This is the World's First Look at the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

After confirmed that it’s headed for production, not much has been heard (or seen) about Hyundai’s upcoming pickup truck, the Santa Cruz. Until now.

Caught out in Hyundai’s production plant by website Motor1, this is the world’s first clear look at how the Korean automaker’s unibody pickup truck is shaping. It must be remembered that when it came out as a concept car, the HCD-15 Santa Cruz featured styling akin to the Tucson’s Fluidic Sculpture design. This time, the production version (due next year) sports the angular Parametric Design that made its debut in the Elantra.

It’s worth noting that while the concept truck was based on the Tucson, the production version will share its platform with the Santa Fe. With that, it’ll squarely be in the same market as the Honda Ridgeline, but will reportedly be must cheaper.

If Hyundai continues with the Santa Fe playbook, expect the production Santa Cruz to sport a choice of 4-cylinder engines—a 185-horsepower normally-aspirated 2.4-liter, or a 235-horspower turbocharged 2.0-liter.

Currently, only the North American market is confirmed to get the Santa Cruz, and for that, assembly will be done exclusively at its Alabama plant. That being said, if Hyundai decides to increase the Santa Cruz’s production footprint, say assemble it in South Korea, there’s a distinct possibility that they’ll be able to shoehorn the 200-horsepower 2.2-liter CRDi engine as well. Fingers crossed that that’ll happen because if it does, the Philippines will surely benefit.

The 2020 Isuzu D-Max is One Tough MF

The all-new 2020 Isuzu D-Max is one tough pickup truck; that much has been confirmed as it scored an impeccable 5 out of 5 stars at the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program or NCAP crash safety tests.

The latest result builds up on the D-Max’s stellar performance at the ASEAN NCAP. In 2014, Isuzu’s pickup truck scored a 4-star safety rating.

The 2020 D-Max is the first pickup truck is tested under the revised (and stricter) 2017-2020 ASEAN NCAP protocols. ASEAN NCAP notes that it has “enhancements n both passive and active safety technologies.”

Equipped with dual SRS airbags, ABS, and seat belt minder across all variants (at least in the Thai domestic market trim which was tested), the 2020 D-Max scored 83.16 points out of a possible 100—nabbing a 5-star safety rating. The score is based on 42.72 points out of 50 in Adult Occupant Protection, 21.83 points out of 25 points in Child Occupant Protection, and 18.61 points out of 25 points in Safety Assist Technologies.

The all-new 2020 D-Max is built on a brand-new platform—the Isuzu Dynamic Drive Platform. It uses ultra-high strength steel for the first time, while use of high-strength steel is up from 30 to 46 percent. Aside from dual SRS airbags, ABS, and seat belt minder, selected variants of Isuzu’s pickup truck can be equipped with stability control as well as blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Isuzu Shows Off D-Max's Aftermarket Potential with One-Off GO2

When you think of accessorizing, the Isuzu D-Max rarely makes it on top of most project car lists. Though it’s been proven to look great with the Boondock Edition, most would consider other pickup trucks as their starting point. It’s for this reason that Isuzu UK has come up with this one-of-a-kind D-Max: to show the pickup’s aftermarket potential. Meet the Isuzu D-Max GO2.

Starting with a stock 4x4 in Splash White, the guys over at Isuzu UK dug through the genuine accessories catalog and even went to other aftermarket specialists for the conversion. Designed to go on some grueling off-road expedition (hence the GO2 moniker), consider this a more extroverted version of the D-Max AT35.

The front still features the stock bumper, but it’s been modified to fit an ARB Sahara bar. Not only does this heavy-duty steel bumper protect the D-Max GO2 during off-road expeditions, but it also serves to mount the Britpart Pulling Power Winch and its 4-ton-rated line. Oh, and since the fog lights had to go in this conversion, Isuzu opted to install a light bar on the roof instead. A Safari snorkel also increases the D-Max GO2’s water wading depth.

At the side, the side step boards have been replaced with heavy-duty ones. These side steps not only shield the D-Max from rocks and debris but are incredibly strong since they’re mounted to the chassis.

