Automotive

I rode in a PhP 25-million Defender OCTA, and it changed how I think about luxury

You don’t need to baby something that’s capable of so much more.

Published

November 26, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Have you ever wondered what riding a PhP 25-million car feels like? Obviously, only a scant handful of people would ever dream about (or, much less, own) such a car. And, if you’re one of the few who have one, you would probably treat it like a baby. Well, that’s not what the Land Rover Defender OCTA, which is a PhP 25-million car itself, wants you to do.

I learned this firsthand when I spent a day with the Defender and the Defender OCTA. Far more than a simple driving test, the day showed off what the car can do under more extreme circumstances.

Under more controlled conditions

As much as I would have loved to find the Defender’s limit myself, the multi-million-peso price tag was just too much to swallow. So, I went with Land Rover’s more controlled tracks and experience to check out the capabilities of the offroad-focused vehicle.

First up were a series of artificial slopes and an elevating ramp. Now, going on offroad trails is fun; actual emergencies, however, are not. While Land Rover is naturally unable to manufacture an emergency, a series of humps that tilt the car 20 to 30 degrees to its side is a close enough estimate. Another, a series of alternating humps, lift one or two wheels of the ground. Finally, the ramp lifts the entire car up by its rear.

Though a mere blip in Land Rover’s extensive suite of offroad modes, the Mud Ruts mode is an essential part of the Defender’s toolkit to guide the car through uneven, slippery terrain. For other situations, the Defender also has Grass/Gravel/Snow Mode, Sand Mode, Rock Crawl Mode, Wade Mode, and Auto Mode.

But enough of the technicals for now. The Defender thrives on doing the work for you. All you have to do is point it in the right direction and apply a bit of power. The car pushes by itself. While us humans fear the unnatural feeling of having wheels off the ground, the Defender does this with ease. It was the face of stoicism.

Much of the same happened with the admittedly frightening ramp. Though we were suspended at a perilous angle, the Defender looked like an adrenaline junkie who can just ride a roller coaster with a straight face. Its powerful Hill Descent Control kept its wheels stuck to the ramp.

Now on the trail

Artificial circumstances are all well and good, but how about real-life situations? For that, we took the Defender to an offroad track made especially for the car.

Now, to be fair, yes, it was a customized trail that had little risk of unexpected incidents. But it was rugged enough to be a representation of what you might encounter in the real world. We went through rough roads, more realistic descents, and the occasional stream of water.

We also had a qualified instructor with us, but getting what you need from the car is as easy as flipping a switch. Just as in the artificial obstacle course, the offroad trail was something that the car can handle on its own.

In the likelier event that you don’t have an instructor with you, the Defender can offer all the information you might need to get past an obstacle. As I’ve said, the car can do the work for you, but it’s not an unseen force that does the talking. Among all the cars that I’ve tried with similar features, the Defender has the most comprehensive assortment of displays, including pitch, roll, and bank angle. It also has an impressive series of cameras to ensure that your prized possession escapes a situation relatively unscathed.

Interlude: All about that BASS

If it was built purely for offroad trails, the Defender will have a hard time justifying its high price tag. Thankfully, it’s not just a prize for the great outdoors. The car also has a luxurious suite of comfort and convenience features baked inside.

It’s easy to name the standard array of features, like the infotainment panel or the air conditioning, but the real pièce de résistance is what Land Rover calls the Body and Soul Seats (or BASS, for short).

Available only on the OCTA models of the Defender, the BASS offers immersive sound technology embedded inside the seats themselves. It vibrates according to the song you’re listening to. It’s very immersive and much like strapping a subwoofer to your back.

Alternatively, it also comes with a wellness mode that has six presets designed to keep you calm in tough traffic. As opposed to the immersive mode that can keep your blood pumping for exhilarating drives, wellness mode is more relaxing.

How to turn your Defender into a rally car

I’m not going to pretend that I have any sort of rally experience. So, when the final leg of my day with the Defender was announced as a high-speed, loose-gravel trail, I was frankly frightened… and a little bit excited.

Before we get into the experience, a short introduction to OCTA Mode is necessary. On its own, the Defender is as sporty as it gets. However, OCTA Mode, available only on the eponymous model, is what you might consider a sport mode on steroids, a beast unleashed. As the appointed driver said to me, it’s designed to reduce grip and enable power-sliding, making it perfect for trails like this. Though that sounds unsafe, it makes for a much more exciting experience out on the track.

