Fantastic Threes

Platform sharing is nothing new in the automotive world. By creating similar major elements among several automobiles — such as the floorpan, suspension architecture, drivetrains — automakers attain economies of scale and are able to price their products more competitively. But it’s only lately that the Philippine market has been witness to just such a practice, with apparent success too. There are the Honda Jazz/City, the Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute, and Ford Ranger/Everest duos, but the following trios are perfect examples of making a single platform as versatile as possible.

Toyota Hilux — Innova - Fortuner

After years of relative nibbling at the compact pickup truck market, Toyota finally released the 2005 Hilux late last year as the first in its Innovative Multipurpose Vehicle (IMV) project. Looking like a scale Ford F-150 from some angles, the truck is a giant leap forward in refinement and appeal when you compare it to the past generation. Now the other manufacturers will have to figure out how to face off against its good looks and capable performance.

A few months later, Toyota then introduced the Innova, the best-looking AUV (okay, it’s an MPV now) to ever hit our roads. Driving a diesel-powered Innova over the weekend, I was struck by how well the steering, suspension, and brakes are tuned. For a tall 7-passenger wagon, it drives solidly with predictable handling and accurate high-speed stability. The only giveaway that it still can’t match the ride refinement of the much more expensive Previa minivan: the stiff, live axle rear, which squirms over bumps taken in mid-corner.

Inside, a most pleasant cabin with warm hues, acceptable fake wood, and friendly ergonomics. It’s a far cry from the tacky, blocky cabin of the old Revo, which during its heyday was still considered as one of the best in its class. I found the low-slung dashboard to have a penalty in A/V vent placement, though: they’re placed right behind the driver’s hands, freezing my digits all the time if I wanted air to hit my face.

As for the engine, well, there’s little to fault. Apart from the typical, cheap-sounding racket at idle of most diesels, everything smoothens out at speed. It revs smoothly, has gobs of torque, and will happily cruise at 150-kph while drinking diesel at the reasonable amount of 8.9 kilometers to a liter. Plus, the 4-speed automatic option is a good match, with very little shift shock and quick downshifts when requested by my right foot. Top it off with a comprehensive list of amenities and it’s actually a very enjoyable wagon to drive.

But, swap the body for a brawnier one, put in a four-wheel drivetrain for the diesel variant, off-road tires, slightly different seating configurations, bigger displacement engines from the same block and what do you get? The Fortuner, reportedly one of the hardest-to-own SUVs in the market right now, not because it’s so bad but exactly because of the opposite. It looks like a beefier Mercedes-Benz ML320, has more power cylinder-for-cylinder than anything in its class, and it’s priced only slightly higher than a top-of-the-line Innova. No wonder the waiting list is so long, some potential buyers have chosen instead to wait it out or just buy something else. Well, that’s economics for you.

Mazda 3 — Volvo S40 — Ford Focus

And then there’s the Mazda 3/Volvo S40/Ford Focus trio. By using a single platform, each brand is able to save on development costs while at the same time being given the liberty in creating a distinct identity for each. The Mazda 3 may well be the defining sporty sedan for the affordable compact car segment, while the Volvo S40 remarkably impresses as an entry-level luxury car that has no hint of the cheaper Mazda or Ford at all in the cabin or engine bay.

I didn’t get to see the start of the UAAP (only the 3rd quarter, by which time ADMU was being mauled already with a 30-point deficit) last Sunday, but Ford took the novel approach of previewing the upcoming Focus sedan to the crowd before the game started. Details about the car are still largely confidential, but having Google’d the car and seen it at the highly successful Manila Motor Show, I can say that it will be quite distinct from the Mazda 3 in terms of styling, driving dynamics, and specs. Could this be the car to knock the Toyota Corolla Altis off its pedestal? For sure, it will not again be a Mazda Familia/Protégé with Ford Lynx decals.

As the endless political debate raged on last week, there were still those with more grounded concerns — like the traffic situation we all go through on a daily basis. Here are some of their comments…

Everyday at 5 a.m., ginagawang PUJ terminal ang Soler corner C.M. Recto here in Divisoria. — 09172070071

The LTO personnel manning EDSA are probably extortionists, and their operation illegal. Bakit lahat ng van hinharang niyo? Don’t privately owned vans have the right to use EDSA? — 09185407434

Why are almost all traffic laws designed and made for motorists and not for pedestrians and commuters? — 09184129789 (I would beg to disagree. Motorists have "no contest" cases when going up against pedestrians. You can take that to court, or at least read the next comment...)

I agree with the idea to adopt the traffic law of Hong Kong penalizing jaywalkers because they are in fact the violators and not the drivers, therefore the liability should be on them. — 09195066970 (See?)

San Marcelino and San Carlos Streets in Mandaluyong are being used as parking areas and motor shops! — 09195580181

Filipino drivers need to attend seminars on moral values and road courtesy, kasi alam naman natin na mahusay sila sa pagmaneho kaso lang their attitude on the road needs improvement. — 09186474695

Please do give the address/location of the ATI Group or how could we possibly reach them. Thanks. — 09195597053 (Gladly. You can text or call the ATI Group through 0917-8489678)

Jeepneys bound to San Juan coming from V. Mapa insist on left turn to N. Domingo. There is no left turn sign! — 09178563479

Through your Backseat Driver Inbox, may I call the attention of Chairman Bayani Fernando and ask him to impose the coding scheme of buses along EDSA as they are the real cause of the traffic mess in the thoroughfare? — 09185647523 (By all means, please do!)

Hi, Lester! The correct plural form is "tours-of-duty", right? — 09154010510 (As a matter of fact, it is. Lester and his negligent editor do thoroughly apologize.)

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