Automotive

Up close with Changan’s electric future

A first-hand look at the Changan Nevo Q05, Hunter K50, and A05 at MIAS 2025.

Published

on

As someone who’s always on the lookout for the next big thing in both technology and design, I couldn’t help but get excited when I stepped into the Changan booth at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) 2025.

This year’s event had all the fanfare of a high-stakes race. Except instead of roaring engines, I was met with the sleek hum of electric vehicles.

Changan Nevo Q05: Sleek meets smart

First up was the Changan Nevo Q05, which, to me, immediately stood out as a vehicle that could double as the perfect companion for my daily life. Sophisticated yet fun.

The modern, minimalist design with chrome accents reminded me of how much my love for gadgets extends to cars. Sleek, practical, and tech-savvy.

The full-LED lighting and those 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels screamed “stylish commuter,” and I could easily imagine myself cruising through the city streets, comfortably enjoying the 10.25-inch touchscreen and seamless Apple CarPlay.

It’s clear that Changan’s focused on combining luxury with everyday practicality. And as someone who works in tech and fitness, I loved seeing features like the wireless smartphone charging pad and panoramic sunroof.

It’s exactly the kind of tech-forward experience that makes every trip feel like a mini adventure.

Changan Nevo Hunter K50: Rugged yet refined

Next, I found myself completely drawn to the Changan Nevo Hunter K50.

As much as I love my sleek gadgets and tech, there’s always a part of me that craves something rugged and ready to tackle the outdoors. Somehow, this beast of a vehicle checks all the boxes.

With a design that balances urban cool with off-road potential, the Hunter K50 felt like the perfect vehicle for those days when I need to get away from the hustle-bustle of city life.

The 18-inch alloy wheels and sharp lines immediately gave it a muscular presence.

Inside, it felt like the perfect combination of luxury and utility. From the 12.3-inch touchscreen to the leather seats, everything felt elevated.

But here’s the kicker: the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature. As someone who loves working on the go, the ability to power up my devices through dual 220V outlets was the kind of feature I’d want in my arsenal.

It’s like Changan is speaking my language: functionality meets fun.

Changan A05: Sophistication for city dwellers

Finally, I checked out the Changan Nevo A05.

It felt like the perfect fusion of Nevo Q05 and Nevo Hunter K50. It’s elegant, refined, and perfectly suited for my fast-paced, tech-heavy lifestyle.

The sleek, cutting-edge design had me thinking, “This is the car I want to roll into a meeting in.”

And with the 13.2-inch touchscreen and full digital instrument display, it felt like the perfect extension of my daily work routine.

Whether I’m negotiating for an event or finalizing details for an upcoming pitch, I could easily picture myself navigating my day with all the connected technology I need, while cruising in style.

The fleet for a tech-driven life

The Changan Nevo Q05, Hunter K50, and A05 aren’t just electric vehicles. They represent how Changan’s commitment to innovation can seamlessly align with my lifestyle, no matter the mood or moment.

From the city streets to the open road, Changan’s electric vehicles have managed to combine sleek design, rugged capability, and sophisticated technology. All while making sure I stay connected and in control.

And if there’s one thing I know for sure after my visit to the booth, it’s that these cars are a reflection of the kind of lifestyle I’m living. Fast-paced, full of adventure, and ready for whatever comes next.

Automotive

Xiaomi EV sets world’s 1st official autonomous driving lap at Nürburgring

Pilotless Xiaomi YU7 completes 20.8-kilometer “Green Hell” track

Published

on

Xiaomi EV has just made a historic automotive milestone, with a pilotless Xiaomi YU7 GT completing a lap at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit on its own.

Equipped with the brand’s premium Track Package, the EV conquered one of the most brutal racetracks on the planet without a human driving it, clocking a certified lap time of 10:29.483 across the grueling 20.8 km loop.

The achievement validates the comprehensive capabilities of Xiaomi’s autonomous driving system under dynamic conditions. At the same time, it demonstrates the potential unlocked through the deep integration of AI and advanced vehicle control technologies.

This historic run is the culmination of years of machine learning development. Xiaomi first debuted its Hyper Autonomous Driving (HAD) system back in 2024, but the real breakthrough came earlier this year.

In March 2026, Xiaomi rolled out a next-generation platform driven by its new Xiaomi XLA architecture and the advanced MiMo-Embodied foundation model.

With enhanced understanding and reasoning capabilities, the new system further improves its ability to interpret complex environments, dynamic traffic participants, and vehicle states.

