The Game of Death: Dakar 2013

Great Wall Motors joined the Dakar 2013, also known as the ‘Game of Death’ for the fourth time since its debut in 2010 and has steadily gone from strength to strength. The grueling 15–‐day race from Lima, Peru to Santiago Chile features rugged terrains, mud, rocks, extreme weather conditions, and dune driving. The drivers, Carlos Souza and Zhou Young achieved the same results as last year, with Sousa placing 6th and Zhou Young 19th. Haval Dakar Team’s performance is jaw–‐dropping according to the results of diesel vehicles.Sousa is most outstanding in the diesel category, and Zhou who finished 10th twice is among the top three.

Dakar Rally is mostly regarded by auto manufacturers as a testing ground for built quality, performance and endurance. This year, 162 cars joined the race, only 91 finished the race.

View the Dakar Rally From Another Perspective: Mass Produced Escort Cars

Extreme weather conditions, mud, rocks, steep mountains are just some of what makes Dakar rally commendable of the title “The Game of Death”. The modified vehicles are the star of the race, however, behind all grandeur are various hard working escort and logistics vehicles.

Although they travel via regular road, the vehicles must also face complex environmental conditions. Crossing vast desserts and climbing steep Andes are just some of the hurdles the vehicles go through which test the vehicles quality and performance.

On its fourth year, the Haval team has a strong logistics team, a rescue truck, three logistic trucks, and two working vehicles which are the stock Haval H5 and the stock Wingle 5.

Haval H5 and Wingle 5 have covered over 5,000 kilometers from Lima to Chile and have fared well without any difficulties. A prime example of this is during the climb over the Andes at an altitude of 4,800 meters, despite the steep slope and sharp turns, both vehicles were able to fully exhibit superb maneuverability and dynamics.

For more information, media interviews and test drive requests, please contact GWcars via email at marketing@gwcars.ph or call them at 4124049, and you can also visit their website at www.gwcars.ph.

Chery Set To Unveil Six New Models

Chery Motors Philippines, Inc. (CMPI), the exclusive distributor of Chery vehicles in the country announced the release of 6 new models to the Philippine market.

The announcement came amidst changes in the organization with the takeover of the company’s new Executive Committee.

CMPI’s new Chief Executive Officer Mr. Leon “Porong” Herrera, a veteran in the automotive industry with stints in Volkswagen, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia now heads the local distributor of China’s number one passenger car marquee.

To be released in the market immediately after the Holy Week will be 4 all-new cars and 2 additional variants to the current commercial vehicle line-up.

“We are gearing up for a new company and a new frontier in the car business,” says Mr. Herrera. “We closed down the old distributor and revitalized Chery business via CMPI. With these new models we have come full circle.”

Starting with the Tiggo Upgrade, now in automatic transmission with sunroof and a smarter and fuel efficient 2.0-liter gasoline ACTECO engine, the Tiggo gives a fresh perspective to the compact SUV segment.

Entering as an all-new player is the Chery X1 Mini SUV. Sporting a 1.3-liter engine that is both frugal and powerful, the spacious 5-seater hatchback mini sports-use features a taller ground clearance than the common car and a bigger boot space with 530 cubic inches of cargo space and full folding seats.

Complementing these two vehicles will be the Chery E5, a full size luxury compact sedan with a 1.5 liter engine. The E5 is one of seven Chery vehicles penned by the Italian design house Pinninfarina. Complete in features, rivaling the best the Japanese and Koreans can offer, the E5 is also expected to turn the tide in the full-size sedan segment with its pricing and value for money.

To complete its presence in the strongest market segments, CMPI also brought in the Chery Fulwin Sport, a hatchback designed to make its mark in the lucrative subcompact market. Another stunning Italian-designed car, the Fulwin is motivated by Chery’s new engine line-up. This engine, same as that of the E5 are new technology engines produced in cooperation with the European Ricardo Engineering promising great fuel economy and maximum power.

Chery’s QQ3 and its phenomenal presence in the Philippines is expected to be duplicated with 2013 QQ3. Renewed from the ground up, and retooled for better performance and safety the new QQ3 showcases new engine and transmission technologies.

Two variants to the Q22 light commercial van are also slated to launch including an 11-seater passenger van and an improved version of the current 7-seater 1.2L-variant. Sporting 1.2 liter engines the Q22 are targeted against the reconditioned multi-cabs in space, but more advantageous in pricing, safety, space and quality.

