|
By Brian Afuang
Held from March 29 to April 1,
the 3rd Manila International Auto Show assembled some of the
country’s most gorgeous automotive models (and some of the human
female variety, too) on the display floors of the remaining World
Trade Center in Pasay City. Parked next to the new products of
participating manufacturers were exotic cars that bore hallowed
marques like Ferrari, Lambhorghini, Aston Martin and Jaguar. There
was even a Ford GT, not to mention the Nissan Skyline “Godzilla”
that came fresh from the Japan Touring Car Championship. Don’t
believe the ancient Hotdog pop ditty: Manila have more to offer than
“nagliliparang jeepneys.”
Here are some of the show’s
highlights.
Subaru’s scintillating stars
Think blue, think World Rally
Championship and Subaru comes to mind. So parked at the Subaru booth
at the show were Motor Image Pilipinas’—the official distributor
of Subaru vehicles in the country—potent lineup of Outback
crossover, Forester sport-ute, Legacy Wagon and Sedan, and a
signature WRC blue Impreza STI that’s virtually a rollcage away
from taking on the production car class of any world rally event.
Recently cited as the best luxury
SUV, the Outback is powered by 3.0-liter six-pot engine that—like
any Subaru—follows a horizontally opposed configuration. All of
the engine’s 245 horses can efficiently be called to duty through
the vehicle’s Subaru Intelligent Drive system which allows for
three distinct power settings: a fuel-efficient Intelligent mode, a
more aggressive Sport mode, and a totally kickass Sport Sharp mode
for a virtual PS3 experience.
For its part, the 2006 best
entry-level SUV winner, the Forester, is packaged as a
value-for-money proposition for enthusiasts who won’t settle for
anything less but wouldn’t want or aren’t allowed (mostly by
spouses) to dip into their kids’ educational funds. Like the rest
of the Subaru brethren, the Forester boasts of symmetrical all-wheel
drive.
The biggest star, of course, is
the Impreza STI. And Subaru put its money where its mouth is by
having Russ Swift demonstrate the STI’s rally ways through a
performance and precision driving show.
Ford’s diesel power
Ford Group Phils. (FGP)
introduced what could well be the most interesting vehicle at the
show; a Focus hatchback that runs by diesel power. In concept car
form, the Focus diesel is an absolute killer with its racing blue
paintjob, white skunk stripes and large, gray alloys shod with
O-ring-like tires.
“By adding a diesel-fed vehicle
to our Ford Focus portfolio, we aim to make 2007 more exciting for
Filipino motorists,” says FGP assistant vice- president for
passenger cars Glen Dasig. “The dynamic, new Ford Focus diesel
concept brings outstanding levels of refinement and driving
enjoyment, things that are normally associated with gasoline-fed
engines only,” Dasig adds.
The Focus diesel packs a DuraTorq
engine that’s fed by a second-generation common rail injection
technology—identical to the ones that power the new Everest and
Ranger. An electronically controlled system, Ford says the Focus’s
diesel engine is surprising for the things it doesn’t have, and
these are the embarrassing clatter and annoying harshness most
diesel engines make. Ford also assures the Focus’s power plant,
despite being diesel-burning, is clean and green.
“I believe the Focus will
challenge people’s perceptions of what a diesel-fueled passenger
car should be. With its premium levels of quality and refinement,
plus its extensive list of new technologies, the car deserves its
place at the top of the motoring public’s favorites,” says Dasig.
Ford says the Focus will be sold
later this year.
Hyundai’s awesome threesome
Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI),
the exclusive distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the country,
launched three new “Urban Standout” models—the Hyundai Elantra,
the Coupe, and the Veracruz. Unveiled with dance performance
routines that, according to HARI, characterize each model’s
personality, the Elantra was accompanied by a street tap ballet, the
Tiburon with a wushu exhibition, and the Veracruz with a Capoeira.
Hyundai Elantra
The 2007 Elantra is the seventh
all-new Hyundai model in just 24 months, according to HARI. The
latest Elantra is powered by a 1.6 liter CRDi engine.
The Elantra GLS Premium Package
has an AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers and Hyundai’s first
auxiliary jack that allows an iPod and other portable MP3 players to
be connected to the car’s audio system. The Elantra sells for
P995,000.
Hyundai Coupe
Reportedly penned by Pininfarina
(although all in hush hush), the Coupe is truly an attractive sporty
looking car. For 2007, the Coupe gets redesigned front and rear
fascia, headlights, taillights, hood, front fenders, exhaust tips,
blue back-lit gauges, gunmetal accents in its interior trim and MP3
capability.
What the Coupe retains is its V6
engine, ABS and EBD, driver airbag, MacPherson struts and multilink
suspension, and 17-inch wheels wrapped in 215/45 R17 rubbers. The
Coupe sells for P1.378 million.
Hyundai Veracruz
Yet another Korean Hyundai model
that goes by a Hispanic name, the Veracruz is a crossover vehicle
not only in nomenclature as it merges the utility of an SUV with the
luxuries of an executive sedan. The Veracruz comes in three trim
levels: GLS, SE and Premium Limited. HARI is currently showcasing
the GLS that has a 3.0-liter E-VGT CRDi V6 engine, six-speed
automatic transmission, ESP integrated with ABS and TCS, rear
spoiler, 18-inch alloy wheels and seating for seven. Also standard
is the premium eight-speaker Infinity sound system with an external
amplifier and an eight-inch subwoofer, dual zone full auto air
conditioning with AQS, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, heated
power side mirrors, turn signal repeaters, front solar glass and
rear privacy glass, remote smart key, and power windows and door
locks. Inside, the Veracruz have active front head restraints, dual
front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags plus side-curtain
airbags.
The Premium Package adds a power
tilt/slide glass sunroof, power driver seat, power tailgate, leather
wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and backup warning system.
The Veracruz is priced at P2.708
million.
Mazda’s topless babe
With a yellow color-scheme booth
that’s as bright as the summer sun, Mazda Phils. placed on its
centerstage the 2007 model of the iconic Mazda MX-5. Mazda Phils.’
managing director Gerry Alejandro says that with the MX-5, “we
want to bring that roadster spirit—zoom zoom— to life.”
Quite aptly, Mazda Phils.’
products surrounded the MX-5 at the show, revolving around the
red-hot roadster like planets to the sun. After all, Mazda makes no
bones about its vehicles’ young and sporty aspirations, and the
MX-5 captures these qualities best.
So gathered next to the roadster
were the Mazda6, which has been named Car of the Year Philippines
and best executive sedan; the Mazda3, which remains a favorite among
enthusiasts whether it be in 1.6-liter form or the intoxicating
2.0-liter model; and the Tribute, which received numerous cosmetic
tweaks for 2007, is now powered by a 2.3-liter gas engine, and
offered in a paintjob that’s avocado-hue green. 
|