Imagine telling a 635hp beast to run free. That’s what OCTA is.

And exciting, it was. As scared as I was at first, I learned to trust the car by this point. The experience was without compare.

For one, the Defender OCTA’s 0-60 is just an absurd 3.8 seconds. In no time at all, we were already barreling through the course at blinding speeds. Secondly, braking and cornering were also smooth. At no point did I feel that the car was out of control.

We also tried the mode on paved roads. Though it was less grippy, we still had the feel of the road underneath our tires. We weren’t skating on ice.

How I learned to stop worrying and love the Defender

The beauty of the Defender series is in how it melts fear. When you first see a beast like the Defender, you rarely have any idea of what to expect. However, the car quickly teaches you to let go of your fear.

There is no need to baby the Defender. Yes, it costs upwards of PhP 6 million (and PhP 25 million for the OCTA), but the ability to conquer rough terrain is part of what you’re paying for with the Defender. As they say, “when you’ve got it, flaunt it.” In this case, flaunting it isn’t just about leaving it out in the open; it’s about unleashing the beast and letting it roar.

Automotive

The VinFast VF6 is perfect for urban travelers

It can handle a Caloocan-Laguna trip easily.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The photo above shows a VinFast VF6 in Mint Green. Today, if you hear about the VinFast brand, you might be more familiar with a different shade of green: the striking turquoise of Green GSM, a local electric taxi-hailing app that primarily uses vehicles from VinFast. But did you know that VinFast offers more than just taxi cars?

The VinFast VF6 is a midsize crossover electric SUV perfect for urban travelers. One look at the car is enough to tell you that it means business. The car’s front profile looks simple enough but still exudes that premium feeling. The rear is just as sharp as the front with strong horizontal lines that give that feeling of width on the road.

A short drive to Laguna

It’s not just pure looks, either. To test out the VF6, we took the crossover for a spin from VinFast Caloocan to Lakehall in Laguna. The 60km trip felt like a breeze with the 210hp electric engine. Add to that, the trip lasted from morning to late afternoon, giving the best of smooth highways and adverse traffic conditions.

The power felt just enough to soldier through the long drive, regardless of the condition. Handling was smooth. It has just enough give for maximum control when turning through tough Metro Manila traffic. But the acceleration unleashed the beast inside for those long and smooth straights.

Range anxiety is also a thing of the past. Despite being a long drive, the engine consumed only 15 percent of the battery each way. In total, the battery can supposedly last 480 kilometers on a full charge, and the results prove it.

Even if you get caught out with a low battery, the VinFast VF6 can juice up to 70 percent (from 10 percent) in only 25 minutes. With gas prices still wreaking havoc on every fuel powered car owner’s budgets, having a vehicle that can charge up at a cheaper price per kilowatt and at a quicker rate is an absolute must.

Driving in comfort

Inside, the VinFast VF6 offers a spacious cabin for driver and passenger alike. Both trips going to and from were luxurious.

First of all, the air-conditioning system hid an insane amount of power behind the car’s vents. Being under the sun, the car was naturally hot before use. However, after only being on for a few minutes, the air-conditioning cooled this inferno to much more comfortable levels. By the end, my companion and I were freezing.

Both the front and backseats had enough legroom to help drivers and passengers stretch out their legs. I didn’t feel the crippling claustrophobia of staying inside a car for hours.

The car also had a sizable 12.9-inch infotainment system angled towards the driver. Though the angle seemed too obtrusive if you’re a passenger princess, the system itself connected seamlessly to our phones for that entertainment so crucial to long drives.

Keeping safe in dangerous streets

Comfort should go hand in hand with safety. True enough, the VinFast VF6 comes with a vast suite of ADAS conveniences for safer trips. Of course, you’re getting the standard fixings present every car today, including airbags, but the beauty also lies in those tech-infused features.

First up: cruise control. Normally, I don’t use cruise control because I prefer having maximum control over a drive. However, the VF6’s system is easy to use even when on the go.

For lengthy highways drives, it also has lane departure warnings, which can jerk you back to the right lane if you drift too much onto the next lane. Forward collision warnings and automatic emergency braking keeps your car safe from accidentally rear-ending cars in front.

