Words by Jade Lu | Photos courtesy of Volkswagen AG
Unbeknownst to many, Volkswagen’s Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, today’s Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, set a goal some 10 years ago to conjure up an everyday vehicle that would consume less than one liter per 100 km - a true people’s car. After two one-liter concepts in 2002 and 2009, the German automaker finally came up with a two-seater that consumes less than their goal.
The Volkswagen XL1 consumes 0.9 liter per 100 km (or 111.11 km/L) and can run purely on electricity for up to 50 km. Weighing only 795kg, the minimal weight contributes to its low energy consumption along with superb aerodynamics and low center of gravity.
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Words by Hans Gerald Chua | Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
A year ago, Mercedes-Benz caught us by surprise when they came up with a younger, faster, and sportier all-new A-Class - crushing the stigma that it was a soccer-mom's mini MPV. Not contented with what they had on hand, the three-pointed star once again summoned the services of their tuning arm AMG to make this hot hatch even hotter. What they came up with is a 360 horsepower all-wheel-drive mini monster called the A 45 AMG that's scheduled to be launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
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01 March 2013
Alfa Romeo's new 4C is one Red Hot Chili Pepper
Words by Carl Trocio | Photos courtesy of Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A.
As kids would pick up some traits of their parents, a car’s character reflects those of where they came from. American cars would be big, loud, and clumsy, Japanese cars would be compact and efficient, German cars would be precise and have manuals written by a dictator. And then there are the Italians. God bless them. They're stylish, delicious, and does the color red right. They are the numb nuts who gave gear heads things to worship such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Ducati, and Monica Bellucci. But let’s not forget Alfa Romeo.
Alfa Romeo has always been known to churn out goods from their eye candy factory. Cars like their Giullietta Spider and the 8C Competizione have graced the pages of Christmas wish lists mailed to Santa Claus by grown men. This year, the company comes out to play with their new offering, the 4C.
Alfa Romeo has always been known to churn out goods from their eye candy factory. Cars like their Giullietta Spider and the 8C Competizione have graced the pages of Christmas wish lists mailed to Santa Claus by grown men. This year, the company comes out to play with their new offering, the 4C.
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15 February 2013
Nissan updates the NISMO 370Z for 2014
Words by Leo Lim | Photos courtesy of Nissan Americas
The first NISMO 370Z came out back in 2009, only a few months after the standard 370Z was launched. It had a revised ECU, new exhaust, stiffer suspension, bigger wheels, and beefier brakes. So after four years, NISMO (short for Nissan Motorsports International Ltd.) decided to make a new one with a fresh list of upgrades to make it desirable once again. And boy does it look good.
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Words and photos by Christopher Kho
We first caught a glimpse of the all-new 2014 Forester late last year when it was globally launched at the LA Auto Show. Though it was slightly longer, a tad wider, and wore the brand's new signature “arrow shaped” headlights, it wasn't exactly as groundbreaking as we hoped an all-new model would be. Still, it was a Subaru and we couldn't wait until we get our greasy hands on one.
In our excitement, we asked Motor Image Pilipinas, Subaru's exclusive distributor in the country, when the all-new model will arrive in our country. Sadly, they couldn't exactly tell us when, but they did tell us that their target for the public launch was at the 9th Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) in April. But lo and behold, we can now confirm that a fresh batch of 2014 Foresters have arrived in the Philippines.
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11 February 2013
Hyundai's Accent CRDi VGT hatchback now in Philippine dealerships
Words by Christopher Kho
It was around five months ago when we first got to drive Hyundai's much-awaited Accent hatch that's fitted with a CRDi VGT engine upfront. Back then, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the official Philippine distributor of the Korean marque, told us that they were expecting the five-door subcompact to hit showrooms before 2012 ended. But it's now 2013 so where exactly is it? Well, after a few delays, HARI is proud to announce that the Accent CRDi VGT hatchback is finally available at Hyundai dealerships nationwide.
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07 February 2013
Aston Martin's 2014 Rapide S is a wide-mouth, four-door monster
Words by Carl Trocio | Photos courtesy of Aston Martin
The year just started and our friends at Aston Martin are starting strong with the 2014 version of the Rapide S. One of the best silhouettes for a super four door (in this writer’s humble opinion), this fine specimen of what 'evolution' should be features more power, luxury, and did I say more power?
Aston Martin came out with their redesigned, bigger balled, extra-lettered Rapide S which is the company’s only four-door offering that doesn't mess with their perfected, easy to distinguish design cues. Let’s start with the obvious, the new grill. What used to be split is now in unison. According to Aston, the new design works in conjunction with the redesigned hood and front bumper to improve pedestrian protection as part of Europe’s pedestrian-impact regulations. Stepping back, it looks like the mug of a whale shark with its mouth open. Moses has to get to this one and part the upper and lower sections once again. But that’s just me.
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Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of CATS Motors Inc.
Call it whatever you like, but I always thought that the old B-Class was a classy five-door mommy MPV. It was short, stout, and stylish - fit only for women toting designer monogram handbags with a Chihuahua to match. (No offense, my machismo pride is telling me to drive a C-Class instead.) But then came the all-new B-Class, which was recently launched by the Philippine general distributor of the Mercedes-Benz, CATS Motors Inc. Slimmer, sharper, and sexier, it's now worthy of being called, if I dare, a luxury compact sports tourer. And the biggest catch of all, even guys now look good driving one.
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