Automotive

Starting the newly engaged life with the Kia EV9

Wedding planning doesn’t have to be impossible with the right (electric) support system.

Published

September 2, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Two months ago, I became the happiest man on the planet.

I proposed to my girlfriend of seven years. For two months, my life has been a dream, both because it all feels so surreal and so… unknown. No matter how much you say to yourself that you’re ready, nothing can truly prepare you for the next chapter. Or even just the transition period before the next chapter, a.k.a. the wedding.

Though we decided to hold our wedding in 2027, our days have already been filled with constant planning: hunting for creative ideas, finding compromises between our eclectic tastes, and stressing out over absurd prices.

When you’re busy planning for the next milestone in your life, the last thing you need is to stress out over everything else besides the wedding. So, when I got the Kia EV9 for a week, I learned to appreciate all the little things and focus on what’s really important.

Testing out new limits

A relationship comes with its fights. When you’re planning for your first major event as a couple, you find new limits and disagreements. Sometimes, you don’t agree on a design or the budget.

Likewise, when you drive a new car, you need to test its limits. The Kia EV9 taught me patience, because the car itself practically has no limits. This beast has 384 horses and 700Nm of torque.

Though I kept within the speed limit, I felt the raw power lurking underneath. Thank goodness I have a lighter foot because even a small tap revs this baby up. Driving it on SLEX was bliss on all four wheels.

But keeping safe within those limits

Easy driving is crucial when you’re starting to plan for a wedding. That’s because everything starts with a good venue. And hunting for a good venue comes with several oculars, often out of town. Besides its power, the Kia EV9 makes long road trips a breeze with its ADAS features.

Our first ocular was a quaint space in Laguna called Lakehall at Nena’s Sanctuary. From the very beginning, we knew we wanted something like this: a spacious garden-type venue with picturesque views of a lake and a golf course. It felt perfect, based solely on how it looked in photos. But obviously, it was quite a drive from our homes in Quezon City, spanning both the Skyway and SLEX.

Of course, the car has cruise control and blind spot detection. The highlight, however, is its sensitive lane keeping and lane following assists. The EV9 will keep you from changing lanes when it detects another car coming fast from the next lane. It also has forward collision avoidance, which is perfect for those trips on the fast lane.

Both side “mirrors” are just rear-facing cameras with screens mounted inside the vehicle on either side. It takes some getting used to, but they offer great views of traffic beside and behind. Likewise, the rearview mirror is convertible into a screen. If you’re travelling with a lot of luggage, the camera system offers an unobstructed view of the back.

With all of these nifty features, I felt safe for long trips.

A new life in comfort

After our big day in Laguna, we went to a wedding of a mutual friend in the city.

Now, a plethora of safety features is also important for city driving. But what I really want for driving around Metro Manila is an even more impressive array of comfort and convenience features, especially when facing tough traffic conditions.

It’s not an exaggeration when I say that the Kia EV9 is the most luxurious car I’ve ever driven. There are so many creature comforts. The driver’s seat, for example, moves in eight directions, has lumbar support, massage functions, and cooling. Likewise, passenger seats have the same, if not a bit lesser, functionalities. Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, the EV9 makes you feel like you’re travelling in first class.

The entire cabin comes with tri-zone climate control. It doesn’t matter much if you’re travelling with someone who gets cold easily. Personally, I prefer keeping the driver’s area cool, while my fiancée likes it warmer. Of course, I still get too cold, especially when my fingers are dab smack in front of the vents. Thankfully, the steering wheel has heating, so I can keep driving comfortably.

Entertainment is no issue, either. The EV9 comes with fourteen Meridian speakers, a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It also has an abundance of USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad on the center console, and a plug at the back.

All of these were so useful while going through Manila traffic between the church and the reception venue. We also had a lot of time in between, so we decided to just chill in the car for a while. It was like staying in our own little hotel room.