Finally, the VF6 can automatically detect if you’re too drowsy or tired to drive. The system detects both your behavior inside the cabin and how you drive. For example, if you’re starting to drive erratically, the car will sound an alarm to hopefully prod you for a driver change or a short nap. Thankfully, we didn’t need this feature during our trip, but it’s nice to have.

Price, availability

The VinFast VF6 does not cost too much. The Plus version, which comes with 150kW of max power, sells for only PhP 1,699,000. Meanwhile, a competitively priced Eco version, which has 130kW of max power, sells for PhP 1,499,00.

Both models will come in Jet Black, Infinity Blanc, and Crimson Red.

Automotive

DENZA expands the electrified market with the all-new B5 and B8

Redefining the SUV experience through refined comfort.

Published

April 28, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Following a successful preview at the Manila International Auto Show 2026, DENZA Philippines has officially launched the all-new DENZA B5 and B8.

These electrified SUVs represent a significant step in the brand’s expansion, offering modern drivers a blend of efficiency and real-world capability designed for the complexities of modern life.

DENZA B5

The DENZA B5 is a midsize plug-in hybrid that addresses the common anxieties of transitioning to electrified driving.

It utilizes DMO Super Hybrid technology, pairing a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a dual-motor system. This setup delivers 425 kW and 760 Nm of torque, providing plenty of power for both city streets and open highways.

Range is often a concern but the B5 offers a combined NEDC range of up to 975 kilometers. This capacity allows for a full week of commuting without the constant need to recharge or refuel.

Inside, the cabin serves as a sanctuary, featuring massage and ventilated seats. It also has a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree camera system that makes navigating tight spaces feel intuitive and safe.

DENZA B8

For those who require more presence and capability, the DENZA B8 arrives as a full-size SUV available in Dynamic and Premium variants.

It’s built for extended journeys, offering a combined NEDC range of up to 1,040 kilometers. This allows drivers to focus on the road ahead rather than the nearest charging station.

The standout feature of the B8 is the DiSus-P Intelligent Damping Suspension. This system continuously monitors the road and adjusts the stiffness of the ride in real time.

The technology works in the background to ensure the ride remains composed and stable.

Inside, the B8 leans into luxury with dual wireless chargers and a built-in refrigerator.

Confidence across any terrain

Both the B5 and B8 are engineered for real-world off-road capability.

They feature four-wheel drive and front and rear electronically controlled locking differentials. Specialized modes for mud, sand, rock, and water wading give drivers the confidence to handle unpredictable conditions.

The inclusion of “Leopard Turn” technology allows for sharper maneuvering in narrow trails or tight U-turns.

The experience is completed by the DENZA App. This tool allows owners to monitor fuel levels, charging status, and location from their smartphones, ensuring that the vehicle is always ready for the next adventure.

Automotive

VinFast to expand in the Philippines with e-scooters: report

VinFast to compete head-on with major motorbike players

Published

April 23, 2026

GadgetMatch

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

VinFast is bringing its electric scooters to the Philippines.

According to a report by TopGear, the Vietnamese EV manufacturer has signed agreements with 14 local distributors.

The report mentioned that specifically, the Evo, Feliz II, and Viper models shall be made available. The rollout will naturally begin in metro areas, as expected.

These models provide longer range on a single full charge and higher top speeds compared to budget e-bikes. It means they are suitable to be driven on major highways, provided that drivers have a license and the scooter is registered.

Moreover, in what is somewhat similar to Gogoro’s model from a few years back, VinFast is set to have 30,000 battery-swapping stations nationwide.

This way, drivers wouldn’t have to worry about running out of battery power while on the road. They can simply swap batteries instead of looking for charging stations.

This development means VinFast is competing head-on against other fuel-powered motorcycle brands in a market where such vehicles are popular for everyday use.

Not only that, VinFast will likewise compete with the likes of Yadea, RUX Electric Mobility, and even Hatasu to a certain extent.

It doesn’t come as a surprise as back home, VinFast is aggressively pushing for electrification, selling e-scooters to consumers.

This is aligned with the government’s goal to eventually ban petrol motorbikes in major cities, including the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Given the massive rate the production is going, it is only sensible for VinFast to also target nearby markets where it already has a presence, including Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and Thailand.

In the Philippines, the Vingroup’s EV arm already competes in the electric cars and SUVs segment. Its offerings include the VF3 and VF5.