And now... the Bentley

Many automobile enthusiasts have not yet gone over the owed surprise and breath-taking excitement of having a world-class premium brand luxury sports car like the Lamborghini of Italy finally being officially distributed in the country and now here’s another big bang from business tycoon Robert Coyiuto, Jr. of the rapidly-expanding PGA Cars announcing their appointment as exclusive importers and distributors in the Philippines of the ultra-luxury limousines bearing the Bentley badge.  

This British luxury automobile marquee adds to the already impressive array of European luxury automobile brands that astute businessman Robert has successfully lined up in his PGA Cars stable, which includes Porsche and Audi from Germany, the recently acquired Italian-made Lamborghini as well as the Korean-made Hyundai. 

Bentley Motors was founded in London just seven years shy of being a century-old automobile company by Mr. W.O. Bentley in 1919. It started manufacturing engines and chassis only and went into full automobile production after 27 years. Bentley has pure breed racing heritage, its exceptional triumphs count 5 outright victories at Le Mans between the years 1924 to 1930 with a 6th in 2003.

Once proudly-owned by Rolls-Royce when it was purchased in 1931, Bentley Motors is presently owned since 1998 by Volkswagen AG and some of its present remarkable models that would soon be seen on Philippine shores include the most extravagant Continental Flying Spur, the ultra-luxurious 2-door coupe Continental GT and the super limousine Mulsanne. The price range of the Bentleys reportedly starts at 40 million pesos.  

Congratulations, Robert Coyiuto, Jr. and to PGA Cars, Inc. as you continue to successfully bring the Philippines to the consciousness of the prestigious global automotive community.

The country’s best-selling Lexus gets an upgrade

As always it was an elegant affair, a given for any Lexus launch, what with Lexus-Manila president Daniel “Sir John” Isla orchestrating the event. It was the launch of the upgraded RX luxury crossover SUV held at its expansive and stylish Bonifacio Global City showroom with the motoring media coming in full force being part of the proceedings.

Those familiar with the Lexus RX would be curious about its upgrade which includes up front, a new and clear-lens headlamp cluster design incorporates halogen and HID headlamps. Serving as its accent are the L-finesse arrowhead-shaped integral LED daytime running lights that emphasize the unique visual signature of the updated RX line.

Out back, the rear taillight clusters now sport clear lenses and have been redesigned to convey elegance to the vehicle’s rear.

Apart from the exterior face-lift, the RX’s interior has also been enhanced with an expanded choice of color schemes, new trim finishes, a new steering wheel, and a revised instrument binnacle. The seat’s stitching has been enhanced with the use of thicker thread and more prominent colors, while the dashboard’s design was enlivened through the addition of a matte silver insert above the glovebox. As for the new steering wheel, it features a cross-section that isn’t uniform throughout its circumference, giving it a varying profile that supposedly “allows for a relaxing grip and smooth steering inputs.

“The RX350 was first described as the world’s first luxury crossover SUV, combining, for the first time, all the flexibility, practicality and durability of a sports utility vehicle with the handling, performance and refinement of a luxury sedan,” said “Sir John” Isla. “I personally find that the RX is not only a crossover in terms of vehicle class, rather, it is a crossover in that it ‘crosses-over’ into all aspects of your day-to-day routine. From the boardroom to the greens, from meetings to a round of golf, the RX integrates itself within your lifestyle and is a practical partner in your daily life,” the dapper Lexus-Manila president added.

The arrival of the updated RX also marks the local introduction of the RX350’s ‘Premier’ option, which includes a tilt-and-slide moonroof, new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, driver-seat, steering-wheel and side-mirror memory functions; a multipurpose roof rail, perforated leather seats; power rear door; and a backup camera integrated in the rear-view mirror.

The new RX350 is currently available at Lexus-Manila at P3.578 million pesos while the RX350 Premium is priced at P3.898 million.

The BMW 3 Series now comes all-new

In a “filled to the rafters” kind of a launch, Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official importer of BMW cars in the Philippines unveiled at the BMW Pavilion at the Bonifacio Global City last Thursday, May 10 the All-New BMW 3 Series.

“If there is such a thing as a quintessential BMW, it is without doubt the BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series is everything a sports sedan should be, and for years it has stood undisputed at the summit of the premium midsize segment,” said Maricar Parco, the lovely ACC President. “Since it made its debut in 1975, more that 12 million customers around the world have taken ownership of a BMW 3 Series. Backed up with its impressive heritage, innovations, aesthetics and driving dynamics, we are confident that the Filipino market will greatly welcome the All-New BMW 3 Series just like its predecessors” she added.

The well-attended presentation, which many agreed was well-thought of and many speculated as arguably much-paid for, revealed, after a nostalgic parade of BMW Series 3 predecessors, two variants of the All-New BMW Series 3 that’ll be available in the country—the 328i, featuring a new 4-cylinder petrol engine with TwinPower Turbo technology that’s vaunted to set new benchmark for driving dynamics and fuel efficiency and the 320d, said to be known for its high performance and having one of the world’s cleanest and most economical diesel engines.      

These all-new models can be seen up close at any of ACC’s six grand dealerships and showrooms located all over the country.

What’s for this Sunday on Motoring Today?

The TV show Motoring Today airs every Sunday, noontime on the Solar Sports Channel on the Sky Cable Network, Channel 70 and on the Global-Destiny Cable Network on Channel 35.

And for this week on its motorsports segment Race Weekend we’ll have a treat for all motorbike enthusiasts by way of the thrilling highlights of the recently-held 2012 Portuguese Moto Grand Prix.

On Young Street Smarts, the road safety portion hosted by Magic’s DJ Suzy, “how to safely drive through intersections without traffic lights” shall be the all-important topic for drivers.

Watch and learn.

Happy Motoring!!!

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