Automotive

When love is in cruise control

The Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X gives us the space to love, go the distance, and take the extra mile.

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Love, like driving, isn’t just about speed or adrenaline-fueled detours.

Sometimes, it’s about quiet moments, effortless miles, and steady pacing. It’s in the knowing that, no matter the distance, you’ll always arrive where you’re meant to be.

Once upon a time, I was a passenger prince, perfectly content with adjusting the air-con, queuing up a road trip playlist, and admiring my reflection in the side mirror.

That was when it hit me: quality time and acts of service aren’t just how I express love. They’re how I feel it, too. And if I love you, I’ll drive for you.

And for the past year, that was what I had been doing. I had plenty of quality time on the road with my beau, turning simple trips into something more. But this time, our plans for a weekend getaway took a different turn when work got in the way.

Love, however, isn’t just about the moments you plan. Sometimes, it’s about the unexpected ones; the quiet in-betweens, the miles shared, and the comfortable silence that speaks louder than words.

That’s what I learned as I took the Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X for a weekend drive — running errands, sharing playlists, and simply enjoying the ride with my favorite person in the passenger seat.

Love that moves at its own pace

My beau lives almost 30 miles away, a drive that usually takes over an hour.

Newsflash: I made it in less than an hour, cruising my way to my long-term, long-distance, low-commitment Ken. (Yes, Barbie fans, IYKYK!)

I didn’t have to push too hard. Just like in love, the right support makes things effortless. With 248 Nm of torque, the Territory Titanium X felt smooth, steady, and easy to drive along the freeway.

I pulled up outside his office, and with the power liftgate, he tossed his bags into the compartment with ease. He slid into the leather-upholstered seat, and with a simple push-start button, our adventure began.

Together, we’ll be the greatest team there’s ever been

We had a late lunch planned at Forresta Café, tucked away in the vast grasslands of Dasmariñas, Cavite.

I let the Adaptive Cruise Control take over, slowing down to a relaxed 70 km/h. Less about the rush, and more about enjoying the drive.

With the 12-inch touchscreen lighting up like our personal concert stage and the 8-speaker sound system surrounding us, we queued up our favorite playlist on Spotify.

“Defying Gravity” started playing, and just like that, the car transformed into our very own Broadway stage. Me as Glinda, him as my Elphaba. We harmonized, belted, and completely ignored the fact that we were slightly off-key.

And yes, we were singing in the car, but we’re not getting lost upstate. (I’ll be a Swiftie, through and through!)

Though the Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, I found syncing my iPhone to be more seamless.

The wireless Android Auto sometimes disconnected mid-drive — unless I plugged it in with a USB-C cable — and that’s not the kind of reliability I expect when I’m cruising with someone I love.

By the time we arrived at Forresta, parking was a breeze, thanks to the front and rear parking sensors guiding me into a tight space under the trees. No tinted windows meant no risking hot leather seats when we got back.

Over plates of spicy Fettuccine a la Amatriciana and Fish & Chips, we caught up. Not just on what was new, but on the kind of conversations that make you feel closer, even without saying much.

I did one thing right

We left Forresta without locking the doors. Fortunately, I had already activated the Speed Sensing Door Locks, which locked the doors as soon as the vehicle detected movement.

I have a propensity of forgetting stuff when I am with him. Sometimes it’s my own thoughts, and other times it’s the next highway exit. But the Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X kept me on track — literally.

It took less than 20 minutes to arrive at Vivere Hotel, where we checked in for the night. The basement parking was tight, but the parking sensors made maneuvering seamless. I could’ve used Active Park Assist, but let’s be honest, I wanted to impress my beau.

After freshening up, we took a slow stroll through Westgate, letting the pink skies paint the evening in soft hues.

As athletes, we love moving together — running, walking, even just pacing our steps to match the other. It’s in these quiet moments that I realize: love doesn’t always have to feel like an adrenaline rush. Sometimes, love is just being there. Steady, constant, reliable.

Later that night, we dined at The Nest, Vivere’s rooftop restaurant. Comfort Filipino food, a Strawberry Cinnamon Sangria, under the stars, and skyline sparkling below us.

It wasn’t a grand romantic gesture, but it was ours. And maybe that’s what made it perfect.

No miles between us

We put on our running shoes for the 7-Eleven Run 2025 the next morning, which was a buddy run that required us to start and finish together. I was skeptical after suffering an injury during my most recent ultra-trail marathon.

Turns out, I didn’t just keep up. I stayed ahead in the front pack. My legs still knew the rhythm, my stride still had power. And my beau? He was right there with me.

Maybe I wasn’t as fast as I used to be, but love doesn’t measure in PRs. It’s about running the race together, side by side.

We refueled over breakfast at the Vivere Hotel after crossing the finish line, laughing in between bites and making plans for the following journey.

During our drive to Los Baños, the Blind-Spot Detection System and Auto Brake System provided us with quiet protection. One instance was when a motorcyclist swerved in front of me in a traffic jam, the Territory Titanium X responded before I could react.

Somehow, this trip felt different, and every safety feature reminded me of it. Because when you’re driving with someone you love, you drive differently — more cautiously, more thoughtfully, as if their life is your life.

We returned to his house, collected a few items, and then drove to Shore Residences, where I assisted him in checking in for work. Everything was softly glowing in the golden light as I drove him to his head office in Quezon City at dusk.

It wasn’t the extravagant weekend retreat I had imagined. Love, however, isn’t always a wild ride. It’s in the peaceful drives, the steady pace, and the way you go the extra mile just because you want to.

Maybe love isn’t about butterflies or perfectly planned road trips. Maybe it’s about peace. The knowing.

It’s in the stops for takeout, the detours for sunsets, and the safe arrivals after a long drive.

And maybe, just maybe, the perfect car for love isn’t the one that takes you on thrilling adventures. Maybe, it’s the one that makes every errand, every turn, every unplanned moment feel like home.

The Next-Gen Ford Territory Titanium X transformed every drive into a romantic tale. And in some way, I became even more in love with my person.

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

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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.

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Automotive

BYD is reportedly considering an F1 team

There is no decision yet.

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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.

SEE ALSO: This BYD car is now the world’s fastest car in the market

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Automotive

Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo makes global debut at MWC 2026

Tech giant becomes first technology brand in Vision GT program

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Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo

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.

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