C! Magazine November 2020

FEATURE T h e N issa n N ava r a is a ve r y we l l b uil t a nd ve r sa t il e wor k h or se t h a t is one of t h e sw if te st , m ost com f or ta b l e, a nd m ost f ul l f e a t ur e d p ick- up m id - siz e t r uck s in t h e m a r ke t

WINNER WINNER STANDARDS WINNER WINNER DEFINED

THE DRIVES

TUNER

WHEEL2WHEEL

• 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ S450 L • 2020 MAZDA3 EDITION100 • 2020 GEELY AZKARRA LUXURY • 2020 ISUZU D-MAX BOONDOCK 4X4 MT • 2020 CHEVROLET TRAX PREMIER LT

• DUBSHOP ON WHEELS • LEXUS 450D • TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

• DUCATI SCRAMBLER DESERT SLED • HONDA SUPRA GTR 150

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

FEATURE T h e N issa n N ava r a is a ve r y we l l b uil t a nd ve r sa t il e wor k h or se t h a t is one of t h e sw if te st , m ost com f or ta b l e, a nd m ost f ul l f e a t ur e d p ick- up m id - siz e t r uck s in t h e m a r ke t

WINNER WINNER STANDARDS WINNER WINNER DEFINED

THE DRIVES

TUNER

WHEEL2WHEEL

• 2020 MERCEDES-BENZ S450 L • 2020 MAZDA3 EDITION100 • 2020 GEELY AZKARRA LUXURY • 2020 ISUZU D-MAX BOONDOCK 4X4 MT • 2020 CHEVROLET TRAX PREMIER LT

• DUBSHOP ON WHEELS • LEXUS 450D • TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

• DUCATI SCRAMBLER DESERT SLED • HONDA SUPRA GTR 150

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

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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

e are kind of torn nowadays in terms of what we want to do, and what we can do. We want to go out. We want to make visits around the world, but we also want to keep ourselves within our own protective bubbles.

One of the options that we have found has come from our friends in the aftermarket. The overlanding group has been doing much to bring people out into the world, while still being surrounded by their own bubble of safety and security.

By outfitting your vehicle, ideally a truck or SUV with the right equipment, you can basically go to a campground and still be within your protective bubble. Tents, food, equipment. Even a toilet and a shower can all be brought with you, within your own sanitized world.

They have even started hastening the development of a place to go. The Silent Sanctuary Reserve Campground is an excellent place to experience the whole idea of overlanding. And during this time of increased social distancing, they have made sure that all the campsites are really limited to one group or one family at a time. So while we aren’t going out to hotels, or resorts, or things like that, it is nice to see that we can actually start getting out into the real world. However, we may well need to remind ourselves not to get back into old habits that may have brought us to where we are right now.

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

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Power to Lead

Make your mark in the world with the country’s best-selling SUV with a confident new exterior, prestigious interior, and active safety features. Drive to lead with the new Fortuner.

T077P102620FS

POWERFUL ENGINE

SOPHISTICATED INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM

RELIABLE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

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COVER S TORY

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T H

A N N UA L

AWARDS WINNERS 4

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FE ATURES

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TURNING EVERY TURN INTO A JOY Paolo goes behind the wheel on

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UNIQUELY NISSAN NAVARA

Honda’s best driver’s car yet

NOVEMBER 2020 • C-MAGAZINE.COM

THE DRIVES

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MERCEDES-BENZ S450 L

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MAZDA3 EDITION100

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GEELY AZKARRA LUXURY

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ISUZU D-MAX BOONDOCK 4X4 MT

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CHEVROLET TRAX PREMIER LT

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The Beacon of Inspiration

Style Savvy

Enhanced Workhorse

NOVEMBER 2020 • C-MAGAZINE.COM

The New Master Generalist Standard

Add a little & take away a lot

E X TR A TIME

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THE 'THAI' THAT BINDS US Angel takes a closer look at what goes behind Thai cooking

NOVEMBER 2020 • C-MAGAZINE.COM

TUNER

CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2020 / IS SUE 22 7

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BOOSTED!

By Francis G. Pallarco

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DUBSHOP ON WHEELS

Here’s a complete mobile shop for wheels/tires and more

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STRICTLY BLACK

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KEEPING IT LOW

Here’s one sinister SUV from J Works Unlimited

Unlike most modded FJ Cruisers that aim to gain more ground clearance, this one likes to keep it low

WHEEL 2WHEEL

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TWO WHEELS ONLY

By Maynard M. Marcelo

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RIDE AHEAD

Suzuki Launch Four New Motorcycles

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YAMAHA MOTOR PHILIPPINES LAUNCH WR155R

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BIKE REVIEW: DUCATI SCRAMBLER DESERT SLED

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BIKE REVIEW: 2020 HONDA SUPRA GTR 150

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KTM PHILIPPINES LAUNCH NEW-GENERATION 200 DUKE

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REG UL ARS

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Carl S. Cunanan

Georges B. Ramirez

EDITOR’S NOTE

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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

NOVEMBER 2020 • C-MAGAZINE.COM

EVENT HORIZON

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MONTHLY BUYER’S GUIDE

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OUR PICKS : TOP 5 CARS THAT SAVED THEIR COMPANY

By Nicolas A. Calanoc

APEX AND APERTURES

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

Service Center or Car Shop?

ith the increasing need in having a personal car, this question has seemed to be coming out, especially now that buying secondhand vehicles are on the rise. As much as I prefer giving a decisive answer, this question can be seen in so many ways that it has to be discussed so that the answer has context to it.

Us being a car magazine and media outlet, it is common for us to get enthusiasts that will swear by the fact that service centers are expensive. Back in the day, this may seem so. But today, given the competitive

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environment, pricing and outcomes must be reasonable. Being too expensive is just bad business. Having said that, I would say that service centers are competitively priced and reasonable.

The advantage of service centers is the database of parts and knowledge they have on the car. Unlike a car shop that may get a huge assortment of cars, service centers get the same cars, meaning they have the advantage of the repetition and practice of maintaining and servicing the cars you bring in for service. Sure, it may cost a bit more, but that assurance of quality and a governing body to go back to is an advantage.

“But today, given the competitive environment, pricing and outcomes must be reasonable.”

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The tricky part with car shops is that they are not made equal. This means that you really have to be careful on which car shop you go to. But once you have a car shop with good credentials and a good track record, it should be smooth sailing from there. Even if granted they don’t have the parts inventory like a service center, the biggest advantage for me is knowing that they are taking care of your car on a personal level.

So my definitive answer of where you should bring your car should be based on what is a priority for you. If you still have warranty: you should really go to the service center. If you want the comfort of knowing they have to have a solution for your car: service center.

You want a personal touch in your service and transaction: car shop.

For me, I do like the personal touch of having my car done by people who are experienced in racing. So for me, it’s straight to the car shop.

INSIDE LINE

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

Another C! Awards In the Bag

er” months are special for us in C! Magazine because this is when we round up what we believe are the best vehicles being offered in the country today, which you’ll see culminating in this month’s issue. It’s such a grueling process that involves many steps, from the selection process, to deliberating, to finally selecting a winner, that it has to be spread out among three issues beginning with our September issue. Add to the fact that there are literally hundreds of vehicles available on the market today, and you can understand why our C! Awards isn’t something we take lightly.

That isn’t to say there aren’t disagreements.

Oh, there are disagreements. And that’s to be

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expected, because honestly, there are no bad cars anymore. But there is also no such thing as a perfect car. Every single vehicle being sold in the market today has pros and cons, and the reason why it’s so hard to pick one car over another is because most of the time, the pros and cons are highly specific to any person’s particular needs. In other words, these are the so-called “deal brakers”. For example, the Ssangyong Rexton is a fantastic vehicle.

The only thing holding it back is the lack of ISOFIX fixtures for child seats. It’s an odd exclusion for a 7-seater Midsized SUV, which are normally geared towards families. But if you don’t have children (and you just happen to need a 7-seater midsized SUV in your life for other reasons I can’t possibly think of right now), then it easily becomes a winner (in my

“It’s small details like this that make all the difference when selecting a winner. And yes, most of the time, it’s that close.”

eyes at least). But we do have to consider the family aspect of this segment, and when you now compare the Rexton to other equally good SUVs in that segment such as the Ford Everest, suddenly you’ll have to look twice.

It’s small details like this that make all the difference when selecting a winner. And yes, most of the time, it’s that close.

Another factor that we heavily take into consideration is price and after sales support.

Warranties play a big part in our decision, and a good balance of dealerships, parts availability, after sales support, and pricing play a big part in determining a winner. So even if a particular vehicle is absolutely fantastic, we’re thinking if it’ll hold up five or six years down the line, and how easy it will be to have it periodically service. And of course, how easy it is to pay for. More than the vehicle itself, the ownership experience plays a huge part on what car you’ll eventually end up buying.

So we hope you enjoy this issue as you go through our winners list. As car enthusiasts, we’ve selected what we believe are the cars and motorcycles that make the most sense to own in today’s market for every segment. We can’t wait to see what lies ahead for next year.

C-MAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2020

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ON THE EDGE

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

Interesting

ovember! Two months to go till the New Year rolls in. It can’t come soon enough. In the meantime, I’ve had my fill of the various ways of indulging in virtual motor sports, car launches, and even virtual dealership experiences.

Car launches have been evolving and getting better, virtual dealerships are novel, and I can see that this will be evolving as well, but watching races has been quite interesting.

I would like to point out two of these race events that really tickled my fancy.

As one cannot go flying off to Merry ‘Ole England, The Goodwood Virtual Festival was very well done, in fact, better than I thought it would be. Granted if you did go, it wouldn’t have the fan fair that it normally does considering the present situation. For the petrol heads that actually participated in the event, they all seemed to be having a blast, and why not? The crowds do play a factor in the excitement, but for the most part, they were having a ball on the track.

Goodwood is really something else. It not

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only showcases all these fantastic cars from all the decades of motor racing history but also from all the disciplines. On-road, off-road, prototypes, single-seater, touring cars, and even soap box derby cars! Even better, they are not just static displays that look overpolished and just slowly parade around, these guys really bring them back to their glory days and drive them like hell! Bringing both man and his machine back to life, it’s really something to behold, and if you ever have the chance to actually go and watch it, do so, it was certainly on my bucket list.

Anyway, for now, it was the Goodwood Festival site that I indulged in, as was for many folk I would imagine. It was actually very good, very well organized, and easy to checkout. In fact, I actually got to watch more events this year because of all the reminders, and schedule dates, previews etc. Next time I have a chance to go, I will be a lot more efficient about how I go about it, and make sure I don’t miss out on certain events.

Another pleasant surprise was Toyota’s GR Supra GT Cup Asia virtual races or e-Motorsport races as they call it. Toyota had

selected a handful of young e-Motorsport racers from several countries in the Asian region. Each of them had to battle it out in their respective countries to make the cut.

As it turned out, they are actually very exciting races to watch! I feel what attributed to the excitement was how they controlled the usual bumping and just silly driving, common in video games, by having stiff penalties and imposing them without hesitation. This kept it real and me at the edge of my seat.

Another factor was the commentating, it was captivating and informative. They also had interviews with the drivers, which gave me a whole new perspective to racing and its future. One driver in particular pointed out that his dream was to be a real race driver but it was too expensive. E-Motorsports makes it possible for him to indulge in it and use a talent that would have otherwise never been used. It is something to think about.

Kudos to the organizers. It was brilliant!

And to the three Filipino e-Motorsport racers, Terence Lallave, Lance Padilla, and Jose Luis Altoveros, keep up the good work and more power to you guys!

Iñigo S. Roces

BACKFIRE

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

Lazy Auto Detailers

here’s a persistent white water stain on my black car.

Blame it on a leaky garage roof that I’m addressing.

Unfortunately, due to health restrictions on construction, this will still be a problem for the remainder of the late rainy season.

I’ll admit, I’m not the best when it comes to cleaning my car. Yet I would’ve hoped that many of these ‘professional’ car washes and detailing services that exist in nearly every neighborhood would be.

Unfortunately, despite many of them bearing the words ‘professional’ and ‘detailing’ in their business name, the result is anything but.

I’ve been to several of them now and the result is always the same. The stain is always there and despite pointing out the stain specifically, and opting for the wax and detailing service, they keep telling me it can’t be removed by their brand of wax and polishing. Worse still, they’re always trying to upsell me to the damn kerosene bath.

Now I don’t doubt what kerosene can do, but my car is still quite new and I’m not keen on stripping away any layers of clearcoat.

Worse still, I don’t relish the strong smell of kerosene emanating from the car and stinking up my garage after.

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Perhaps what irks me the most is that these shops proudly bear the banners of reputable products like Meguiar’s, Sonax, 3M and what have you. And yet, they always say those can’t remove the stain.

I’m irked because I’ve personally talked with distributors of these products who have recommended these very same shops.

I’ve received tons of press releases and watched several videos of their products.

They all claim that with their wax and the right chamois or mildly abrasive foam, that water stain can be easily removed. Hell, I’ve personally tried a few, and with the right tools, they really do work.

It’s why I never take the shops up on their offer of a kerosene bath. These new waxes and polishing solutions alone should be sufficient. And if it is not, then why the hell are they even still carrying the banners of these products?

Unfortunately, it seems like these detailing shops are simply geared to tackle each customer as quick as possible. Their main goal is to run through the queue each day with little regard for actually cleaning the car.

I’m fairly certain many of you have the same distrust. They do a cleaning job any of our fathers would scoff at and find fault in.

Many times, I’ve come back to pick up my SUV

only to find the roof just as dusty and still with the same stains as when I brought it in.

At the risk of being labeled a “Karen,” I’ve talked to these shops’ managers and expressed my displeasure. Unfortunately, the “manager” always seems to be some poor schmuck in baggy shorts who drew the short straw for the day, with little idea of how to tackle my complaint.

Meanwhile, the more competent ones appear to be busy with the boss’s car in the far back, exerting the kind of effort and attention to detail on it that the customers are often promised but never get.

So what then is the point of putting up that Rupes Bigfoot tarpaulin and Meguiar’s or Sonax certification when they run through my car with a disgusting old rag and diluted solutions that I wouldn’t even use on my own table tops?

For the distributors of these products, I implore you to please inspect your certified detailers. Send some of your people to pose as customers with some challenging problems you supposedly trained them to handle.

