This Month in Motoring

MANILA, Philippines - It’s the last Friday of the month once again, and once again we’re back to give you the highlights of the motoring world that occurred during the past month. Launches? Check. Events? Check. Read all about them in our monthly round up. Folks, this was your month in motoring…

UMC’s big new Safari

In what can be viewed as yet another move by Nissan to elevate its brand value, the all-new Nissan Safari Royale debuted early this month with much hullaballoo – deservedly so. Universal Motors Corporation (UMC), distributor and assembler of Nissan light commercial vehicles in the Philippines, introduces what is probably the most imposing Nissan SUV yet. The hulking new Patrol Royale is powered by a 400 horsepower 5.6-liter direct injection V8 engine and it features world’s first advanced Hydraulic Body Motion Control Suspension (HBMC) System, making the all-new Patrol the incontestable benchmark for impeccable performance on-road and off-road. With its Nissan Infiniti-inspired interiors, it features generous space and the finest grade interior materials. The Nissan Safari Royale will be sold as a completely different vehicle (not as a replacement) to the Nissan Safari Patrol. As such, expect both vehicles to be in Nissan showrooms nationwide soon.

Isuzu gets Radikal

The tried and tested Isuzu D-MAX gets a radical new facelift with the launch of the new Isuzu D-MAX Radikal Edition. The Radikal Edition package features sport under-grille covers, taillamp guards, bed liners, scuff plates, and interior floor and keyhole illumination. The Boondock 4x4 Radikal comes with Euro-design roll bars and a multifunction clinometer. A navigation-ready 2-DIN audio/video head unit that features a seven-inch touch-screen display, 5.1 digital surround sound system, and iPod and Bluetooth connectivity is thrown into the mix. A new instrument cluster graphic with orange illumination, sporty over-fenders, limited slip differential, cup holders for the center console, and bed liner (on limited units only), are available on the 4x4 LT standard edition.

The future according to GM

We all know that American carmaker General Motors infused some new life into its local operations with the appointment of The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) as its official Philippine distributor. What we didn’t know was that they were looking so much farther into the future – all the way to 2030, in fact. GM participated in the World Expo and we sent Ulysses Ang to China to uncover GM’s vision of the future. What he saw was a vision of a future without harmful emissions! Much closer than 2030, however, Uly found out that we might be seeing a Euro IV-compliant 1.2-liter to 1.4-liter econo-car that could be taking the fight right to the doorsteps of the Japanese carmakers who are lording it over the econo-car segment at the moment. Folks, here’s a glimpse at the Chevrolet Sail, a small but vibrant little car that can cost significantly less than even the Chevrolet Aveo!

Porsche overload

As Uly was busy uncovering the future plans of General Motors, James Deakin and I were checking out Porsche’s current offerings – in the annual Porsche-fest known through out the world as the Porsche World Roadshow. We wrote about the launch of the all-new Cayenne in these very pages last month. We test drove them in Singapore earlier this month. And we’re happy to report that the new Cayenne is truly worthy of its esteemed lineage. Both the 3.6-liter V6, which produces 300hp and 400Nm of torque and the range-topping 4.8-liter Twin-turbocharged variant, which produces 500hp and a mind-boggling 700Nm of torque, are wildly fun to drive. It also helped that the Porsche World Roadshow featured all of the Cayenne’s current stable mates: the ridiculously balanced Boxster, the fantastic Cayman and the irresistible classic, 911. Check out these vehicles at the PGA Showroom along EDSA. If you’ve got the moolah, it’ll be worth the visit.

Jaguar’s new flagship

Finally, Jaguar Cars, Inc. launched yesterday what promises to be the standard by which many a luxury car will be measured – the all-new XJ. Designed by Ian Callum for what he says is “Jaguar’s vision for the 21st century”, it features a cabin that blends elegance and contemporary design with the comfort, luxury and unmistakable sporting style befitting of a Jaguar. Available in standard- and long-wheelbase models, it has four engine choices ranging from the entry-level 3.0-litre 202kW AJ-V6D Gen III diesel with twin sequential turbochargers to the top of the line 5.0-litre 375kW AJ-V8 Gen III supercharged V8 direct-injection petrol. Check out the Jaguar showroom along Sen. Gil Puyat Street in Makati for a glimpse of this fantastic new flagship model from Jaguar.