All conveniently in one place

If you want to see up close brand new automobiles from all the major vehicle manufacturers and importers and test drive most of them to help you decide which one to buy right on the spot, to possibly own later or to just simply know better and appreciate, the place to go starting tomorrow, Thursday, November 7 up to Sunday, November 10 is the SM Mall of Asia grounds.

On its 9th year of staging, the Auto Focus Motor Show & Auto Expo is the country’s biggest outdoor motor show, which offers free test drives to all automobile enthusiasts and possible buyers on their pre-Christmas car shopping spree. It’s a one-stop shop where one can conveniently compare models just by hopping from one display booth to another instead of the time-consuming, tiring and energy-sapping moving from one dealership to another, which could mean having to endure the daily traffic gridlocks of the metro.

Brand new models of Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, KIA, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Toyota and Volkswagen shall be on display and available for test drive during the 4-day ADMISSION FREE grand automobile display and test drive.

It’s a weekend for the entire family as entertainment will be offered as well to non-car enthusiasts as marching band exhibitions are scheduled all throughout the day with live band entertainment non-stop starting late afternoon to late evening. This is not to mention the raffle of interesting prizes from the participating auto companies that’ll be done in regular 15-minute intervals. There will also be daily, twice-a-day motorcades of all participating exhibitors showcasing their brand-new automobiles that are being currently offered to the local auto market. It’s a weekend of automobiles galore. 

Many of the participating automobile companies shall also be offering special motor show discounts and special promos for the duration of this annual auto expo, which is being staged this year in cooperation with Caltex with Techron and SM Land Commercial Properties with the Philippine Star as major media partner with the participation of DWIZ 882 AM, Home Radio 97.9, Magic 89.9 and 99.5RT.

If you are an automobile enthusiast, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t come to visit.

I’ll see you there!

The All-new Isuzu D-Max conquers Panay Island

The media test drive event held last week, Monday, October 28 was dubbed “Toughness Refined and Redefined with the All-new Isuzu D-Max” with almost 20 motoring journalists flown in from Manila to Iloilo for a more than 260 kilometers of driving and riding aboard the newly-launched and eagerly-awaited top-notched diesel pickup from Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC).

I was assigned to drive and ride with no less than the president of IPC, the soft-spoken Mr. Nobuo Izumina, Bulletin’s former motoring editor and now newly-promoted executive editor Pinky “Sweetheart” Colmenares and Auto Review TV producer and host Ron delos Reyes.

The leisurely drive was aimed to demonstrate to the motoring media all the remarkable features of the all-new Isuzu D-MAX like how it can pamper its passengers with thoughtful convenience features, like its 10 cup holders that provided for extra treats on board, and 15 storage compartments that helped reduce clutter in the cabin.

After 10 years of significant upgrades, the latest model’s taller, wider and longer body is expected to improved head, shoulder and legroom, particularly for the backseat passengers. This improvement from its predecessor was graphically demonstrated by Izumina-san himself by showing the more than ample space between the back of the front seat and his knees. And the good-natured IPC president was no short Japanese. Of course, Ron, who stayed at the rear passenger seat all throughout the test drive due to a bum stomach readily agreed. He also added that the rear seat’s center armrest provided for car-like comfort during the more than 6-hour ride. Combine these with a new premium audio unit with Bluetooth connectivity, a six-way speaker system that includes a first-in-class ceiling-mounted exciter speakers, and control buttons on the leather steering wheel, and the all-new Isuzu D-MAX really refines and redefines toughness.

“Toughness is a key strength for any pickup truck as this guarantees its ability to carry heavy payloads and conquer rough terrain,” said Isuzu Philippines Corporation president Nobuo Izumina, while munching on the different snacks that were generously provided in all test drive vehicles. “But along with toughness a pickup truck should also provide modern comfort and luxury features. In this regard the All-New Isuzu D-MAX delivers, making it not just an ideal workhorse but also a perfect companion in recreational activities.”

When I started to salivate for the snacks almost midway the trip, I asked Pinky if she would like to avail of her part of the driver’s rotation, which was now only between the two of us as Ron was out of commission. Of course, “sweetheart” readily agreed and I was fearless too considering that I have ridden with Pinky in several past equally long test drives and somehow I have survived. Besides I know this D-Max is a “tough mama” as Pinky is. This pickup is bolted to a heavy-duty ladder chassis that’s stiff yet light, and its cabin structure is constructed from high-tensile-strength steel that’s bonded by tailor blank welding, making it more rigid than ever and safer.

But like this veteran lady journalist, the all-new D-Max can be most comfortably soft in its toughness with its new superior suspension system that’s fitted in the pickup’s front end, composed of independent double wishbones, coil springs and gas-filled shock absorbers. In the rear, proven semi-elliptical over-slung leaf springs allow for heavy payloads while at the same time improving the pickup’s driving performance, vehicle stability and riding comfort—welcome traits in a road trip, especially a long one like this.

Another feature of the all-new Isuzu D-MAX that enhances convenience while promoting performance, which I personally experienced and was “all gaga” about is its newly developed 5-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. This I personally described as “seamless”. A thoroughly modern feature, it can be shifted manually for better control during overtaking maneuvers. It can also hold a gear when the pickup is going downhill. Its additional fifth gear brings improved fuel efficiency too, especially in highway cruising.

When I excitedly described this laudable performance of the all-new D-Max’s new transmission to IPC’s senior vice president for sales, Mr. Art Balmadrid, he proudly explained another noteworthy feature of their new offering in the country’s pickup market, “Matching the transmission is an available four-wheel drive system that boasts of the 4WD Terrain Command Select Dial. This device allows the All-New Isuzu D-MAX to be switched from two-wheel drive mode to four-wheel drive high mode—even at speeds of up to 100kph—by twisting a knob on the pickup’s console.”

We were also appraised that further ensuring the traction provided by the four-wheel drive system is a Limited Slip Differential that allots engine power to which wheel has the most grip available. For added safety on the road, the pickup has ABS-equipped brakes that are supplemented by Electronic Brake-force Distribution and the new Brake Assist System.

IPC’s product planning top honcho Joseph Bautista in his product presentation explained that power for the all-new Isuzu D-MAX is provided by the tried-and-tested Isuzu 4JJ1-TC 3.0-liter, four-cylinder Diesel engine that makes 146Ps @ 3,800rpm and a revolutionary flat torque curve of 294Nm from 1,400rpm to 3,400rpm, ensuring superior acceleration in highway cruising or off-road use. A Common Rail Direct Injection system supplies the engine with fuel and air while a Turbocharger with Intercooler boosts the power output. A steel timing chain and melt-in liner in the cylinders strengthen the engine, ensuring reliability, while a camshaft drive gear with split design and larger roller bearings for the valves’ rocker arms reduce noise and friction, aiding in better fuel consumption.

It was a long drive and ride experience indeed and capping this with an almost 2-day laid-back stay at the world renowned Boracay Beach is always a part of a motoring journalists’ test drive wish list.   

Happy Motoring!!!

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