I’m fairly certain many of them will return disappointing results. Most cringeworthy of all, they’ll probably try to upsell you to a kerosene wash over a thorough detailing using your own product.

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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

Land Travel Tourism in the COVID Landscape

ould you believe that it’s already November??

We’re practically nine months into the longest lockdown in the world — and thankfully, there is a glimmer of hope with our slowly declining stats of COVID deaths and daily new cases. By this time, however, many businesses — most especially those largely dependent on the tourism sector — have already succumbed to closure, because of the lack of commercial demand from customers and patrons that keep their businesses afloat.

As a response, the Department of Tourism has started its ‘Safe Trips’ campaign, which aims to stimulate domestic tourism via land travel, alongside a slew of safety protocols. As of this writing, they have already announced that Baguio City and the Ilocos provinces are now carefully opening up to visitors, with a daily tourist cap (say, approximately 200 visitors/day for Baguio City). The new protocols require prospective tourists to first register online, to secure themselves a slot, and then to get themselves COVID-tested within 72 hours before arrival, via an antigen swab test. Needless to say, the assumption is that tourists have to test COVID-negative in

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order to be given permission to enter.

Nissan Philippines has been keen on supporting the DOT’s Safe Trips campaign as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Having said that, they have launched a series of their own videos, publications, and news bits that educate the public about what this new travel experience might be like.

I had the opportunity to travel to Baguio City myself, amid the new protocols this November, while driving the Nissan Terra.

And let me tell you that although I was initially worried about the bureaucracy, the entire process turned out to be pretty straightforward. The two most important things being: not forgetting to register and securing every single person’s local government-issued QR code before making the voyage; and ensuring that every single traveler in your party is COVID-free (achievable via having yourselves tested before leaving your respective cities). It is worth mentioning that there is an option to get COVID antigen swabbed upon entering Baguio City (at their Triage area), but this risks the possibility of testing positive on the spot, and thus being turned away to drive all the way back to his/her point of origin. It will also save you more time and subject you to

less exposure if you already have a COVIDnegative medical document at hand.

Frankly, it was absolutely refreshing to be able to drive to Baguio City from Metro Manila sans the usual weekend traffic! My Terra already had RFID installed, so the entire highway experience was cashless and did not require me to interface with anyone else, save perhaps for the one or two stopovers I made as bathroom breaks.

Kennon Road is closed, so everyone should expect to take Marcos Highway as their common entry point.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Baguio City locals were rather proactive when it came to safety protocols; and that the local city government had done a pretty good job of marking one-way lanes for foot traffic downtown, which the locals diligently followed. Each side of Session Road was oneway only for pedestrians while footbridges connecting to the public markets also had single-way lanes to prevent people from getting into any face-to-face close contact.

The model seems promising, and I think that if everyone sincerely does his/her part, Baguio can once again come alive with regulated visitors who will bring the city revenues and a little extra Christmas joy.

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

E D I TO R I A L

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A D V E RT I S I N G

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The Drives

MERCEDES-BENZ S450 L The Beacon of Inspiration Words by Kevin C. Limjoco Photos by Andréas N. Delos Reyes

1973 MERCEDES-BENZ 280SE

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AS AUTOMOTIVE FLAGSHIPS GO, the MercedesBenz S-class is the Teutonic “OG”, the original brand standard-bearer that began back in 1972 famously with the W116, years before the competition followed. Officially, the British Jaguar XJ is the oldest full-scale flagship of its kind that established the segment in the late 60’s. My family owned two variants at the height of each model year of the W116: a Euro-spec 1973 280SE and a North Americanspec 1980 450SEL. I eventually bought my Dad’s 280SE to fully restore and update it through Filipino international race driver and two-time Philippine GT Champion Vincent “Enteng” Floirendo’s Ensport Motors company. It was my first and thus far only S-class that I have owned. Through the years, I have comprehensively tested practically every variant through the generations leading to this Porcelain White S450 L test unit here, literally the last of the V6 twin-turbo 6th generation W222 models in our Philippine market.

Our spectacular fully loaded test unit arrived in our market pre-excise tax so despite its

potent powerplant and exceptional standard equipment, the model actually sold slightly cheaper than the current S320 L models in the dealership showrooms. As I write this review, the official Philippine distributor of Mercedes-Benz, Auto Nation Group, Inc., has multiple packaging solutions for buyers looking to purchase the remaining W222 S 320 L units in stock before the upcoming allnew and larger 7th generation W223 S-class arrives sometime in 2021. If you think the prices are steep now, I assure you that the new batch will be even more challenging. So, if you are in the market for a brilliant super saloon Mercedes-Benz S-class flagship that would have over 90% of the equipment on this test unit, time is ticking away.

After freshly exploring the limits and abilities of the current BMW 745 Le PHEV, the non-electrically assisted Mercedes-Benz S450 L in direct comparison definitely rides with more plushness and ironically shares more characteristics with a short-wheelbase outgoing Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II. The BMW on the other hand is the more drivercentric super saloon with deeper dynamic abilities which honestly appeals more to me. It is a matter of preference as both are extremely luxurious, full-featured, and opulent. The S450 L is slightly smaller than the 745 Le but it has a larger trunk with a softer and quieter ride that is better suited to perform the role of a chauffeur-driven limousine.

The S450 L is definitely no slouch. It may not have the extra induced assistance like the BMW, but its 362 bhp twin-turbo engine is very healthy, mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel paddles that can be tailored along with the AIRMATIC® air suspension via drive modes at a flick to overwhelm the modest 245/50R18 100W Pirelli P7 Cinturato Run Flat tires if you wanted to be naughty. The standard braking system may look fairly ordinary but their functionality is exemplary. The big Benz feels sufficiently agile and light on its feet. Once again, each generation improves on perfection and success without orphaning realistic and

life-long abilities. Like every S-class before it, each generation crates a lasting product that can stand on its own merits proudly.

The W222 S-class series is the first in the full-size family to use the very-high-speed FlexRay optical fiber data bus technology to manage all the extensive new technologies and features from all the powered systems.

It operates all the seats, the superb fullLED intelligent lighting, to the 64-color / 10-color scheme ambient lighting, the

massive dual configurable 12.3-inch instrument and infotainment widescreens, the comprehensive safety suite, steering wheel smartphone-like control pads, to the magnificent 13-speaker 590-watt Burmester® audio system with detailed aluminum speaker grilles. I particularly like how the rear powered retractable window and backlight sunshades function. There is so much equipment to help justify the price of a luxury apartment.

SPECIFICATIONS — 2020 Mercedes-Benz S450 L Engine: V6, 2996 cc, dohc 24V, Direct Injection Intercooled Twin-Turbo, VVT, Atkinson-Cycle, 9-Speed AT | Max Power: 362 bhp @ 5500-6000 rpm Max Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1800-4500 rpm | 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 5.6 sec. | Top Speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) Governed | Fuel Mileage: 19 mph City / 28 mpg Highway Price as Tested: PhP 9,490,000.00 | Plus: A genuine flagship, ultra-smooth and comfortable, dynamically sublime and efficient. | Minus: Pre-excise tax pricing, no longer available, replaced with the S320 L in our market while supplies last. |

Rating: 10/10

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MAZDA3 EDITION100 Style Savvy

Words and photos by Chris Van Hoven MAZDA IS NO STRANGER to the World Car Awards (or WCOTY), a program where automotive journalists from all over the world select their picks for World Car of the Year, World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Urban Car, and World Car Design of the Year. The Mazda MX-5 bagged both World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year back in 2016, and Mazda again takes an award home for 2020 with the Mazda3 winning

World Car Design of the Year. And how does Mazda celebrate? By releasing a special edition variant of the Mazda3, of course. It’s called the 2020 Mazda3 Edition100, and even at first glance, it’s not difficult to see why the Mazda3 deserves all the accolades.

Not much is left to say about the excellent Mazda3. As a compact car, it offers a level of build quality and refinement that far exceeds its peers whether in hatchback or sedan form.

You pay a premium for it of course, as it’s one of the more expensive offerings in the segment. But you do get what you pay for, and if you’re willing to fork over the extra cash, you’re rewarded with one of the best cars in its class. The Mazda3 Edition100 takes the spot previously held by the Mazda3 Speed Sportback as the top-of-the-line offering in the

range, and is only available in Sportback trim.

“What makes it so special then”, you might ask.

Well, just look at it.

There’s no denying that the current iteration of the Mazda3 is a lesson on automotive design all its own. The evolved “KODO” design aesthetic of “less is more” works to absolute perfection here, with the added accents providing just the right amount of flair while still remaining absolutely subtle in its execution. They did it by color matching OEM Mazdaspeed body kits with the three available key body colors of the Mazda3 Sportback Premium: Soul Red body kits for the Snowflake White Pearl and Jet Black Mazda3 exterior; and Gloss Black body kits for the Soul Red Crystal exterior. Throw in some premium red leather seats and red accents in the interior, and you’ve got a winning combination that oozes character. Other additions to the Mazda3 Edition100 are high-gloss Midnight Black 18-inch wheels with red brake calipers again playing on the color contrast. The license plate holder has also been relocated, which opens up that wide grille to be displayed the way the designers meant it.

Everything else on the Mazda3 Edition100 is standard fare for the Mazda3 Sportback Premium line. You’ve got the entire suite of Mazda’s i-Activesense safety technology which includes Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, and Smart Brake Support just to name a few. It still has the impressive 12-speaker Bose audio system, the 8.8-inch display at the center, and the same powertrain, with a 2.0-liter SkyActiv gasoline engine producing 153 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. At PhP 1,610,000, the Mazda3 Edition100 adds PhP 100,000 more to the price tag of the Mazda3 Sportback Premium, but softening the blow a bit is Mazda’s new 5-year free service program which includes free parts and labor for every scheduled Preventive Maintenance Service for five years, or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Also, it’s worth noting that the Mazda3 Edition100 will most likely be limited in quantity, which means that you’ll instantly have a collectible classic on your hands if you decide to get one. When all is said and done, you simply can’t go wrong with a Mazda3 if you’re looking for a sleek, refined, and upscale compact car, and the Mazda3 Edition100 is the best iteration yet.

SPECIFICATIONS — 2020 Mazda3 Edition100 Sportback Engine: Inline-4, 1998 cc, dohc 16V, Direct Injection, VVT, 6-speed AT | Max Power: 153 bhp @ 6000 rpm | Max Torque: 148 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 8.3 sec.

Top Speed: 215 km/h (134 mph)] | Fuel Mileage: 6.2 L/100km Overall | Price as Tested: PhP 1,610,000.00 | Plus: The best materials, features, and styling in its class Minus: All we need now is more power |

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Rating: 9.5/10

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GEELY AZKARRA LUXURY

The New Master Generalist Standard Words by Kevin C. Limjoco Photos by Andréas N. Delos Reyes GEELY SEEMED TO BE incubating away from everyone for years preparing properly for its resurgence into the world market. And the success is real, folks; the all-new products are exemplary. So far, the very first two models, the sporty Coolray subcompact crossover and now the luxurious Azkarra compact crossover, are completely outstanding and very attainable. After thoroughly testing both models and having seen the latest 7-seater MPV crossover, the Okavango in the flesh, it would seem that once the pandemic is finally arrested, the only factor that would curb Geely Philippines’ meteoric success is a limited dealership network. At the time of this review, Geely Philippines has only three functioning dealerships in the main Metropolis and in fairly cross proximity from each other too.

Thankfully, a few provincial dealerships have opened up in Batangas, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, and Davao. As its steady sales increase, I am confident that more dealerships will sprout up to handle the demand, especially in the other provinces and more locations in Metro Manila.

Off the cuff, both the Coolray and the Azkarra were awarded their best-in-class trophies in the 16th Annual C! Awards, earning both accolades with substantial merit with the least compromises to consumers. They have distanced themselves from the direct competition very quickly by giving consumers more than commonly expected and for less money, all in unique and desirable design languages and equipment-rich mobility environments. If that wasn’t enough, Geely engineered proper driving dynamics that make travel fun and energized.

Our top-spec Azkarra Luxury red test unit came with the lovely caramel brown Nappa leather interior which I reckon would look best contrasted with blue. The standard Giti GitiComfort F50 advanZtech 225/60R18 100H tires complemented the crossover’s abilities very well though I wish the intricate 18-inch alloys were the more handsome units featured in Geely’s brochures. The entry-level Premium

model sells for P160,000.00 less but you lose the 48V EMS rear-drive system which adds 13 bhp and 37 lb-ft of torque, the beautiful leather, the very useful wireless smartphone charger, and the 7-speed wet dual clutch transmission (in its place you would get a 6-speed traditional automatic). I would strongly suggest committing to the full experience even if the Premium model is still a good crossover.

Like the Coolray, the co-development with Volvo is thankfully obvious in the Azkarra but with just so much more of the goodness.

The top-spec Coolray is still quicker and more agile but it is also smaller and less equipped. The award-winning powerplants are essentially shared between the Coolray, Azkarra, and Okavango, but their executions and calibrations are different. The Azkarra Luxury genuinely has AWD, fully independent suspension, and even has a dedicated mode to maximize the modest setup for light trailing.

The AWD works best with the mild hybrid system for more secure on-road handling under wet conditions and when driven spiritedly. However, the extra assisted boost is not always available. Brake regeneration and general driving conditions charge the auxiliary battery and you are subtly guided by an instrument gauge indicator light that stays amber until it has enough energy to turn green, only then will you have full power.

It is clear why Geely Philippines has the confidence to give its stable of products 5-full years or 150,000 kilometers of factory warranty.

The Azkarra is a fabulous crossover that ticks all the boxes. The obvious features are great, from the solid sounding 8-speaker audio, the panoramic roof, full LED lighting, fit and finish, climate control, adjustable rear seats, cool grab handles, adjustable ambient lights, power everything, and the very crisp configurable 12.3-inch infotainment screen and 7-inch instrument panel. The 360-degree camera display rival systems on vehicles costing triple the money. At the moment, you cannot get a better and more balanced compact crossover in the market for the money. One last note, when you lock the Azkarra, it not only locks all the doors like usual but also it makes sure that the windows and panoramic roof are automatically fully closed and secured. Brilliant! And even that function is user configurable.

