Volvo plug-in hybrids now available in PHL
THE PLUG-IN variants of the Volvo S90 sedan, XC60 compact SUV, and XC90 mid-size SUV are now available in the Philippines — offering “sleek, smart, and sensible” transportation.
Volvo says in a release that this “no-compromise combination of plug-in battery electric power and an efficient petrol engine provides low-to-zero tailpipe emissions, excellent flexibility, and a powerful driving experience to make everyday driving as comfortable and as environment-friendly as possible.”
The company’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) features its T8 Twin Engine, and all models boast over 400hp and 640Nm of torque. The PHEVs seamlessly combine electric and petrol power for an efficient driving experience via a “low-emission petrol engine (and) an electric motor that delivers power on demand with ultralow CO2 emissions and more than 40 kilometers of pure electric range.”
Volvo’s promise of an electric future started last year when all newly produced cars had become available with plug-in hybrid technology. This “will continue until Volvo reaches its ambitious goal to be climate neutral across their full value chain in 2040, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Ablang wins Philippine Autocross Series, sets sights on Super Sprint 2020
RYAN ABLANG of Team Autoforce was crowned Fastest Driver of the Day and the Open Class Champion in the second round of the Philippine Autocross Championship Series (PACS) held last Feb. 8 at R33 Trucks, San Simon, Pampanga. The 37-year-old racer also bagged the Open Class Champion title as he clocked 38.85 seconds, followed by Jevoy Moreno at 38.90 seconds, and Mike Potenciano at 39.47 seconds.
Now on its 20th season, the Philippine Autocross Championship Series founded by Danny Santiago is said to be the farthest-reaching campaign of its kind in the country, as it advocates for disciplined driving while contributing challenging programs to Philippine motorsports.
Recently, Ablang also dominated the first round of Super Sprint 2020, held at Meycauayan Commercial Complex last Feb. 2. Driving his Honda Civic EG Hatchback with its 2.0 B20 modified engine, Ablang won first place in the Prepped B3 Class, Prepped C3 Class, and Prepped D3 class of Super Sprint Round 1, submitting times of 59.179 seconds, 59.008 seconds, and 57.478 seconds — winning fastest time of the day for his Autoforce team.
Last year, Ablang dominated Super Sprint, and was hailed as champion for Prepped B3, Prepped C3, and Prepped D3 class, granting him the title of 2019 Prepped Overall Champion.
For Super Sprint, Prepped Class is the category for any driver who has moderate to more experience in motorsports competitions. Other driver classifications are Street, Amateur, and Intermediate.
So far, Ablang’s most notable wins in the motorsports industry aside from those mentioned above include 2008 Race Motorsports Club Slalom Racing Novice Overall Champion, 2017 Philippine Autocross Championship Series Novice Overall Champion, 2001 and up Category Champion in Metro Manila (2019 AAP-MSDP National Gymkhana) 2019 Golden Wheel Awardee Sparco Cup Grid Group 6, and Open Class Fastest Time of the Day in the last round of the 2019 Philippine Autocross Championship Series, timed 30.94 seconds.
Ablang started the racing scene early, in 2007, participating in Race Motorsports Club Slalom Racing, and returned in 2017 after building a stable family life. Ablang is currently backed by Motolite, Keon Sondra LED PH, Denso Mandaluyong, MovNCool, Dynamics Performance Engineering, JG Remaps and Tuning, Unico Hijo Resort, Carbon Nitomura, JDM USDM Surplus Autoparts, Casa Cruz Barberia, Station Lifestyle Supply Co, OEM Auto Fab, and Dohcthor Performance by BertSpeed.
Nissan launches nationwide Car Care Support
UNTIL March 31, 2020, Nissan customers can receive free checkups for air-conditioning, brakes, and suspension at participating dealerships nationwide through the brand’s Car Care Support promo.
