THIS year’s Manila International Auto Show showcased a whole new dimension of display but also raised the bar in terms of thrill and excitement.
For one, the presence of the European car brands was an absolute crowd drawer. Given their well-known heritage in producing excellent vehicles, another reason, in particular, is the immense refinements from what’s already considered to be outstanding for everyone to see.
The French lion roars anew
Among all of the event’s program presentations, the one delivered by Peugeot Philippines was considered to be arty. There was no usual loud music with dance exhibitions but rather a more fluid and intimate interaction with guests. The company president, Glen Dasig, made it even more engaging by delivering a graceful opening remark. The main highlight was the introduction of the 308 GTi variant. Bearing the performance badge, the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show Car of the Year’ now has distinct sporty elements added to the already stylish exterior and ergonomic interior. What’s more is that this stunning four-door hatch shares the same turbo-charged petrol powertrain with the 208 Gti and RCZ sports coupe with high output. This particular alternative will definitely entice grand touring collectors and enthusiasts.
German marvels
Upon entering the main hall, people were lured into the extravagant spectacle of six stunning Mercedes-Benz versions. In fact, even without a program presentation, the array of superb Benzes on display was more than enough to create a scene. Taking the center stage was the A-Class 200 AMG powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder motor producing 156 hp and 250 N-m of torque. The same mill was fitted to the B-Class 200 AMG directly facing the pathway. On the other hand, the 2.0-liter forced induced gasoline motors with varying outputs are communal with the GLA 250 4Matic luxury compact SUV dishing 211 horsepower and 350 N-m of torque; the four-door saloon producing less with 184 of power and 300 N-m of torque and, of course, its AMG edition CLA 45 4matic with a more aggressive 381 horsepower and a compelling 450 N-m of torque. Last, the G-Class 500 midsize four-wheel-drive luxury SUV with a massive V8 engine generating a mighty 421 horsepower and 610 N-m of torque.
British made
For Jaguar Philippines, all it needed was a pair of its fine creations and still managed to gain fascination from the mob. Side by side were the newly introduced XE compact sedan and the F-Type sports car. The former, which was launched late last year, is the brand’s entry-level model just below the XF. Propelling its light aluminum composite frame is an R-sport, 2.0-liter 240 turbo-charged gasoline motor with a maximum power of 240 ps and 340 N-m of torque. While the latter is the midspec edition S endowed with a 3.0-liter V6 Supercharged machine yielding 380 ps of muscle with an imposing 460 Nm of torque. Despite the striking delivery, the F-Type S are claimed to achieve an impressive 8.4 liters per 100 kilometers theoretically. On the other hand, Autoplus Sportzentrum, the local distributor of Motul lubricants in the country, fulfilled its long-standing tradition of showcasing exotic sports cars. This year, it commissioned three Lotus race cars with one rare classic that made it to the lineup. In the middle was the Elise 220 cup setup and beside it was the Exige V6 version Cup edition. The center of attraction was the timeless Lotus Eleven race car.
Meanwhile, Tata Motors Philippines presented several models from its current lineup. Leading the pack was the contemporary Super Ace minitruck with two different body configurations, namely, the FB Body and School Bus. Next was the Ace HT commercial light vehicle promoting two editions, specifically the Rescue Boy and Food truck. As for the other segments, the company also introduced passenger cars, such as the modern sedan Manza Aura, the stylish hatchback Vista Ignis and the diesel sedan Indigo, which is intended for public-transport utilization.
Image credits: Randy S. Peregrino