SPECIFICATIONS — 2020 Geely Azkarra Luxury 48V EMS AWD Engine: Inline-3, 1477 cc, dohc 12V, Direct Injection Intercooled Turbo, Dual-VVT, 7-speed DCT | Max Power: 190 bhp @ 5500 rpm | Max Torque: 221 lb-ft @ 1500-4000 rpm 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 9.7 sec. | Top Speed: 200 km/h (125 mph) Governed | Fuel Mileage: 15.8 km/L Overall | Price as Tested: PhP 1,598,000.00 | Plus: Excellent build-quality, bursting with desirable equipment, very feature-rich, attractive, master generalist. | Minus: Full power is transient, prefer alloy design shown in the brochures. |

Rating: 10/10

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ISUZU D-MAX BOONDOCK 4X4 MT Enhanced Workhorse

Words by Kevin C. Limjoco Photos by Andréas N. Delos Reyes ISUZU’S VERY STRONG reputation in the Philippines for durability and appeal to the working man is enviable. To extend their commercial reach to new audiences as well as hardcore fans of the brand, Isuzu released a special limited-edition variant of their long-running D-Max LS-A 4x4 pick-up truck appropriately named the Boondock. The phrase "the boondocks" is derived from the Tagalog word bundók which means mountain. According to military historian Paul A. Kramer, the term originally had "connotations of bewilderment and confusion", due to the guerrilla warfare in which the soldiers were engaged in the Philippine–American War (1899-1902), the term

has since been used in general parlance.

Our manual transmission Boondock test unit came in Cosmic Black (also available with a 6-speed automatic in Red Spinel, Titanium Silver, and Silky Pearl White) with the variant specific graphics stuck on its flanks. Aside from the aesthetic nuances that include unique steel honeycomb sidesteps with the Boondock logo cut into the metal, the more profound upgrades that justify the additional P95,000.00 over its source LS-A that separate this variant from its stablemates are the new set of black 17-inch alloys (instead of the standard dualcolor 18-inch alloys wrapped with more roadbiased 255/60R18 tires) with taller 265/70R17 113T all-terrain Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 tires combined with monotube nitrogencharged performance shock absorbers on all corners (which raises the ground clearance by 12 mm to 247 mm) that altogether raises the ground clearance by about half-an-inch.

The rest of the equipment are carried over from the standard LS-A which includes the healthy 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, Bi-

LED projector headlights, signature DRL, halogen front fog lamps and LED rear light assemblies, 4x4 Terrain Command control, smart key, push-button ignition, automatic climate control, gearshift indicator, 8-inch infotainment system with 6 speakers and rear parking camera, perforated black leather seating, and comprehensive safety suite.

On-road ride comfort and sound insulation improved significantly with this unique setup compared to the standard LS-A model; however, the extra height also increased aerodynamic drag. So, despite having better road-noise separation with the better shocks there is more wind turbulence at highway speeds and pitches corners with more roll. On the other hand, off-road ability and varying terrain agility certainly improved which is the essence of the suspension upgrades. The long-throw 6-speed manual transmission was very easy to modulate and makes the driving experience nice and easy. The extra suspension travel also makes overall handling with rear bed load more forgiving.

SPECIFICATIONS — 2020 Isuzu D-Max Boondock 4x4 Engine: Inline-4, 2999 cc, dohc 16V, Direct Injection Intercooled VGS Turbodiesel, 6-MT | Max Power: 174 bhp @ 3600 rpm | Max Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 1800-2800 rpm 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 10.9 sec. | Top Speed: 178 km/h (111 mph) | Fuel Mileage: 13.6 km/l Overall | Price as Tested: PhP 1,725,000.00 | Plus: Purposeful, most comfortable ride in the family range, quietest in the family too, full-featured, enhanced off-road ability. | Minus: Penalty of the extra comfort and off-road ability is about 3% loss of overall dynamic on-road performance, no mechanical LSD. |

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Rating: 9/10

CHEVROLET TRAX PREMIER LT

Add a little & take away a lot Words by Kevin C. Limjoco Photos by Andréas N. Delos Reyes CHEVROLET PHILIPPINES’ spritely subcompact crossover, the Trax, has not been getting the attention that it rightfully deserves. It is a very well built and versatile crossover that ironically may have actually suffered from the success of the award-winning MG ZS and RX5. I say ironic because they share the same official Philippine distributor. The model itself is reaching its zenith soon too. It has been reasonably successful in other markets due to its merits and aggressive packaging.

To make the Trax more compelling for our market this year, Chevrolet Philippines improved the packaging a little bit and gave it a massive promotional retail price discount.

So, this attractive new top-spec “Pull Me Over Red” Premier LT test unit originally retailed at its launch for P1,535,888.00, then they just announced that they would give this same unit P220,000.00 off! With a new retail price of P1,315,888.00, the Trax definitely improved its chances to sell in what could be the fiercest segment in the market.

The fit and finish of the Trax is very good and it carries over a long list of equipment that many may not know it even has, from its acoustic laminated solar-absorbing windshield to its very extensive list of standard safety equipment (Keyless Entry, 6 airbags, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Engine Drag Control, Roll-Over Mitigation, and more). I appreciate the standard Cruise and Steering Wheel Audio Controls as well. Sure, I still wish that Chevrolet used the more powerful version of the same 1.4-liter turbocharged engine applied to the Buick Encore with 153 bhp / 177 lb-ft. Or even better, the 1.6-liter turbodiesel from the Korea market that produces a little less top-end power at 134 bhp @ 3500-4000 rpm but makes up for it with 236 lb-ft @ 2000–2250 rpm. And I had hoped that the new projector headlights had either LED or

HID instead of the carried over halogen.

The key changes to the appealing face with the proportioned dual-port grille are new carbon grey 18-inch alloys wrapped with P215/55R18 95H Continental PremiumContact 2 tires, Black Bowtie badges on both ends, black fin-type antenna, crossbars to make the roof racks more usable, and a cargo tray for the trunk. The sculpted taillamps with LED signature lighting is carried over but somehow looks more pronounced thanks to the newly labeled black decal on the C-pillar.

The instrument cluster is analog backed up by an informative digital driver information

center, the good sounding MyLink 7-inch center infotainment system with rear camera now gets a 1080p Full HD DVR Dashcam with Smartphone Viewing and Control App, Android Auto™ and Apple Carplay® connectivity, and the climate control system now gets an additional toggled ionizer to help clean the cabin air.

Is the new Trax a good small crossover? It sure is for four adults! The competition is very tough in this segment but the Trax certainly has what it takes to compete. It is very maneuverable, uncommon, very easy to live with, and quite comfortable.

SPECIFICATIONS — 2020 Chevrolet Trax Premier LT Engine: Inline-4, 1364 cc, dohc 16V, Multi-Port Injection Intercooled Turbo, VVT, 6-Speed AT | Max Power: 138 bhp @ 4900-6000 rpm | Max Torque: 148 lb-ft @ 1850-4900 rpm 0-100 km/h (0-62mph): 9.5 sec. | Top Speed: 192 km/h (120 mph) | Fuel Mileage: 25 mpg City & 33 mpg Highway | Price as Tested: PhP 1,535,888.00 (-P220,000.00 current promotion= P1,315,888.00) | Plus: Tastefully updated with subtle cues, comfortable, quiet, well appointed, very good build quality, good value. | Minus: Halogen headlights, no 7-speaker Bose® audio system option. |

Rating: 9/10

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AWARDS WINNERS It has been a rigorous months-long process among C! Editors to get to this point, but we are pleased to announce the winners of the cars, motorcycles, and more than cars categories in the past year.

The selection process has increasingly become a wonderful challenge to undertake as vehicles continue to advance in engineering and technology, but in the end, there can only be one in the center stage. So without further ado, we present our 16th Annual C! Awards Winners.

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Cars Minicompact Suzuki S-Presso

Subcompact Mazda2

Compact Kia Forte GT

Practical without compromising style, the Suzuki S-Presso embodies the modern no frills take on entry level cars.

Utilizing the Japanese brand’s KODO - Soul of Motion design theme, the Mazda2 slots in at a class where it is able to flaunt the premium aura it shares with its bigger siblings.

The Kia Forte GT holds its head up high with the driving excitement and pleasure it delivers.

Premium Subcompact BMW 1-Series

Premium Compact Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Executive Car Kia Stinger GT

Youthful and badged by familiar and proven marques, these hatchbacks provide the best introduction to premium brands in the market.

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class impresses with a sleeker design and a more high-tech package overall.

Regardless of the trend towards crossovers and SUVs, the Korean carmaker’s infatuation with sporty saloons gives us a car able to deliver the practicalities and comfort of a sedan that is able to deliver excitement when called upon.

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Cars

Mid-Sized Volkswagen Lamando

Premium Mid-Sized Lexus ES

Premium Full-Sized BMW 7-Series

Many contenders belong to this group and familiar models have been nominated for good reason. The Volkswagen Lamando, however, comes out triumphant thanks to its minimalistic approach and impressive package in the modern automotive world.

The Lexus ES returns to its throne this year.

The combination of its endearing price tag and Lexus’ proven formula in creating luxurious sedans beat out its familiar German rivals.

Contrary to its reputation, the BMW’s flagship sedan looks and feels more like a car that is meant to be driven first and then enjoyed as a passenger second due to its fun drive and advanced cockpit.

Ultra Luxury

Grand Tourer Aston Martin DB11

Sportscar Mazda MX-5 RF

This land yacht offers some of the best leather-wrapped and bespoke features to find in an automobile’s interior. The Ghost Series II remains the pinnacle of elegance in this class while offering an exhilarating drive.

The Aston Martin DB11 is a premium sporty coupe that turns heads. Packing a powerful 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, the British manufacturer’s flagship model can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 322 km/h.

The Mazda MX-5 RF was joined by a newcomer as a nominee for this year, but it retains the top spot in the class thanks to its unmatched dynamic drive, unique retractable roof, and bargain price for a sportscar of this level.

Premium Sportscar Porsche 911T

Super Sport Ferrari F8 Tributo

Special Category - Solo Segment

The Porsche 911T is a timeless piece that offers the pure and unadulterated Porsche experience. It is a sportscar that tickles the fancy of enthusiasts whether on the road or on the racetrack.

The Ferrari F8 Tributo is about passion; a culmination of the Prancing Horse’s heritage and pursuit of excellence that roots from the likes of the 1969 365 GTS4 or Daytona Spyder.

Wagons have evolved from ‘boring’ family haulers to sporty and cool rollers on the road.

And the Subaru Levorg exemplifies a modern wagon’s best qualities with its generous interior space, dynamic drive, and wide array of safety technology.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II

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Subaru Levorg

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More Than Cars Subcompact Crossover Geely Coolray

Premium Subcompact Crossover

The most affordable crossover available in the market as of writing, the Kia Stonic claims the top step of the podium with its top-ofthe-class styling, fun daily drive, and wellequipped interior.

Geely’s remarkable entry to the Philippines in late 2019 was spearheaded by the Coolray.

The subcompact crossover has been the most astounding member of the segment by boasting stylish European-esque design and setting high standards when it comes to technology.

Despite being BMW’s smallest offering in its crossover lineup, the X1 does not scrimp on the DNA of the brand. The engine has a significant punch to it while providing significant space and premium features one looks for from the German brand.

Compact Crossover Geely Azkarra

Premium Compact Crossover

Mid-Sized Crossover Mazda CX-8

Geely’s latest offering as of this writing follows in the footsteps of Coolray's success with its gorgeous exterior, well-equipped interior, and of course value for money.

The BMW X3 remains one of the best in the premium compact crossover category with its lush and technologically advanced interior and value-for-money at its price tag.

The Mazda CX-8 mid-sized crossover that slots in between the familiar CX-5 and CX9. Although the styling and overall design looks widely similar to its older counterpart, the roofline has been made lower making it look more sleeker. Second row seats are made spacious thanks to the five-seater configuration compared to the 7-seater.

Mini Subcompact Crossover

Kia Stonic

BMW X3

BMW X1

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More Than Cars

Mid-Sized SUV Ford Everest In a segment that has remained one of the most hotly contested in the local market for quite some time, the Ford Everest remains on top because of its comfortable yet rigid ride, generous standard equipment, and impressive powertrain with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Premium Mid-Sized Crossover BMW X5 The BMW X5’s impressive driving dynamics and equipment still sets the standard in another hotly contested segment.

Premium Full-Sized SUV Audi Q7 Full-Sized SUV Nissan Patrol Elegance, power, and off-road fun. The Nissan Patrol best exemplifies the qualities one looks for in a full-sized SUV.

Compact Carrier Mitsubishi Xpander Cross A segment that seems to be growing as each year passes, the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross is injected with some details one would find in a crossover with black body claddings and a raised ride height in a more affordable package.

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First unveiled in 2005, the Audi Q7 nameplate has been around for quite a while. Anyone in the market for a premium full-sized SUV would find a strikingly good balance of luxury, refinement, and driving dynamics in the German manufacturer’s offering.

MPV Toyota Innova The Toyota Innova gold standard of MPVs is looking to take the top for a long time to come. It has a reliable and proven diesel engine and a cabin that can take in loads of passengers and cargo. The Innova has always set the bar for what an MPV should be since its release. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular models on Philippine roads.

More Than Cars

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Mini Van GAC GM8

Full-Sized Van Toyota HiAce

The GAC GM8 is an winning choice for the segment due to its price tag and the range of features it offers. The valuefor-money is unquestionably attractive, along with its comfortable ride and excellent powertrain.

Much like the success the Innova has had in its own segment, the Toyota HiAce has been a staple model in the local market with decades of experience. Reliability, comfort, and tons of interior space are the name of the game.

Pick Up Ford Ranger Raptor

Hybrid Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid

Various manufacturers have come up with exciting versions of their own pick up trucks, but the Ford Ranger Raptor’s impressive powertrain and Fox suspension are simply hard to beat.

Priced similarly to the Corolla Altis Hybrid that it is based on, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid satisfies what buyers want these days — crossovers. But it does so with green technology and without sacrificing affordability.

EV Hyundai Ioniq With its sleek and eye-catching design, Hyundai’s offering in the local hybrid stage refuses to be left behind and rivals the familiar Prius and Corolla Altis Hybrid in a strong manner.

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Motorcycles

Scooter (150cc) Yamaha Nmax 155 ABS

Scooter (400cc) Kymco Xciting S 400i

Underbone (150cc) Suzuki Raider R150 FI

The Yamaha Nmax 155 ABS set the benchmark in the 150cc scooter category when it was launched five years ago. The 2020 Nmax 155 ABS continue that tradition with new technologies, better refinement, and higher performance. Earning it our best 150cc scooter award for 2020.

