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January 21, 2025

ACMobility To Have 74 Fully Operational Charging Points By Q1 2025 In Makati


ACMobility, the mobility solutions arm of the Ayala Group and a leader in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, is set to expand its charging network across Makati City—one of the leading sustainable cities in Metro Manila. By Q1 2025, Makati will host more than 74 fully operational charging points across 18 locations, including offices, malls, condominiums, and more.

Toyota Takes 1-2 At Dakar Rally 2025


The 2025 Dakar Rally brought not only victory for Toyota, but also a second place overall for Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings #211. The works GR Hilux Evo crew led the race overall for 9 stages, but eventually lost out to Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk in their Toyota Hilux by just 3 minutes and 57 seconds after two weeks of racing across the Saudi Arabian landscape.

Nissan Showed Resilient Performance In 2024 Despite Challenges


Despite challenges in the automotive industry in 2024, particularly in the second half, Nissan Philippines lauds its solid performance logging in over 26,000 units (26,774) sold showing its resilience and continued strong market presence. This solid achievement marks the Philippines as one of the leading contributors to Nissan sales in the ASEAN region.

Drive+ Opens In San Juan


Drive+ opens its newest branch located in San Juan City. The transformative vehicle care brand renowned for its premium service opens at 683 Jose Abad Santos Street, signaling their commitment to make top-quality car care more accessible across Metro Manila.

Tesla Center In BGC Opens As Model 3 Deliveries Start In The Philippines


Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launch of the first official Tesla Center in the Philippines.

January 20, 2025

Honda Cars PH Electrifies HR-V For 2025; Customer Deliveries Start In March


After electrifying the CR-V and Civic, Honda Cars Philippines isn’t wasting any time to expand its hybrid offering with the preview of the 2025 HR-V. Reservations start on January 21 with a price range starting at P 1.6-million and topping out at P 1.9-million.

Geely Finalizes Transition From Distributor To Direct Operations Model


Geely Motor Philippines Corp. (GMP), a newly formed subsidiary of the Geely Auto International, has officially taken over all business operations related to the Geely brand within the Philippine market. This marks a significant milestone for Geely Auto, transitioning from a general distributor model to direct operations. GMP will now oversee all aspects of the Geely brand within the country including sales, marketing, customer service, and after-sales support. This action demonstrates Geely’s unwavering commitment to serving the evolving needs of Filipino consumers.

Just How Many Kilometers Can We Squeeze Out Of A Honda CR-V RS e:HEV's Fuel Tank?


Hybrid cars promise less harmful emissions to the environment and fuel efficiency. It’s not surprising for a hybrid crossover to surpass the 20 km/L figure on a highway run. But when we test cars, it’s just a fling. We only get a snapshot of its fuel consumption, and then compute how long before it runs out. Will the theoretical result hold true in the real world?

January 19, 2025

Review: 2025 Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 Premium


The Ford Mustang needs little introduction to Filipino enthusiasts; after all, it’s been around since the fifth-gen model was made available roughly 12 years ago. Our close affinity to the Mustang has made it a household name to the point that it’s now the generic term for muscle cars—like Xerox is to photocopiers. With the advent of social media, however, its reputation has also spread in a not-so-good way. A quick Google search on “Cars and Coffee Fails” will have you seeing videos of Mustangs peeling off only to spin helplessly out of control, hitting a curb or ruining someone’s mullet in the process.

All that promises to change with the seventh-generation S650 model. Although its basic bones—the Ford D2C platform—can be traced all the way back to 2004, Mustang engineers have made several big changes all in the hopes of making it less the butt of car meet jokes and more of an object of desire among petrol heads. Have they done it? Read on.



First impressions? It’s still a muscle car. At 4,811 mm in length, it’s roughly the same size as a mid-sized sedan, and at 1,738 kilograms, it’s as heavy as one too. Design-wise, it’s a clear evolution of the Mustang bloodline, and this definitely pleases purists. Inside, however, I’m not as convinced.

