ROMANCE and the arts do mix. In fact, Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century.
The era was partly a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, the aristocratic social and political norms of the Age of Enlightenment, and the scientific rationalization of nature. It was embodied most strongly in the visual arts, music and literature, and, thus, had a significant impact on historiography, education and the natural sciences. The movement emphasized intense emotion as an authentic source of aesthetic experience.
Nowadays, romance and the arts take many forms. Take the recent launches of Volvo and Range Rover for instance.
Art in Motion
FORMALLY introducing the R-Design S60 and XC60 variants in the country, Volvo Philippines staged the first-ever Volvo Night of the Arts at SOMA at the Green Sun on Pasong Tamo Street in Makati City. Here, six of the country’s most influential and esteemed personalities were honored for their works and life achievements. Veteran journalist Joanne Rae Ramirez; the late racing legend Jose “Pocholo” Ramirez, represented by his sons Georges, Louie and Miguel Ramirez; singer Raymond Lauchengco; Chef Rolando Laudico; glass artist Ramon Orlina; and fashion designer Randy Ortiz were all recognized. To Volvo, these exemplary people embody the same characteristics of the Volvo R- Design models.
Their boldness and passion have driven them to levels of excellence in their respective fields. Similarly, the Volvo’s R-Design models are a breed of a more dynamic and performance-packed variants with enhanced sporty design inside and out.
Volvo, as a forward-thinker, continues to work toward Vision 2020—a future where no one is injured or killed in a modern Volvo. With the well-being of people at the top of their minds, they continue to develop new technologies that improve how their vehicles perform, feel and look.
More ‘Evoque-cative’ Innovations
MEANWHILE, in a separate event, LRPhils. Motors Inc., the exclusive distributor of Land Rover vehicles in the country, unveiled the new and improved Range Rover Evoque at its showroom in Bonifcaio Global City in Taguig.
The new Range Rover Evoque makes a further leap forward with the introduction of a host of new technologies. These improvements lower fuel consumption by up to 11.4 percent and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by up to 9.5 percent—depending on model—and bring a range of new comfort, convenience and connectivity features.
Aside from the new additions, the Evoque new color options for the interior, four new alloy wheel styles and a new-style Land Rover badge on the grille, wheel centers and tailgate.
“The Range Rover Evoque has proven to be hugely successful, and the latest model is destined to have even greater appeal. We are thrilled to be moving the Evoque on to the next stage. It is no doubt the unbeatable choice for customers seeking the ultimate in compact SUV vehicles,” said Marc Soong, executive director of LRPhils. Motors Inc.
Customers will now get to avail themselves of its new features: a new nine-speed automatic transmission, new driveline technologies, seven new driver-assistance features and detail design enhancements inside and out.
The Range Rover Evoque’s ZF-9HP automatic transmission is among the world’s first nine-speed units fitted to a passenger car. Both driver and passenger get to benefit from the ultra-fast response time, described by ZF as “below the threshold of perception” and an adaptive shift program that quickly matches the driving style. With a wide spread of ratios and improved efficiency, the new transmission delivers improved economy, reduced emissions, enhanced performance and greater comfort.
The Active Driveline, meantime, is the world’s first “on demand” four-wheel drive system, which enhances agility and improves fuel efficiency by operating in front-wheel drive only during steady-state driving at speeds above 22mph. The new system monitors vehicle dynamics and automatically reconnects four-wheel drive (within 300 milliseconds) whenever it is needed. Active Driveline also features Active Torque Biasing with electronic-Diff (e-Diff) technology to distribute torque between the rear wheels, optimizing traction and stability. This feature is available initially on the Si4 petrol engine.
In addition, a Torque Vectoring by Braking feature, available across all powertrains, further enhances agility and safety by redirecting torque between all four wheels to counteract under steer.
For the latest model, the driver-assistance capabilities of the Evoque are significantly enhanced by the introduction of features such as Park Exit (to automatically exit parallel-parking bays); Perpendicular Park (to position the car centrally in parking bays); Closing Vehicle Sensing; and Reverse Traffic Detection (to warn drivers of oncoming traffic).
Now, if famous Romantic scholars such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Victor Hugo and Edgar Allan Poe were all alive today, they would have surely taken time to gloat and just wonder in awe on how far they have come to influence the people of this day and age. Sigh.
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes