This is our first look at the all-new Honda Civic
“Here it is—the all-new, 11th-generation Honda Civic. Well, the prototype at least. The car is a pretty big deal, so in case you’re wondering how you may have missed its launch, it’s because the Japanese carmaker unveiled it today on Twitch.
“First impressions? This compact sedan is definitely a looker. A few days ago, we said we were hoping Honda wouldn’t stray too far from the current gen’s sporty tone if it decided to go a little more premium, and thankfully, this is the case. The new car’s face is less aggressive than its predecessor’s, but the vehicle still has a very energetic vibe to it.
“Up front, you’ll find a familiar sight—a bold grille featuring a glossy black crossbar flanked by sleek, swept-back headlights. The latter are less angry-looking now, and nicely build on the sedan’s cleaner overall look.
“The hood is noticeably longer as well, and the sides flaunt strong character lines that complement the car’s elegant roofline, while the rear has ditched the cool-looking C-shaped taillights in favor of a more conventional look.”
Nissan will soon reveal a refreshed Terra
“Care to take a guess as to what vehicle this is? We’ll give you a hint: It’s spelled T-E-R-R-A.
“Alright, Nissan doesn’t exactly specify what model it’s teasing, and the Japanese carmaker hasn’t exactly provided much in terms of visuals here, but we think what little has been shown is enough to conclude this is the refreshed Terra midsize SUV.
“Okay, we’re 99% sure it’s the Terra. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long for a full confirmation as the vehicle is set to be revealed on November 25, 2020. Mark your calendars.
“Observations? It looks like the SUV has adopted a similar four-projector headlight setup as the recently-revealed Nissan Navara refresh. The daytime running lights, as you probably have noticed, look somewhat similar to what the pre-refresh model is carrying.”
Subaru officially reveals the all-new BRZ
“We all waited patiently for it, and now it’s finally here. Ladies and gents, feast your eyes on the all-new Subaru BRZ.
“This Subie debuts with a face that’s sportier than ever. For the most part, it retains the shape of its predecessor, but it now gets more rounded headlamps and a wider, albeit thinner, grille flanked by some new snazzy air intakes.
“Out back, the BRZ features a new ducktail spoiler, redesigned taillights, and a more pronounced rear bumper. This bumper still houses the twin exhaust pipes which remain untouched. Underneath, the sports car gets a choice of either 17- or 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels.
“Inside, apart from the aesthetic changes, the BRZ gets a new customizable seven-inch digital dashboard and an eight-inch Subaru Starlink infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. And of course, the car also gets the full Subaru EyeSight package to boot.”
We’re not expecting to see the all-new Jazz to land on PH shores
“The Honda Jazz isn’t just a hatchback. Here in the Philippines, it’s the hatchback. The model has pretty much been synonymous with the segment ever since it launched back in the early 2000s, which is why all this talk of the vehicle’s possible exit from the local market has us feeling kind of down.
“Wait, you haven’t heard? There’s talk online that the all-new Honda Jazz won’t be making its way to the Philippines (or a bunch of other Southeast Asian markets where it’s available), where the soon-to-be-revealed City hatchback will take its place.
“If this turns out to be the case, it’ll be a major bummer for fans of the Jazz. Plenty of people, us included, were looking forward to the car, and this news might come as a major surprise for many. Such a decision would make sense, though.”
The Jeep Wrangler has a V8 option again
“The move toward electrification is gaining momentum. Many countries plan on banning the sale of gasoline and diesel cars in as little as a decade’s time. In that context, this Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 appears to represent the dinosaurs roaring viciously at the asteroid.
“It’s the first time in almost 40 years that Jeep has fitted V8s into its halo product on the production line. The V8 in question is 6.4 liters—or 392 cubic inches, hence the name—in size. It produces 470hp and 637Nm, enough for a 4.5sec 0-100kph time (not to mention a 13sec quarter-mile).”
The Lexus IS is now available in PH for P3.328-M
“The Lexus IS will always have a special place in the hearts of gearheads. The name was introduced more than 20 years ago when it was also called the Toyota Altezza, and its clear taillights sparked a JDM design trend during that era. The second-generation IS gave us the IS F, a sublime sports sedan with a Yamaha-tuned 5.0-liter V8.
