Automotive

Mazda MX-5 RF Club Edition: A must-have sports car

Effortlessly ticks the right boxes

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This is the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 RF Club Edition. Tracing way back from its great grandfather in the ’90s, it has been a well-loved car and has been a favorite affordable sports car of many.

The company has been known for making beautiful cars through the years and is a car brand close to my heart due to my affinity for the RX-7 and RX-8 in my younger years. In addition to that, I remember always choosing an MX-5 Miata in the racing games I played back then. It was one of my all-time favorite cars simply because it looked good and was fun to modify.

It was the best-selling two-seat sports car in history, selling over 1 million units since it first came out. Each succeeding model was an improvement of the last and it still continues until today.

Now, the latest MX-5 has set the bar high. Just by looking at it is already exhilarating. Personally, it’s the best looking MX5 yet and I think the majority will agree with me.

This Club Edition variant in the Philippines sits just below the 30th Anniversary Edition MX-5 RF and comes with new Recaro seats, BBS alloy wheels, and some updates in features.

Other than that, it’s the same sexy design that many of us fell in love with. The wide panels and glossy curves make this car drop-dead gorgeous especially in that Soul Red Crystal – definitely makes it look glowing hot. In terms of design, it truly stands out among other cars in its segment.

Getting in the car, you instantly notice the sporty Recaro bucket seats wrapped in leather with suede accents and red stitching. You are seated in a very low position and pretty close to the road underneath you, while your legs are stretched all the way forward which kind of gives you that race car driver feel à la Formula 1.

The dashboard is well-designed and its minimalist approach is very pleasing to the eyes. You have classic circular air vents while its dashboard and steering wheel are also wrapped in leather. A notable design feature would be the metal door panels that match the color of the car. It gives you that well-appreciated connection between the exterior and interior while adding a lot of character for the cabin.

Mounted on the center of the dash is a 7-inch infotainment system with what the company calls Mazda Connect. It is very convenient and user-friendly and provides navigation, calls, and music hands-free . The center console is high and well-equipped with knobs and switches that make driving easier. Instead of concentrating on navigating through the touch display, you have a tactile knob at your fingertips.

A car’s audio system is something I am very particular with, and the MX-5’s 9-speaker Bose audio setup with integrated speakers on the seat’s headrest was more than impressive. It delivered superior audio quality even with the roof down and with wind noise. the speakers in the headrest gave me crystal clear audio and were very useful when making a hands-free phone call.

Turning on the engine, you straight away notice the low engine grunt even in idle. The engine sound is exceptional and this is what we expect a small sports car to sound like.

This car is not only made to look good. The MX-5 is also a proper sports car packed with plenty of power and agility. The 2.0 Skyactiv engine produces 184 horsepower which is more than sufficient for a car that weighs only a thousand kilograms.

Sport mode on, pedal to the metal, this car catapults you from 0-100 in less than 7 seconds. Driving the MX-5 in the open road will definitely get your heart pumping and your adrenaline rushing. This car just wants to be driven and is begging to be driven fast.

The paddle shifters are functional even when you’re not in Manual Sport Mode. This is a brilliant feature when you just want to overtake and downshift in a normal driving mode. Safety is also taken seriously — the massive Brembo brakes can bring the car to a halt from 100kph in under 3 seconds. You also get Lane Departure Warning as standard.

In terms of steering, this car is firm and steady and has a bit of weight to it at high speeds. This gives you a sense of control, especially in tight corners. The firm suspension plus the weight of the car makes cornering in neck-snapping speeds effortless.

Fuel consumption is remarkably economic, with the introduction of i-ELOOP regenerative braking and i-stop feature that shuts off the engine when stopped at traffic lights, for example.

This car gives you nearly the same presence and confidence as supercars that cost more. You just feel good in this car, not to mention that it’s a major head-turner especially when driving top down on a scenic road. It’s times like these that you just feel like you’re part of a movie scene or something.

I have nothing negative to say about the vehicle except maybe the rear is not as aggressive-looking as the front of the car, it felt inconsistent to the overall design of the car with round taillights in contrast to the angry headlights up front.

With the MX-5, you feel very connected to the car and the road. It may not be the best daily car as it’s not very utilitarian in its nature, but if you want to enjoy the open roads and really want to experience the essence and joy of driving, this is a must-have sports car.

See the MX-5 take on some twisties in this video:

Automotive

The VinFast VF6 is perfect for urban travelers

It can handle a Caloocan-Laguna trip easily.

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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.

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Automotive

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

Redefining the SUV experience through refined comfort.

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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.

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Automotive

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

VinFast to compete head-on with major motorbike players

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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.

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