BR-Ving Bataan’s squalls and shackles
We, the media, could truly test the car on such savage terrain in hopes that if we made it out alive, we could live and tell the story of how cool and savvy these cars really were. And they were not mistaken
The infamous Bataan Death March which transported around 80,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war using roads in the Saysain Point, Bagac, Mariveles in the province indeed made a mark in our own history. Similarly, our recent rendezvous with Honda’s latest BR-V along the trails of Bataan can somehow — or in a way, pertain to such feat — in obviously a rather much smaller scale. I maybe exaggerating, yes. But it was one for the history books of local automotive media test drives as organizers preferred taking back roads towards our destination, instead of the usual and the mundane. Not only that.
At this point, hard rain kept on pounding infinitely, tormenting every brave soul out in the open.
During this time, they rather opted that we take the eye of tropical depression “Hannah” head on while scurrying to roads unknown onboard their newest iteration of an entry-level seven-seater compact sport utility vehicle (SUV). This way, we the media, could truly test the car on such savage terrain in hopes that if we made it out alive, we could live and tell the story of how cool and savvy these cars really were. And they were not mistaken.
We first convened in a restaurant in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. I learned that about twenty of us journalists were to take on the wheels of the BR-V’s two variants: the 1.5 V CVT and the 1.5 S CVT. The initial part of the journey first started with braving the Monday morning traffic in EDSA. As passenger, I was able to enjoy the comforts from the second row of the vehicle. Spacious legroom and slow tunes from seven-inch touch screen entertainment system kept us glued as we crawled unto the shackles of this traffic-laden city.
Inside, this adorable mover gets minor changes in the cabin with specifically the top-tier rocking new leather, scattered stylish red accents all over with a twist of a fresh “Dark Steel” interior tinge exuding that snazzy appeal.
In no time, we were already smoothly cruising the expressway traversing the old Bataan road after exiting in Dinalupihan.
In these outskirts, this stunning people mover proved to be a head turner as it dazzled onlookers. This small macho seven-seater puts on a brave face with its enhanced front grille that features a couple of chrome strips perfectly paired to its protruding logo.
We passed by an area wherein a landslide occurred a few hours earlier.
The 1.5 V CVT variant, in particular, (which I drove at the latter part of the drive) gets sole VIP treatment with headlights now sporting LED daytime running lights. Front and rear bumpers get modish complementing its improved 201mm ground clearance, while new slick 16-inch alloy wheels further add to its new-found bravado.
From the industrious Bataan Road, we soon negotiated the twisties of Bagac-Mariveles trails. The 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine that produces 118hp at 6,00rpm and 145N-m of torque at 4,600rpm was enough to carry us on the capricious uphill and winding roads.
Good thing, the BR-V can easily be controlled with steering feedback always on point. Here, the Vehicle Stability Assist was tirelessly working, especially in the off-road section of the highway. We passed by an area wherein a landslide occurred a few hours earlier. Greasy mud and jagged gravel portions of the road construction were the culprits of increased tension and vexation.
At this point, hard rain kept on pounding infinitely, tormenting every brave soul out in the open.
Nevertheless, the BR-V was not shaken. It was steady. In the end, the whole trip left memories of the relaxing stay at Anvaya Cove, pictures of a dauntless pack of seven-seaters braving every hurdle thrown its way in the 300-km trip and that surreal feeling of going home fulfilled and unscathed.
Indeed, we were living witnesses of one extraordinary drive.