Category: Motoring

Top 5 Techs of the new Mazda6 and Mazda6 Sports Wagon

Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

In addition to the CX-5 and its three new variants, official distributor Berjaya Auto Philippines (BAP) also announces the local availability of the 2015 Mazda6 sedan and Mazda6 Sports Wagon. We take a look at some of its game-changing technologies integrated in the car that would further improve your riding experience.

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2015 Mazda6

2015 Mazda6/Mazda6 Sports Wagon key specs:
2.5-liter SKYACTIV-G engine
SKYACTIV-DRIVE 6-speed AT w/ Sport Mode
188PS @ 5,700rpm
250Nm @ 3,250rpm
Front MacPherson strut and real multilink suspension
19-inch aluminum wheels

Note: These features are present on Mazda’s 2015 CX-5 as well.

Mazda’s infotainment center

For its cockpit, the company designed it in a way that operation of its 7-inch display (which is its main infotainment center) would be easy and unobtrusive while driving. The screen is located on top of the center console, while navigation can be through a rotary commander which is at the center console behind the gearshift.

Users can also opt to just use voice commands or tap on the display itself to queue and play different media.

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MZD Connect

MZD Connect caters to the tech-savvy by helping you stay online easily even on-the-go. It uses an Internet service which is cloud-based that utilizes radio-like audio format, making it safe to use while driving. You just connect a smartphone via Bluetooth and the system will use its data connectivity to get you access to your e-mail, SMS, and even to social media sites.

With it, users can listen to tweets and Facebook posts. Replying via voice and posting audio messages are also possible in addition to giving a Like on a post. Lastly, it offers Mazda’s proprietary apps like fuel economy monitor, maintenance reminders, and warning guidance.

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Bose sound system

Both the Mazda6 and Mazda6 Sports Wagon are equipped with an 11-piece speaker from Bose (CX-5 has 9). We’ve seen a similar sound system on the Nissan Altima with 9 speakers and we already loved it — what more with 11 beautifully-crafted drivers.

The fun doesn’t end there as it also features Bose Centerpoint 2 virtual surround playback technology which, the company claims, analyzes the frequency of the sound source to deliver life-like virtual surround sound even though you play compressed audio.

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The 2015 Mazda6 Sports Wagon’s liftgate looks like that of the CX-5’s.

Finally, its AudioPilot 2 automatically compensates for the effects of unwanted sound that comes from different road surfaces, varying driving speeds, and even open windows. This is possible by placing a microphone in the cabin that listens to ambient noises continuously, and uses an algorithm that analyzes the music signal and reduces the effect of unwanted noise.

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Adaptive LED Headlights

Using four independently-controlled LED blocks per headlamp, the Adaptive LED Headlights system activates the high-beam lights for better visibility at night, but eliminates the danger of impairing the vision of an oncoming motorist by intelligently turning off specific lamps. With a camera up front, it senses the other vehicle’s position and adjusts its lamps accordingly to avoid shining too much light on it.

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Lane-keep Assist System

To avoid unintended lane changes, the new vehicles have Lane-keep Assist System that activates once you hit 65kph and up. It uses the aformentioned camera to determine lane markings on the road and signals the driver if the tires are nearing and about to go over them. Additionally, it provides steering torque assistance to return the car safely to its intended lane. 

With these tech features installed in their newest vehicles, riding them just became more enjoyable as well as safer for you and even other drivers. The company priced the 2.5-liter Mazda6 sedan at Php1,785,000, while the Mazda6 Sports Wagon is a tad bit higher at Php1,795,000.

The post Top 5 Techs of the new Mazda6 and Mazda6 Sports Wagon appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

8 Ways to Tech Up Your Brand New Basic Car

Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

While a lot of people buy cars that already have the bells and whistles built-in, some of us Filipinos get the thrill in upgrading our car one by one from its standard package. Here are some ways to tech up your brand new basic car.

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1. GPS

car gps

For the road trip junkies out there, you know how GPS could save yourselves the stress and effort driving to an unfamiliar destination. Whether integrated in the car or using a smartphone with navigation apps, a GPS is an essential tool for finding directions in the fastest time possible.