At the back, there’s another heavy-duty bumper, this time with a rear step tow bar. A fully lockable and retractable Mountain Top roller cover has been fitted to the load bed.  This has multiple positions and can be operated with a pull strap.

At each corner, the D-Max GO2 swaps its 18-inch alloys for 16-inch ones. Together with 33-inch mud terrain tires, they offer enhanced off-road grip. The brakes have been upgraded as well with a Pedders system. At the front are heavy-duty brakes with vented discs and part-ceramic pads, while the rear drum has been replaced with a Pedders drum and disc brake combination. This retains the advantage of having a drum handbrake, which is best for off-road environments, but upgrades the vehicle braking to vented disc brakes.

In terms of suspension, a Pedders TrakRyder eXtreme system has been added; consisting of two front adjustable coilovers and two rear leaf springs combined with adjustable shock absorbers.  A Pedders TrakRyder front upper wishbone has been installed for greater front suspension articulation and a Pedders rear anti-roll bar has been fitted to help control body roll.  Plus, the truck has been raised for additional ground clearance.

Oh, and while the D-Max is fitted with a underguard kit to project the engine, transmission, and fuel tank, the D-Max GO2 beefs it up to include the rear differential as well. Mechanically, a lockable rear differential has also been incorporated for increased off-road assistance.

Right now, Isuzu UK has no plans to sell the D-Max GO2 from the showroom, but it does show the adaptability of the D-Max as an aftermarket truck.

The 2020 Nissan Navara Black Edition Looks Wilder

Last year, Nissan introduced an updated Navara for 2020 which made its debut first in Europe. Subsequently, it’s made its way to Asia in markets such as Thailand and Australia as well. With that, Nissan’s always opted to dress up their Navara based on local tastes—Australia has the N-Trek, while for Asia, there’s the Black Edition. And here’s a sneak peek of the fresh for 2020 edition.

Now available in Thailand, the revamped Black Edition will likely make its way to the Philippines real soon.

Like the previous Black Edition model, the 2020 version swaps out all the exterior chrome trimmings for high-gloss black ones with orange accents. This is seen in the front grille, rear bumper, side mirrors, side step boards and 18-inch wheels. The biggest changes are the wilder body graphics, the addition of the “Black Edition” sticker on the rear fender, and a black sharks fin antenna. Fender extensions are a dealer option over there.

Inside, the 2020 Navara Black Edition is almost unchanged from before. It still has the two-tone black and orange seats, and orange stitching on the steering wheel and doors. The newest addition here is the Nissan Connect infotainment system with a larger screen size (8 inches) and built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In Thailand, the Navara Black Edition gets the services of the YD25DDTi engine. Similar to its setup in the Philippines, it nets out 163 horsepower and 403 Nm of torque for the purely 4x2 Black Edition. Transmission choices are between a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic. Both transmissions have been tweaked for improved refinement. The YS23 is not available to any country or region that has Euro 4 emissions or lower.

While the 2020 Navara doesn’t offer any horsepower improvement, Nissan did say that it’s quieter. With a new acoustic windshield, new sound absorbing material added to the center console, firewall, and transmission tunnel, and a new engine cover treatment, it minimizes audible engine noise.

Mitsubishi PH Brings in 2020 Strada Athlete with Prices Starting at P 1.443M (w/ 16 Photos, Specs)

It’s been a very busy few days for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. After revealing the final Philippine specification and pricing of its much-awaited Xpander Cross, they’ve also announced the availability and pricing of the Strada Athlete as well.

Designed to appeal to those who want a bit more style, the Strada Athlete comes with all sorts of aesthetic changes that set it apart not just from the “regular” Strada, but from other pickup trucks in the market as well.

Outside, the Strada Athlete boasts of a more striking fascia thanks to its trademark Dynamic Shield grille now decked in high-gloss black. The same high-gloss black is also found in the door handles, side mirrors, and the 18-inch wheels. Side body graphics complete the changes.

Inside, the Strada Athlete differentiates itself from other variants with its orange and black leather seating with orange stitching. This orange stitching is also found on the door trims and steering wheel as well. Interior comfort isn’t compromised with features such as a touchscreen multimedia system with GPS, dual zone climate control, an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, and push-button engine start/stop with passive entry.

