Black is the New Green: Bridgestone Launches New Generation Ecopia Tires

Photos by Ulysses Ang

BANGKOK, THAILAND—Today, every carmaker has weighed in on technology which aims to make their automobiles greener. Almost every aspect of a vehicle—from its aerodynamics to its engine, transmission, and even suspension have all been meticulously engineered to extract a couple more extra kilometers out of every drop of fuel. Now, one of the most important, yet neglected parts in a vehicle, the tires, is getting a “green” makeover courtesy of the new-generation Ecopia tires from Bridgestone.
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First Drive: 2013 Lexus IS 350 and IS 350 F Sport

Photos by Ulysses Ang and Lexus Press

It takes balls to launch an all-new car on the race track, much less drive it before it’s unveiled to the public. Why? Well, for one, it’s easier for enthusiasts to pass judgment on the car based solely on their experience flogging it on the track. And second, track driving typically magnifies a car’s weakness and can even reduce a perceived strength. In short, it’s a tight rope walk—toeing the fine line between expectation and reality. And where 99 percent of cars fail, the all-new Lexus IS 350 succeeds, managing to exceed expectations by a whole quarter mile.
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The BMW Driving Experience 2013: The Video

Just a couple of weeks back, Asian Carmakers Corporation, the Philippines's exclusive distributor of BMW automobiles and motorcycles in the country took a select number of journalists on a high horsepower ride in the BMW Driving Experience at the Clark International Speedway. Though words and photos are okay, only a video will do the event justice.

So without further adieu, here's what happened during this exhilarating ride. Until next year!

Shell Introduces Philippine Student Contigient to the 2013 Eco-marathon Asia

Photos by Ulysses Ang

They say the first automobile race happened right after the second car rolled off the assembly floor. The spirit of competition has always been innately human, but even more so when it’s a combination of man and machine. And though motorsports has commonly been about which car can run faster, brake shorter, and handle better; there’s another kind of competition—one that takes into account the concept of smart mobility, environmental-consciousness, and innovative thinking. This is the Shell Eco-marathon.
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A Date with M: BMW Driving Experience 2013

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Even if we were clothed in the most casual clothes imaginable (and the occasional Sketcher’s Shape-Ups), we felt like a million bucks when our ‘shuttle service’, a fleet of BMW 7 Series limousines arrived just to bring us to the Clark International Speedway. We certainly felt every bit like that British super spy, sans the Vodka-Martini and the suave accent. Nonetheless, with our good looks intact, we couldn’t wait for our date with M. And when we talk about ‘M’ here, we don’t mean a frumpy, grumpy middle-aged woman boss; what we’re referring to is the most sacred letter to any car enthusiast: the BMW M line.
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Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience 2013: The Video

CATS Motors, Inc., the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in the Philippines recently held the 2013 edition of the Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience. This half-day track event is designed not just to bring the different Mercedes-Benz passenger cars through its paces (including the SLS AMG) but also to teach invaluable lessons to the driver, especially when it came to emergency maneuvers.

Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience 2013: Better Driving Through Training

Photos by Ash Mahintay. Courtesy of CATS Motors, Inc.

Better driving skills can make a world of a difference for everyone on the road. Mercedes-Benz approaches the skill of driving from a holistic point of view. State-of-the-art Active and Passive systems need to be complemented by the necessary driving skills in order to ensure better protection for drivers and passengers, even pedestrians.
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