“Our confidence in the revival of Chery in the Philippines is boosted by these 6 vehicles, especially our all-new variants which we believe will prove to be excellent value for money, and highly acceptable to the regular Filipino car buyer,” explains Mr. Herrera.

These 6 new variants will be featured at the Chery’s booth at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) on April 4 to 7, 2013 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City.

Tuason Racing School Ties up with BMW M to train supercar owners.

Tuason Racing School, the longest running professional racing school in the country, partners up with industry leader BMW to launch Tuason Racing Drive Experience powered by M.  After Tuason Racing School founder JP tuason became the first Filipino to be an M certified Driver Trainer, supercar owners and car enthusiasts will now have a chance to be trained in the proper driving of high performance vehicles.  Using a fleet of BMW vehicles, enthusiasts will be given a deep dive into driving dynamics and high speed driving according to the world-class standards set by BMW.

BMW M Gmbh, is the motorsports arm responsible for all motorsports and M performance vehicle efforts of BMW in the world.  Tuason underwent a 2-month training in Germany and Austria with some of the best racers and automotive engineers in the world.  He is now part of the elite 160 BMW trainers and a more exclusive group of about eighty M driver trainers in the world.

The program will focus on technologies now available in different super cars and the skills upgrade of the owners.  They will be taught the basic driver training in BMW cars in the morning and in their own vehicles in the pm session.

“ We have taken the responsibility of making the training for higher speed vehicles available in the country by applying the strictest global standards BMW M is known for.  As the industry leader, we feel that making sure our customers and other car enthusiasts get to enjoy their vehicles the way it is supposed to be driven, safely.” According to Maricar Parco, President of Asian Carmakers Co. and official distributor of BMW cars in the country.

“This program will complement our racing courses and will complete the driver training available for Filipino car enthusiasts.  This gives us the opportunity to be at the same level with leading car markets.” Quipped JP Tuason. “Tuason Racing School has always been up to date with the latest racing equipment and teaching aids.  Our partnerships with Bridgestone, Standard Insurance, OMP, Puma, Coke Zero, Acer, Go Pro, Toptul, Oakley, Rota, Elig, Aguila Auto Glass, Karate Kid, Foilacar and Media Partners C! Magazine, Trapik.com has enabled us to keep the training at a high standard at cost effective prices.” He added.

On display at MIAS are the different school cars and racing car to be used in the programs including an American tuned M3 Race car that Tuason will be using to compete in local races.

Delo® Purple Papremyo!

What’s better than Caltex with Techron? Free Caltex with Techron.

Starting March 15, every purchase of specially marked Delo Gold Multigrade 4L or 18L pack comes with P50 worth of free Caltex with Techron. Customers just need to present the purple cap for every minimum P500 fuel purchase in any Caltex station.

The P50 free fuel is added immediately to the minimum  P500 fuel purchase after yielding the purple cap. A customer cannot avail of the P50 free fuel for previous purchases.

The specially marked Delo Gold Multigrade 4L and 18L packs are available at participating auto supply stores, workshops and Caltex stations.

Promo runs from March 15 to May 31, 2013 with redemption until July 31, 2013. For details of promotion, please visitwww.caltex.com/ph and www.caltexdelo.com and checkout flyers.

Volvo XC60 is the First Luxury SUV to Achieve a TOP SAFETY PICK+ Award


Latest test makes Volvo the only luxury manufacturer with two TOP SAFETY PICK+ vehicles

The 2013 Volvo XC60 earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) new small overlap frontal crash test, currently making it the first and only midsize luxury SUV to achieve such results.

Thanks to its top marks in the latest test, Volvo is now the only luxury manufacturer with two TOP SAFETY PICK+ vehicles. The 2013 Volvo S60 sports sedan received the Institute’s highest safety honor in an earlier test.

“We’re so confident in our safety heritage that we went ahead and volunteered the XC60 for the test,” said VCNA President and CEO John Maloney. “We don’t design our vehicles to pass a specific crash test; we design them to pass the most important test of all, everyday life.”

The 2013 Volvo XC60 and S60 both earned the top rating of “good” in the tests. IIHS rates vehicles good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in a moderate overlap frontal crash, small overlap frontal crash, side impact and rollover, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners must earn good ratings for occupant protection in at least four of five evaluations, with no less than acceptable in the fifth test.