DRIVING UP TAGAYTAY IN AN ERTIGA

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ALAIN LOUISE C. GERONIMO

FRESH

Philippines (SPH) subjected the all-new Ertiga to a litmus test by way of a ride and drive with the motoring media. The jump off point for the two-day event was at Suzuki’s Pasig dealership and participants drove up to the cold and scenic destination at the exclusive Tagaytay Highlands.

“The old Ertiga contributed to 30 percent of our total sales last year, which helped us launch the new one just recently. We hope that people can learn more about the new Ertiga through this test drive, along with many other technologies inputted in this product,” SPH General Manager Keiichi Suzuki told Fast Times.

Before leaving the starting point

dealership to join the convoy, automotive journalists got to fiddle with the Ertiga’s interior and creature

seats reveal a more spacious legroom on the new model easing passengers’ legs on the long trek south. Folding the third row seats allow for a bigger luggage space - more than enough for a getaway trip outside the city. The vented cup holders at the front may not keep ice from melting in an ice-cold drink, but it did keep the drink as cool as when it was bought a couple hours ago.

the Tagaytay Highlands, Suzuki has hosted a photoshoot competition in which automotive journalists from various publications vied for the best picture, with photoshoot locations scattered all around the resort, allowing the new Ertiga to stretch its legs. The winding roads and rolling hills inside Tagaytay Highlands served as a proving ground for the new Ertiga to show off its improved ride comfort and new powertrain. Replacing the 1.4-liter mill is a new 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine dubbed the K15B producing 105 horsepower - 10 hp more than the old engine. While the journey from Pasig to the highlands was 62 kilometers, the engine proved to be frugal - barely eating a bar of fuel on the journey down south, and still having more than half full after the journey back home. The 10-hp increase and slightly increased torque also paid dividends, thanks to a linear power delivery, especially when traversing uphill roads in the highlands.

Platform shared with Swift,Dzire

The engine showed its potential at around 4,000 rpm as it caught up with the convoy at the high-

units were the top-of-the-line GLX trim that had 4-speed automatic transmission, with closer gear ratios over the old one.

The company’s “Heartect” platform shared with the Swift and Dzire gave the Ertiga a slightly better ride over its predecessor, as well as reduced noise and vibration inside the cabin. It may rattle slightly over uneven ground, but not as harsh as the old one did. Handling is stable as well, without compromising for the ride, thanks to its stiffer platform. The combination of power and ride qualities aided everyone to get their eye-catching shots in almost each of the seven photoshoot spots in time before sundown.

The whole runaround inside Tagaytay Highland’s rolling roads helped the new Ertiga stretch its legs within the local shores, and with a P978,000 price tag, it does give other vehicles in its class a run for the money.