In it for the long haul

Finally, we capped off our short Kia EV9 stint with a date at Café Giya in Angono. A trip to Rizal had us going up and down winding roads. It’s a different beast compared to open freeways and tight streets. Because it’s our third big trip, we started worrying about the range of the Kia EV9.

Actually, we had nothing to worry about. The car has a gargantuan 99.8kWh battery. A full charge can supposedly last over 500 kilometers. Even if this estimate is generous, getting mileage close to this number is already impressive for a full EV. Our short stint wasn’t enough to truly test the battery, but our long trip from Quezon City to Laguna knocked off only 20 percent of the battery.

By the time we went to Rizal, the car didn’t have full range anymore. In fact, we were hovering around 30 percent. At this time, we decided to give the regenerative braking a try. The EV9 has paddles for increasing the intensity of the braking. At full force, it also has i-PEDAL STOP.

The higher levels are usually what you’d expect from regenerative braking. However, at maximum, the i-PEDAL STOP makes it so that you don’t even need to brake anymore. It feels a bit jerky at first, but it’s oddly satisfying to rely purely on the car to brake for you.

Because the car is fully electric, I didn’t have a gas tank to rely on for a full recharge using the braking. Still, using Rizal’s many slopes to recharge helped me keep my dwindling battery alive until I got to a charging station. With 11kW AC charging, it takes almost 10 hours to charge, but only 83 minutes with 50kW DC or 24 minutes with 350kW DC charging.

Range anxiety, begone!

This is how you start a new chapter

This three-leg trip was our first major event as a newly engaged couple. We had disagreements. We had tough spots. But we had fun. We found new ways to love.

The engaged life is fraught with challenges, but it doesn’t have to be an unnavigable nightmare. With the right support and the right mindset, love will always find a way to rise to the top.

Like Pegasus to Hercules, the Kia EV9 was our loyal steed. We pushed the car (and ourselves) to the limit, but it delivered everything we needed.

Automotive

VinFast extends free unlimited charging in 3 markets amid rising fuel prices

Customers in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines to enjoy 3 years of free unlimited charging

Published

March 17, 2026

GadgetMatch

VinFast has announced the extension of its free unlimited charging program in three key Asian markets: India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Customers purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) in these countries (or currently own a VinFast EV) can enjoy the zero-fuel-cost advantage for three years, or until March 31, 2029.

This is amid the rising fuel costs in these countries, primarily due to the U.S./Israel-Iran war. Under the new policy, customers can charge for free at authorized V-Green charging stations.

By removing one of the largest operating costs of driving, VinFast aims to help motorists experience the economic advantages of electric vehicles (EVs) while supporting the countries’ transitions toward more sustainable mobility.

The program will be extended broadly to all customers, including both existing owners and future buyers. It will cover both private customers as well as those using their vehicles for transportation services, like the Green GSM EV taxi service network.

Alongside the free charging policy, the charging network developed and operated by V-Green is continuously expanding across the markets where VinFast operates.

This expansion helps create favorable conditions for consumers to confidently transition to greener and more sustainable transportation.

In addition to the free charging incentive, VinFast is already implementing multiple policies to promote the green transition in key Asian markets.

These include a battery subscription program that lowers upfront investment cost, a resale value guarantee policy, flexible payment options, and market-leading warranty coverage.

Automotive

BYD is reportedly considering an F1 team

There is no decision yet.

Published

March 11, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

BYD is lighting up the electric vehicle segment. For a while now, the Chinese automotive brand has been offering affordable alternatives to the so-called giants of the market, in turn becoming a giant itself. The company has since entered other segments, including the luxury market, through its sub-brands Denza and Yangwang. Now, it’s reportedly considering an all-new venture: the world of Formula One.

The new Formula One season saw the debuts of Audi and Cadillac to the racing grid, proving that the sport isn’t averse to expanding beyond the usual ten teams. Naturally, entering the sport is not an easy process, but for the right brand, it could be a very lucrative opportunity.

According to a source from Bloomberg, BYD is currently evaluating an entry into Formula 1. Right now, the Chinese company has not made a decision, but it is an idea floating around.

