It was another exciting year for the domestic automotive industry as it achieved unprecedented sales.
All indications would point to another record setting feat with the auto industry ramping up sales beyond 100,000-units, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).
The third quarter of 2014 saw rollouts booming and total volume rising by almost 40 percent, according to Timmy Naval-de Leon, of the CAMPI Marketing Committee.
The top 5 major players kept their rankings. Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation, Ford Motor Philippines, Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Honda Cars Philippines Inc.
With these encouraging numbers, the domestic automotive industry is gearing up for a more fruitful 2015. “ The growth in sales shows that the automotive industry remains strong as supported by the increasing demand of the market,” explained by CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez.
To usher in the New Year, auto makers, importers and tuners have lined up new models guaranteed to whet the appetite for speed and anything gorgeous on four wheels. MST Motoring offers a list of must-have cars for this year, that is if money is not an issue.
Volkswagen Golf R 400
With the introduction of the Golf GTi last September at the Philippine International Motorshow, lead footed drivers with money to throw around have formed a beeline to the Volkswagen showroom at the BGC and in Cebu to order this iconic car. Given the warm reception of the Golf GTi version in the local market, enthusiasts are asking Volkswagen Philippines if the introduction of the Golf R 400 will be realized this year. Maybe we should write a petition letter to the Ayala brothers?
With a potent 221 kW / 300 PS of power lurking under the hood and an All-wheel drive system, the Golf R can sprint to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and reportedly has a top speed of 250 km/h, making this car the sharpest production Golf ever and one of the most agile sports cars in its class. But the potential of the Golf – which made its debut exactly 40 years ago and developed into one of the world‘s most successful cars – enables even further extensions to the limits of what is feasible in sporty performance. The Golf R400 was developed by Volkswagen R GmbH – the brand‘s sports car manufacturer, and the 400 stands for 400 PS (294 kW). Volkswagen have put to good use the lessons they have learned from WRC racing.
The Golf R 400, including its all-wheel drive system, is a lightweight at 1,420 kg thanks to its compact high-performance engine (2.0 TSI), lightweight dual-clutch gearbox and low body weight. Its weight-to-power ratio is a dominant 3.55 kg per PS. The permanent all-wheel drive system by Volkswagen – 4MOTION – is also one of the most fuel-efficient systems of its kind. In addition, the Golf is also exceptionally aerodynamic, as the R 400 as well. Perfection in details runs through the entire concept of the Golf R 400 – from the engine to the largely new body design. This extreme Golf is painted in „Silver Flake“; creating a contrast to this light metallic colour are the car‘s glossy „Black“ roof and mirror caps in genuine carbon. Also designed in painted carbon effect are the splitters (wrap-around aerodynamic parts) adapted from motorsport and genuine carbon accents in the interior.
The Golf R 400 is powered by a 2.0 TSI with the technical genes of the WRC racing engine. Compared to the 221 kW / 300 PS Golf R, the Golf R 400 develops 100 PS more power, thus providing 295 kW / 400 PS (at 7,200 rpm) – which is 200 PS per liter of engine displacement. This specific power figure lies on the same level as that of super sports cars. The engine‘s maximum torque was increased by 70 Newton meters to 450 Newton meters (between 2,400 and 6,000 rpm).
Turbocharged fun : Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Lancer Evolution fans are burning up the internet with various theories and projections about the fate of this beloved iconic car from Mitsubishi. Although Mitsubishi have remained silent regarding the introduction of a new version Evolution, they have presented more questions than answers with the latest iteration of the Lancer Evolution. The 2015 edition has a more potent turbocharged and intercooled powerplant, equipped with a more precision-tuned handling system matted to a communicative steering feel and 4-door configuration, this 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is an ultra-high-performance sports car that allows it to be a daily driver and a track weapon on weekends. to take to the track – along with several of his/her like-minded friends.
With a ready 291 bhp on tap at 6,500 rpm and a full 300 lb.-ft. of torque beginning at 4,000 rpm, the 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution’s DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled inline-4-cylinder engine feels completely willing and able at virtually any mark on the tachometer.
This 4B11 T/C powerplant features a “square” design with a bore and stroke each measuring 86.0 mm, a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and a reinforced cast-aluminum engine block and an aluminum cylinder head. Power production is further maximized by the installation of a high-volume free-flow exhaust system with dual exhaust outlets, while weight balance is improved with the turbocharger and stainless steel exhaust manifold positioned close to the firewall at the rear of the engine.
Having won numerous drivers’ championships – including four straight from 1996 through 1999 with Finnish racing legend Tommi Mäkinen – in the extremely challenging on- and off-road circuits featured in the World Rally Championship (WRC), this specialized racing discipline has proven to be the fertile real-world test bed for developing Mitsubishi Motors’ exceptionally capable Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system.
This year’s Lancer Evolution employs a network of highly advanced components in the company’s trademark Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system to achieve maximum tractability, safety, handling and performance. These include an Active Center Differential (ACD) and a rear differential with Active Yaw Control (AYC), a Sport ABS braking system and Active Stability Control (ASC).Allowing up to a 50:50 torque split between the front and rear wheels, the Active Center Differential (ACD) controls the power routed to the wheels via an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch based on a number of parameters including steering wheel angle, throttle opening, and individual wheel speeds.
The 2015 Lancer Evolution GSR combines all of the athleticism and performance that we have come to expect from the legendary Lancer Evolution lineage – including a precise short-throw 5-speed manual transmission – along with a very attractive price.
This Juke NISMO RS is no joke
To differentiate between the Nissan JUKE sports crossover, and the recently introduced JUKE NISMO and the new JUKE NISMO RS – which made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show – the one word is all that’s needed: More.
