The 2010 Lexus RX 350 was honored with the Top Safety Pick Award by the US-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the excellent protection that the luxury SUV provides its occupants.
The IIHS is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the losses brought about by vehicular accidents. The Institute conducts various scientific tests to rate the safety of vehicles and educate consumers about their results and implications.
Every year, the IIHS bestows the Top Safety Pick Award to vehicles equipped with Electronic Stability Control that achieve the highest possible rating for performance in four rigorous tests. These include high-speed front and side impact tests, as well as a rear impact test wherein the protection given by the seat/head restraints against neck injuries is evaluated. Beginning 2010, the roof strength test, which measures how a car fairs in the event of a rollover, was added to the criteria.
In addition to being equipped with Vehicle Stability Control, the Lexus RX 350 has 10 airbags: driver and front passenger airbags, knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, front and rear side airbags with curtain shields. Other safety features include traction control, an adaptive front-lighting system, and a back-up camera embedded in the rear-view mirror.
The Lexus RX 350 is available at Lexus Manila, Inc. 3402 8th Avenue Corner 34th Street, North Bonifacio Global City, Taguig 1634. (632) 8565050.
Sources: www.iihs.org and www.lexus.com.ph
|
The welfare of the environment is everybody’s business. That is why last May 22, 2010, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. gathered six (6) green organizations representing different members of society for a common cause. Tagged as the Green Warriors’ Edition, Honda recently staged another leg of its fuel efficiency driving competition called Honda Challenge Cup as part of its non-stop crusade for a greener future. Together, government agencies and NGOs that work towards environment protection convened to promote fuel economy awareness in the face of unstable fuel prices, depleting fuel supply and excessive exhaust emissions. Present during the competition were representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE), Bantay Kalikasan, Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE), National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and Honda Club of the Philippines (HCP).
Long before fuel price hike was an issue, Honda has already been staging fuel economy runs as early as 1996. Through this type of event, Honda advocates driving every drop of fuel by considering three basic factors: vehicle, driver and fuel. A proper vehicle equipped with advanced technologies like the i-VTEC engine and 5-speed automatic transmission, driven using proper techniques and powered with high grade fuel that has better combustion properties, all contribute in optimizing fuel economy. Fuel consumption indicator also helps the motorist to be mindful of his driving pattern and earn better fuel mileage in the process. Take for instance the City, Jazz and CR-V models. These models have a fuel meter on the LCD display to indicate both instantaneous and average fuel consumption.
Honda Challenge Cup educates regular motorists some fuel efficient driving techniques that are applicable in practical, day-to-day setting. In testing the usefulness of these techniques under real-world situations, Honda provided its complete model line-up namely City, Jazz, Civic, CR-V and Accord for the activity and loaded these vehicles with Petron XCS gasoline. Competition posed realistic challenges in both city and highway driving conditions using normal driving style and with a running airconditioning system. Applying the basic formula, VEHICLE plus DRIVER plus FUEL equals FUEL ECONOMY, these green warriors accomplished amazing results despite the accident that happened along NLEX which caused heavy traffic in the area. The 1.3 City AT driven by John Paul Balayon and Ricky de Leon of Bantay Kalikasan bested its category and posted 13.35 km/li. The team of Noli Diega and Othello Tongio of National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) registered 19.15 km/li using 1.3 Jazz AT. Luis Antonio and Lisa Antonio of Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE) topped the 1.8 Civic AT class with 13.50 km/li. Meanwhile, Cedric Alagar and Mary Rose Alagar of Honda Club of the Philippines led the 2.0 CR-V AT category with 12.38 km/li. Ronaldo Parreno, Jr. and Max Marquez of the Department of Energy took control of the 3.5 Accord AT category with 10.74 km/li.
Being one of the largest engine manufacturers in the world, Honda is dedicated in developing innovative products and technologies that have minimal impact on the environment. A true testament to Honda’s quest for cleaner and more fuel efficient engines can be traced way back in the 70’s with its CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion) engine. The CVCC’s low emission was the first in the world to comply with the U.S. Clean Air Act. Moving forward to today’s generation, all Honda models sold locally reach EURO 4 levels, even if Philippine regulations only require EURO 2 compliance. European Emission Standards regulate the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions and is considered one of the strictest in the world. Honda targets mass-market models to realize great impact on fuel economy and clean air that is why as early as 2004, it has already introduced models with EURO 4 levels in the local market. This translates to a total of 77,370 cumulative units sold.
For fuel saving tips and technologies that reduce harmful emissions, kindly visit www.hondaphil.com. Watch out for more updates and upcoming editions of Honda Challenge Cup.
|
The Champagne corks are popping at HEICO SPORTIV. In a historic triumph, it became the first ever team to capture a class victory with a bioethanol-powered vehicle at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife 24 Hour Race.
After precisely 24:06:45.623 hours, the HEICO SPORTIV Volvo C30 blazed past the finishing line as victor of the “SPT4” class at the ADAC’s 38th 24 Hour Race at the Nürburgring and in 53rd place in the overall class segment of 197 starting teams.
