Dad's Rides

MANILA, Philippines - Let’s face it, when it comes to material presents, apart from a brand new house and lot, there’s nothing dads would want more than a brand new car. But let’s face it as well. Usually, it’s dads who can actually afford the brand new car, anyway. So, unless you are a ridiculously moneyed bloke who can actually gift your father with a brand new car (in which case, we envy you, you lucky fellow), the best you can do is indulge your dad in a suggestion spree. Either way you’ve got tons of help coming your way. Because straight from The Philippine STAR’s Business Motoring pages comes a list of the best of the bling (Hey, dad deserves only the best, right?). Here goes…

Discreet Dad

Some fathers are a bit on the shy side. Or, to be more precise, some fathers are actually quite discreet. You know the kind. He’s got enough financial stability to last a lifetime but chooses to go low key, anyway. He’s the kind who would rather see the spotlight on his children or his spouse, he’s the stage father type. But just because a man isn’t a spotlight magnet doesn’t mean he’s got to settle for anything less than the best that money can buy. For the discreet dad, we have a great suggestion, the Volvo S80.

The S80 is the flagship sedan of the Swedish luxury carmaker. Though the S80 is in itself a stylishly sleek yet still spacious sedan, it isn’t overbearing or ostentatious. And, being the big kahuna of the Volvo lot, it’s got all the bells and whistles any car nut could hope for. From creamy, soft leather on the seats, doors and steering wheel to rich wood trims to Volvo’s artful free-floating center console, the S80’s interiors are in a word, marvelous. It ain’t no slouch on the road, either. The S80 packs a turbocharged, 2.5-liter 5-cylinder, twin-cam 20-valve engine that develops a healthy 200 hp at 4800 rpm and 300 Nm of torque. Best of all, at P3.25 million, it presents the best value for money proposition in any car in its class.

Stylish Dad

Now, if there are discreet dads, then there are also the cool, stylish dads. They’re the kind of fathers who could give their kids a run for their money in the trend setting department. These kind of dads know what’s in and what’s hip. And they certainly don’t shy from the spotlight. They’re fun, that’s for sure. And they wouldn’t mind going for car that’s the flavor of the month. For this kind of dad, we suggest a trip to the Lexus showroom in Bonifacio Global City. And if he really is as hip as you imagine him to be, by all means, point him in the direction of the Lexus IS300.

Unlike the Volvo S80, the Lexus IS300 sits at the other end of the model hierarchy. It’s the entry level Lexus, true. But it’s a sedan that offers everything else that its direct competitors cannot, at least at its price point. Under the hood of the IS300 is a 24-valve double VVT-i 3.0-liter V6 powerplant that commands 228 horses and brings a whopping 300Nm of torque under your control. The goodies inside the car include a dual zone automatic air-conditioning system as well as a multi-information display panel (there are a couple of steering wheel mounted controls as well). There’s power seat adjustments for both the driver and the front passenger. There’s power lumbar support for both driver and front passenger. The steering column is of the telescopic kind. The rearview mirror has an electronic auto-dimming function. The iPod friendly premium sound system has 13 (count ’em) speakers that deliver superb balance and clarity. There are even little perforations on the two front seats actually emit cool, airconditioned air! At P2.9 million, it’s a luxury toy that just adds a gazillion pogi points to an already cool dad.

Sporty Dad

There of course there is the sporty dad. He’s the all around marriage of form and function loving father who believes that the best kind of car is the one that spoils not just him, but his family as well. He’s the kind who would love to have a car that is both imposing, yet practical. He’ll go for a car that he can be proud to drive around the city yet still be confident enough to take around to the countryside. If your dad is one such individual, look no further than your nearest CATS Motors showroom, where a Mercedes Benz GLK is most likely to be on display.

The MB GLK is the German carmaker’s latest (and best) swing at the SUV segment. It’s so new that it shares many of its attributes with the new C-Class and E-Class variants that Mercedes Benz has been peddling for only the past two years. The GLK is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 that gives around 227 HP @ 6,000 rpm and 30 kg-m @ 2,500-5,000 rpm. Generous amounts of tasteful of leather and wood are standard features in the GLK’s interiors. And, because its such a practical vehicle, its rear seatbacks can be split 60-40 and can also be folded to create a flat load floor. Dad can play the James Bond bit to the hilt too as there’s an additional stowage compartment under the floor that has an 86-liter capacity. The GLK really is quite the innovative–not to mention luxurious––hauler. At P4.48 million, it may not be a very affordable vehicle. But considering what you get with the purchase, that would be money well spent.

Rad Dad

Then there are dads who know their performance cars and love them. He’s the kind who knows how to handle the pressure of a pedal to the metal experience. He’s very serious with his hardware and will accept no compromises. For a lot of these kinds of dads, nothing less than the best (but still spacious) performance car will do. Which is why we suggest you take him to a BMW dealership and have him test drive a monstrous BMW M6.

The BMW M6 is the symbolic pinnacle of BMW’s aspirational character. It shares the same body as the iconic BMW 6-Series, but packs much more whallop in the power department. With a very eager to please 5.0-liter V10 that churns out a whopping 507 bhp, the BMW M6 can race from 0-100 in a mere 4.8 seconds. Creature comforts inside the vehicle abound. The leather finish of the BMW M6 is as finely detailed as any BMW (and it’s got the occasional M highlight––which does add to the exclusivity factor). The seats (the two in front that actually matter, anyway) are ergonomically nice and snug. And the minimalist dash works well for a car with as little pretensions as the M6. It’s definitely a stunner of a vehicle, whether from the outside looking in or vice versa. At P10.6 million for the coupe and P11.2 million for the cabriolet, it ought to be!

King Dad

Finally, there’s the ultimate king of the hill kind of dad. This kind of dad loves his cars but doesn’t mind sitting in any of its seats. He’s the kind who will take the wheel (and control) when need be, and gladly have his children steer the ship when the situation calls for it. That’s because he’s confident that he’s taught them well. He’s the kind of dad who’s got it made in every sense of the word. And for this kind of father, no less than the absolute pinnacle of vehicles will do. For him, we say go to the PGA showroom along EDSA and get a Porsche Panamera, the first Porsche sedan made for mass consumption.

The Porsche Panamera is an alternative concept car for the premium customer, a sporting, dynamic, but nevertheless elegant four-seater Gran Turismo. It has three to die for variants which will make anyone with any automotive sense drool–– the 2WD Panamera S, the 4WD Panamera 4S––both of which throw in 400bhp, and the Panamera Turbo––which throws in a whopping 500bhp into the picture. Contrasting characteristics that define sports and luxury cars find common ground inside a Panamera. The snug cockpit of the Porsche Panamera is reminiscent of an aircraft’s own––yet it’s still intuitive in every manner. Take a seat in the rear, however, and the leg and headroom are nothing if not sensational. A ridiculously mind-baffling four-zone climate system rounds out the entire luxury experience. The price for such luxurious exuberance? Come on. Kings need not bother themselves with such trifle matters…