“The current IS is no slouch. Introduced to the Philippine market in 2013 with a track-day event, it made sports car owners look twice thanks to its NA 3.5-liter V6 making 306hp. But while the third-generation IS has aged well, seven years is a long time.
“Well the long wait for change ends today as Lexus Philippines introduces the massively refreshed 2021 Lexus IS sedan. There are still two variants in the lineup—the IS F Sport that retains the lovely 3.5-liter V6, and a new hybrid variant, the IS 300h.
And what a facelift. The new face sports a massive new grille with a stance that’s 30mm wider than the outgoing fascia. The rear profile has taillights that taper to a slim line in the center. Both the IS F Sport and 300h get 19-inch alloys; the former gets a dark premium metallic design while the latter gets a shiny silver metallic finish.”
Ford headlines its SEMA lineup with a special-edition Bronco
“No show floor, no problem. Ford has revealed that it’s bringing it’s A-game to this year’s Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association (SEMA) show despite the absence of actual physical displays. Welcome to the new normal, people.
“The carmaker is flaunting these rides throughout the two-day Ford Auto Nights SEMA show broadcast: The Bronco Sport by Mad Industries, the Bronco Badlands Sasquatch 2, an F-150 Limited Hybrid SuperCrew, the Ranger XLT Tremor SuperCrew, and the Mustang Mach-E 1400.
“That’s quite the lineup, but our favorite this year has to be the Sasquatch. We’ve seen our fair share of neat Bronco builds since the SUV made its debut in July 2020, and this take on the iconic off-roader is definitely one of our favorites. It’s meant to display the vehicle’s modular underpinnings, featuring swappable components, 3D-printed parts, and an open-air design. The MAD Bronco Sport, meanwhile, comes with an overlanding trailer and gear in tow.”
The Nissan Micra gets a new variants and a new engine
“Nissan just keeps upgrading its lineup in other markets. There’s the refreshed Navara, the new Kicks e-Power, and the all-new Qashqai. Now, it has introduced yet another updated model: the Micra.
“This is the fifth-generation model of Nissan’s popular city car, and the Japanese carmaker is refreshing its range for 2021. There are only subtle design changes, but Nissan has announced that an all-new N-Design trim is available and that the N-Sport trim is now also a mainstay in the Micra roster, joining the Visia, Acenta, and Tekna variants.
“The N-Sport gets gloss black front, side, and rear front finishers, some new black mirror caps, and 17-inch black Perso alloy wheels. LED headlamps and foglamps up front now also come standard. Inside, it gets an all-black interior with Alcantara inserts.”
Nissan gives us our first glimpse at the all-new mild-hybrid Qashqai
“Welcome Internet, to the brand-new Nissan Qashqai. Woah, don’t get too excited there.
“The third generation of Nissan’s crossover will arrive in Spring 2021 (between March and April), replacing the ridiculously popular second-gen which has sold over one million units since its introduction in 2014.
“It’s still undergoing testing—hence the camo shots here—but Nissan has released some early details. So, here goes…
“It’ll be based on the new CMF-C platform and will only be 35mm longer than the outgoing version. Boot space will benefit from that, at 50 liters larger than before. The doors, front wings, and bonnet will now be built from aluminum too, so the body in white will be 60kg lighter and 41% stiffer than before.”
SsangYong brings back the gasoline-powered Tivoli
“If you once considered the SsangYong Tivoli but scratched it off your list due to the lack of a gasoline variant, you might want to reconsider. The Korean car manufacturer has just announced that the crossover is once again available with a gasoline engine.
“With a P1,120,000 price tag, the new SsangYong Tivoli Gas Sport slots directly in between the 1.6-liter Diesel Premium and the 1.6-liter Diesel Sport. It packs a 1.6-liter e-XDGi160 gasoline engine capable of up to 126hp at 4,000rpm and 160Nm between 1,500-2,500rpm mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
“Units feature a compact form factor and 167mm ground clearance—a combination that makes the model a viable option for the cramped Philippine setting. The Tivoli Gas Sport also comes with the same 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility found in the top-of-the-line diesel variant.”
