/1500mm PERFORMANCE

Config.

Power (bhp)

Torque (lb-ft)

I3

78

74

Wheelbase: 2450mm

SAFET Y

TM

0-100 km/h

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

ABS

Airbags

5M/CVT

13.5

165

10

12

S

2

Curb Weight: 820-850kg

INTERIOR

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

N

S

PRICE

Leather

Sun Roof

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

N

N

699,000

760,000

Mitsubishi Mirage G4 Mitsubishi Mirage G4

Engine/Drive: Front/ Front

Body/Seats: 4 Sedan / 5

POWERTRAIN

104

L/W/H: 4350mm/1670mm/1515mm PERFORMANCE Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 870-905kg

INTERIOR

PRICE

Fuel

Displacement (L)

Config.

Power (bhp)

TM

0-100 km/h

ABS

Airbags

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

Leather

Sun Roof

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

GLX

G

1.2

I3

77

74

5M/CVT

13.5

165

10

12

S

2

S

S

N

N

735,000

785,000

GLS

G

1.2

I3

77

74

CVT

13.5

165

10

12

S

2

S

S

N

N

—

869,000

J U LY 2 0 2 0 • C - M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2550mm

SAFET Y

BUYER’S GUIDE Mini Compact

Suzuki Celerio Suzuki Celerio

Engine/Drive: Front/ Front

Body/Seats: 5 dr Hatchback / 5

POWERTRAIN

1.0L

Fuel

Displacement (L)

G

1

L/W/H: 3600mm/1600mm/1540mm

PERFORMANCE

Config.

Power (bhp)

Torque (lb-ft)

I3

67

66

Wheelbase: 2425mm

SAFET Y

TM

0-100 km/h

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

ABS

Airbags

5M/CVT

14

160

18.9

22.9

S

2

Curb Weight: 805-860kg

INTERIOR

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

N

S

PRICE

Leather

Sun Roof

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

N

N

558,000

598,000

Toyota Wigo Toyota Wigo

Engine/Drive: Front/ Front

Body/Seats: 5 dr Hatchback / 5

POWERTRAIN

L/W/H: 3660mm/1600mm/1520mm

PERFORMANCE Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2450mm

SAFET Y

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 835-860kg

INTERIOR

PRICE

Fuel

Displacement (L)

Config.

Power (bhp)

TM

0-100 km/h

ABS

Airbags

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

Leather

Sun Roof

1.0 E

G

1

I3

65

63

5M

15.5

140

10.2

14.2

S

2

N

S

N

N

568,000

—

1.0 G

G

1

I3

65

63

5M/4A

15.5

140

10.2

14.2

S

2

N

S

N

N

623,000

658,000

1.0 TRD S

G

1

I3

65

63

4A

15.5

140

10.2

14.2

S

2

N

S

N

N

—

700,000

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

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Can you CatCh up? www.c-magazine.com

Our timeless classic, rewritten in bronze.

With an ever-changing patina that reects the passing years.

A single red hand that marks the present day. And a future that’s yet to be written.

The story continues.

Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date