Kymco is one of the best selling scooter brands in Europe, and the Xciting S 400i is one of the reasons why. Aside from having a decidedly handsome styling, it also packs a powerful 400cc engine bundled with the latest safety technologies at a very affordable price point. Making it our best 400cc maxi scooter for 2020.

The Suzuki Raider R150 FI earned its fearsome reputation not only in the racetrack, but also on countless roads across the country. It’s the weapon of choice not only for young circuit racers, but also for underbone drag racing enthusiasts and motorcycle customizers banking on its tried and tested platform. Making it one of the most highly coveted underbone motorcycles in the new, as well as the used bike market.

Backbone (150cc) Suzuki Gixxer Fi

Standard (1200cc) Indian FTR 1200

Sport Naked - Middleweight

The Suzuki Gixxer FI is big on features, but low on price. Its fuel-injected motor is not only bulletproof, but also fuel efficient. It recently got updated with European inspired styling to keep it fresh for many years to come. Its size and performance make it one of the best training bikes for higher displacement motorcycles.

The Indian FTR 1200 is the first non-cruiser motorcycle from an American manufacturer in recent years that has a performance not far from European and Japanese sport nakeds. Its dirt-tracker inspired styling is also refreshing in a world full of cafe racers and scramblers.

The FTR 1200 also rides well on the dirt.

This was a close battle between the new BMW F900R and the KTM 790 Duke. While the 790 Duke feels sharper and sportier than the BMW, the F900R won in comfort and all-around versatility, making it the best middleweight sport naked for new and experienced riders alike. It also comes in two variants with distinct features and two seat height options the 790 Duke doesn’t have.

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BMW F900R

Super Naked Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory The Ducati Streetfighter V4 S may have the edge when it comes to peak power and rider aids but the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory offers the best combination of telepathic handling and linear power delivery for a more engaging ride whether it be on the racetrack or your favorite mountain road.

Sportbike (300cc) Yamaha YZF-R3

Superbike Ducati Panigale V4S

Sport Tourer - Middleweight

The CFMoto 300SR may be the better everyday sportbike but when it comes to outright performance, the Yamaha YZF-R3 rules. If you want a track bike to hone your racing skills on, this is the bike to get.

The Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory and BMW S1000RR may be the better bikes for the road but the Ducati Panigale V4S performs better on both the road and the racetrack. Its advanced electronics also allow the rider to concentrate on riding and choosing the right line through corners while it takes care of every performance and safety aspect. It's the safest a superbike could be.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 may have better name recall, but the CFMoto 650GT offers more extras for not a lot of money. It also has better suspension, ride comfort, and a more elegant styling.

Adventure (400cc) KTM 390 Adventure

Cruiser (Below 1000cc)

Dual-Sport (150cc) Yamaha WR155R

The Royal Enfield Himalayan finally met its match in the new 2020 KTM 390 Adventure.

While the Himalayan’s charm is its basic and rugged design, the KTM 390 Adventure comes loaded with a more powerful motor, better suspension, and a more sophisticated electronics package for almost the same price.

The Harley-Davidson Superlow may be the cheapest pushrod air-cooled V-twin powered Harley-Davidson motorcycle you can buy right now, but it possesses all the signature attributes that make a Harley, a genuine Harley. And for any cruiser fan, that’s all that matters.

Harley-Davidson Superlow

CFMoto 650GT

The new Yamaha WR155R not only brings liquid-cooling to the 150cc dual-sport class, it also features Variable Valve Actuation technology that offers a better spread of torque and class-leading power that’s useful for riding on or off the road.

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AWARDS WINNER C! Pocholo Ramirez Lifetime Achievement Award

Steven Tan

I

t takes a special kind of person to be a leader; and an even more special person to become an extraordinary one. We think that this is exactly what separates Mazda Philippines' charismatic CEO, Steven Tan, from the rest — he is every bit non-traditional and likewise, every bit amiable. Perhaps, in a way, almost like Mazda cars... and how they flourish by evoking those positive emotional reactions which you just quite can't put your finger on.

A closet Malaysian gourmand and all-around automotive marketing professional-turned-executive who has been moving around the Asia- Pacific region fulfilling his duties (and secretly compiling his list of the ASEAN's best cuisines) over the last 20 years, Steven has found his home and happy place in helping premium Japanese automaker Mazda continue to build its brand and to bring the joy of driving to more people. He is currently the highly regarded President and CEO of Mazda Philippines — operated under Bermaz Auto Philippines, and formerly under Berjaya Auto Philippines from 20122016 — who as you may infer by now, has been recognized as being one of the most loved and sincerely commended car executives in the country, whether by his peers, employees, dealers, the local media, or loyal customers.

Steven has for nine years been at the helm of all of Mazda Philippines' amazing transformations under Berjaya, and now Bermaz Auto Philippines — including growing its dealer network and changing the once critical public sentiment towards the brand.

He built an inspiring company vision for the Philippine market, set the tone and direction to achieve it, and best of all, created something new — solid relationships based on trust and positive emotions.

And frankly, the only way you can successfully do that is if you have someone who truly cares about his people and the brand, and most especially for its customers. There's a kind of sincerity and humility that cannot be feigned or bluffed. And that, we feel, is Steven Tan's secret weapon — building real connections between people and people, and people and their cars.

And for this kind of unique leadership and continuous community building to work, Steven chooses to primarily lead by influence and not by authority — his employees will attest to that. He goes above and beyond in creating open lines for communication, not just within the company but most

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especially between the company and its clients. As a matter of fact, after having worked on improving the brand's local customer service which the public has once been critical of, Mazda Philippines — under Steven Tan's leadership — bagged the much-coveted J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Award in the Philippines, so far twice in four years — in 2016 and 2019.

At the end of the day, we can see that the great leaders almost never really set out to be great leaders in the first place. Instead, they just set out to make a difference... and the rest becomes history.

Congratulations, Steven Tan! You absolutely deserve C! Magazine's Pocholo Ramirez Lifetime Achievement Award. I wanted to say 'Cheers', but instead, I'll say Zoom-Zoom!

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AWARDS WINNER

C! Drive of the Year

Jaguar i-Pace

T

he Jaguar i-Pace comes in with a unique and exhilarating take on electric vehicles — and as an automobile for that matter. It does not quite fit a particular mold of any vehicle we have grown to be accustomed to. While one could call it a sportscar or a sports sedan because of its enjoyable and planted drive, the general structure could also remind another that it is an SUV but with a sleeker and lower stance. Perhaps it is. It could also be argued that its place is somewhere in between as a sport wagon.

As an EV, the Jaguar i-Pace is one that does not scrimp on the qualities and characteristics yearned for in an internal combustion engine. The intricate marriage between practicality, sporty, and luxury can be found in this package. It is also the first full EV we've had the chance of driving out of Metro Manila. The trip from the metropolis to Clark and back still left us with 30 percent battery charge, trumping the “range anxiety” many have expressed when it comes to EVs. Aside from getting its power from being charged the typical way, the i-Pace also collects energy from braking. Power is delivered to all wheels at once as needed via a twin synchronous permanent magnetic electric motor. The low center of

gravity, low placement of the batteries, and impressive weight distribution also allow the i-Pace to maximize the energy it utilizes when on the road.

It is truly incredible to see the steps the industry has taken to continue building and innovating vehicles that do their part for the environment. And although arguably we still have a ways to go in this electric vehicle story, especially in the Philippines, we are slowly seeing the influx of us such vehicles from all sides.

The Jaguar i-Pace stands atop this segment with the potential of its electric range and infusion of a uniquely luxurious and sporty drive, while doing so at a price tag not far off from similar premium cars with conventional gasoline or diesel engines.

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Feature

THE JOY OF DR THE HONDA C I WORDS & PHOTOS PAO L O D E B O R JA

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IVING WITH IVIC TYPE R

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Feature

THE CURRENTGENERATION HONDA CIVIC TYPE R has been around for quite some time. But after a recent long-drive to Anilao, Batangas with the hot hatch, it dawned to me that it’s just not going fade into the shadows even as new models come in. My week with the Type R allowed me to observe some of its best traits; whether with the mindset of it being a track car or a regular daily driver.

1

THE TYPE R IS A FUN AND FAST FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE CAR When it was first released, the Honda Civic Type R was the fastest front-wheeled drive car to go around the Nürburgring with a time of 7:43.8.; beaten only by the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R. The tight chassis and rigid body frame reduce the total roll movement of the car, allowing for later braking into curves, while enabling it to turn corners at higher speeds when on the track. The Civic Type R is a trackfocused hatchback that doesn’t mind to be driven in regular conditions as well.

2

THE TYPE R IS MORE COMFORTABLE AND PRACTICAL THAN A TYPICAL SPORTS CAR Sports cars are meant to be driven athletically so ride comfort isn’t always high on the priority list. The Type R, however, trumps this notion. The seating position even with the bucket seats, driving view, and competent manual transmission provided a comfortable experience even when driving around the city. As a sports car, its identity as a five-seater car is uncompromised as well. Combine these with a generous trunk space and the Type R could arguably be considered as a daily driver option – if you don’t mind the gas consumption and low ride height, of course.

3

THE TYPE R IS A JOY TO DRIVE ON OPEN AND WINDING ROADS I absolutely adore long drives in open and winding roads. And the Type R delivered unadulterated joy on the drive to and from Anilao.

The stiff and confident chassis of the car had no trouble taking on the twisty roads leading up to the

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Feature

diving resorts in the town. The six-speed manual transmission’s lower gear ratios definitely improved the Type R’s acceleration while the rigid construction and aerodynamic package are able to deliver impressive high-speed ability.

4

A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS NOT AN INCONVENIENCE IN THE TYPE R It would be preposterous to consider a Type R without the classic stick shift. The high-performance 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo engine only deserves the six-speed manual transmission it comes with. The gearbox is absolutely impeccable with its short throws that gave a very confident driving feel in the highway and provincial roads.

5

THE TYPE R’S LOOKS BEAUTIFULLY STAND OUT The car isn’t shy at all to flaunt its aero package all throughout. The full kit includes bumpers, side skirts, and carbon fiber material that’s actually made with real carbon fiber. At the rear, the huge wing and pieces of aero look very aggressive but with a purpose. They all work together in maximizing airflow and providing downforce.

The current-generation Honda Civic Type R features the most impressive and extensive package in the model’s long history. Outside its identity as a sports car, it truly remains versatile and practical thanks to the cabin space, cargo space, and the above average comfort levels it provides as a hot hatch. What we have here is a future classic that will surely be appreciated by car geeks for years to come.

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Feature

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Feature

UNIQUELY NISSAN NAVARA WORDS K E V I N C . L I M J O C O

PHOTOS A N D R É A S N . D E L O S R E Y E S A N D N I S S A N P R E S S

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Feature

THE NISSAN NAVARA’S NAME IS INSPIRED BY THE NAVARRE REGION OF NORTHERN SPAIN. The Navara is so successful that you can almost find the mid-size pick-up in every single market around the world except for North America. With the recent teasers released about the updated 2021 Nissan Navara in circulation, I was reminded about how interesting the journey has been for the heavy-duty pick-up’s heritage over the past 80 years. The comeback kid, as I like to call it, is back with a vengeance. Our family’s first truck was a Datsun/Nissan double-cab pick-up with a proud sticker in the back indicating that it had “Power Steering”! I look back now with so much fondness to that old white

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Datsun / Nissan 720 Pick-Up

Nissan Navara / Frontier D22

workhorse in the late 80’s that had a distributor-type injection pump that we had to “heat-up” until the amber indicator light went away signaling that it was ready to use the modest 74 bhp and 175 lb-ft of torque on tap managed by a 5-speed manual transmission.

Nissan’s next truck in the Philippines was the first generation D22 Frontier which became our first C! Magazine cover that featured a pick-up truck back in 2003. Unfortunately, that same cover would be recognized in-house as the weakest newsstand sales we have ever had which made us very reluctant to showcase trucks on our covers for many years after.

The D22 Frontier sales were strongest outside of Metro Manila. Then in late 2004, the 2nd generation D40 Nissan Navara entered our market and solidly established the moniker with its size, updated

Feature

Nissan Navara D40

2020 NISSAN NAVARA VL NP300 Engine: Inline-4, 2488 cc, dohc 16V, Direct Injection Intercooled VGT Turbodiesel, 7-Speed AT Max Power: 187 bhp @ 3600 rpm Max Torque: 332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm Fuel Mileage: 14.8 Km/L overall as tested Top Speed: 194 km/h (121 mph) 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 10.2 sec.

Price as tested: PhP 1,539,000.00

technology, comprehensive safety and deep abilities. By 2005, we would acquire a top-spec model for our C! Fastfleet with its potent 174 bhp /297 lb-ft of torque 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission and assigned it to James Deakin who was our Managing Editor at the time.

Domestically, Nissan’s period of languishing finally came to an end in 2015 highlighted by the all-new 3rd generation Navara D23. It is truly great to see the brand and its new team thriving and charging forward with incredible energy with the products to back it all up.

Nissan produces one of the very best overall pick-up trucks in the region! As a standard double cab, the Nissan Navara NP300 with its unique multi-link coil sprung rear live axle suspension and anti-gravity seats, is still the most comfortable and best on-road handling truck in our market winning several C! Awards along the way for being the very best in class.

With a curb weight of about 70 kg less than its predecessor combined with a significantly more potent and livelier engine at 187 bhp / 332 lb-ft mated to the fabulous 7-speed automatic transmission that is applied in the 370Z sports coupé and almost every Infiniti (QX70, Q60, Q50, Q40, Q70 and QX80), the D23 optimizes the powertrain for both frugality and drivability. It got a better rear Limited Slip Differential complemented with ABLS (torque vectoring), TCS (traction control) and Vehicle

Nissan produces one of the very best overall pick-up trucks in the region!

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

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Feature

C! RATING 9.5 ⁄ 10 PLUS

The best standard double cab pick-up truck in the country, very comfortable cabin with rear a/c vents, excellent on-road handling, very capable off-road, strong packaging, fit & finish, robust, effective 360-degree camera.

MINUS

Heavily updated model coming soon. Best to buy remaining stocks at current pricing while supplies last.