Generally, I have no qualms about free standing screens that serve as instrument clusters and all, but call me old-fashioned, but they still seem out of place in a sportscar. Don’t get me wrong though. The screens are actually easy to read and they’re customizable—down to the layout and even the color scheme. The same goes with the switchgear which look more at home in an Everest or Ranger. The electronic parking brake, fashioned like a traditional hard brake is cool, but ultimately is a novelty; it’s not easy to operate in a day-to-day setting.



As standard, the Mustang comes with manually-adjustable Recaro seats. Looks great on the spec sheet, but in practice, it makes for surprisingly difficult ingress and egress. I’ve been daily driving an MX-5 for close to two years now, and not once have I pulled a back muscle. In the Mustang, it happened in the second of a four-day lend out. Talk about a different kind of “muscle car.”

Ergonomically, it’s also flawed. Though the steering wheel and seats offer plenty of adjustment, the seating position is slightly canted to the right. This means it’s hard to hold the steering wheel with equal grip on both arms; it also means it gets tiring after a relatively long drive. Oh, and true to its muscle car ethos, it seems designers made sure to give the Mustang great line of sight directly forward. Anywhere else though, you’ll be reliant on its multitude of sensors and cameras to watch out for other wayward motorists.



The new Mustang rides high on the tech part, but oddly, the execution’s mixed. Again, no qualms on the screens and all, but here, there’s just an over reliance on that. Want to adjust the climate control or the radio station? You’ve got to hit an icon on-screen for that. It doesn’t help that Apple CarPlay results in either a randomly choppy (wired) or dropped (wireless) connection. There’s a bank of physical buttons located just below the AC vents, but the functions it controls are limited. At least drive mode selection’s done via the steering wheel.

And this brings me to the driving part. Without a doubt, the main draw here remains the 5.0-liter V8, and opening the soundtrack using the Active Valve Exhaust system makes it really come to life. By default, it’s designed to wake up the neighbors, but it can be programmed to start in “Quiet” mode too. Conversely, there’s also Sport mode for maximum disturbance. If I were overly critical, I’d say it sounds best at partial throttle than at full throttle, but regardless, it’s enough to make grown men cry. This engine is crazy good—but it must be tamed the right way. The power delivery is brutish—it’s civilized below 3,000 rpm, but quick to slap you in the face as the tach goes up. Keeping your right foot pressure in check is the best way to keep things sane.



The accompanying 10-speed automatic feels better connected to this V8 engine than any other Ford application thus far. However, the shift quality’s still far from the smoothest with noticeable shift shocks occurring, especially at lower speeds. It also hasn’t positively affected the fuel economy too. Even at an 18 km/h average speed, it still does 4.67 km/L. It’s very likely, however, that if Ford allows me to drive it on a weekend as opposed to a weekday, these consumption numbers be higher.

New for this generation is MageRide. Geeking out for a bit, MagneRide is different from other adaptive suspension systems in that there are no mechanical valves or moving parts that can wear. Instead, it uses magnetized iron particles suspended in oil. Electromagnetic coils inside the dampers rearrange the iron particles effectively changing the viscosity of the fluid. If the onboard sensors sense body roll, the ECU will instantaneously magnetize the appropriate dampers stiffening the car up.



Now, if all this sounds like rocket science, the simple truth is that it works—to a degree. Mind you, there’s no way to alter the laws of physics, so on a very twisty road, it’s far from the keenest handling car. It feels heavy and lacks any sort of precision. Body control, however, is kept nicely in check. What this means is that the Mustang is much more comfortable around gentle, flowing bends; the sort of environments you do a slow-in, fast-out kind of driving. The Brembo brakes too bite mighty good too, if you don’t mind the excessive brake dust.

At this point, you’re probably pondering if the seventh-generation Mustang feels too digitalized or computerized for its own good. With its adaptive dampers and active exhaust trickery, maybe. Using electronics to trim off the Mustang’s manic behavior has tamed its inner beast in many ways. But, it’s all about making things safer and more approachable. Trim all that, however, and you’ll find the underlying formula to be mostly the same as before. It’s not going to appeal to everyone, and that’s alright. Perhaps the most important thing is that this al-new Mustang is no longer the butt of Cars and Coffee jokes.

