MMPC officially unveils Mirage G4

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) passenger car line up gets an additional sales boaster with the official unveiling of the all-new Mirage G4. Following in the heels of the Mirage Hatchback, which stormed into the country as a game-changer in the sub-compact automobile category, the all-new Mirage G4 is powered by a lightweight and compact 1.2 liter 3 In-line DOHC MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) gasoline engine that produces a maximum output of 78Ps @ 6000 rpm and 100Nm of torque @ 4000 rpm.

The name Mirage G4 means Global 4-door sedan and it comes as a completely built unit from Mitsubishi Motors Thailand. It’s available in GLS and GLX variants and both in Cotinuous Variable Transmission (CVT) and 5-speed manual transmission models.

It was a well-attended event with many of the executives from competing auto companies invited, joining with the motoring media, Mitsubishi dealers and friends. The venue was the controversial newly opened SM high-end shopping mall at the Bonifacio Global City, the SM Aura. Some of the guests found it difficult to get into the venue or its parking area as most were there for their first time. It took a Mirage G4 launch to get them to visit and appreciate this upscale mall in Taguig or is it Makati? Of course, that’s another story altogether.

One of the highlighted features of the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 is its astounding luxury of space that’s fit for 5 adults, no worries if they’re all six-footers plus 3 golf bags in the trunk with plenty more of space to spare.

“Uncompromising” is how Froy Dytianquin, MMPC’s VP for marketing services describes the Mirage G4’s safety features that are mirror images with its hatchback sibling. “The all-new Mirage G4 is equipped with front dual SRS airbags to ensure safety and protection from direct impact collisions. This global sedan also features the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (R.I.S.E.) Body, which ensures the safety of all passengers. The body structure’s crumple zones effectively absorbs and dispense crash energy from all directions, completely protecting the interior cabin,” Froy confidently adds as he dutifully makes sure all his guests from the motoring media are not wanting in food and drinks.

The all-new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 has more features and attributes to talk about, which I feel automobile enthusiasts and Mitsubishi loyalists should discover for themselves when they check it out at any of the nationwide Mitsubishi dealers where they can not only see up close but get to test drive too.

Of course many are now asking for the Mirage G4’s price and hold on to your seats for they can floor you as that what they are, “floor-level”—it starts at P578,000 for the GLX MT, P628,000 for the GLX CVT, while the GLS MT is for P668,000 and the top of the line GL CVT is P718,000—and that’s close to stealing them.

By the way, very strong rumors have it that the Mirage G4 had an order for a fleet of about 200 units right during the launch. And was it from the venue’s owner?

Congratulations to MMPC for a very successful, well-attended official launch of the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage G4.

Isuzu Philippines launches All-New D-MAX in CDO

It was last September when Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) formally unveiled the All-New Isuzu D-MAX pickup at the World Trade Center. It was to initially cater to the metro manila and Luzon markets. But now with its recent launch in Cagayan de Oro, the all-new Isuzu D-Max pickup is also out to challenge the terrain in Mindanao.

Held at The Atrium of Limketkai Mall, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX was unveiled by IPC President Nobuo Izumina and Isuzu Cagayan De Oro President and General Manager Frank Rolida.

The arrival of the All-New Isuzu D-MAX in the Mindanao market addresses the region’s need for a vehicle that can serve various business functions and agriculture-related requirements, as well as attend to a set of consumers in the region who indulge in weekend recreational pursuits like mountain trekking or trips to the farm.     

“We formally launch our latest product here in Cagayan De Oro as you have always been one of our most important markets; in fact in our latest sales report, more than half of our sales here in Mindanao are from Cagayan de Oro City,” Izumina said in his speech. 

The All-New Isuzu D-MAX comes in seven exciting variants. Topping the range is the double cab LS 4x4 A/T, followed by the LS 4x4 M/T, LS 4x2 A/T, LS 4x2 M/T, LT 4x4 M/T, LT 4x2 M/T and single cab 4x2 M/T.

Motoring Journalists cast their votes

Alongside the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards, which determines the year’s most popular vehicles in the country through an annual public poll done online through Facebook combined with the officially registered sales of each vehicle as reported and documented by Stradcom, the LTO’s official IT provider, there’s also the auto industry’s much-awaited Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards. These are determined by the country’s motoring editors and top motoring journalists from both print and broadcast.

The electronic voting for this year’s Media’s Choice Awards was done last Saturday, October 19 at the Highlands Prime Steakhouse, the premier destination for the metro’s out and out steak lovers and those who know what a real good piece of prime steak should taste--the steak gourmets, which is located at the SM Mall of Asia.

The motoring media went through the list of over a hundred and fifty automobile models that have been divided into Standard and Luxury models. They registered their choices for Best Design, Best Safety Features, Best Value for Money and Best Engine Performance basing on the actual test drives and intimate knowledge of most, if not all of the models being offered in the market.

The giving out of the Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards shall coincide with the awarding of the Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards for models of the year and the much-coveted Automobile of the Year crown for 2013-2014. The awards night when most of the industry players get together shall be on the opening day of the 9th Auto Focus Motor Show at the SM Mall of Asia.   

The motor show, which is the country’s biggest outdoor automobile display and test drive shall run from November 7 up to November 10, a four-day weekend of brand new cars on display and for test drive, special discounts and motor show promos, music and exhibitions from marching bands and live band music plus raffles of special prizes from automobile exhibitors at 25-minute intervals.

And to top it all, this weekend family affair has free admission.

Happy Motoring!!!

For comments email motoringtoday-star@stv.com.ph.