2. Rear camera

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A lot of mid-tier vehicles are now packaged with rear cameras that come handy while backing up. It helps the driver see the area behind the vehicle, estimating the space in tight places. If you want to kick it up a notch maybe you can tweak you ride with something like the new Nissan X-Trail that has all four sides covered with four different cameras, giving you a bird’s eye view of your car.

3. Built-in TV

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We all know that here in the Philippines it’s not seldom that you experience a bumper-to-bumper ride moreso if you always traverse the roads of EDSA. For times like these, a TV installed in your car might be able to make traffic a little more tolerable as you watch your news or your favorite teleserye.

4. Tablet Board or Media Player

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If you’re more of a media guy and you want your files right at your fingertips, you can install a tablet board/media player on your car so you have something else to do when you’re done watching the news. It usually comes with built-in apps like Waze, VLC Player, and Spotify for all your navigation and media needs.

Alternatively, you can just mount your very own tablet on your windshield since it also has the aformentioned features. Just make sure that you get a stable mounting system to avoid dropping and possibly breaking your slate while driving.

5. Dash Cams

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A lot of mishaps and even rare occurences have been accidentally recorded by dash cams and its purpose doesn’t just end there. You can use it as a sort of security camera for the car when you leave it unnattended, as evidence if ever you’re involved in an accident, or as proof to your boss that you were really stuck in traffic and not just making up stories for being late at the office.

Seriously, though, it’s a fun little gadget to have around and can serve various purposes.

6. Car Wi-Fi

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Always finding yourself taking a selfie inside the car to upload on social media sites? How about streaming songs for that perfect road trip music? Whatever your online demands may be, a car Wi-Fi is a good alternative to access the Internet if data connection is unavailable. (Note: We currently have the Huawei CarFi that’s made exactly for this purpose. Stay tuned for our review!)

7. USB Power Hub

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Using your gadgets will surely exhaust your battery. So for your charging needs you can opt to get a USB power hub that lets you charge multiple devices all at the same time.

8. AC/DC Power Converter

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If driving out of town and going camping is your thing, then you might not help but bring electronics that get their power not just from lighter plugs seen in your vehicle. Things like charging your night light, heating water for coffee, or maybe you just need to charge your laptop while you work inside your SUV require you to plug into wall sockets and this is where power inverters come into play.

It basically takes direct current (DC) from the battery of the vehicle and converts it into alternating current (AC) which is the same kind of power delivered to houses, so your electronic products is supplied with the right power in order to function. It’s like bringing a little portion of your house’s comforts wherever you go.

(Bonus) Power bank/Jumpstarter

JUMPR

So you’re stuck in traffic going to work and for some reason fate decides to give you a more challening task to start your day — by letting your car battery die. This specific power bank not only charges smartphone batteries, it also jumpstarts cars. It’s a handy tech gadget to have inside the car so you’re prepared whenever the gadget (or car’s) battery needs a little nudge.

How many of these do you already have in your vehicle? Additionally, what tech do you have installed in your car that isn’t listed here? You may share them with everyone on the comments section below.

The post 8 Ways to Tech Up Your Brand New Basic Car appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Chevrolet unveils 2016 Spark with improved tech

Kevin Bruce Francisco Leave a comment

Over at the New York Auto Show, Chevrolet takes the wraps off of its newest Spark that promises an engine with more kick and boasts a handful of tech features.

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2016 Chevrolet Spark specs and features:
1.4-liter Ecotec inline-4 engine
99PS of power
5-speed MT/Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
7-inch capacitive touch color screen
10-piece airbags
Rear-vision camera
Forward Collision Alert
Lane Departure Warning
Side Blind Spot Alert

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In addition to the 16% power increase of its engine compared to its predecessor the dimension has also been tweaked with a slightly longer wheelbase and a 1.6-inch height drop. On the other hand, its 7-inch panel can be used to open MyLink which lets users connect their smartphones to the car to control music, watch television, and access the phone’s contacts.

The new Chevy Spark will be on sale starting on the last quarter of the year and will be available in 40 different countries. Stay tuned for its local announcement.

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