The Strada Athlete remains mechanically unchanged. With that, it has the 2.4-liter MIVEC diesel engine pushing out 181 horsepower at 3,500 rpm and 430 Nm of torque at 2,500 rpm. This is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox with cruise control.

There are two variants of the Strada Athlete—a 2WD and a 4WD variant. The top-of-the-line 4WD gets a complete set of safety features including 7 SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control (Mitsubishi Active Stability and Traction Control or MASTC), hill start assist, hill descent control, forward collision mitigation, ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation, automatic high beams, and a reverse camera.

Pricing for the 2020 Strada Athlete is at P 1.443 million for the 2WD and P 1.760 million for the 4WD. Colors available are: White Diamond, Jet Black Mica, and exclusive to the Strada Athlete 4WD—Sunflare Orange.

In Case You Weren't Paying Attention, Ford Added Features to the Entire 2020 Ranger Line-Up

For those who weren’t paying attention (or maybe had very short attention spans) during the 2020 Ranger FX4 launch, Ford Philippines is reminding you all: the entire line-up has been upgraded. And yes, the pricing has been kept the same, down to the last centavo.

With 13 variants, Ford Philippines says they have the widest line-up of pickup trucks in the country.

For 2020, the Ford Ranger XLS and XLT variants now come with a new 8-inch LCD touchscreen radio with Apple Carplay and Android Auto Capability (not SYNC 3, mind you).

Meanwhile, Ranger Wildtrak 4x2 variants now have a new wheel design and LED headlamps, ditto the Wildtrak 4x4. The LED headlights are supposed to add better illumination: 17 percent on low and 20 percent on high beam. Both models also get a high-mount USB that’s perfect for attaching dashcams.

Finally, the Ranger Raptor gets the very same high-mount USB port and LED headlights as the Wildtrak, but now adds a camera-based Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection and lane keeping aid—features which were absent pre-2020.

As reference, here are the prices of the 2020 Ford Ranger line-up:

• Ranger 2.2 XLS M/T – P 1,032,000
• Ranger 2.2 XLS A/T – P 1,092,000
• Ranger 2.2 XLS Sport A/T – P 1,122,000
• Ranger 2.2 XLS 4x4 M/T – P 1,181,000
• Ranger 2.2 XLS Sport 4x4 M/T – P 1,211,000
• Ranger 2.2 XLT 4x2 M/T – P 1,176,000
• Ranger 2.2 XLT 4x2 A/T – P 1,236,000
• Ranger 2.2 FX4 M/T – P 1,256,000
• Ranger 2.2 FX4 A/T – P 1,316,000
• Ranger 2.0 Wildtrak 4x2 M/T – P 1,390,000
• Ranger 2.0 Wildtrak 4x2 A/T – P 1,455,000
• Ranger 2.0 Bi-Turbo Wildtrak 4x4 A/T – P 1,695,000
• Ranger 2.0 Bi-Turbo Raptor 4x4 A/T – P 1,998,000

Isuzu PH Finally Gives Us a 4x4 Version of the D-Max Boondock (w/ Specs)

When Isuzu Philippines released the Boondock variant for its D-Max pickup last year, there were some head scratching: why add a 4x4-centric package to a 4x2? Well, it seems Isuzu’s addressed those complaints, and has now come up with the D-Max Boondock 4x4.

Based on the 4x4 variant of the D-Max 3.0 LS, the D-Max Boondock is fitted with 265/70 R 17 All-Terrain Tires with black alloy rims. Isuzu says this tire-and-wheel package gives added traction across various conditions be it on or off the road.

The ride height is up now to 247 mm, while overall height stands at 1,900 mm. The increase is thanks to a new monotube nitrogen-charged performance shock absorbers. Moreover, it offers faster damping reaction improving the D-Max Boondock’s steering control.

Like the 4x2 variant, the D-Max Boondock 4x4 has steel side steps with a honeycomb design with the Boondock logo. It also comes equipped with a roof rail, cargo extender, rocker panel, over fender, and a massive “Boondock” decal on the tailgate. Oh, and unlike the 4x2, the 4x4 version gets hoood and side body graphics as well. Colors available are: Silky White Pearl, Red Spinel, Titanium Silver, and Cosmic Black.