Dynamic Control (stability and hill descent controls). The Navara VL performed with the agility, braking and acceleration that were more consistent with a mid-size utility vehicle. On a straight line, you may even forget that you are driving an open bed pick-up truck. The overall smoothness, ride compliancy and significantly reduced wind/road noise contributes to a real strong driving experience. The sound quality from the standard 6-speaker system was best in

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class for years and it was very easy to switch to full telephony using the steering wheel remote controls.

The chassis is so well balanced that for just over three years, Mercedes-Benz produced their X-class premium pick-up truck that was famously heavily based on the current third-generation D23 Navara.

C! Magazine has an on-going armada of long-term purchased vehicles across the market called the C! Fastfleet (which we

assign to editors and inclusive of vehicles that the board of directors own personally) and we did buy and run our long-term gauntlet of testing on both the previous model top-range Nissan Navara and the old Ford Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak.

The old D40 Navara simply cannot hold a candle to the current one in any category except that the newer bed is 8 mm shorter.

The Navara has a rated 600 mm wading depth, but it seems that many owners have dared to go even beyond that. The Navara VL has a longer list of standard equipment with better point-by-point features that include the Intelligent key/ignition, the superior LED projector headlights, a new 360-degree reverse camera, better sounding audio system, better instruments, and more comfortable and supportive seating.

Payload ratings are about 1,300 kg (3-ton towing). The Nissan Navara VL is a very well built workhorse that is one of the quickest, most nimble, and most full–featured pickup trucks in the market. With the aggressive sales promotions all throughout the country, this could be the optimal time to commit to a very well rounded and versatile truck that is at home in the deep forest as it would be in a city garage.

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

E X TR A TI M E

THE "THAI" THAT BINDS US I've heard it been said a million times over: Food is a universal language that people from any part of the world can relate to and enjoy. And what a truly enjoyable language it is to be fluent in! I wouldn't mind trotting the globe and constantly appending to my gourmand vocabulary.

WORDS: ANGEL S. RIVERO PICTURES: JAKOB KURC AND STOCK PHOTOS

Speaking of going global, have you noticed which cuisines are among the global rockstars? Thai cuisine is certainly one of them! I like to randomly ask people what type of cuisine they would choose if they had to stick to only one for the rest of their life — and Thai would always come up in the top 3. Thai food is wonderfully unique, always fresh, and full of flavor.

These flavors date all the way back to their ancient history — and are now combined with heavy influences from Chinese and Indian cuisine. The Chinese brought the Thai noodles, while the Indians shared their curry. These integrations can now be found in the Thais' famous noodle dishes, such as Pad Thai.

And the Indian influences are clearly embodied by their famous curries — green, red, and yellow.

Although if one were to describe it more accurately, Thai cooking actually incorporates flavors from all of its neighbors too, albeit more subtly — flavors from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

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Thai cuisine typically consists of 5 distinct flavors merged together in a beautiful symphony: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and spicy. Oh, and did I say spicy? The level of heat is often adjusted for unprepared foreigners. And the dishes mostly consist of a variety of meats and seafood, combined with delicious, fragrant rice, and fresh local vegetables. This spread is usually served with a soup or a kind of noodle dish.

Dessert may come in the form of colorful rice cakes, or the sweetest local fruits, or a combination of both, such as in the case of the famous Mango Sticky Rice. There are also many desserts that come with coconut milk, grass jelly, or red beans. Sometimes there are bizarre ice-cream varieties that come in flavors of Durian and Thai iced tea.

As complex dishes require complex preparations and attention to detail, cooking Thai dishes right usually entails some time spent actually living in Thailand. Such is the case with the wonderful couple — Digs and Des Dimagiba — whom I recently met, pre-

E X TR A TI M E

pandemic. They used to operate an impressively authentic Thai restaurant called Siam Sukh Jai in S Maison Mall, within the Mall of Asia Complex. Their cooking was the recommendation of a friend who is a big lover of Thai food. And while I always found it challenging to find restaurants in Metro Manila that were absolutely authentic in Thai flavors (and not too Filipinized), theirs was just spot-on amazing. They have since become my go-to people in the realm of Thai cooking in the Philippines; and they were happy to share some insights regarding the art of modern Siamese cuisine.

1. Digs and Des, how did you both acquire your skills in cooking and preparing authentic Thai cuisine?

Des & I lived in Thailand from 2004 to 2009 after we got married and then again from 2012 to 2014. We fell in love with its people and culture, especially the food. When we finally returned to Manila in 2014, we longed to have the Thai food that we love, and we wanted to share our great Thai experiences here with Filipinos.

2. What does Siam Sukh Jai mean?

Siam is the old name for Thailand and Sukh Jai means 'delight' or literally 'Happy Heart' in the Thai language. Used together as “Siam Sukh Jai,” it embodies the love for authentic Thai food that brings happiness to everyone who partakes in it.

The author with Des and Digs Dimagiba

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3. What is the common denominator of the best Thai food preparations?

We believe the best Thai food is home-cooked because from the selection of the ingredients, to the way it is presented, it will always be done with utmost care and with the intent to not just nourish the body but convey a sense of joy to a family member or an honored guest.

4. What are among your favorite dishes to recommend, say for a personally curated menu?

My curated menu will be a mix of familiar Thai favourites like Pad Thai noodles and Tom Yum Goong soup as well as relatively unheard of Thai comfort food, like the Thai Omelettes that are crispy on the outside but then melts in your mouth, or the Thai Papaya Salad that can be either served in the traditional fresh way or as crunchy salad. Drinks and desserts are also meant to delight the senses — so Iced Thai Milk Tea or Iced Lemon Tea

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E X TR A TI M E

are not to be missed! Not to mention the homemade, small batch Thai Ice Cream we make at SSJ, served in the traditional way with sticky rice.

It's always a gem when you find authentic gourmands who like to share their food passions and random insights! Because let's face it — we can't just eat good food alone... we need to talk about it too! And what better case scenario than to have these insightful discussions and recommendations from people who understand that particular kind of food.

At the end of the day, many will attest that eating food is more than just meeting one's needs for nourishment. It is also a pleasure, an indulgence.

Maybe an exploration of something new — an experience.

Like the late connoisseur Anthony Bourdain once said: “Food is everything we are. It's an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It's inseparable from those from the get-go.”

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WA N T T O G O FOR A RIDE?

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

N OV E MB E R 2 0 2 0 / IS S U E 2 2 7

BOOSTED!

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

BRAKE NOTES Because stopping is just as important as going fast

hether it’s a show n’ go or a rough n’ tough offroad type of build, there are so many aspects to consider when it comes to modding a vehicle. In fact, it’s easy to get carried away with stuff such as, how to generate more horsepower, what suspension system to choose, what accessories to put, what steps to take toward achieving a show-quality paint finish, and so on. But one of the most neglected components in the average build is the braking system.

Make no mistake, OEM brakes and rotors are adequate enough to stop your stock vehicle safely. But because of the mods infused to the vehicle like adding larger tires or gaining extra horsepower and so on, the brakes have to work much harder than what it is engineered to do. This could render it inadequate given that OEM brakes can fade very quickly under heavy use.

If you have upgraded/modded your vehicle in some way, you should also upgrade how well your vehicle stops as well.

As such, here are some aftermarket brake products that could increase your vehicle's stopping ability.

W

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Performance Brake Pads Not all brake pads are created equally as these are made with a number of different materials. This determines how much friction they can generate and their ability to resist brake fade. Opting for metallic or ceramic performance brake pads can improve brake performance as these are made with better materials that help reduce brake fade and have an overall better “bite” than stock.

Performance Rotor Discs Performance pads create more heat and friction compared to their OEM counterparts, so it would be better if these are used with a set of performance rotor discs. Aside from having a much larger diameter than stock, these are usually manufactured from highquality carbon steel and can be drilled, slotted, or both to reduce braking temperatures and improve stopping distances.

Stainless Steel Brake Hoses The hoses that conduct brake fluid to your calipers are usually made of rubber. Rubber can get the job done, but over time, these are prone to swelling, leaking, and overheating.

Upgrading to stainless steel braided hoses

reduces the chance of overheating and will dramatically improve brake pedal feel.

Big Brake Kit If you’re adding a significant amount of engine power or upgrading to a much larger set of wheels and tires, a big brake kit is the best possible modification you can make to improve your vehicle’s braking power. Big brake kits feature larger discs and rotors with braided brake cables that offer better stopping power compared to stock or OEM brakes.

Their larger size and disc area, coupled with grippier brake pads, will significantly shorten stopping distances.

Brake Fluid Depending on the manufacturer's recommended service interval, it’s a good idea to have your vehicle’s brake fluid regularly changed at least every two years. This is because even though there’s no leak in the system, the fluid itself can go ‘bad’ overtime.

Exposure to open-air eventually allows the humidity to be absorbed by the fluid due to its hygroscopic nature. This lowers its boiling point, which reduces the pressure it is able to produce for the brakes to function properly.

Wishing everyone more HP and Torque!

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

Aftermarket

DUBSHOP ON WHEELS Here’s a complete mobile shop for wheels/ tires and more Words by Francis G. Pallarco Photos by Tristan Jude Rodrigo

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PERSONALIZED SERVICE

Can’t get out to have your vehicle’s wheels and tires replaced or get a routine oil change because of the pandemic? Read on as Dubshop Philippines offers the perfect solution with their latest offering known as “Dubshop on Wheels”. Simply put, this is their personalized mobile vehicle service program that goes directly to the client’s location to perform wheel/tire changes and other car-related services. With over 30 years of experience in the wheel/ tire aftermarket industry, Dubshop Philippines prides itself in offering only the best quality tires and wheels for cars, SUVs, and pickups.

DUBSHOP ONLINE

It all starts by simply getting in touch with Dubshop Online about your specific wheel/tire needs or service requirements, then from there, they will confirm the availability of the products and proceed to schedule a delivery and installation date. Dubshop carries the latest aftermarket wheels to choose from such as; Black Mamba, Raffa, DP Off-Road, Evo, and more. When it comes to quality tires, they have brands like; Maxtrek, AMP, Sumaxx, Atturo, BFGoodrich, and Raiden. Another highlight

DUBSHOP ON WHEELS SERVICES OFFERED: Rims/Wheels Replacement Tire Mounting Tire Balancing Tire Rotation Change Oil Accessories (lights/ electrical) Off-Road Essentials (nudge bar, tow hitch, shackles, space arms, balance arms, roof rack)

of Dubshop’s latest offering that’s worth mentioning are their highly-trained service technicians that can properly do the service needed and observe the proper safety protocols. When it comes to equipment, the customized Dubshop on Wheels truck comes loaded with all the necessary tools. This even includes a modern tire changer and wheel balancing machine. This ensures that they can safely and properly perform wheel replacement, tire mounting/ dismounting and wheel balancing all in the confines of the truck.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

Apart from servicing wheels/tires, Dubshop on Wheels also offers routine vehicle maintenance services like oil changes. For off-road enthusiasts, Dubshop on Wheels also offers the sale/installation of aftermarket offroad essentials like nudge bars, shock absorbers, shackles, space arms, balance arms, and roof racks. Other accessories such as lighting and more is also possible and can be installed right where the client lives for utmost convenience, safety, and peace of mind.

FOR MORE INFO: Visit www.dubshop.ph | Message us at our official FB page at Dubshop Philippines | Follow us on Instagram: @dubshopofficial

C-MAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2020

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Tuner

HERE’S ONE SINISTER SUV FROM J WORKS UNLIMITED

STRICTLY 60

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BLACK

WORDS

FRANCIS G. PALLARCO PHOTOS

JOEY YEPEZ

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Tuner

N

ot all SUVs are created equal and the imposing Lexus LX450D strongly proves its point with an armada of top-notch luxury appointments and performance capabilities. To sum it up, it’s a modern-day luxury cruiser that comes equipped with just about everything.

Well, almost for that matter when it comes to the viewpoint of a discerning car enthusiast. They just cannot bear owning a factory stock vehicle as it needs to have its own character in order to stand out from the rest. This is where vehicle personalization and doing custom work comes in, which is

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just what John Lee of Jworks Unlimited specializes in. For years, this custom car shop has churned out way too many show-winning, high-end vehicles that are visually stunning but remain highly functional. Very much like how they transformed our featured Lexus LX450D here that has undergone a host of upgrades, turning it into one sinisterlooking and high-performing SUV. With the exterior as the starting point, Jworks Unlimited went with a Sports Line Black Label edition body kit specifically designed for the Lexus LX-series from Japanese body kit manufacturer Artisan Spirits. Catering only to high-end cars and SUVs, the company started in 1997 and has been

WIDE Apart form the wide 45mm over fenders, the rest of the Artisan Spirits wide body kit greatly adds character to the exterior of the Lexus.

consistently developing custom body kits and showcasing it at the annual Tokyo Auto Salon that’s dubbed as the “Tuner’s Mecca.” While the front fascia continues to retain the unmistakable Lexus “spindle” grille, what really makes the highly-styled Artisan Spirits Sports Line body kit stand out aside from the aggressive-looking front bumper spoiler and garnish are the wide (45mm) over fenders at the front and rear. Something that greatly adds girth to the SUV’s squarish proportions and doesn’t look exaggerated nor out of place. What’s even great is that this mod allows fitting the requisite larger wheel/tire combo. Out back, the rear bumper garnish neatly incorporates an array of diffusers and cut outs for the aftermarket quad tip exhaust. Once all the aftermarket panels have been fitted and aligned, Jworks then proceeded to refinish it giving it that show carquality paint job. Adopting a wickedlooking, all black theme for this project, all the emblems were also given the black-out treatment. Since the LX450D already comes with loads of luxury amenities, its ultra-plush interior has been kept as is, but not before a high-end Audison car audio system was neatly integrated to provide clear and crisp sounding tunes.