Customers who purchased a Navara, Terra, Almera, Urvan, Sylphy, and Juke beginning in 2014 can also enjoy a 10% discount on spare parts and labor including cabin filters, evaporators, brake pads, and shock absorbers. In addition, customers who bring in any of the vehicles and avail of any repair services, are entitled to a free car wash of their unit.
Said Nissan Philippines President and Managing Director Atsushi Najima: “Buying a Nissan vehicle means a partnership for life, and this promo is part of our commitment to serving our clients through our key pillars: products, service, customer experience, and people.” He added, “This timing is also beneficial to support those whose vehicles have been affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. We want people to know that Nissan’s support continues long after they purchase their car.”
For more information on the Car Care Support promo, visit www.nissan.ph.
New red color for 2020 Honda Civic RS Turbo
HONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has just announced the availability of the 2020 Civic RS Turbo, which now also comes in a new hue the company calls Ignite Red Metallic. The new color supplants the previous Rallye Red, and will be an exclusive for the RS Turbo variant.
HCPI executives have confirmed that the RS variants across Honda’s range of vehicles have proven a hit among customers.
“With its sporty driving dynamics contributed by its 1.5-liter DOHC I-VTEC engine producing a maximum power output of 173ps at 5,500 rpm, and a maximum torque of 22.4 kg-m at 1,700-5,500 rpm, the Civic RS delivers powerful and responsive performance output with uncompromised fuel efficiency,” said HCPI in a release.
The Civic RS also furthers Honda’s sporty heritage through an exterior design that features a low and wide stance, sharp character lines, an RS design spoiler, and 18-inch Belrina Black RS alloys.
Continuing inside, the new Civic RS receives a leather cover for its seats, an advanced full-color TFT instrument panel with customizable information display, and Honda’s seven-inch touchscreen Advanced Display Audio System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
The 2020 Honda Civic RS Turbo CVT will be available at all 38 Honda Cars dealerships nationwide with a suggested retail price of P1.608 million. Four color options in total are available: Ignite Red Metallic (exclusive to RS Turbo CVT), Platinum White Pearl (for an additional P20,000), Cosmic Blue Metallic, and Modern Steel Metallic.
Isuzu Philippines fetes best sales and service performers in 2019
ISUZU Philippines Corporation (IPC) held its 15th Dealer of the Year Awards (DOYA) recently at Hilton Hotel Manila on Newport Boulevard in Pasay City to honor top performers.
The 2019 DOYA “capped off a challenging but fulfilling year for the dedicated men and women of the IPC dealer network’s sales force and after-sales operations.” The awards night has been held annually since 2004 to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of Isuzu frontliners in IPC’s dealer principals and operators.
Awards were handed out to branch, sales, service and parts managers, sales supervisors, and sales executives in an elegant black-tie dinner gala attended by IPC’s top executives and managers of the dealership network. In his welcome remarks, IPC President Hajime Koso said, “Tonight, as we give due recognition to our best dealers and performers of 2019, I would like to encourage all of you to step up to our commitment to serve our valued customers.”
Hailed as the 2019 Dealer of the Year Champion was Isuzu Pasig, with Isuzu Bulacan and Isuzu Sta. Rosa first and second runner-up, respectively. Isuzu Makati won Most Improved Dealership of the Year. The Sales Executive of the Year in the LCV Category was Migueland Castro from Isuzu Edsa, while the Sales Executive of the Year in the CV Category was Erlinda Erfe of Isuzu Cagayan de Oro.
The 2019 DOYA Awards were also handed out to Isuzu Pasig, Isuzu Cebu, and Isuzu Bulacan for being Excellent in Sales Operations; Isuzu Bulacan, Isuzu Sta. Rosa, and Isuzu EDSA for being Excellent in Parts Operation; Isuzu Sta. Rosa, Isuzu Cavite, and Isuzu Alabang as Excellence in Service Operations; and Isuzu Butuan, Isuzu Sto. Tomas, and Isuzu Cabanatuan as Excellence in Customer Service Operations.
