Japanese Car Guide

by Andrea Mella

JVC Mobile Division whose goal is to build a great sounding show car with lots of custom work to make it one –of-a kind. To elaborate on the system, they put into a test a Civic which boasts a custom red and black interior that is strikingly appealing and oh so loaded to the hilt. On the outside, a custom body kit adorns the Civic’s body along with a host of essential tuner items which can be found on the interior and the engine bay. The sound path starts with JVC’s new KW-AVX800 2 DIN head unit with 7-inch QVGA touch-screen monitor. This versatile unit can play multiple audio and video sources in the car, with a USB interface and SD card slot for WMA/MP3 players including AAC and DivX.

by Andrea Mella

Other rivals have come and many more are coming, but nothing comes close to VTEC supremacy for engine efficiency. The latest Civic has the core of what makes a Honda, a Honda. Perhaps it amuses Honda engineers to no end for the tables to turn in favor of the Civic against  its perennial rival, the Corolla. Dethroning the Corolla from the seat of sales supremacy has been known to happen before but not bloody likely as Toyota will become number one. The Honda Civic is a greater car, even if its shape challenges one’s loyalty to the brand. Indeed, it is in the Honda essence to have high heels of high tech, even if the average Honda owner doesn’t exploit it at all.

by Andrea Mella

The new Nissan Teana comes from the tradition of uncompromising Japanesecraftmanship that creates objects of art built for the ages. Thus, no detail has been spared to make the Teana the discerning owner’s ride of choice: real world performance, superb ride and handling, supreme comfort and outstanding build quality. It has an intelligent key that do all the sensors without you even lifting a finger-lock, unlock, and switch on and off. The rear camera, maneuvers in tight conditions has never been easier. Nissan’s Triple-S Safety Concept: Vehicle Dynamic Control, ABS with EBD, SRS Airbags x 6. One test drive, and you’ll know this is the ride you’ve been waiting for.

by Andrea Mella

With the latest Vios, Toyota has come full circle in giving us their new design language- with models targeted to appeal a majority of it’s segment buyer, distinct from other model families without losing Toyota’s attributes. In keeping with their motto “of… the right car at the right time for the right price..” there is hardly an interchangeable line or bulge when one compares the Camry, RAV4, Previa, Hiace Grandia, Corolla and the Vios. There is a little surface interchangeability between the Vios and its 5-door hatch brother, the Yaris, although the two share the same platform. As a business proposition, the Vios has clearly changed its target market. There is still the base version, which still lends itself well as a thrifty and now very spacious taxi, especially if Toyota releases us approved LPG version.

by Andrea Mella

A year after launch and the continued domination of the pick up sector, Mitsubishi has now added the 158 hp 3.2 liter version, the same engine found on the mighty Pajero. This enables Mitsubishi to fend-off challenges from similar high powered pick ups like the new 174 hp Nissan Frontier Navara and the 156 hp Ford Ranger 3.0 liter 5-speed manual. Mitsubishi was careful in making sure that the turbo diesel engines did away with the “crackling” noise on part throttle, an annoying trait in Euro-4 CRDI systems running on our local sulfur-laden fuel. They may have gone overboard with the detailed styling of the lights and the corrugated fuel filler cap, but there is no denying that nothing so utilitarian ever came out so styled. 

by Andrea Mella

Being Japan’s Biggest Car Maker, Toyota not only had the most number of dream transport concepts, it also introduced several new Lexus studies; the lightweight LF-A coupe and LX-F crossover and the IS-F, Lexus challenge to the AMG C36. The new Land Cruiser made it to the 2^nd press day, while the Crown hybrid made its debut. Mitsubishi’s stand  were focused on the Diamante-sized ZT concept and the Mi-EV, a possible mini compact that can slot under the Colt hatchback. Honda’s latest was a very nice re-style of the Fit/Jazz and an entirely new Accord/Inspire that will attempt to elbow into Camry territory.

The 2009 Honda Pilot is a midsize crossover SUV that seats eight passengers in a 3-row interior setting. It was first unveiled as the Pilot Prototype at the North American Auto Show last March.

The car has a 5-speed automatic transmission and is powered by a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6. It is like an improved version of the first generation Honda Pilot. The engineers at Honda added more passenger and cargo space to the car and it seems to work quite well. The car’s value is just right for the enhanced power and economy features.

If you’re someone who’s adventurous, then this solid crossover is for you.

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Lexus F line is presently Toyota’s luxury division. A hard-edged performance car, the 2008 Lexus IS-F is Toyota’s match to popular luxury vehicles such as the BMW M3, Audi RS4 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.

One can easily notice that the car has a sporty and handsome appeal. It also has an amazingly good sound at high RPM. It’s powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that produces 416 horsepower, a guarantee that it has strong engine performance. The only disadvantage I see is the rock-hard suspension that matches pretty well with fast and furious drivers but not with plain motorists. It could have been better if the suspension has sport and regular modes for a more efficient handling.

But don’t get easily disheartened friends, overall I think it’s still an awesome car that’s worth a serious look.

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