“We’re extremely proud and overjoyed to have scooped this first-ever victory for a bioethanol-powered vehicle,” says HEICO SPORTIV General Manager Holger Hedtke, adding “A reliable Volvo, terrific tires from Pirelli and CropEnergies’ high performance E85 fuel CropPower85 enabled us to consistently demolish the 128 laps at lightning pace.”
The ca. 25 km (15.6 mile) combination of the Nürburgring’s Grand Prix track and Nordschleife translates to a total driving distance of exactly 3,248.4 km – the distance from Volvo in Göteborg (Sweden) to Pirelli in Milan (Italy) and back again!
Reliance triumphs!
Starting from the pole position, the well rehearsed driver trio comprising HEICO SPORTIV employees Patrick Brenndörfer, Frank Eickholt and Martin Müller made a convincing show with the Volvo C30 having constant lap times and an overall ranking of around 40th place well into the early hours of the morning. A tremendous midway performance in a field brimming with GT3 sports cars and professional racing drivers. “We didn’t have any technical problems whatsoever – the car ran like clockwork,” says Technical Director Felice Sgura. “We topped up every other hour and substituted our drivers and tires according to schedule.”
Even a minor drive shaft fault as the day was dawning was unable to unnerve the well-rehearsed team. The defect was repaired in a mega-fast pit-stop, with the HEICO Volvo back on the track in an instant. Patrick Brenndörfer finally took the final lap of the circuit, flying past 220,000 frenzied spectators and scooping the HEICO SPORTIV team its second class victory since 2006 and fifth ever for the Volvo brand.
“Thanks to the innovative products of our partners Castrol, CropEnergies and Pirelli, we’re proud once again to have put Green Racing in the limelight and are already looking forward to trading barbs with prominent manufacturers, teams and drivers in the 2011 24 Hour Race,” finishes off Holger Hedtke.
|
Picture busy cityscape on weekdays followed by soothing countryside scenery on weekends. Wouldn’t it be nice to have that one vehicle that can naturally handle both fast-paced modern living and that much-needed breather on the rural side? The refreshed 2010 CR-V does well in these opposing landscapes with ease. Having the right blend of refinement, ride and drive comfort, and generous cargo room, the CR-V lets you live a crossover lifestyle for all your life’s adventure.
Inner-city roads and tight spaces are the usual concern for SUVs. The CR-V is a practically-sized SUV that lets city dwellers get around congested roads effortlessly, thereby eliminating the hassle of hauling heavy, full-sized SUVs. With its compact body and adjusted suspension settings, the CR-V is remarkably nimble, easy to maneuver and has quicker steering response. But don’t let its compact size fool you. The CR-V prides itself with the biggest cabin and cargo room in its class, making it the ideal vehicle for families and for towing loads of cargo.
Using sedan-based platform, the CR-V has etched a reputation in excellent ride comfort. To complement such ride pleasure, Honda added seals and insulators to reduce noise, vibrations and harshness levels. Reduced road noise makes your trip even more relaxing.
Apart from high quality performance, the CR-V is a looker. The 2010 CR-V is uniquely designed for those who appreciate the finer things in life. It exudes urbane styling with its two step front grille with honeycomb design, refreshed bumpers and alloy wheel designs. Its revitalized front-end styling balances smoothly with the CR-V’s clean lines and premium finish.
All these and more make the CR-V a staple name in its category. That is why it has earned growing demand here in the local scene. For year 2010, cumulative CR-V sales (January – April) showed 15% increase as compared to the same period of the previous year.
The CR-V also leads in providing security and safety as it earned international honors for its advanced safety features. The 2010 CR-V received 5-star frontal and 5-star side-impact crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA is a U.S. Government agency, part of the Department of Transportation, responsible for setting safety standards and verifying compliance by automobile manufacturers. Five-star rating, the highest rating possible, represents 10% or less chance of serious injury.
As a manufacturer of high quality vehicles fitted with modern technologies, Honda products have been known for its reliability and high resale value. The Kelley Blue Book, one of the most trusted sources in the U.S. for used car values, bestowed the 2010 CR-V with Best Resale Value Award in both Compact Utility Vehicle and Top 10 Categories.
Be it here or abroad, the CR-V is recognized as a true crossover SUV that delivers pleasurable ride comfort of a sedan and ample space of an SUV, sheathed in a stylishly sophisticated body. Over-all, the CR-V presents a reflection of the distinctively refined taste of its market.
Crossover to the 2010 Honda CR-V and keep up with the demands of urban living. Visit any of the 26 Honda dealers nationwide and request for a test drive. Remember to try before you buy. Be smart! Test drive!
|
CAMPI President Elizabeth Lee and Suzuki Philippines President Satoshi Uchida beside the 2010 Suzuki SX4 Crossover.
The 2010 Suzuki SX4 Aero and Crossover were launched last April 28, 2010 at the Le Pavillon in Pasay City.
|
