Yes to speed limiters!

We recently had an interview with the chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB, Atty. Jaime Jacob on the issue of the mandatory installation of “speed limiters” on all public utility buses plying the route in the metro and eventually all over the country “to clear the air” so to speak, relevant to the reported protest of many PUV operators to the measure.

The first issue he cleared was that the government shall not be partial to the brand of “speed limiter” that the operators would use as long as it functions the way it should, as specified in the order of the Department of Transportation and Communications or DOTC secretary Mar Roxas. No issue as to the possibility of a required bidding as the operators are free to choose from what’s available in the market.

Next is it is indeed a 40 kph speed limit that is being aimed to be achieved despite the present 60 kph now being enforced in Commonwealth and Macapagal Avenues and other main thoroughfares of the Metro.

Yes, the franchise of those buses that would be caught without “speed limiters” shall be revoked or not renewed, with drivers being cited for a traffic violation.

And yes, the DOTC is bent on implementing strictly the safety measure.

So be it. Bus drivers who make it a habit to go over the prescribed speeds are now at last shackled by this longtime-coming safety measure.

Kudos to DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas!

Toyota’s twin launch

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) made a dual automobile launch last Friday, March 16 (the day that marks Ferdinand Magellan’s discovery of the Philippines almost 5 centuries ago) at the Greenbelt 5 in Makati.

Though seemingly austere, considering the established benchmark of TMP launch events with the usual fanfare and song and dance routine, the invited members of the motoring media were feted though to an elegant sumptuous lunch at the Chateau 1771. The TMP family also came in full force led by no less than its rocker of a president, Michinobu Sugata, executive vp, Yugi Goto, senior vp, Sonny Guerrero, first vp, Raymond Rodriguez, vp, Jing Atienza, vp, Sherwin Chualim, joined by Lexus-Manila president Daniel “Sir John” Isla and topped by the early arrival by TMP vice chairman and Lexus-Manila chairman, the always youthful-looking Albert Ty. The presence of all these TMP VIPs strongly outweighed a seemingly unadorned event turning it to a powerhouse affair.

One of the outstanding models in the Toyota stable that was presented to the media that warm sunny day was Toyota’s full-fledged top of the liner SUV, the new Toyota Land Cruiser 200, that now comes refreshed with various upgrades that are said to enhance its world renowned quality.

Some of the exterior freshening up include a newly-developed front grille, headlamps equipped with a High/Low Bi-HID projector system that comes with a pop-up nozzle headlamp cleaner that is concealed when not in use, LED rear combination lamps to name some.

New interior features include wood grain ornamentation with bright silver accents, instrument controls finished in piano black and chrome plating equipped with EMV or Electro Multi-Vision to enhance visibility, a new steering wheel wrapped in wood grain and leather trimmings along with audio, telephone, voice and display integrated controls and a mouthful more to say.

For driving performance and comfort the Land Cruiser is powered by a 1VD-FTV 4.5 V8 Diesel engine mated to a 6-speed ECT or Electronic Control Transmission system with a suspension system comprising of coil spring with high-mounted double wishbone out front and that replaces the previous torsion bar type, while the rear suspension retains the four-link type.

Simultaneously launched was the latest version of the Toyota Yaris subcompact hatchback.

It is powered by a 1.5 liter 1NZ-FE 16 valve DOHC engine with VVT-I functions that is claimed to give superior output, cleaner emissions and enhanced fuel economy. It churns out a maximum out of 107HP / 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 141Nm / 4,200rpm.

New in the interior is a sportier leather steering wheel and shift knob with red stitching equipped with audio controls and an auxiliary connector to boast the fully-integrated audio system while the exterior changes include a sleeker front mesh grille and newly designed headlamps with signal lights integrated to the side mirrors.

Pricing of the newly-launched models has the new Land Cruiser 200 at P4,292.00 in any of the classy exterior colors of Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Attitude Black and Beige Mica Metallic and an additional P15,000.00 gives you a White Pearl option, while the new Toyota Yaris comes in 6 trendy colors and 2 different variants: 1.5 A/T @ P771,000.00 and 1.5 M/T @ P736,000.00.

A trip to the nearest Toyota dealership could answer further questions regarding the two new models with a test drive to boot.

More Lexus models on the road

Having been deep into the organizing and staging of the 2012 STV Auto Rally Corporate Challenge during the last days of February and early days of March prevented me from writing about a unique experience I had while attending the launch of the Lexus GS 350 and its sporty sibling the GS 350 F Sport.

The unique experience started with an invitation sent by the motoring media’s well-loved president of Lexus-Manila, Danny “Sir John” Isla, which made mention of an “intimate dinner” to be held at their elegantly expansive showroom located at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

No less than Bulletin motoring editor, Pinky “sweetheart” Colmenares was intrigued by the word and called to find out what I thought it had waiting for us on the designated evening. Are there going to be only a few of us? Is it going to be a sit down dinner? What should be worn for the affair? These were the litany of questions that came from my very good friend.

Well, to my mind, which I shared with “sweetheart” Pinky, something like that coming from the card-bearing Beatlemaniac, Sir John, just like Al “Sir Paul” Mendoza can just mean anything. These two guys always manage to spring surprises in whatever they do. The best thing to do is to go and find out.

Which, I did. After all, when Sir John calls it’s like a call from your ROTC officer. Sir Paul and I just react by reflex.

The first thing I found out that evening was that Pinky couldn’t make it because she was under the weather. For being so intrigued?

But then as I walked in the answers to all her questions came as I see the evening’s scenario – no, there were plenty of us, no, it was not a sit down dinner and though many came in formal business attire, there were still those that came with shirts or windbreaker jackets – so what “intimate dinner”?

Mr. Isla came out with the answer in his very much applauded speech. He said he was really planning on having an intimate dinner with close friends from the motoring media to launch their very remarkable Lexus models only to find out that his long list of “close friends” cannot ever make an “intimate dinner”.

But being a man full of surprises, Sir John came up with a very intimate speech that made very relevant mention of all of the motoring journalists present – now that’s “intimate”.

Oh by the way, aside from Danny “Sir John” Isla, the other star of the evening was the Lexus GS.

The new GS is powered by an advanced 3.5-liter V6, four cams, and four valves per cylinder with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). At 312 horsepower, it is one of the most powerful base engines in the segment, as well as the only one with both port and direct injection. It propels the GS from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and at the same time, fuel economy has been improved.

Acceleration from 30 to 50 mph can take just 3.0 seconds, and improved engine sound characteristics complement the bolder, more energetic personality of the new GS. The six-speed sequential shift automatic transmission has paddle shifters and sport driving functions as standard equipment.

If you want to see it up close and personal, come to the Lexus-Manila showroom. Aside from its elegant ambience, it offers warm hospitality. Seek Sir John. He serves very good coffee – free.

Happy Motoring!!!

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