Women Tech Makers: Motorsports

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'Hindi, mahal ’yan! Imported ’yan!”

A friendly argument arises between two enterprising street urchins—unofficial watch-your-car boys collecting spare change at an outdoor parking lot—about the burgundy whip that pulls in. The statement is both right and wrong: The brand is Japanese, thus making the car imported. But priced at a very conservative P1.088 million, the Civic 1.8 E is anything but expensive.

That amount isn’t exactly chump change, but the new Civic looks more expensive than it really is. Channeling European luxury-brand sensibilities makes it the most premium-looking Civic to date. It seems to have shed the whole ‘sport-tuner’ vibe and switched to a more distinguished disposition.

This newfound refinement is apparent in the driving dynamics, too, the car having very little in common with the boy-racer Civics of the past. The only thing that still feels sort of sporty is the driving position—something Honda has, amazingly, kept consistent with all Civics over the years. Otherwise, it’s a completely different experience. It has the hardware to go fast, that’s apparent when you ease in the gas, but it just doesn’t feel like it wants to go fast.

While it isn’t as sharp as its predecessors around corners, it’s still surefootedenough to stay grippy in a yank-and-turn situation. Maybe it’s because the car has put on some weight after all these years—metabolism isn’t what it once was, can we get an amen?

This latest generation doesn’t pay homage to its lineage, except in still being great value for money. That said, it would be healthy to look at things from a different perspective. Back then, the EG or the SiR was a favorite among younger drivers because it went fast and had cheap parts aplenty. Fast-forward to today and priorities have changed. Finding the time to set up a car is hard. Going at breakneck speeds outside the track is stupid. Comfort, class, and a premium feel matter more.

The new Civic, aging with the audience that has grown up idolizing it, now offers these things. That’s evolution on a whole new level.

SPECS: HONDA CIVIC 1.8 E

Price: P1,088,000

Engine: 1.8-liter SOHC I4

Power: 139hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque: 174Nm @ 4,300rpm

Transmission: continuously variable

Layout: FWD

Seating: 5

Score: 18/20

IMAGE Honda Motor Company
Crossovers and SUVs are still getting hotter and more popular as more car buyers shift to these higher-riding vehicles. In a short period, Honda’s global portfolio of crossovers has expanded dramatically with the arrival of the HR-V, and then the BR-V. Now it’s about to grow even bigger.

Teased last month via a rendering, Honda’s newest baby crossover, the WR-V,aka “Winsome Runabout Vehicle”, has finally made its world debut at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show. As expected, this little runabout is based on Honda’s popular and versatile Jazz hatchback, but with the extra ground clearance and tough styling one would expect from its SUVs.

Up front is a variation of the brand’s crossover face, which features a taller hood and high-mounted slim headlights linked by a large chrome bar. Below this is a large grille opening. Moving on to the sides, everything from the A-Pillar back is virtually identical to the Jazz. Chunky matte black cladding outline the lower portions of the bumpers, while wheel arches and sills add some ruggedness to the once docile-looking hatchback.

At the back it receives slightly blockier re-profiled taillights which now extend to the rear hatch forming an “L” shape. The Jazz hatchback’s pillar-mounted reflectors have been replaced by black gloss panels, and the rear license plate recess sits close to the rear bumper, a design cue shared with its crossover siblings.

Heavily tinted windows hide its interior, but chances are it will be Jazz-based but tweaked to match its more adventurous exterior. Expect the brand’s flexible ULTR seats to be present.

Drivetrain options still remain a mystery at this point, but it will most likely have the same 1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC mill and continuously variable transmission as the Brazilian-spec Fit/Jazz. It will probably be FWD to keep costs down, but an AWD option could still be a possibility since the platform supports it, as seen in some JDM models.

The WR-V will go on sale in Brazil and other South American markets in the first half of 2017.

It’s still too early to tell if Honda’s little South American CUV will be introduced in the Southeast Asian market, but having a lot in common with the Jazz makes it a possibility. Hopefully it reaches our shores someday. Judging by the enthusiasm crossovers are receiving in our market, there seems to be ample room for one more.

IMAGE Honda Motor Company

IMAGE BMW Motorrad

The BMW GS is an icon of motorcycling. It contributes to the brand image of BMW as the premiere choice for adventure bikes, and was made famous by Ewan McGregor's Long Way Round TV series and book. The BMW GS models have a reputation for being the genesis of the class, and being some of the most desirable adventure bikes on the planet.

Competitors like the Ducati Multistrada, the KTM Adventure and the Triumph Tiger are all trying to imitate the GS, and many of them come close. However, it's still BMW who has the full range. Think BMW bikes and most likely a GS (clad in full regalia adventure, panniers, knobbly tires, engine guards and giant windscreen) immediately comes to mind.

Next year, BMW hopes to expand that range even further with the introduction of the G310 GS . Just launched in one of the largest motorcycle exhibitions in the world, the Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo e Motociclo e Accessori (EICMA) in Milan, Italy, the 'Baby' GS 'is based on the G310 platform developed by BMW in partnership with TVS India for the small displacement market.

It is BMW's second entry in the sub-500cc category, and is powered by the same 313cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine of the street bike, so the BMW G310 GS oozes authentic styling. From the gold-inverted forks to the signature of the beak adventure line of BMW, the bike screams what it is, basically, a GS adventure bike with a small displacement.

With a bike this adventure-ready and a (hopefully) lower price tag, the BMW G310 GS should appeal to those who have always wanted to live out their wanderlust tendencies.

The first batch of the BMW G310 R street machine is slated to arrive in the Philippines on January 2017 . No word yet from the German premium motorbike maker if its twin brother will also make it to our market next year.

Long Way Round Luzon , anybody?