With close to 300 horses under the hood from a 5.7-liter, V8 engine that’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, they opted to leave the robust powerplant as is. But not before installing an Armytrix Valvetronic exhaust system. Simply put, the Valvetronic system is a variable valve system which allows the user to raise or lower the exhaust note anytime and anywhere. It’s controlled with a simple touch of the button or a smart phone via the Armytrixx App. How neat and convenient is that? The consequence of the massive overfenders are the equally huge 24-inch, S206 wheels from Forgiato that’s comes custom-finished with semi-gloss spokes and polished black wheel barrels. These are then wrapped with Nitto NT 420 Tires to keep this SUV in close contact with the pavement at all times. Speaking of tires, whenever fitting bigger wheels/

Tuner

Specifications

2018 Lexus LX450D — Jworks Unlimited — ENGINE TYPE: 4.5-litre twin-turbocharged common rail direct injection V8 diesel ENGINE MODS: Armytrix valvetronic exhaust system TRANSMISSION: 6-Speed Automatic Transmission HORSEPOWER & TORQUE: 268 hp and 480 lb-ft (Factory ratings) BRAKE MODS: AP Racing Radi-CAL II Big Brake Kit, (Calipers & 6-pot Rotors) Front & Rear AUDIO SYSTEM: Audison Sound System EXTERIOR MODS: Artisan Spirits Sports Line Black Label body kit: Front half spoiler, Rear half spoiler, Front bumper garnish, Overfenders (45mm wider), Rear gate spoiler, Carbon rear gate ROLLERS: Forgiato S206 Wheel Custom black finish (24x12), Nitto NT420 Tires (295/35R24) BODY & PAINT: Jworks Unlimited

tires, it’s always a good idea to upgrade the stock brakes for aftermarket performance rotors or calipers. Keep in mind that by opting for a larger, heavier set of wheels and tires, the brakes also have to work harder since they were designed in conjunction with the stock wheel/tire specs. Reason enough why Jworks Unlimited made sure this modded Lexus stops as good as it looks.

A set of high-performance Radi-CAL big brake kits from AP racing can be found on all four corners with 6-piston calipers up front and 4-piston calipers at the rear coupled with larger diameter

POWER & PERFORMANCE An Armytrix Valvetronic exhaust makes the engine emit all the right noises while a racespec big brake kit from AP racing makes it stop in a hurry.

rotors makes sure it stops on a dime.

While we often see SUVs modded to serve the off-road look and purpose, this neat street cruiser from Jworks Unlimited comes as a welcome sight.

By blending subtle, tuner-inspired aesthetic styling cues with car-like dynamics, it makes for an interesting and visually appealing luxury SUV. Most especially in this case with the addition of the Artisan Spirits wide body kit and the execution of the allblack-treatment that has collectively turned it into one awesome-looking Lexus SUV.

FORGIATO WHEELS Forgiato is a custom wheel manufacturer based in Los Angeles, CA. All of the wheels are built and finished in-house using all-American parts. Made using an advanced forging process, their wheels combine exceptional durability with light weight. They minimize unsprung weight, allowing for better grip, braking and acceleration, and are durable enough to withstand high bending and shearing forces. Designed with utmost attention to style, Forgiato wheels are proven to give any vehicle a distinctive luxurious feel and performance. For Inquiries: www.jworksunlimited.com

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Tuner

KEEPING IT LOW

UNLIKE MOST MODDED FJ CRUISERS THAT AIM TO GAIN MORE GROUND CLEARANCE, THIS ONE LIKES TO KEEP IT LOW WORDS

PHOTOS

FRANCIS G. PALLARCO

PAULO FERRER

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Tuner

I

ts different alright. But in the highly creative world of car customization there’s no written rule on how to build one’s vehicle. Each creation is solely dependent on the owner’s vision as to how he wants it to look in order to transform it. When it comes to modding vehicles, Ton Llave of Atoy Customs 4x4 and Body kits needs no introduction.

Having been in the industry for years, modding/upgrading vehicles for Ton is very much just like another day at the office. With the off-road craze in full swing, the demand for off road set ups for pick up’s and SUV’s continues to gain momentum as their shop can attest to. Something which prompted him to turn his attention towards his personal FJ Cruiser and envision something totally different, far from the normal off road/overlanding set up as he explains, “I decided why not lower my FJ and give it a completely different look, far from the lifted off road set ups that I have done on my pick up and other SUV’s.”

With a suspension system consisting of a double wishbone front suspension and stabilizer bar, and a rear 4-link

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with coil springs and trailing arms, Ton simply swapped out the stock coils and shocks with TEIN Endura Pro struts and fitting a set of tweaked coil springs taken from a Land Cruiser Prado. The result? A slightly lower stance coupled with those stealthy looking 17-inch, SCS F5 wheels riding on 65-series Falken

PURELY CUSTOM The race-inspired front chin with simulated brake ducts is just one of the custom exterior pieces that greatly transform how this FJ looks.

tires, giving it that street brawler/ rally raid stance that’s unlike most FJ Cruisers we see on the street. How’s the ride quality you ask? Thankfully, there’s no rough ride here for Ton says that the overall ride and handling characteristics has marginally improved from stock.

To make it stop better a Maxspeed big

Tuner brake kit consisting of larger (365mm) rotors and a 6-piston forged caliper has also been installed up front.

In order for the exterior to match the radically lowered attitude, this is where their creative juices really become apparent. After all, Atoy Customs continues to be known for their well-crafted body kits. For this application, a road race inspired, custom front chin with simulated brake ducts was fabricated which neatly integrates with the front bumper. The stock fender flares have also been replaced with carbon fiber pieces that greatly adds detail to the overall theme.

At the rear, a custom rear valance panel incorporates the twin exhaust tip housings with custom diffusers on either side completing the performance vibe. Another custom feature that they thought of is the custom hood insert and the spare tire delete panel, neatly covering up the wheel mounting points and blends well having been color matched with the FJ’s smoky

LOWERED TEIN Endura Pro Struts with a tweaked set of coil springs taken from a Prado is responsible for the FJ's lowered stance.

blue exterior color. Of course, the transformation wouldn’t be complete without a custom rear wing adding a lot of detail together with the bumper mounted PIAA auxiliary lighting.

To get more engine power, basic tried and tested bolt-on aftermarket performance parts were utilized such as an aFe GT Momentum intake, aFe throttle body spacer, custom stainlesssteel headers with dual exhaust system.

Collectively, these mods are sure to generate slight gains in power and torque. Inside, the stock seats were replaced with Recaro SR-7 seats, a Greddy steering wheel plus an upgraded car audio system round out the mods on this uniquely different FJ Cruiser.

Being able to envision something totally different and successfully executing it is probably its most outstanding build trait. What’s more, it stretches the limits as to how an FJ Cruiser can be modded. In this case, I can truly say that being different is certainly better.

Specifications

Toyota FJ Cruiser — Ton Llave Atoy Customs — ENGINE MODS: aFe GT Momentum Intake, aFe Throttle Body Spacer, Custom stainless-steel headers with dual exhaust system, Cusco Cooling Plate SUSPENSION MODS: TEIN Endura Pro Struts, Land Cruiser PRADO Coil Springs BRAKE MODS: Maxspeed Big Brake Kit 355mm Slotted Rotors, 6-pot Forged calipers, Stainless steel braided brake lines ROLLERS: Stealth Custom Series SCS F5 Wheels (17x10); Black finish with blue accent, Falken ZIEX S/TZ Tires (275/65R17) EXTERIOR MODS: Atoy Customs front chin, mid-spoiler, carbon fiber fender flares, Atoy Customs hood ornament, rear wing. rear diffuser, Atoy Customs color matched, spare tire delete panel, PIAA LP570 Fog lamps with blacked out frame, Trail team taillights, Toyota OEM step board, Toyota hitch receiver INTERIOR MODS: Recaro SR-7 seats w/railings, Greddy steering wheel, Car Audio system upgrade FOR INQUIRIES: Atoy Customs 4x4 & Body Kits 1755 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave. corner New York Street, Cubao, Quezon City 8636 0439

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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

N OV E MB E R 2 0 2 0 / IS S U E 2 2 7

TWO WHEELS ONLY

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

Buying the Right Bike

he coronavirus pandemic and the travel restrictions that came soon after sent many Filipinos buying motorcycles for personal transport or food deliveries. With over a hundred motorcycle models to choose from, choosing the right one can be daunting especially for first time motorcycle buyers.

So when people ask me what’s the right bike for them, I promptly answer “I don’t know, it depends.” Being the Wheel2Wheel section editor of C! Magazine, people somehow expect me to know the answer instantly. The current selection of available motorcycles in the market is simply mind blowing compared to just a decade ago and making an educated suggestion will take more than just the person’s budget into consideration. In fact, that’s only one of a number of considerations when it comes to choosing the right bike.

To make the selection process easier you need to narrow down your choices by asking yourself several important questions. For me, the most important thing to determine is what’s the bike going to be used for mostly.

Is it going to be used for trackdays, canyon carving, trail riding, touring, commuting, or even all of the above? To simplify things even further, think of motorcycles as a tool for specific tasks. If you love outright

T

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speed and handling and the bike’s going to be used mostly for track days or club races, then you’re better off with a sport bike than an adventure bike. If it’s mostly for commuting, then you need a small bike that’s fuel efficient, maneuverable and can easily squeeze through traffic. If you want a fast and comfortable bike for touring, then look for a sport tourer or an adventure tourer.

Most people often overlook this important bit when making their bike purchase-secured parking. Motorcycles in general are smaller and therefore easier to park compared to cars but parking can also be a problem especially in highly urbanized areas like Makati City. Consider yourself lucky if you live in a house with a secured garage because most condominiums nowadays also charge a hefty sum for monthly motorcycle parking. Some residential and office buildings don’t even have provisions for motorcycle parking so it’s wise to ask your building admin first before making a purchase. A motorcycle is by no means a small investment so security must also be considered. If you live in a condominium building with common parking for motorcycles, then it’s wise to invest in a sturdy cable or disc lock and a good motorcycle cover.

After determining the bike’s intended purpose and securing a parking space for it, then it’s time to choose the right bike. But

before going into specifics everything will all boil down to how much money you’re willing to spend for a bike. If you’re eyeing an underbone or a scooter for commuting, then be prepared to spend somewhere between 45K to 125K. If you want a decent Dual-sport motorcycle for trail riding, then set aside a budget of 80K to 140K. If you want an entrylevel Japanese sportbike, then be ready to spend somewhere in between 150K to 320K. Japanese Super Sport bikes and Superbikes retail between 600K to 900K. The general rule of motorcycle pricing is that it normally increases with the number of added features, cylinders and/or displacement. European brands on the other hand usually command a higher premium to their Japanese counterparts regardless of displacement or number of cylinders.

If after all these you’re still undecided on what bike is right for you, well you can do worse by not looking at our annual buyer’s guide available in print or on our website www.c-magazine.com. Whatever you do, don't buy on impulse. Do your homework first and do a thorough research about a particular bike before parting ways with your hard earned money. If possible, request for a test ride to get a real taste of what you’re buying. In the end there are really few bad motorcycles out there, just bad purchasing decisions.

share the road check your mirrors for motorcyclists

a reminder from

ride safe.

stay alive.

Wheel2Wheel

News

RIDE AHEAD Suzuki Launch Four New Motorcycles Words by Maynard M. Marcelo Photos by SPH WITH THE DANGERS POSED by the highly infectious coronavirus, the last thing you want to do is hop on a crowded bus and breath the same enclosed air with a dozen other passengers you don’t know. Consider yourself lucky if they properly wear their face masks and practice social distancing, but based on our recent observations this is rarely followed, let alone enforced. With still no COVID-19 vaccine in sight, we are pretty much on our own right now. So if you don’t own a car and need to go places, the safest mode of transportation to practice social distancing right now is on a motorcycle. Suzuki recently launched four new motorcycles, namely the Skydrive Crossover, Burgman Street, Gixxer 250, and the Gixxer SF250, to let you ride ahead in the new normal.

BURGMAN STREET The Suzuki Burgman Street 125 is a premium and well-designed maxi scooter that has the perfect blend of sophistication, comfort and practicality. Inspired after the Burgman defining urban smart riding, the Burgman Street is equipped with advanced technology giving you a safe and comfortable ride on a premium designed body.

Advanced Technology The Burgman Street is powered by an all aluminum 4-stroke, single cylinder, 125cc fuel- injected Suzuki Eco Performance engine making it powerful and fuel-efficient generating 53.50km/L* fuel efficiency (*based

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on World Motorcycle Test Cycle).

It boasts of a Combined Brake System providing superior running performance and control.

It sports a fully digital instrument panel with a digital clock, a fuel gauge, an oil change indicator, and dual trip meters which easily keep track of the distance between trips and measures the fuel-efficiency. It also comes with a lidded 2L front glove box with optional USB charger for charging your mobile devices.

The Burgman Street has an integrated engine start and kill switch allowing for a single push starter switch to fire up the engine and turn it off easily and a one push central locking for safety.

Premium Design The Burgman Street, like its higher displacement brothers, has a LED headlight, position lamp and tail lamp that enhance rider visibility at night. Its body mounted windscreen is inspired from maxi scooters which helps reduce wind drag to improve aerodynamics.

It features an upward muffler design that further enhances its sporty and premium look. The chrome accent trims made the Burgman Street looking more elegant.

Safe and Comfortable The Burgman Street has a 21-liter underseat compartment that is spacious enough for personal belongings. It has an elevated seat design that promotes

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Wheel2Wheel

it more user-friendly and comfortable for riders, the Suzuki Skydrive Crossover has a large floorboard, a low 740mm seat height, a 150mm high ground clearance, and a front disc brake for better stopping power.

The Skydrive Crossover is available in four dynamic colors: Daytona Yellow, Pearl Ash Blue, Strong Red and Solid Black and is priced at PhP 69,900.

THE GIXXER 250 SERIES

ease for long rides and a comfortable floorboard for a more flexible foot position. It also has dual utility hooks for added convenience.

The Burgman Street comes in two elegant colors – the Metallic Matte Fibroin Gray and Glass Sparkle Black and is priced handsomely at PhP 76,900.

THE SKYDRIVE CROSSOVER The Skydrive Crossover is similar to the Skydrive Sport except that it was optimised, a first in the sub 100k scooter category in the Philippines, for use on rough roads. Like the Skydrive Sport, the Skydrive Crossover is equipped with a 113cc engine carrying the brand’s signature Suzuki Eco Performance Fuel Injection technology

to deliver maximum power at optimum fuel-efficiency.

This scooter is also stylish with features that are very edgy and nimble.

The decals represent a more aggressive and sporty impression. It has a new fully digital instrument panel for easy viewing and displays a variety of information like a trip-meter, digital clock, speedometer and a battery voltage indicator. To complete the overall sporty look, the Suzuki Skydrive Crossover has a colored brake caliper and suspension.

