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Automotive

NissanConnect makes walk around checks easier

Reduce your checklist before setting off on a journey

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When I was in driving school, my instructor kept pressing on the fact that we need to do a walk-around check before we set off on a journey. Be it a short ride to the mall, a quick drive to a cafe, or running errands in the city.

This isn’t something I witnessed growing up. Wheel-owners in my life mostly hop in the car and proceed to drive, regardless of the state of the vehicle.

It’s probably why a lot of their cars break down on them when they need them the most.

When the time came for me to sit behind the wheels, I kept reminding myself to inspect the car before going out. Frankly, it was exhausting and time-consuming. But spending a few minutes to check your vehicle can prevent you hours of headache if you encounter something down the line.

Now, imagine being able to cut back the time spent on inspecting your car. That’s what the NissanConnect did for me, when I had the Nissan Almera VL Turbo CVT.

An app connected to a city car

For a week, I had the Nissan Almera acting as a daily driver for my city errands and for accompanying me on a weekend in Lipa, Batangas.

The city car aided in my pursuits of balancing my life as a creative director and as a media personnel for Spartan Race Philippines.

Inside, I had the realme C55 loaded with NissanConnect Services. It wasn’t the handset I prefer to connect with Android Auto and help in navigation. Instead, the phone was solely used for keeping the vehicle in check. Especially at times when I have to drive down South.

Why use it anyway?

Nissan, just like most automotive brands nowadays, integrate technology into their vehicles. Through a mobile app, car owners can easily lock and unlock their doors. You can even start the engine before you hop on your seats!

Think about how many times you have to enter your car after being parked in open heat, only to complain about how hot it is inside?

Believe me, at least having the engine and the AC turned on for more than five minutes before you step in is a game changer. I know this too well since I’m fond of parking my vehicle in open areas.

At a glance, I was able to check my vehicle’s status through NissanConnect Services. I was able to see the estimated range that the Nissan Almera can go, based on its current fuel capacity.

There are also features that you can check such as Vehicle Health, Monitoring, Driving History, Notifications, and more.

Check before you go

The habit of doing walk around checks should be practiced more. It’s more important when you have a long trip out of town, and you just can’t afford to have any mishaps down the road.

Time is precious, especially on a weekend meant to be spent with people close to your heart.

Taking a peek at the Vehicle Health, I can check the Tire Pressure, Brake, Anti-Lock Braking System, Airbag, Engine MIL, and more. If there are issues, it’ll be easy to spot them without checking all of it.

This reduced my walk around check since I just needed to use the smartphone to see if my vehicle’s fit to drive.

After checking the lights, oil, water, gas, and engine, and of course, myself, I hop in and connect my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for Android Auto or my iPhone 13 for Apple CarPlay.

Before I drive, I make sure my Spotify’s connected along with Google Maps so I can drive at ease.

Stay within the limit

Safety and security are one of the key features of NissanConnect Services. Through the app, you can monitor your vehicle by setting up a curfew.

This ensures no one uses your vehicle past its curfew, and you’ll be alerted if someone does. That feature works best when you allow someone else to use your car, or if it’s a family vehicle.

You can also set limits on an area, barring certain neighborhoods you deem so. But what I love the most is setting a speed limit to ensure I don’t go beyond, especially on the freeway.

You might think, there’s cruise control anyway? Why bother with it?

As a control freak, I don’t like using cruise control as it absolves me from maintaining proper distance by relying on technology. Being alert helps me keep awake especially on a long drive.

Whenever I go out of my speed limit, the realme C55 receives alerts that I went beyond what I set. This is also important if someone drives your vehicle and you’re in your passenger princess era.

Plenty of times, my passengers didn’t feel we were speeding at 100 km/h, seeing how smooth the drive was. Checking the app would let you know if your driver is moving past the limit.

Sometimes, it helps to remind them to slow down especially when you’re not in a hurry to go to your destination.

Know your history

I’m not quite sure who else does this, but I typically check where I’ve been in the past month or so. Google Maps has been helpful in providing me the locations of places I’ve been to, which helps me track the distances I travelled.

NissanConnect

Through NissanConnect, I was able to check the vehicle’s driving history. Having been lent by Nissan Philippines, I was able to preview how many trips the Nissan Almera have been into. I was also able to check the distance it clocked, and the time spent driving.

For a weekend, I contributed around 300km or so, going back and forth between Pasay City, Imus City, Calamba City, and Lipa City — across four provinces!

A handy tool

For most wheel-owners, having a mobile app connected to your vehicle might seem a daunting task. When you’ve been accustomed to your ways, it’s challenging to learn a few things here and there, especially when technology isn’t your strong suit.

But for tech-savvy babies like yours truly? Having the NissanConnect is such a handy tool.

NissanConnect

It makes walk around checks easier and less daunting. One glance through the app, and you can see if you’re fit to drive. And if you are, you can get ready to put some music before you drive to your next destination.

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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