Besides the rigorous entry process, owning an independent racing team can cost BYD hundreds of millions of dollars per year. It’s not a cheap sport.

That said, there are other ways for the brand to enter the grid. One of the more cost-effective options is to become a title sponsor of an existing team by providing funding and technical expertise without the stress of managing a team directly.

Alternatively, the brand can also skip the red tape by buying an existing team. Audi, for example, entered the current grid by buying the team from Sauber. Of the current grid, Alpine is reportedly considering putting the team up for sale, making it a potential target for newcomers.

Outside of F1, BYD might also have an easier time entering other competitions including the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Automotive

Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo makes global debut at MWC 2026

Tech giant becomes first technology brand in Vision GT program

Published

March 3, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Xiaomi has unveiled the full-scale concept model of the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo or Xiaomi Vision GT at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. This marks the company’s official entry into the elite Vision Gran Turismo project.

Created for the legendary Gran Turismo franchise, the electric hypercar concept represents the first time a technology company has been invited to participate in the Vision GT program. Xiaomi now joins a select group of global automakers, becoming the 36th brand to take part and the creator of the 51st Vision Gran Turismo concept overall.

The project began at the GT World Series in London, where series producer Kazunori Yamauchi personally invited Xiaomi to design its own Vision GT car. For Xiaomi’s global EV design team, the opportunity meant rethinking hypercar development from a technology-first perspective, blending advanced aerodynamics with AI-driven intelligence.

Sculpted by the wind

At the core of Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo is aerodynamic balance. Instead of chasing extreme low drag or maximum downforce alone, Xiaomi pursued efficiency between the two.

The concept follows a “Sculpted by the Wind” philosophy. Its teardrop cockpit silhouette, integrated air ducts, and airfoil-shaped structural elements guide airflow seamlessly from front to rear. The body avoids excessive add-ons, relying instead on built-in aerodynamic solutions.

Signature design elements serve dual purposes. Cross-shaped headlights integrate into the airflow system, while the halo-shaped taillight sits within a massive rear air outlet. An Active Wake Control System surrounds the rear with micro-perforations that manage turbulent air using real-time speed and angle data.

The Accretion Rims feature vortex-style wheel covers that remain visually stationary while the car is in motion, reducing drag from rotating surfaces. Internal turbine fins help cool the brakes during operation.

Through iterative simulation testing, Xiaomi says the concept achieves a drag coefficient of 0.29, downforce of negative 1.2, and an aerodynamic efficiency rating of 4.1 — figures that highlight balance rather than extremes.

A “sofa racer” interior

Inside, Xiaomi departs from the rigid, track-focused cabins typical of hypercars. The “Sofa Racer” concept emphasizes comfort without sacrificing control.

A ring-shaped cockpit architecture wraps around the driver, blending dashboard, doors, and seats into one continuous structure. Breathable 3D-knitted fabric materials aim to provide both support and warmth.

At the center is Xiaomi Pulse, an intelligent assistant integrated into the dashboard. Working alongside Xiaomi HyperVision and the company’s HyperOS platform, the system adapts displays and interactions based on driving mode and environmental data. Physical controls remain tactile and precise, including an infinite-shaped steer-by-wire wheel.

The concept also integrates into Xiaomi’s broader “Human × Car × Home” ecosystem. Powered by XiaoAi AI Assistant and the Xiaomi MiMo foundational model, the car connects with personal devices and smart home products, positioning itself as part of a unified digital lifestyle.

Xiaomi has also envisioned a companion driving simulator designed as furniture for the home, extending the Vision Gran Turismo experience beyond the vehicle itself.

Yamauchi praised the project, noting how the design successfully resolves the tension between low drag and high downforce. Further details about the car’s arrival in Gran Turismo 7 will be announced at a later date.

With its Vision Gran Turismo debut, Xiaomi signals a broader ambition: redefining the electric hypercar through AI integration, ecosystem connectivity, and aerodynamic precision.