2025 Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 Premium

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Bottom Line
Pros Engine soundtrack, eye-catching looks, great value-for-money.
Cons Lacks handling polish, poor fuel economy, difficult ingress/egress, buggy tech.
TL;DR Best handling, best performing Mustang ever. Just don't go expecting it to be a sportscar.
Ownership
Year Introduced 2024
Warranty 3 years / 100,000 kilometers
The Basics
Body Type Sportscar
Seating 2+2
Engine / Drive F/R
Under the Hood
Displacement (liters) 5.0
Aspiration Normally Aspirated
Fuel Delivery Direct Injection
Layout / # of Cylinders V8
Maximum Output (PS @ rpm) 493 @ 7,250
Maximum Torque (Nm @ rpm) 567 @ 4,850
Fuel / Min. Octane Gasoline / ~91
Transmission 10 AT
Cruise Control Yes, Adaptive
Fuel Economy (km/L) @ Ave. Speed (km/h) 4.67 km/L @ 18 km/h
Fuel Tank Size (L) 61
Dimensions and Weights
Length (mm) 4,811
Width (mm) 1,916
Height (mm) 1,414
Wheelbase (mm) 2,719
Curb Weight (kg) 1,790
Suspension and Tires
Front Suspension Independent, MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension Independent, Multi-Link
Front Brakes Vented Disc, Brembo
Rear Brakes Vented Disc, Brembo
Parking Brake Electronic, w/ Auto Hold
Tires Pirelli PZero
255/40 R 19 Y (f),
275/40 R 19 Y (r)
Recommended Tire Pressure (PSI) 32 all
Wheels Alloy
Safety Features
Airbags 8
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Yes, with EBD
Traction / Stability Control Yes
Parking Sensors Yes, Rear
Parking Camera Yes, Rear
Front Seatbelts 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2
Rear Seatbelts 3-pt ELR x 2
ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor Yes
Advanced Driver Assist System Pre-Collision Assist w/ Distance Indication
Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Evasive Steer Assist
Lane Keeping System
Driver Alert and Road Edge Detection
Other Safety Features Hill Start Assist
Blind Spot Information System
Rear Cross Traffic Alert w/ Braking
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Exterior Features
Headlights LED, w/ Auto High Beam
Fog Lamps Yes, Rear (LED)
Light Operation Automatic
Wiper Operation Rain-sensing
Tailgate Manual
Interior Features
Steering Wheel Adjust Tilt/Telescopic, Manual
Steering Wheel Material Leather
Seating Adjustment (driver) Manual, 6-way, Recaro
Seating Adjustment (front passenger) Manual, 4-way, Recaro
Seating Surface Leather
2nd Row 50/50 Split Fold
3rd Row None
Sunroof None
Multi-Information Display / Size Yes, 12-inch
Convenience Features
Power Steering Yes
Power Door Locks Yes
Power Windows Yes
Power Mirrors Yes, Heated, w/ Fold
Rear View Mirror Auto-dimming
Proximity Key Yes
Climate Control Dual Zone
Audio System Stereo
USB Type A
USB Type C
Bluetooth
Wireless Charger Front
Infotainment Display / Size 13-inch
Smartphone Connectivity Apple CarPlay (Wireless)
Android Auto (Wireless)
# of Speakers 12, Bang & Olufsen
Steering Controls Yes

Audi Kicks Off 20th Anniversary In The Philippines With Launch Of 2025 Q7, Q8


Audi marks the start of its 20th anniversary in the Philippines with the introduction of the new Q7 and Q8. These flagship full-sized SUVs offer a more striking look together with an even more extensive list of premium features.

New Car Sales Hit New Record, But Fail To Reach Target In 2024


Despite being a banner year, new car sales failed to reach industry targets in 2024 based on the year-end joint report of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA).

January 18, 2025

Toyota Motor PH To Launch GR Yaris AT Soon


Waiting for the refreshed 2025 GR Yaris? You won’t have to wait long. Toyota Motor Philippines has received government certification for the new GR Yaris which will come with a more powerful motor as well as an option between a manual AND automatic transmission for the first time ever.