The driving system is built on an end-to-end architecture and vehicle dynamics model, enabling real-time perception of vehicle states and road conditions.

It makes control decisions through dynamic prediction, and continuously coordinates steering, braking, and power delivery to maintain vehicle stability.

Such system accelerates the evolution of autonomous driving from behavior imitation to deeper environmental understanding and autonomous decision-making.

Taming the “Green Hell” with AI

Conquering the Nordschleife is no small feat for a human racing driver, let alone software.

The track is widely regarded as the ultimate proving ground for vehicle development due to its punishing layout: 73 distinct corners, roughly 300 meters of radical elevation changes, wildly inconsistent grip levels, and zero room for error.

During the certified high-speed time trial, Xiaomi’s autonomous system successfully navigated every single one of these complex hazards in real time.

Continue Reading

Automotive

Mercedes-Benz holds a Welcome Home campaign to celebrate 140 years

Get freebies and discounts from now until the end of July.

Published

on

Mercedes-Benz has been an important part of Filipino car culture. Stylized as the “Chedeng,” the brand’s cars are still worthy choices today. Now, to celebrate their 140th anniversary, Mercedes-Benz is launching the Welcome Home Campaign, offering treats and discounts for Filipino drivers.

From now until the end of June, new Mercedes-Benz owners can get an exclusive 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen Replica. The limited-edition replica represents the history of brand’s innovations in the motoring space.

Similarly, until the end of the month, interested customers can start their Benz journey for downpayments as low as PhP 140,000. Discounted prices, however, will go on until the end of July:

MODEL
Original Price
Discounted Price
CLA 200 Progressive
PhP 3,990,000
PhP 3,490,000
C 180 Avantgarde
PhP 3,990,000
PhP 2,990,000
GLB 200 AMG Line
PhP 4,590,000
PhP 4,090,000
GLC 200 4MATIC
PhP 5,190,000
PhP 4,690,000
EQB 250+ Electric Art
PhP 4,290,000
PhP 4,090,000
EQE 300 Electric Art Sedan
PhP 5,590,000
PhP 3,990,000
EQE 350+ AMG Line Sedan
PhP 6,290,000
PhP 4,690,000
EQS 450 4MATIC AMG Line Sedan
PhP 9,990,000
PhP 7,490,000
Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC
PhP 5,719,000
PhP 5,519,000
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC
PhP 5,719,000
PhP 5,219,000

 

If you already own a Chedeng, Mercedes-Benz will show some love by offering special aftersales initiatives throughout the campaign period. Additionally, there will be more roadshow activations happening the entire year to showcase the latest in the Benz lineup.

Finally, if you have a Chedeng story of your own, Mercedes-Benz is inviting long-time fans to share their stories on social media by tagging the official Mercedes-Benz Philippines account and using the hashtags #Chedeng and #140YearsofInnovation. Featured users can win exclusive Benz merchandise.

Continue Reading

Computex 2026

Acer introduces new e-bikers, e-scooters at COMPUTEX 2026

Acer expands into smart e-mobility solutions

Published

on

Acer is showcasing its new range of e-bikes and e-scooters at COMPUTEX 2026, as part of its expansion into smart e-mobility solutions.

These offerings are powered by integrated software to deliver connected and intuitive riding experiences for evolving urban mobility needs.

Part of the new lineup are the Acer Nitro eCity Plus (e-bike) and Acer ES Series 3 Select (e-scooter). Both designed for urban commuting, these products feature versatile configurations, optimized performance, and enhanced portability for everyday use.

The Nitro eCity Plus comes with multiple riding modes and responsive power delivery for a smooth and stable ride. It also has a removable battery design for convenient charging.

Meanwhile, the ES Series 3 Select is about portability and efficiency. It has features for daily urban travel, and is lightweight, compact, and foldable.

It likewise boasts of multiple riding modes and comes with optimized braking and lighting systems.

Both of these electric mobility solutions can be controlled via the Acer eMobility app. Riders can check battery status and control lighting easily on the go with voice controls.

The app also provides a unified interface for e-bikes and e-scooters across Acer’s portfolio. It allows users to monitor vehicle status, battery levels, and riding data. Riders can also access functions like lighting control, device settings adjustment, riding history, and performance insights.

For peace of mind, several security features are also integrated. For instance, riders can activate an e-lock function via voice commands on compatible e-scooters. On e-bikes, the app also provides alert-based anti-theft notifications.

Continue Reading

Trending