New hunks on the road

The guys – and gals – in school never seem to tire talking about their dream cars. Of course, a few lucky ones don’t have to dream about their dream cars as they’re already driving ’em.

If you ask me, my dream car would have to be something that’s both sleek and more than that, fuel-efficient (you wouldn’t want a car that puts a dent in your weekly allowance and gives you "gas pains," would you?).

The good news (for the car crazies out there) is that both Honda and Toyota (who are forever in a neck-and-neck race trying to outclass each other) have come out with fabulous (dream) cars that won’t send you to the poorhouse. The latest Honda City and all-new Toyota Vios have caught the eye of window-shoppers and prospective buyers as well. Let’s take a closer look at these new hunks on the road:

Power

To complement the new City, Honda has introduced the i-DSI (read: Intelligent Dual and Sequential Ignition) engine. Being "intelligent," the engine is supposed to complement your driving conditions by changing the ignition timing. This translates to fuel efficiency. Like its old City, the new City has a 1.3-liter gasoline engine. But then, Honda has redefined the concept of automatic (read: steermatic) by introducing the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). If you’re one of those who prefer the ease of an automatic transmission but crave the adrenaline rush of a manual one, this is just right for you. The two sleek buttons on the steering wheel let you play with the car’s seven-speed mode, allowing you to step on it without the hassle of a clutch.

Likewise, the Toyota Vios has an impressive engine under its hood. Proud of the efficiency of its latest VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) engine, Toyota now loads it into its latest baby. Complemented by a 1.3 or a 1.5-liter engine, the Toyota Vios is guaranteed to give you the acceleration of your life. More, it is said to be fuel-efficient. Toyota also redefines its concept of automatic transmission with its ECT (Electronic Control Transmission). This allows for ease of driving while giving you power when you want it.

Style

As they say, first impressions last. Both Honda and Toyota must have kept this dictum in mind when they designed their latest vehicular masterpieces.

Honda launches its all-new City with a cutting-edge, sporty design. Its hood is shorter than the Type Z City but appears wider in dimension than its forerunner, giving it a futuristically sporty edge. The rear was molded sophisticatedly to further emphasize its sporty flair. The cat-like appearance of its lights (head and tail) gives the car a sharp look, which also translates to dependability. And now, there are a lot more colors to choose from: Satin silver metallic, satellite silver metallic, ice blue metallic, royal ruby red pearl, amazon green pearl, nighthawk black pearl, and taffeta white.

On the other hand, Toyota Vios has revolutionized the concept of sporty. Like its big brod Altis, the latest Toyota creation matches sporty with comfort. The stylish, slightly curvy hood is complemented by elegantly shaped headlamps, adding to Vios’ appeal. Looking at the rear, you find another side of this aerodynamic work of art coming to the fore. The rear’s one-of-a-kind mold exudes a sporty, casual appeal. Like the body of the Altis, Vios has a pretty chubby build – you feel you can just sink into it and zoom off! Of course, Toyota has also come up with a range of colors for its Vios. Take your pick: Silver steel, scarlet fury, subtle gold, rave blue, xtreme black, and ember.

Feel

The new City’s driver and passenger seats are certainly comfortable. Relax and enjoy the ride, what with all the new amenities the car comes with. To name some: A dual glove box, front cup holders and storage box, backseat pocket, underseat hooks, and power door mirror.

The Toyota Vios is never short on comfort amid its power. The seats’ cushion is oh-so-soft, it invites you to sit back and relax – yes, even while you’re stuck in traffic. It can even be your home away from home, what with the many amenities it offers: A glove box, cup holders, door pockets, seat back pockets, and a luggage room lamp.

Practicality

Knowing that fuel efficiency is every car owner’s major concern, both Toyota and Honda have tried to come up with the most fuel-saving cars that they could. The new Honda City’s gas consumption is reported to be 15-18 km/liter while that of Vios is around 18 km/liter for the 1.3 engine.

The new City’s suggested retail price ranges from P550,000 to P669,000. On the other hand, Toyota announces the prices of its Vios as follows: 1.5G at P678,000, 1.5G MT at P643,000, and 1.3E MT at P578,000.

Are you dreaming of driving one home? Enjoy the ride!

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E-mail me at ice_wave_42 @yahoo.com.