Exalta embarks on tough Mindanao run

CARIGARA—Powered by the high-octane Caltex Vortex Gold and the energizing Havoline oil, the Nissan Exalta GS Superio sedan is all set to showcase its wares when the fourth Pan Philippine Marathon embarks on its treacherous Mindanao leg .

The sparkling silver colored Exalta only added 305 kilometers on its Caltex odometer for a total of 4,906 during its Tuesday run which took the four-man crew to the enchanting towns and cities of Negros and Cebu.

The intrepid quartet of Andy Dysangco, Mon Dizon, Juvy Catajoy and Willy Avila is expected to arrive in Cagayan de Oro at 10 a.m. of Thursday.

But before they traveled to Mindanao using Surigao as its point of entry from Isabel, Leyte, the crew expressed its admiration of the Exalta’s AV steering switch.

"It’s a very important safety feature as it prevents the driver from being distracted while driving when he reaches out for control switches," said Dysangco.

The crew also praised the heads-up digispeed display, allowing the driver to watch the speed changes and see if the right speed is being maintained.

"This is also a dandy feature found in the Exalta," exclaimed Dizon.

The fuel efficiency and performance of the 1.6-liter engine that boasts of 116 prancing horses under the hood, continue to make an impression specially that it’s already a week since the car was let loose at the Eastwood City in Quezon City.

Armed with rally-tested Goodyear Eagle Ventura tires, the Exalta visited the birthplace of the late marathon driving pioneer Ronnie Pasola, who died in 1995.

Twelve kilometers from Pasola’s hometown is the town of Capoocan, where Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita was said to have made his last stand against US forces in World War II.

From Capoocan, the Exalta passed by Ormoc where a killer flood struck several years back.

The multi-link beam suspension continues to live up to its advertisement as the best of the best.