Media’s first crack at the new Honda City

A few days from now, September 19, Monday to be more precise, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), shall unveil to the local automotive market a newly upgraded and significantly re-designed Honda City.

A couple of motoring journalists representing TV and magazine publications formed the first batch that was given the opportunity to have a first hand experience of driving and riding this 2006 model last week.

It was my second trip to Punta Fuego in as many weeks for the same purpose and I’m not complaining. To begin with it’s a fantastic place with a breathtaking view and going there coming from the metro is a great idea for a good test drive. This is especially true for a sedan as the roads are smooth all the way with some opportunity to play around with your gears on the way up. Perfect for the Honda City, which offers exciting gear shifts right at your fingertips like driving an F1 racing car.

Before the out-of-town test drive, which was conveniently scheduled (especially for many of us late-sleepers) to start at mid morning, there was no less than the project engineer of the Honda City, Takashi Saito, who came straight from Honda Motors Japan, who briefed us on the new features of the current model.

The challenging test drive, which I’m sure was concocted by HCPI’s deputed head for marketing, Arnel Doria was ably supervised by his angels, Tin Tin Reyes, Sheryl delos Santos and Pam Dacanay. It was divided into three stages in order to better acquaint the motoring media with the many outstanding features of the City.

The journalists were divided into groups, with each group assigned to a City, and were made to compete for an array of valuable prizes, as points were given for each stage that had a "must do" in order to win.

The first stage aimed to show how versatile the City’s seats can be configured in order to accommodate cargo in its roomy interior. For this, all teams were given an equal number of empty boxes to fit inside their Citys and demerits were given for every box left behind.

The second stage was a "sampaguita rally-like" competition where the teams were required to traverse the distance from Ville Sommet in Tagaytay City, where we had lunch to Punta Fuego. This was where many of the journalists got carried away, went flat out all the way and excitedly gear-shifted away on the way up to Punta Fuego, discovering the excitement of Honda City’s steermatic transmission in the process.

It was in the third stage where the creative juices of the journalists were made to flow as everyone positioned their assigned cars in the most artistic way without loosing the opportunity of showing the newly conceived altered flowing lines of the new model’s exterior.

Now the fourth stage, which was done on the way back, after a night of food, booze and a lot of karaoke, was more to highlight the fuel efficiency of the Honda City. The "eco-run" was a very timely showcase of the Honda City’s exceptional fuel performance apt for the present soaring prices of fuel.

The motoring journalists had fun and got to know more about what’s significantly new in the 2006 Honda City. Watch out for it in your nearest Honda Cars Philippines showroom starting next week.

A Tandem Of New Offerings From Mazda Philippines

The new Mazda6 2.3L and Mazda Solutions were both launched last week to the media in Tagaytay City.

In his welcoming remarks at the plush Highlands Golf Resort, the managing director of Mazda Philippines Dave Macasadia, referred to the new Mazda6 2.3L as an incarnation of the quintessential driver’s car. Starting with it power features, the Mazda6 2.3L has a maximum output of 166 ps @ 6,500 rpm, the highest of its class. All this awesome power emanates from an in-line 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16 valve engine that offers new technologies like Sequential Valve Timing (S-VT) and Variable Intake System (VIS). This is mated to a 5-speed Activematic transmission that combines the control of a manual and the ease of an automatic.

To further strengthen the claim, the new model has power-assisted, rack and pinion steering system that’s vaunted to provide excellent handling coupled with a high-mount, double wishbone suspension at the front and an E-type Multi link suspension at the rear while safety is assured by huge ventilated discs in the front wheels and solid discs at the rear.

Gerry Alejandro, Mazda’s avp for Brands, further presented the new Mazda6 2.3L as a vehicle that’s not only a pleasure to drive but to ride as well as leather classily dominates the interior with leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, plush leather sports seats and an exceptional lumbar support from the 8-way adjustable seat with 3-memory settings, if only to mention a few.

Before the invited motoring journalists motored to Tagaytay last Wednesday morning for the launch, test drive and a host of leisure activities, breakfast was served at the posh Palms Country Club where Henry Co, the president of Ford Group Philippines under whose management umbrella Mazda Philippines works, said in his opening remarks, "I am very proud that we are launching another exciting car model. This car does not only encourage driving with enthusiasm and control but also offers comfort features so passengers can enjoy riding this car."

But the event did not stop with the launch of the new Mazda6 2.3L. The presentation, which was ably hosted by boxing-slim Hazel Ludovice, also laid down the benefits of "Mazda Solutions". This was handled in detail by Don Gelinas, the top finance man of Ford Philippines (and up and coming TV personality too) who underscored the benefits of Mazda Solutions — from flat tire changes, body repair damages, unforeseen vehicular accidents, mechanical repairs due to wear and tear, regular vehicular maintenance up to even vehicle financing needs. Don emphasized that Mazda have now made it possible for the customer to obtain this complete set of vehicle products and services through Mazda solutions.

You can check out the Mazda6 2.3L in any of the Mazda Philippines active dealerships in Quezon City, Greenhills and Alabang and very soon in Makati.

Pit Lane Notes

Wow these McLaren boys really don’t have it easy, huh? When Kimi Raikkonen does well, more often than not, Juan Pablo Montoya screws something up — and vice versa. It was exactly like that last week, and the same thing happened a couple of days ago in the Belgian Grand Prix. The young Colombian was actually leading pretty much the entire time when disaster struck — he crashed out with just four laps to go. There used to be a joke about gremlins in the McLaren cars — something strange just has to happen to them during races. But maybe there are strange little creatures wreaking havoc in their engines! I can’t think of any other explanation. Or should we chalk it up to just plain old bad luck?

The Belgian Grand Prix’s results are favorable to most F1 fans the world over because it only made the race for the Drivers’ Championship more exciting. It’s anyone’s ballgame so to speak! The race is wide open. Will it be Kimi? Or Fernando? Your guess is as good as mine, and I certainly can’t wait for this season’s homestretch.

The Jenson Button contract saga goes on. Although he says things are looking up for him, experts aren’t too sure. He is trying to wiggle his way out of a binding contract he made with Williams on account of technicalities. Some people say he just might get away with it, but others think he’s fighting a lost cause. He seems rather intent on staying with BAR-Honda. But then again, why shouldn’t he be? Things are looking to be on the up and up for the dynamic team. Their technology is fantastic and will probably soon be at par with that of McLaren and Renault. Also, they are looking at a spectacular driver lineup — Rubens Barrichello and Button. The same, however, can’t be said for Williams. With still no reliable engine to back them up, they just might eat everyone’s dust in the coming season.

Happy Motoring!!!

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