HONDA Motor Co. Ltd. surprised the crowd at the opening of the 40th Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) on October 24 at the Makuhara Messe in Chiba, Japan, when it showcased concept automobiles and a number of new technologies. This is aside from the new production cars and updates of its other variants.

Themed “For the Endless Joy of Mobility on our Earth,” Honda displayed various advanced environmental technologies that address environmental issues like CO2-emission reduction without sacrificing the fun of driving a car.

Two Honda concept models made their world debut at the show. The CR-Z, or Compact Renaissance Zero (an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begin again from fundamentals), is a next-generation lightweight sports car equipped with Honda’s original gas-electric hybrid system. Honda says the “model now achieves both clean performance and a high level of torque.”

Also making the world premiere is the Puyo, Japanese onomatopoeia expressing sensation of touching the vehicle body, a fuel-cell vehicle that has this radical design (meaning it’s totally different-looking from a car) which Honda believes can give not only driving pleasure but some fun for both the driver and the people around him (and his totally out-of-the-box design car.)

Then there was the i-DTEC next-generation diesel engine, which delivers outstanding environmental performance and engine-performance characteristics. The i-DTEC was first to be introduced in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Aside from these radical developments from Honda, mainstream variants like the Jazz (called Fit in Japan and other countries) and the Inspire have all-new versions. The Jazz, introduced in 2001, has been a hit in the Philippine market because of its style, functionality and fuel economy. Its worldwide sales even topped the 2-million mark. The all-new Inspire, meanwhile, has been equipped with a new Variable Cylinder Management system. Both have yet to hit the market and are scheduled for sale at the last quarter of this year.

Honda exhibited 18 vehicles at the TMS, representing 11 models, including cars in the market, soon-to-be introduced in the market and concept models. Also on display are Honda’s ventures into the future of environmentally responsible technology.

TOYOTA Motor Corp. (TMC) engineered a veritable showstopper when it broke the cover on eight concept plus 13 assorted vehicles during the first media day of the 40th Tokyo Motor Show on October 24 at the Makuhari Messe in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture.

HONDA Motor Co. Ltd. surprised the crowd at the opening of the 40th Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) on October 24 at the Makuhara Messe in Chiba, Japan, when it showcased concept automobiles and a number of new technologies. This is aside from the new production cars and updates of its other variants.

‘Casino Royale,’ Hyundai-style

THERE were poker, baccarat and lucky nine tables, slot machines, food, free-flowing drinks and showgirls—all the trimmings, glitz and glamor of a world-class casino.  No, it wasn’t Las Vegas or Monaco. 

Avanza 1.3J M/T: Advancing the Avanza cause

I’VE recently driven the Avanza 1.3J stick shift and it has been purely fun.  For one thing, it’s been quite a while since I had last driven a non-“matic;” the manual era is becoming extinct—if you still don’t know it. 

Porsche Cayenne V6: Hotter, better, spicier

WHEN the Porsche Cayenne was first unveiled, people weren’t really sure if the concept would work. After all, even Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson admitted the VW and Porsche-developed vehicle defeats the purpose of building an SUV with the soul of a sports car, much as “nonalcohol lager defeats the objective or Land Rover building a rear-engined sports car.”

Eyes on the Road: Having max power on your trek

Petron’s ongoing awareness campaign for clean air through the use of cleaner fuel is very laudable.

DuPont unveils eco-friendly paints

A REVOLUTIONARY, environment-friendly car-paint system developed by a world leader in science-based products and services is now being introduced in the country.

Full Tank: Slex slaps

ALMOST three years ago, on December 28, 2004, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) had called for tenders for the extension project of the South Luzon Expressway (Slex) to Star Tollway in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.  The original quoted price for the project was P7 billion.