“The concept behind the development of the new JUKE NISMO RS is giving the customers exactly what they have been asking for – more power, handling and exclusive equipment like Recaro seats and Alcantara®-wrapped steering wheel,” said Pierre Loing, Vice President, Product and Advanced Planning and Strategy, Nissan North America, Inc. “And the best part is, it does it in a very balanced way, delivering up to 215 horsepower in combination with unique body and suspension upgrades.”
The idea of creating vehicles that can be driven everyday to work, but that you want to drive them the long, winding way home, is central to the NISMO design philosophy. As Nissan’s performance group, with its vision and name derived from Nissan Motorsports, NISMO is applying its near-50 years of engineering experience and expertise to an expanding range of affordable production vehicles. Like the 370Z NISMO and JUKE NISMO before it, the new JUKE NISMO RS ups the excitement level for the driver while still remaining attainable for the average consumer.
With the addition of the NISMO RS, JUKE buyers now have three distinct levels of drivetrain tuning to choose from to fit their driving style and needs. Every JUKE model starts with one of the most advanced engines in the Nissan portfolio – an inline 4-cylinder 1.6-liter DOHC aluminum-alloy Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) turbocharged engine.
The engine’s direct injection helps improve combustion, enhancing power, torque, economy and emissions. The use of the turbocharger and intercooler also help boost power, while the variable timing control for both intake and exhaust cycles improves low-end engine response. For use in the JUKE S, SV and SL grades, the engine is rated at 188-horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque.
As the top tier variant of the JUKE line, the new NISMO RS ups JUKE’s bragging rights to a best-in-class 215 horsepower (at 6,000 rpm) and 210 lb-ft of torque (at 3,600 – 4,800 rpm) for the 6-speed manual transmission-equipped front-wheel drive model. The JUKE NISMO RS All-Wheel Drive with Xtronic CVT® is rated at 211 horsepower (at 6,000 rpm) and 184 lb-ft of torque (at 2,400 – 6,000 rpm).
Changes to the engine to create the higher power and torque figures include optimized engine control (ECU) settings and a revised exhaust system with a larger main tube diameter and revised baffling. “The JUKE NISMO RS’s exhaust has been tuned to create a highly visceral sound worthy of its racing-inspired roots,” said Loing.
Tuned E63 by POSAIDON, the “RS 850” Edition
Actually, the considerable serial output of 557 PS in the current Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, should be quite sufficient for most uses. Should be; there is a surprising number of performance fans who can never get enough of such a potent vehicle. Posaidon will gladly take care of this wish and by targeted measures generate so many additional PS in the E-class that no wishes will remain unfulfilled at all: Almost 300 PS extra turn the E63 AMG “RS 850” into a hunter on the motorway that will hardly find its match in longitudinal dynamics.
This performance treatment is made up of several mechanical and electronic components: For example, two upgrade turbochargers have been installed in connection with a changed charging air cooling. Furthermore, the suction paths of the 5.5 liters V8-biturbo drive have been optimized and the original exhaust system has been replaced by completely new exhaust technology, including turbo downpipes, racing sports catalyzers and flap control.
Thanks to fine coordination of the motor electronics, the drive output has now been increased to an incredible 853 PS by Posaidon, corresponding to an additional performance of precisely 296 horses. The torque, increased from 720 Nm to 1,300 Nm will render you speechless, as well.
The maximum speed is at 345 km/h, electronically limited. The gearbox and the rear axle also had to be optimized as resist the increased stress. In addition to the extreme development stage at 853 PS, the Posaidon specialists offer various other performance stages from 630 to 749 PS for all model series with M157 63 AMG biturbo motors, covering any customer wish.
Result: With the “RS 850” Posaidon proves how much potential there is in this drive, using it relentlessly.
The Lamborghini LP850 -4 Huracan “ Lucifero “
Just as fresh new models of the LP610-4 Huracan have started to roll out of the hallowed halls of Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata Bolognese plant, famed German automobile tuner Wheelsandmore developed a stunning and powerful upgrade package and renamed it the LP850 “Lucifero”. Judging by the name itself, this Lamborghini is one hell of a car.
The modified wheels are noted at first because Wheelsandmore applied their new wheel model F.I.W.E. and converted the Huracan into a racing car with central locking optics colored as well as the applied outlines. The multi-piece concave forged wheels for the Huracan were taylor-fitted with 9.5 x20 inches on the steering axle for stock tires size 245/30/20 and on the guide axis in 11.5 x21 inches for much flatter 305/25/21 tires. The modular three-piece construction allows for a more individual customizing, which means that the center, the outer rim, the central locking and even the small connecting screws of the wheels can be finished in color and surface up to infinite combinations.
For those who aren´t satisfied with the factory offered 610 hp and 560 nm of torque, Wheelsandmore has developed 3 different power upgrades. With stage 1 the noble tuner combines a hand-made stainless steel exhaust system with digitally program-able, wireless remote controlled flap control with customized software and carbon-frame air filters and elicits the V10 aggregate 30 horsepower and 40 Nm additional torque. In the second stage the luxury refiner implanted the V10 engine a compressor kit with reinforced clutch and a differential lock. If the solvent customer is bored with these 777 hp and 700 Nm, Wheelsandmore offers also a third and final tuning stage 3 which ups the bhp of the Lucifero to a hellish 850 bhp and 730nm!
Currently, there is a hydraulically adjustable racing suspension with adjustable train and compression damping in the development and will timely integrated into the Wheelsandmore portfolio for the latest throw of the Italian sports car manufacturer.