Dig or Diss: 2015 Hyundai Tucson
In the Philippines, this model literally sold like pancakes, catapulting its Korean maker to the top of the auto companies generally dominated by the Japanese.
Will the next generation Hyundai Tucson replicate its predecessor’s success? Expected to be launched in early 2015, spy shots reveal that the new model will be a bit larger than the previous generation.
These are the best spy shots yet of Hyundai’s next ix35 / Tucson which is set to grow in size now that they have the ix25. Our spies managed to grab a few shots of the partially undisguised rear end of a red prototype, thus showing the taillight design as well as the tailgate and bumper. The front grille will be an adaptation of Hyundai’s Sonata and Genesis while the sweptback headlights appear to benefit from LED technology.
We are not expecting any significant changes in the engine lineup which will likely be borrowed from the outgoing version but probably with a few updates to increase fuel economy and cut CO2 emissions. As a consequence, the 2015 Hyundai ix35 / Tucson will continue depending on the market with 2.0 and 2.4 GDi in United States and with 1.6 GDi, 1.7 CRDi and 2.0 CRDi in Europe. Front-wheel drive will be standard but customers will be able to pay more for an all-wheel drive system. Joining the range later on could be another Fuel Cell variant but details are not available at this point.
Nissan Juke to Unveil Limited Edition, Will Sport New Colors
During the last Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), Universal Motors Company (formerly a local arm of Nissan Motor Company Ltd) displayed the Nissan Juke as its hero car, hinting that it will be distributing the crossover to Philippine roads.
Two years later and with this year’s PIMS coming up in September, there is still no “legal” Juke traversing our local streets. Will this recent development from Japan re-fuel Nissan Philippines’ intentions to bring the Juke here?
As part of Nissan Motor Company’s 80th year celebration, the auto company is unveiling the Juke 80th Special Color Limited Edition, featuring a new palette of heritage colors.
The main highlight of this special edition is the availability of four heritage colors: Deep Maroon, Sunflare Orange, Brilliant White Pearl and Aurora Flare Blue Pearl which all are a throwback to important Nissan models like the Fairlady Z and Skyline GT-R R34. Regardless of selected paint, all special edition Jukes will feature bronze wheel covers, chrome plating on the door handles as well as bronze exterior mirrors.
It’s available exclusively with a 4-cylinder 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 99 bhp (74 kW) and 139 Nm (103 lb-ft) of torque. On the inside there are tons of customization options as presented in the facelifted Euro-spec Juke shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Facebook Mogul to Ride a Pagani
We have seen gearheads posting photos of their new rides — no matter how unimpressive or downright unattractive they are — on their Facebook pages.
We wonder if Facebook co-founder, chairman and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg will post his upcoming supercar. Rumors have it that the young billionaire ordered a Pagani Huayra to replace his Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Two days ago, the Italian brand was officially launched in North America, making this speculation plausible. There is no official statement from Zuckerberg, but GT Spirit reports he is believed to have put down a deposit on the Italian hypercar.
If this turns out to be true, Facebook mogul will be joining famous Pagani owners Lewis Hamilton, Wyclef Jean and David Heinemeier Hansson. Zuckerberg has previously been seen driving regular cars like the Golf GTI, the Honda Fit and the Acura TSX.
North America is the biggest market for the Italian company. For the first six months of this year 40 per cent of all Huayra sales have gone to the United States.
Proudly Pinoy: Meet the first supercar from the Philippines
If you think we don’t have what it takes to build a supercar, then read on.
Factor Aurelio Automobile has introduced the first supercar from Philippines, the Aurelio.
As the brainchild of 21-year-old engineering student Kevin Factor and Brendan Aurelio — owner of Pacita Fibertech — Factor Aurelio Automobile (FAA) recently finished work on their first product. The supercar, a two-door sports coupe equipped with either a Mitsubishi 4G63T 2.0 liter turbo intercooled DOHC 16-valve engine or a Honda B16A DOHC VTEC 16-valve motor.
It benefits from a handmade chassis and on the inside it has several components made from fiberglass reinforced plastic and carbon fiber. It adopts scissor doors, a VR4 front & rear suspension setup and sits on 18-inch Rota alloy wheels.
Performance details have not been released but the Aurelio is billed as a supercar although a four-cylinder engine doesn’t sound overly impressive and the design sends out a bit of a kit car vibe with some Italian influences.
Hold that Crane: Bigger Roads Not Solution to Traffic?
Did you know that for a period of 10 years — from 2001 to 2011 — the Philippines lost a staggering P1.5 trillion because of traffic congestion?
According to a study conducted by the National Center for Transportation Studies (NCTS), the possible additional costs from fuel add up to P4.2 billion a year. The time wasted which could have been spent for production, trade and business, the average annual cost of traffic congestion in the National Capital Region is P137.5 billion.
In response, the Department of Transportation and Communication noted its commitment to resolve the worsening traffic situation in the country. Among the agency’s plans include improving the country’s main thoroughfares such as road widening projects.
But is this really the answer to the ever-growing traffic congestion problems? A U.S.-based study says building bigger roads is not the way to go, and may in fact cause more traffic jams.
According to research from the University of Toronto and the University of Pennsylvania, between 1980 and 2000, whenever a city increased its road capacity, traffic increased the exact same amount. The men behind this study, Matthew Turner and Gilles Duranton, have theorized that traffic follows the economic principal of “included demand”—upping the supply of a product already in demand merely serves to further increase demand. Thus, new roads only serve to create new drivers; in turn, traffic intensity continues at an identical rate. Turner and Duranton call this the “fundamental law of road congestion.”
Do you agree with this study? In your opinion, what should the government do to — once and for all — ease vehicle congestion on the main roads?
