Disclaimer: GAC Motor Philippines kindly lent me an Empow GB for one week with a full tank of gas and loaded RFID cards. AutoFun Philippines paid for a car wash. The GAC Empow launched onto the scene on January 2023, marketed as a sports sedan. It has everything going for it – it has the looks, features and even the power to boot. It also comes with the latest technology, making the vehicle easier to drive and safe. These features put the Empow in the direct firing line of the Honda Civic, anoth

Once a novelty in the slushbox segment, continuously variable transmissions (CVT) are getting increasingly popular. This is because of the multiple forward ratios that the transmission presents to the driver, instead of a set number of gears. In the Philippines, this particular tranny saw national attention when it was part of the original equipment for the mid-2000s Honda City subcompact sedan and Honda Jazz subcompact hatchback. The tranny was deemed a good alternative to a market that still p

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD and Toyota are collaborating on a new EV sedan called the Toyota bZ3. In what looks like the production version of the Toyota bz SDN concept unveiled in 2021, the upcoming EV will run on BYD's FinDreams Battery and electric motors. It will sit on Toyota's new e-TNGA pure electric platform. The rear-wheel drive bZ3 will be produced by FAW Toyota, the joint venture manufacturing plant of Toyota and FAW, based on information released by China's Ministry of

Hybrid cars are getting more and more traction in the Philippines, and this is not a fluke or a trend that will dissipate. Of course, there is always the idea that cars running on diesel and petrol will always be preferred but to those who can afford it, a hybrid car seems like a logical choice as gas prices constantly seem to go up every week. Enter Toyota's affordable entry into the hybrid car segment. One that is very familiar to its loyal clientele, is the Toyota Altis. Now, the Altis has si

Car maintenance is probably one of the things we dread. We think long hours in the casa or talyer. We think standing up to watch the mechanics do their thing or simply lay back and wait to be surprised as to what your car is ailing from. The rule of thumb is, always get preventive maintenance, as this would help you rule out things that may fail and leave you stranded on the road. As usual, this is also something we dread – the long queues and waiting, but of course we are not pilots nor race ca

2022 Honda Civic FE's CVT deletes the S mode position ECON button removed too Drive Mode function is first for a Civic The all-new 11th era 2022 Honda Civic FE proceeds to utilize CVT-type programmed transmission like its forerunner, but highlights a few advancements on the equipment and computer program bits that presently essentially makes strides its driving encounter. Keen drivers will notice that the new 2022 Honda Civic’s gear selector no longer has an S mode position, only the usual P-R-N