The Skydrive Crossover is equipped with semi-block tires which deliver great performance on both paved and unpaved roads. It also boasts of a sport touring handlebar for an easy and relaxed riding position. To make

One for street, and one for sport – the Gixxer 250 Series is equipped with a newly developed engine in an elegant and aggressive body offering a safe and comfortable ride. These new rides are powered by a newly developed 250cc, sohc, oil-cooled, 4-valve, fuel injected engine equipped with Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) technology. It has an oil cooling system equipped with an auxiliary cooling fan for improved cooling performance resulting in higher durability.

Wrapping the powerful engine is a bold, tough, edgy and sharp body shape conveying agility, precision and vitality that gives the Gixxer 250 Series a refined and aggressive look with sporty LED headlight and tail light. It also has an inverted LCD instrument panel for a more elegant look and better visibility.

It features a dual exhaust muffler and has a split seat design that suits its sporty character as well as ensuring easy access to the ground and for better thigh grip.

The Gixxer 250 series offers a safe and comfortable ride with its high rigidity frame and swing arm for durability as well as stability. It has a 7-step spring preload adjustable rear shock absorber for a more comfortable ride. It sports a large 300mm diameter front disc rotor for a high braking force equipped with a dual-channel ABS system that prevents the wheels from locking up.

The Gixxer 250 is available in Metallic Matte Black and is priced at PhP 165,000 while the Gixxer SF250 comes in Special Edition Triton Blue and Silver with an SRP of PhP 175,000 and will be available in Suzuki stores by December.

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News

YAMAHA MOTOR PHILIPPINES LAUNCH WR155R Words by Maynard M. Marcelo Photos by YMPH IN A VIDEO PREMIERE held last October 25, 2020 Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. launched the newest addition to their WR series of dual sport motorcycles: the new WR155R. The WR’s dual purpose design functions seamlessly for both dirt and asphalt roads for extreme versatility making them the favorite of many enduro and recreational trail riders all over the world.

The name WR was actually derived from the technical term “Wide Ratio”, which describes the gear ratios of the gearbox ideal for enduro and trail riding. This WR series is built for heavy duty excitement and total control on any surface; the dual sport excellence of the series is the pinnacle of Yamaha’s signature off-road design that enhances performance in a variety of conditions.

Powering the WR155R is a lightweight 6-speed 155cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected engine with Variable Valve Actuation optimizing performance at both low and high speeds for power and control in every road condition.

Lightweight aluminum rims shod with dual-purpose tires are optimised for road and off-road riding. A compact LCD instrument panel displays a tachometer, speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, fuel gauge, clock, fuel mileage, gear position indicator, and VVA indicator.

The 8.1L Fuel Tank was designed to be slim which strikes a fine balance with the chassis design and has a large capacity for long rides. The WR's stylish flat seat has a large degree of riding position that eases the movement of the rider. For optimum performance,

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the front suspension features a 41 mm upright front fork with coil springs and dampers. The linked type Monocross rear suspension produces a softer spring rate and excellent damping performance; its gas-charged absorber delivers consistency during long periods of riding.

For maximum rigidity and excellent balance, the WR155R is equipped with a semi double cradle frame. The Wave style disc brake provides ample stopping power on both ends of the motorcycle. This design allows the

The new Yamaha WR155R brings liquid-cooling and Variable Valve Actuation technology to the 150cc dual sport class in the Philippine market.

It's also the most powerful in its class.

brake pads more grip on the discs which results in excellent braking control in various riding conditions. It is also equipped with a hazard lamp allowing you to signal other riders during distinct situations.

The WR155R is a 100% street-legal motorcycle that you can also use for your off-road adventures. The WR155R has two color variations: Yamaha Blue and Yamaha Black, with an SRP of 169,000 and is available at the Yamaha Flagship Shop the YZone, and Yamaha Rev Zones nationwide.

News

Wheel2Wheel

KTM PHILIPPINES LAUNCH NEWGENERATION 200 DUKE Words by Maynard M. Marcelo Photos by KTM KTM PHILIPPINES offers the newgeneration 200 Duke as the perfect introduction for Filipinos aspiring to own their first KTM Motorcycle. The new generation 200 Duke offers a standout look similar to the 390 Duke and best-in-class features that will certainly make it the motorcycle of choice for most Filipino riders.

Dubbed as “The Light Heavyweight,” the 200 Duke now comes in an incredibly lighter yet hefty package with its fresh frame, enhanced ultracompact single cylinder liquid-cooled engine and Euro 4 emission. Aside from these improvements, the new KTM 200 Duke retains its defining standard features such as the halogen lamp, LED indicator lights, aluminum swing arm, lightweight aluminum wheels, and premium WP suspension.

It’s also now equipped with an undetectable ABS system that helps you brake smoothly and keeps your ride safe in any riding conditions. And with the SuperMoto mode on, you also have the option to turn off the ABS in the rear tire. User experience also boasts of precise steering coupled with comfortable ergonomics.

With the competitive introductory price of PhP159,000, it comes in Orange and White colors. The new generation KTM 200 Duke is now available at select KTM authorized dealers nationwide.

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BIKE REVIEW

DUCATI SCRAMBLER DESERT SLED WORDS

PHOTOS

MAYNARD M. MARCELO

RANDY SILVA-NETTO

W

hen Ducati launched the Scrambler series five years ago, some riders thought it was too road oriented for real off-road riding, which was some kind of a misnomer considering it was inspired by the scrambler motorcycles that ruled the Southern California deserts in the 1960’s. So in 2017 Ducati launched the most dirt-bike-like Scrambler: the Desert Sled.

The Ducati Scramblers are pretty capable bikes in their own respects but while their harsh suspension tuning, limited ground clearance, and abrupt throttle response works well on the road, they somehow become a liability when you’re off it.

To make the Scrambler more offroad capable, Ducati reinforced the chassis around the swingarm pivot and engine mounts to cope with off-road riding including lengthening the swingarm a little bit, replacing the front and rear suspension with fully adjustable KYB upside-down forks and rebound and preload adjustable rear shock, and changing the front wheel size to 19 inches (from 18 inches), a popular size for most adventure bikes.

The new suspension setup increased the suspension travel from 150mm to 200mm front and rear, which is more than some adventure bikes.

Unfortunately, this also translated to a higher 840 mm seat height (from 798mm). Thankfully Ducati made the seat narrower in front to make it easier for vertically challenged riders like

Wheel2Wheel

me to reach the ground. Also it’s good to know that the Philippine market Scrambler Desert Sled already has the low seat option installed rather than the standard height of 860mm.

If you are above average in height then good for you, because the Scrambler Desert Sled, despite being heavier at 209 kg., took the best qualities of the regular Scrambler, then improved upon all its weaknesses to come up with perhaps the best looking, best performing, and most comfortable bike in the entire 803cc Scrambler lineup.

Speaking of which, the Desert Sled still uses the tried and proven 803cc air-cooled L-twin with 2 valves per cylinder that pumps out a respectable 75 horsepower and 50 lb-ft of torque, but Ducati added a shaped cam in the throttle to smoothen out the power

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delivery. And it works! Gone is the jerky throttle response you get when you apply throttle from a partial or closed position. Greatly improving rideability in any gear, at any speed, and on any terrain. All post 2018 Scramblers were treated to this important upgrade.

The revised throttle makes the Desert Sled more enjoyable to ride. Torque is served progressively rather than in one huge serving.

These little changes collectively improved the Scrambler’s overall performance. From an ergonomics perspective, the new braced handlebars are wider and taller, creating the best riding position in relation to the seat and footpegs. It’s higher than the regular Scrambler but this makes it more comfortable whether you’re sitting down or standing up on the foot

Little upgrades to the Scrambler made significant effects to the Scrambler Desert Sled's off-road capabilities. Making it the most dirt-bikelike in the Scrambler lineup.

pegs. It also provides more leverage for tipping into the corners. The serrated footpegs have rubber inserts to dampen vibrations when riding on the road but they can be removed for better grip when riding off-road.

Next to the throttle the biggest improvement over the regular Scrambler is the suspension. The increased suspension travel somehow made the Desert Sled handle much better. Perhaps the higher center of gravity improved its agility. On the road it doesn’t require massive effort to tip into corners and it holds a steady line.

The fully adjustable KYB suspension feels premium in their ability to deal with road imperfections, speed bumps, and potholes.

Off road it feels much like a well sorted enduro motorcycle. It feels

Wheel2Wheel

comfortable going over rough gravel roads, dirt roads, and sand. Gone is the harshness associated with the cheap feeling regular Scrambler’s suspension.

The Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires no doubt play a big part in the Desert Sled’s off-road capabilities but they are surprisingly grippy on the road for a knobby tire as well.

Like the 2019 Scramblers that were treated to a host of additional features such as a new LED daytime running light, revised instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, gear indicator, a fuel gauge, hydraulic clutch with an adjustable lever, and cornering ABS, the Scrambler Desert Sled also gets the additional benefit of an off-road riding mode that allows you to turn off the ABS for your extreme riding enjoyment on the dirt. Exclusive to the Desert Sled are the aluminum skid plate, mesh headlight guard, enduro style front mudguard, and red frame (our test unit was the pre-2019 Desert Sled).

As good a bike the Scrambler Desert Sled is, it’s not a bike for everybody. If you’re looking for a comfortable bike to go long distance touring on, there are more comfortable adventure bikes out there with wind protection and provisions for a top box and panniers.

If you want a bike to go trail riding on, then there are lighter and more capable dual sport bikes out there to go trail riding on.

The Desert Sled on the other hand, is a bike for those who love its simplicity and most of all, its undeniably hipster styling. If you’re that type of person, then you will love everything the Desert Sled has to offer. It rides better than its shorter-suspended siblings, the handling’s more delightful on and off-road, and the ride comfort is much more inviting for long periods of riding.

If you are drawn to its styling, can afford its PhP 835,000 price tag and can handle its 840mm seat height, then this is the Scrambler to get.

Specifications: Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled — Engine: efi, air-cooled, L-twin, 4 stroke, 4 valves | Displacement: 803 cc | Max Power: 73 bhp @ 8250 rpm | Max Torque: 49 lb-ft @ 5750 rpm | Transmission: 6-speed Seat Height: 840 mm | Fuel Capacity: 13.5 Liters | Curb Weight: 209 kg | Tire, front: 120/70-19 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR | Tire, rear: 170/60-17 Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR Brakes, front/rear: Disc/Disc abs | Price: PhP 835,000.00 | Plus: Smoother throttle response, better suspension, comfy ergonomics, off-road capable | Minus: Tall seat height Rating: 9/10

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BIKE REVIEW:

2020 HONDA SUPRA GTR 150 WORDS AND PHOTOS

RANDY SILVA-NETTO

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Wheel2Wheel

H

onda Philippines launched another contender to the 150cc underbone sport segment.

No, this is not the sports car that was launched the same year and not a sportbike but a sport underbone and they dubbed this the Speed Aggressor.

You need to come up with a sporty and aggressive name if you want to outshoot the Sniper or dethrone the King. Honda featured this on a racetrack so this is not just some daily commuter, this can also be your track bike on weekends. Honda describes this as a work and play bike donned with sharp and aggressive fairings and graphics, and it has carbon-looking plastics on some areas.

The Honda Supra GTR 150, just like the Sniper and the Raider, has a 150-cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, fuelinjected engine. The 6-speed manual transmission is equipped with a clutch for maximum control and the rear monoshock and 17-inch rims keep you planted on the road. It is also equipped with front and rear disc brakes offering good stopping power. The GTR 150 leans a bit on the sporty side giving it a sporty geometry, but not too much so you can still enjoy the daily commute and avoid any back strains. The seat has adequate space for the rider but the pillion seat is a bit small in my opinion.

If you want to bring your girlfriend or maybe your boyfriend for a ride, I would suggest getting a slightly bigger scooter for comfort because of its wider seat. Checking out the storage space underneath the seat, it has none. So,

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you’re stuck with a backpack, a belt bag, or a top box if you want to carry extra stuff with you. The 780mm seat height is pinoy friendly, shorter riders can confidently ride this specially beginner riders who want to try out riding with a manual clutch.

The GTR 150 has a digital instrument panel with all the basic information you need plus gear, coolant temperature, and check engine indicator. It has LED headlights, already becoming standard in small bikes today. It still has a kick start in case the electric starter fails because your battery ran out of juice.

Honda claims that it can go 42 kilometers on a liter of fuel and I think it is reasonable given that it has a 150-cc

engine and a manual transmission. It can probably reach 50 km/l assuming you’re easy on the throttle, but this is a sporty underbone granting an aboveaverage amount of acceleration and speed, going easy is hard and you’ll quickly find yourself looking for a pump with an empty 4.5L fuel tank. This bike can easily reach 100 km/h and above, and can cruise around 80kph at just 6000 rpm. Overtaking is easier and safer, given its acceleration, and its slimmer profile can squeeze through Metro Manila traffic jams.

The Speed Aggressor comes in two colors, the Valiant Red and the Black.

It is already available at Honda dealers with a price tag of PHP 102,900.

Specifications: 2020 Honda Supra GTR 150 — Engine: efi, liquid-cooled, 1 cylinder, 4 stroke, 4 valves, dohc | Displacement: 150 cc | Max Power: 15.42 hp @ 9000 rpm | Max Torque: 10.03 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm | Transmission: 6-speed Seat Height: 786 mm | Fuel Capacity: 4.5 Liters | Tire, front: 90/80-17 | Tire, rear: 120/70-17 | Brakes, front/rear: Hydraulic, Discs/Disc | Curb Weight: 121 kg Price: PhP 102,900.00 | Plus: Potent motor, agile handling, good styling | Minus: No underseat compartment |

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Rating: 9/10

M AGAZINE'S

BUYER'S GUIDE THE BIG BOYS

THESE VEHICLES ADD PRACTICALITY TO ANY ADVENTURE

BUYER’S GUIDE

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

MID-SIZE TRUCK-BASED SUVS The Mid-Size SUV class is one of the best-selling categories in the Philippines, making the competition in it a fierce one. To celebrate the welcoming back of the Monthly Buyer’s Guide, we decided to give a rundown on why this class is a highly coveted one.

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RIDE HEIGHT With an average of 220mm in this category, it is one of the highest vehicles from the ground you can buy off the showroom. With a ride height this high, it allows the driver to comfortably go through potholes, ditches, and rough roads without any damage to the body or undercarriage. This makes Mid-Size TruckBased SUVs a popular choice here in the Philippines.

