Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Mitsubishi RVR (New)/ASX/Outlander Sport

Back from 2007 IAA at Frankfurt, Germany, Mitsubishi Motors has prepared the Concept-CX that hinted Mitsubishi fans with surprises. The production version of the Concept-CX welcomes back the three letters that were disappeared since 2002. You heard that, ladies and gentlemen, the name RVR is back in the scene and this time, it is a miniature version of the popular Lancer-based Outlander crossover.










To make things interesting for its comeback, Mitsubishi used the same jet-like grille, as seen on the Galant Fortis (Lancer EX), Lancer Evolution, and the soon-to-be-facelifted Outlander. Aside from that, the right sizing makes it a combative compact crossover, making a single dent on Nissan's upcoming Juke crossover and consumers take advantage of the its new form, even Bugs Bunny from the Looney Tunes.

From the powerful 1.8-litre MIVEC engine, INVECS-III CVT, Active Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Drive Mode Selector (available on 4WD), super wide HID headlight, and host of safety features, you can rest assure that this combat crossover has the edge that is performed to be almost like a wind.



My thoughts about the RVR:
Designed and engineered like the wind, the return of the RVR (also on sale in Europe this year as the ASX) is definitely the combat crossover utility, prepared for the entire family, especially young drivers who wanted to take a glimpse of this small crossover. As a formidable foe against the Daihatsu Be-Go, Toyota Rush, and for the upcoming Nissan Juke, crossover maestros might think twice before considering the RVR as their best bet for this category.

Reader Note: Why I put "Bugs Bunny of Looney Tunes" in this one? That is because of the Japanese commercial featuring Bugs Bunny and the first-generation RVR. Check it out!

Photo: Autoc-one.jp

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Daihatsu Second-Generation Boon & Toyota Second-Generation Passo with Passo +Hana

The Storia's successor, the Boon, which is also the Duet's successor, the Passo (since Toyota became partners with Daihatsu), is the perfect match for women with the sense of fashionable lifestyle. (Remember the Japanese Passo commercial with Rosa Kato and the Boon commercial with Rena Tanaka) The Boon and the Passo became successful not just in Japan, but in Asia and Europe under the name of the Daihatsu Sirion or the Subaru Justy.

Now, in this year, change is finally applied to these fashionable compacts:








A certain fashionable women state that each style has its own taste. As for the second-generation Boon and the second-generation Passo, a certain fashionable sense is perfect for the women's taste of cute cars. Available only on the Toyota Passo is the more stylish +Hana (plus hana) variant.





This variant features a sporty exterior, chrome rear lamps, and stylish two-tone upholstery.

Both of them are equipped with a choice of two engines; from the 1.3-liter, 16-valve engine that delivers 95PS of power, and the economical 1.0-litre, 12-valve engine that has the outstanding fuel economy of 22.5km/L, giving them more travel time for the women, especially both of them are equipped with the economical CVT.

My thoughts about the Boon & the Passo:
Judging from its vague but cute look, the Boon and the Passo are a woman's sweet post-valentine treat, especially when a certain woman has a fate to choose between a man with a sports car or the compact car destined to be the perfect soul mate for a woman.


Reader Note: Originally, Toyota Motor Corporation would postpone the launch of the Passo because of the worldwide recall, and yet the Passo's launch did not postpone because Daihatsu was behind the manufacture of the Passo, which is in fact, the Passo is the OEM of the Boon.



Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation/Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Ford Fiesta -U.S. Spec-

Back in Europe, the Fiesta from Ford is the best compact car that leaves drivers out to their daily siesta and in to their driving fantasies. With over 500,000 Ford Fiestas sold in Europe and Asia, the United States of America (Ford Motor Company's homegrown country) is finally bringing home the bacon, I mean, the Fiesta.


2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback

2011 Ford Fiesta Sedan

While European countries get the 3-door hatchback, the America-spec Fiesta comes in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback in the very beginning. Sales for the American Fiesta start either at 2nd or 3rd quarter of this year. For Pinoy Ford enthusiasts like you, expect the Fiesta will hit the Philippine market very soon, and when it hits, it will be like a marching fiesta that hits like the Ati-Atihan, the Sinulog festival, the Higantes festival and before you know it, the parade floats from the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Now onto the basics, the Fiesta was based on the Verve concept car and it uses the same platform from the Mazda2 (known as the Demio in Japan) for that purpose. While other countries have a choice of engines (1.4-litre, 1.6-litre diesel, and more), the U.S. Fiesta only offers the 1.6-litre, straight-four engine, capable of releasing a minimal power of 119hp and the fuel economy of 40MPG on the highway basis. Aside from that, the Fiesta has a choice of two transmission types; choose from the 5-speed manual transmission or the 6-speed automatic transmission with PowerShift, making the Fiesta sportier like no other.


2011 Ford Fiesta interior


The best part for the Fiesta is the interior. Owners can take advantage of the astonishing features such as the laminated glass, cell phone-inspired center console, leather seats, engine starter button, and more features give them some attractive experience.

My thoughts about the Fiesta:
Like the parade of floats marching on the streets from Europe, Asia, and now the United States, the Fiesta compact sedan and hatchback pummel out the drivers' siesta and awakes their senses with its striking design, unquestionable performance, attractive packaging and more. With the United States bringing home the Fiesta, will Ford Philippines bring the Fiesta?

Photo: Ford