17 December 2012
Evening the odds: The BMW concept 4 Series Coupe
Words by Carl Trocio | Photos courtesy of BMW Group
Our favorite Bavarian automaker has literally upped the ante on their coupe, the 3 Series, by making it a 4. This is the new BMW concept 4 Series Coupe, which will effectively replace the 3 Series Coupe.
By 2013, BMW intends to add one digit to their coupe and convertible line and give the owners a little more “exclusivity” and the car, more individual character. It also seems that BMW is taking serious strides in dealing with the competition that Audi has been bringing into the playground.
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Concept
Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of the Paris Motor Show
Still hoping for a turbo version of the BRZ? Well, while there are no concrete details yet, Subaru displayed a new trim of their rear-wheel-drive coupe at the 2012 Paris International Motor Show - the BRZ XT Line Concept.
A similar two-door-coupe, called the Subaru XT, was sold back in the 80's. It had a 112 hp 1.8L turbocharged engine and four-wheel-drive. If you think about it, maybe Subaru's giving us a hint and the BRZ XT Line is something to look forward to.
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Concept
Words by Carl Trocio | Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Company
Concept cars are car manufacturers’ way of keeping their designers awake. It seems that Toyota’s design crew locked themselves in a room, had a back-to-back DVD marathon of Disney’s “A Bug’s Life” and “Cars” and hit their drawing boards while still having a hangover with the Toyota COMS electric vehicle. The probable result of that kiddie slumber party might have been the Toyota Smart INSECT. No “Mr. I-can-put-two-and-two-together,” this is not Toyota’s love child with Daimler’s Smart brand. Geez, if you call a kid smart does it automatically mean Daimler impregnated the kid’s mom?
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Concept
11 October 2012
Paris 2012: Suzuki S-Cross my heart and hope to drive
Words by Jade Lu | Photos courtesy of Suzuki Motor Corporation
Suzuki has established its name in motorsports with its line of off-road vehicles. The Japanese automaker has been at the forefront of SUV’s since the launch of the Jimny - consequently bearing the Vitara and Grand Vitara - and has pioneered the crossover segment in Europe with the SX4. But now, Suzuki is forging its way into the crossover C-segment with its newly-launched concept, the S-Cross.
In a specially-created Crystal Green Metallic body color, the S-Cross was premiered at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Sporting 20-inch chrome wheels, the Suzuki S-Cross stands at 1.60 meters tall, 1.84 meters wide, and 4.31 meters long with a wheelbase of 2.60 meters. That makes it similarly-sized to its would-be competitors such as the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, and upcoming all-new Ford Escape.
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Concept
17 September 2012
Painting with sheet metal: BMW Zagato Roadster
Words by Leo Lim | Photos courtesy of BMW Group
As one of its definitions, art is something that has the ability to move an individual’s emotions, and such emotions have been constantly stirred by a design firm in Milan, Italy. Zagato has been known to produce art since World War I, using sheet metal as its canvas. So it is not a surprise that established car companies come knocking on their door step for one-off creations and prototypes, to which BMW is no exception.
Following the much-lauded Zagato Coupe which launched four months ago, BMW and Zagato decided to up the ante and craft a drop-top version. The result made its debut at the recently-held Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This is the BMW Zagato Roadster.
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Concept
12 September 2012
Next Attraction: Toyota's all-new 2013 RAV4
Words by Rico Soriano
2012 is a big year for Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP). Apart from setting an all-time sales record in the Philippines last July, they also launched all-new models and revised versions of their existing product portfolio, starting from the smart Prius C, to the familiar Fortuner-Hilux-Innova IMV models, and the all-new Camry. These further cement Toyota on the top of almost any car buyers’ wish-list.
However, if there’s a market segment where Toyota seems to languish, it’s the compact SUV segment where the aging and pricey RAV4 is surpassed by new players in the market with the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru XV.
In other markets, the Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD - more commonly known as the RAV4 - received a Camry-esque facelift as a final refresh, but that model didn’t officially make it to our shores. With the current RAV4 now due for a complete makeover, rumors have spread that an all-new model, based on the Camry's platform, will start production by the third quarter of this year.
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Concept
06 August 2012
KIA teases upcoming all-new Carens before Paris debut
Words by Jopet Tocino
Over the past decade, the once called “dark horses” of the automotive industry have been coming up with a lot of new and exciting offerings. So much so that, some have ever led to believe that kimchi, is now hotter than wasabi. Yes, I'm talking about the Koreans, and they're really giving the Japanese a run for their money when it comes to making quality automobiles. One of them is KIA, and they've got something new brewing up that should turn the world on its head.
Scheduled to make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show on the 27th of September, KIA just recently released the first teaser images of their upcoming all-new 2013 Carens. They have, however, unwittingly tried to disguise its final appearance by publishing the photo negatives. So, to give you a better view of what it will look like in two month's time, we've inverted the colors for you.
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Concept
Words by Jopet Tocino | Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Company
Japan - the land where some of the world's most outrageous ideas and things come from - has yet another one to add to the list. At the recent Tokyo Toy Show 2012, Toyota unveiled the Camette Concept. Named after the Japanese word for “care,” their latest “family-oriented” concept looks more like something that jumped out of Car Town than a would-be production car.
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Concept