Chery Auto PH Is Offering Up To P 810,000 Off Their Brand-New Cars This January


Chery Auto Philippines is bringing huge savings across its entire range of vehicles this January. For those in the market for an electrified vehicle, now’s your chance as the savings is biggest with the Chinese carmaker’s hybrid offerings.

The BYD Atto 3 Is The Philippines' Best Selling EV For 2024


There’s a bit of mystery surrounding BYD Cars’ Philippine numbers; after all, they’re one of the few brands that don’t disclose their sales figures. However, leading up to the launch of the refreshed Atto 3 for 2025, BYD just disclosed just how many of these all-electric compact SUVs they were able to sell.

January 17, 2025

Honda Cars PH Announces Recall On Select CR-V RS e:HEV SUVs


Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) is announcing a recall on select CR-V Rs e:HEV SUVs for two issues namely, the High-Pressure Fuel Pump which may result to gasoline fumes and Steering Gearbox snagging, unusual sound, and vibration while turning.

Honda To Nissan: Buy Back Your Shares From Renault If You Want Merger To Happen


After announcing its plan to merge with Nissan, Honda has one request of its soon-to-be-partner: buy back your shares from Renault.

Enhanced Financing Deals Available On Ford Territory, Everest, Ranger, Explorer This January


Start the new year with a brand-new Ford and avail of a number of deals for Ford’s best-selling vehicles until January 31, 2025.

BAIC Opens In Cagayan De Oro


BAIC Philippines has solidified its presence in Northern Mindanao with the opening of its latest dealership in Cagayan de Oro City. Operated by Magnum Motors Corporation, BAIC Cagayan de Oro is now ready to serve the growing automotive market in the region and the 15th BAIC dealership in the country.

January 16, 2025

Lexus To End Production Of RC Sports Coupe By November


Lexus is closing the chapter on its rear-wheel drive coupe, the RC. The Japanese premium brand has announced that both the RC and RC F will cease production by November of this year. And in celebration, they’ve come up with the limited run Final Edition model for both the RC and its high-performance derivative, the RC F.

EDM Artist Alan Walker To Compose Jetour Theme Song


Jetour Auto and Electronic Dance Music (EDM) artist Alan Walker is teaming up for the brand’s soon-to-be-released theme song.

BYD Cars PH Launches P 1.998M Seal Sports Sedan; New Atto 3 SUV For 2025 (w/ Specs)


BYD Cars Philippines aims to sustain its momentum in 2025 with the introduction of two new all-electric models: the BYD Seal Advanced and the new Atto 3. These two new BYD vehicles will be the centerpiece at the first BYD Tech Tour this year happening at Ayala Malls Solenad this Friday, January 17 to Sunday, January 20.

Grab, BYD Expand Partnership To Offer 50,000 EVs To Driver-Partners In Southeast Asia


Grab and BYD have announced a regional partnership to expand access to up to 50,000 BYD electric vehicles (EVs) to Grab’s driver-partners across Southeast Asia, while increasing the availability of green vehicles to Grab users.

January 15, 2025

Refreshed 2025 Hyundai Creta Arrives In ASEAN With Available Turbo Power


After its global debut in India, the refreshed 2025 Creta has also made its way to Indonesia. And since Indonesia is the source of the Creta for the Philippine market, expect it to arrive sometime this year too.

Geely Has Now Sold A Million Coolray SUVs


The Coolray has reached a milestone of having 1 million units sold globally. This makes it Geely’s most exported vehicle and the one with the widest reach worldwide. It also follows their 800,000-unit milestone just last year.

January 14, 2025

The Lexus Electrified Sport Concept Is Coming To Manila


In celebration of the brand’s 16th anniversary in the Philippines, Lexus is bringing in the Lexus Electrified Sport Concept. It will be on display at Lexus Manila from January 17 to 19 and Lexus Mitsukoshi from January 24 to 26.

This R32 GT-R Powered By Electric Motors Is A Sign That Nissan Needs Help


The most obvious sign that Nissan’s R&D department lack of creativity and emotion is found in their decision to create the R32 EV for the Tokyo Auto Salon (read or watch the video at the bottom).