CARGO SPACE These vehicles can either sit 7 people or carry a lot of cargo inside with the seats folded. The versatility of the interior space is up to your imagination. And unlike the pick-ups, whatever you put inside will be safe from harsh conditions outside. For grown families or for people who have small businesses, this might be the factor that makes you buy a Mid-Size Truck-Based SUV.

DIESEL POWER With diesel being the cheaper fuel, it goes without saying that it is also the fuel of choice in the Philippines. Its benefits don’t end there. You also get better fuel mileage from this powerplant and pulling power that can carry a lot of weight. Even at full load, these Mid-Size Truck-Based SUVs will move around effortlessly.

OFF-ROAD CAPABLE In this class, a huge chunk of buyers prefer to get the 4x2. And that’s alright! With the power and technologies of today, these vehicles can handle soft roads easily. For those who crave to go through the harsher off-road courses, they should get the 4x4 variants. Even fresh from the showroom, these SUVs are capable of rucking it out.

C-MAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2020

85

BUYER’S GUIDE

Chevrolet Trailblazer Chevrolet Trailblazer

Engine/Drive: Front/ Rear or Four

Body/Seats: 5 dr SUV/ 7

POWERTRAIN

L/W/H: 4887mm/2132mm/1852mm PERFORMANCE

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 3096mm

SAFET Y

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 1550-1700kg

INTERIOR

PRICE

Fuel

Displacement (L)

Config.

Power (bhp)

TM

0-100 km/h

ABS

Airbags

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

Leather

Sun Roof

2.5 4x2 LT

D

2.5T

I4

163

280

6M

12.5

180

10.1

14.1

S

4

N

S

N

N

1,618,888

—

2.8 4x2 LT

D

2.8T

I4

200

369

6A

10.1

200

8.5

13.5

S

4

N

S

N

N

—

1,708,888

2.8 4x2 LTX

D

2.8T

I4

200

369

6A

10.1

200

8.5

13.5

S

4

S

S

S

N

—

1,805,888

Z71

D

2.8T

I4

200

369

6A

10.1

200

8.5

13.5

S

4

S

S

S

N

—

1,998,888

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

Ford Everest Ford Everest

Engine/Drive: Front/ Rear or Four

Body/Seats: 5 dr SUV/ 7

POWERTRAIN

86

L/W/H: 4893mm/1862mm/1836mm PERFORMANCE Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 1866-1968kg

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)

2.2L Trend 4x2

D

2.2T

I4

160

284

6A

11.2

180

10.3

13.2

S

4

S

S

N

N

—

1,738,000

2.0L Turbo Sport 4x2

D

2.0T

I4

180

310

10A

10.4

190

8

16

S

4

S

S

N

N

—

1,868,000

2.0L Turbo Titanium 4x2

D

2.0T

I4

180

310

10A

10.4

190

8

16

S

8

S

S

S

S

—

1,995,000

2.0L Bi-Turbo Titanium+ 4x4

D

2.0TT

I4

213

369

10A

9.8

200

8.5

14.5

S

8

S

S

S

S

—

2,299,000

NOVEMBER 2020 • C-MAGAZINE.COM

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 3226mm

SAFET Y

BUYER’S GUIDE

Isuzu mu-X Isuzu mu-X

Engine/Drive: Front/ Rear or Four

Body/Seats: 4 dr SUV/ 5

POWERTRAIN

L/W/H: 4825mm/1860mm/1840mm PERFORMANCE

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2845mm

SAFET Y

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 1650-1750kg

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)

RZ4E LS 4x2

D

1.9T

I4

150

258

6A

12.7

170

10.2

18.2

S

2

N

S

N

N

—

1,350,000

RZ4E LS-A 4x2

D

2.5T

I4

134

236

6M

12.7

170

10.2

18.2

S

2

S

S

N

N

1,670,000

1,545,000

LS-A 3.0 4x2 Blue Power

D

3.0T

I4

163

280

6A

13.2

170

8.1

16.1

S

2

S

S

S

N

—

1,795,000

LS-A 3.0 4x4 Blue Power

D

3.0T

I4

163

280

6A

—

—

—

—

S

2

S

S

S

N

—

2,145,000

JMC Orion JMC Orion

Engine/Drive: Front/ Rear

Body/Seats: 5 dr SUV/ 7

POWERTRAIN Fuel

Displacement (L)

D

2.4T

L/W/H: 4740mm/1895mm/1862mm PERFORMANCE

Config.

Power (bhp)

Torque (lb-ft)

I4

124

214

Wheelbase: 2750mm

SAFET Y

TM

0-100 km/h

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

ABS

Airbags

5M

—

160

—

—

S

2

Curb Weight: 1440kg

INTERIOR

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

N

S

PRICE

Leather

Sun Roof

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

S

N

1,130,000

—

C-MAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2020

87

BUYER’S GUIDE

Mitsubishi Montero Sport Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Engine/Drive: Front/ Rear

Body/Seats: 5 dr SUV/ 7

POWERTRAIN

L/W/H: 4785mm/1815mm/1805mm PERFORMANCE

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2800mm

SAFET Y

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 1935-1910kg

INTERIOR

PRICE

Fuel

Displacement (L)

Config.

Power (bhp)

TM

0-100 km/h

ABS

Airbags

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

Leather

Sun Roof

GLX 2.4D 2WD

D

2.4T

I4

176

317

6M

10

180

12.5

18.5

S

2

N

S

N

N

1,565,000

—

GLS 2.4D 2WD

D

2.4T

I4

176

317

8A

10.5

200

12.5

18.5

S

2

N

S

N

N

—

1,769,000

GT 2.4D 2WD

D

2.4T

I4

176

317

8A

10.5

200

12.5

18.5

S

6

S

S

S

S

—

1,999,000

GT 2.4D 4WD

D

2.4T

I4

176

317

8A

10.5

200

12.5

18.5

S

6

S

S

S

S

—

2,450,000

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

Nissan Terra Nissan Terra

Engine/Drive: Front/Rear or Four

Body/Seats: SUV/ 7

POWERTRAIN

88

L/W/H: 4885mm/1865mm/1835mm PERFORMANCE Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 2056kg

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)

EL 4x2

D

2.5T

I4

190

322

7A/6M

11

170

9

13

S

6

N

S

N

N

1,524,000

1,640,000

VE 4x2

D

2.5T

I4

190

322

7A

11

170

9

13

S

6

N

S

N

N

—

1,737,000

VL 4x2

D

2.5T

I4

190

322

7A

11

170

9

13

S

6

S

S

N

N

—

1,949,000

VL 4x4

D

2.5T

I4

190

322

7A

11

170

9

13

S

6

S

S

S

N

—

2,176,000

NOVEMBER 2020 • C-MAGAZINE.COM

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2850mm

SAFET Y

BUYER’S GUIDE

SsangYong Rexton SsangYong Rexton

Engine/Drive: Front/ Rear or Four

Body/Seats: 5 dr SUV/7

POWERTRAIN

L/W/H: 4850mm/1960mm/1825mm PERFORMANCE

Torque (lb-ft)

Wheelbase: 2865mm

SAFET Y

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

Curb Weight: 2175kg

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)

Rexton 4x2

D

2.2T

I4

173

310

7AT

11.1

195

11.2

17.2

S

6

S

S

S

—

—

1,760,000

Rexton 4x4

D

2.2T

I4

173

310

7AT

—

—

9.3

15.3

S

6

S

S

S

S

—

2,260,000

Toyota FJ Cruiser Toyota FJ Cruiser

Engine/Drive: Front/ Four

Body/Seats: 5 dr SUV/ 5

POWERTRAIN Fuel

Displacement (L)

G

4

L/W/H: 4670mm/1905mm/1830mm PERFORMANCE

Config.

Power (bhp)

Torque (lb-ft)

V6

268

280

Wheelbase: 2690mm

SAFET Y

TM

0-100 km/h

Top Speed (km/h)

City km/L

Highway km/L

ABS

Airbags

5A

8

180

6.1

8.1

S

2

Curb Weight: 1948kg

INTERIOR

Stability

USB/ AUX/BT

S

S

PRICE

Leather

Sun Roof

PhP (MT)

PhP (AT)

N

N

—

2,083,000

C-MAGAZINE.COM • NOVEMBER 2020

89

BUYER’S GUIDE

marketplace

people . events. promotions

Toyota Fortuner

Racing Spark Plug Toyota Fortuner

Engine/Drive: Front/ Rear or Four

Body/Seats: 5 dr SUV/ 7

POWERTRAIN Fuel

Displacement (L)

Torque (lb-ft)

2.4 4x2 G

D

2.4T

I4

TM

0-100 km/h

148

295

6M/6A

2.4 4x2 V

D

2.4T

13.2

I4

148

295

6A

2.8 4x2 Q

D

13.2

2.8T

I4

201

369

6A

12.2

2.8 4x2 LTD 2.8 4x4 LTD

D

2.8T

I4

201

369

6A

10.2

D

2.8T

I4

201

369

6A

10.2

Config. Power (bhp)

Racing plugs differ from standard plugs, both in appearance and performance, and often sacrifice plug life, and efficiency at low-speeds for optimum performance and durability under torturous racing conditions.

Racing plugs do not improve output.

The short ground electrode is also highly durable against mechanical shock.

*Semi-surface Discharge Type In a sense, this is the ultimate plug configuration. Nearby all insulator cracking L/W/H: 4795mm/1855mm/1835mm Wheelbase: 2745mm melting can Curb Weight: 1752kg and electrode be prevented with this type. Nevertheless, service life and low• Fine wire center electrodes provide better PERFORMANCE SAFET Y INTERIOR PRICE speed performance may suffer slightly. sparkling and enhanced ignitability • Fine wire Top Speed City ground electrodes further USB/ Sun Highway km/L ABS Airbags Stability Leather PhP (MT) PhP (AT) (km/h) km/L AUX/BT *Projected TypeRoof improve the ignitability of the plug Quite similar to a standard spark plug • Greater durability and lower voltage 180 13 19 S 3 S S N N 1,633,000 1,723,000 electrode, these plugs give good overall requirement 180 13throttle response 19 S 3 S S N in lightly N 1,633,000 1,827,000 performance tuned and naturally • Improve aspirated engines, as well as good 180 13 19 S 3 S S N N — 1,998,000 performance in the low to medium torque *Oblique Electrode Type 180 13 19 S 7 in S S S N — 2,244,000 range in turbo engines.

These provide superior performance turbocharged engines with power boosts of 180 13 19 S 7 S S S N — 2,404,000 50% or more.

Can you CatCh up?

the ultimate automotive authority

www.c-magazine.com

90

N O V E2019 M B-EMarketplace R 2 0 2 0 copy.indd • C - M A G158 AZINE.COM C! Vol 17 Issue 208 March

4/14/2020 3:17:00 PM

Our Picks Just like in life, car companies experience their ups and downs. For some of these companies, these downs were as close to bankruptcy as Ayrton Senna taking a fast corner. If it weren’t for these cars, their companies would have been a sheer memory of what was and what could be. So, to honor these veterans that fought the war of car sales, these are the top 5 cars that saved their company: Words by Nicolas A. Calanoc

05 Volvo XC90 I guess it is best to start off this list with a recent one.

There was a time when Volvo was under Ford back in 2002. From a stagnant brand that was going downhill, the Volvo XC90 struck a chord that rang so well with the US and European market. In recent years, Volvo left the umbrella of Ford, but the all-new XC90 showed the world that Volvo is a company to reckon with when they have their own engineering and design to depend on.

04 Aston Martin DB7

TOP 5 CARS

THAT SAVED THEIR COMPANY 05

04

03

02

Despite their great history and iconic DB5, it seemed like Aston Martin was going to write themselves into the history books during the late 1980s with nothing new in sight. When Ford intervened, Aston Martin was put back on the map with the DB7. What made it such a hit was it was a supercar with a relatively low entry price.

03 BMW 700 It’s really hard to believe that there was a time BMW was struggling in sales. But it did happen. During the late 1950s, BMW was having real trouble selling their whole model range of the 501, 503, and 507. But in 1959, the BMW 700 debuted with their first implementation of a monocoque chassis, which at the time gave remarkable improvements in handling. From a coupe version, saloon and convertible versions followed suit, just like they have in their current models today.

02 Porsche 986 Boxster and 996 911 If I told you that in 1992, Porsche was close to going bankrupt, would you believe me? Well, that actually happened. But with Wendelin Wiedeking as the new boss with a background in production, Porsche got back on their feet with the 986 Boxster and 996 911. The secret: common parts save cash. Water-cooling was also introduced, which later became accepted when the GT variants came out.

01 Volkswagen Golf Mk I How do you follow up to something as iconic as the Volkswagen Beetle? That was the fear they had, which only grew bigger when failed models and concept attempts were canned. But with the leadership of Rudolph Leiding, the move to make totally new models proved to be successful, with the Volkswagen Golf Mk I being at the forefront.

96

NOVEMBER 2020 • C-MAGAZINE.COM

01

TAKE COMFORT IN TAKING THE LEAD. THE LEXUS ES. Lexus.com.ph

/LexusManila

@LexusManila

REFINEMENT REINVENTED o

8 Rear Power Reclining Seats Rear Seat Control Panel Power Rear Window Sunshade Rear Door Sunshade Triple-Zone Air Conditioning Lexus Climate Concierge Semi-Aniline Leather Upholstery Expansive Legroom

You can embark on a journey—or you can transform it into a relaxing getaway with the Lexus ES. Inspired by the Lexus philosophy of refinement, every detail turns your drive into a well-deserved reward—from its provocative design, world-class interiors, and advanced handling stability.

Because you deserve the kind of comfort that pushes you forward.

The Lexus ES is available now.

Visit our Lexus showroom at Bonifacio Global City and test drive it today.

(632) 8856 5050

INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING Global Architecture-K Platform 3.5L V6 Direct-Injection Atkinson-Cycle Engine 8-Speed Direct-Shift Automatic Transmission 18-Inch Noise-Reducing Alloy Wheels

INTUITIVE TECHNOLOGY 17-Speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System 12.3-Inch Electro Multi-Vision Center Display Intuitive Heads-Up Display 7-Inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Meter Paddle Shifters Ergonomic Drive Mode Selector Location Remote Touch Interface USB Charging Port with 12-Volt Socket

Official Service Center: WATCHWORKS. 2/F ALI MALL, Araneta Center, Quezon City