A TALE OF TWO TEST DRIVES

LAST June I was invited to test-drive two vehicles from two different automakers; One was a 4x4 pickup while the other was a luxury SUV.

Isuzu D-Max

Last June 20 was the opening of the last leg of the 2014 Isuzu D-Max 4x4 series. Guests had the chance to experience the offroad capabilities of the Isuzu D-Max 4x4.

The venue of the test-drive was a portion of the Dakudao Estate which was the former Lanang Golf and Country Club (just beside the SM Lanang). Isuzu created a rough terrain course enabling the drivers to test the D-Maxes in the roughest of terrains. Gracing the event was Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) EVP Takashi Tomita along with some top officials from IPC.

The difficult course proved that Isuzu D-Max 4x4 is a beast of its own using the pickup’s power, traction and maneuverability to overcome the obstacles which included a 40-meter hill climb using 1st gear and second gear, 40-meter climb with a stall midway up, 40-degree descent without breaking, lateral climb up, driving over elephant holes, lateral descent ditch crossing among many obstacles.

The test drive proved that Isuzu D-Max is a reliable and durable vehicle fitted with a fuel-efficient engine. Isuzu Cars Davao VP and marketing manager Kim Liu said the pick-up has taken on a particular relevance for the Davao market since almost half of the area is classified as forest and with agriculture as the largest economic sector.

“The course in Davao was made closer to terrain traversed in rainforest challenges…” Liu said. Test-drivers navigated their D-Maxes across heavy jungle-like foliage following the rough terrain, add to the difficulty was the rains which made the course muddy and slippery; amidst the obstacles this tough pickup rose amidst the challenge.

BMW X5

Last Month I had the chance to test drive BMW’s latest Sports Activity Vehicle the X5 xDrive30D during BMW’s road show at Las Terrazas Clubhouse in Maa.

The X5 represents the cross concept of sportiness, adventure and luxury. The vehicle is powered by a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, it has an 8-speed automatic transmission along with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

I got to experience BMW’s superb traction and stability, power where it goes 0 to 100 kilometers in 6.9 seconds, one of the vehicle’s attraction is its 10.2” Control Display which is standard-fitted for the iDrive operating system. Onboard computers ran the gamut of the vehicle’s driving modes among these purpose optimizes fuel efficiency.

According to Corrine Bollozos, sales manager of Premium Motoren BMW, they are bullish in the Mindanao market for luxury vehicles particularly with the growing economy.

In the pipeline is a Davao showroom as discussions are still ongoing. The sole BMW car dealer in Mindanao is located in Cagayan de Oro.