Under the hood, the D-MAX Boondock 4x4 is unchanged. It packs a Euro-4 emission rated 4JJ1-TCX 4-Cylinder with 177 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque. Great news is that unlike the previous 4x2 version, this particular D-Max Boondock is available in both manual or automatic versions.

The best part is that for its introductory price, the D-Max Boondock 4x4 keeps the price of the “regular” 3.0L 4x4—P 1,725,000 for the M/T and P 1,795,000 for the A/T. So you basically end up getting all the Boondock goodies without paying an extra cent.

Did Foton Philippines Try to Throw Shade at the Maxus T60?

Maxus made motoring headlines today with the launch of their first-ever pickup truck—the T60. And while it carries some pretty impressive specs, including a class-equaling best water wading depth of 800mm, Foton just decided to throw some shade.

Through a social media post (see below), Foton is reminding would-be truck buyers that their Thunder is covered by a 5-year / 150,000-kilometer warranty. This equals Maxus’s own warranty figure in terms of age, but in terms of mileage, they have a 50,000-kilometer advantage.

But wait.

The thing is though, there’s a fine print attached to this bonkers warranty figure. If you can’t read what’s at the bottom, here’s what it says:

“Parts under warranty in the remaining 2 years and 50,000 kilometers are limited to transmission, engine, starter, differential, and alternator.”

In short, it does read like Foton’s offering a 3-year / 100,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty, while the remaining 2 years is limited to warranty on the powertrain.

So while the headlines read that the Foton has the longest warranty in the pickup truck class, taking the fine print into consideration and it seems the Maxus has them beat because the T60 does offer a 5-year / 100,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Sadly, the story is the same when it comes to price. The Thunder is priced at P 1,003,000 for the 4x2 M/T, P 1,098,000 for the 4x2 A/T, and P 1,263,000 for the 4x4 M/T. This is compared to the Maxus’s pricing of P 948,000 for the 4x2 M/T, P 1,028,000 for the 4x2 A/T, and P 1,278,000 for the 4x4 A/T.

The P948k 2020 Maxus T60 Offers the Longest Warranty, Service Interval Among Pickup Trucks (w/ Specs)

Nine months since its corporate introduction and the launch of the G10 MPV and V80 van, Maxus Philippines is now adding a pickup truck to their line-up with the launch of the 2020 T60. Available in both 4x2 and 4x4 variants, they are the latest additions to the growing line-up of Maxus Philippines’s commercial vehicles.

Measuring in at 5,365 mm in length and 1,900 mm in width, the Maxus T60 is the longest and widest in its class, and together with its 2,500-kilogram towing and 1,040-kilogram payload capacity, it’s capable of meeting both private and business needs. Moreover, it boats of an 800-mm water wading depth as well.

Across the line-up, the T60 is powered by a 2.8-liter diesel engine equipped with a Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) and a Drive Mode Select with two modes. Generating 150 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 360 Nm from 1,600 to 2,800 rpm—it delivers sufficient pulling power. This engine is mated to either a 6-speed manual (4x2) or 6-speed automatic (4x2 and 4x4). Cruise control is standard.

The T60’s performance is backed up by a toughened construction with a laser-welded body. Moreover, is comes packing a wide array of safety features including dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, and backup sensors with camera. For the 4x4 variant, it adds electronic stability control and tire pressure monitoring.

Inside, Maxus’s pickup goes for a high value proposition with features such as 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, steering wheel controls, and rear aircon vents as standard. Moving up to the 4x4 adds leather seating with 6-way power adjustable for the driver, push-start with passive keyless entry, automatic climate control, and a larger 10-inch infotainment system with 6 speakers.

Automobile Central Enterprise, Inc. President Felipe Estrella said during the program, “On June 5, 2019, AC Motors, the automotive distribution and retail group of Ayala subsidiary AC Industrials, introduced locally the Maxus brand. From then on, the Filipino motorists got to know and experience Maxus’s 124 years of British heritage, British expertise and British excellence in the global commercial vehicle category. Moreover, the T60 pickup is produced by SAIC Motor which ranked among the top 10 automakers globally selling more than 7 million units in 2018. This is a testament to the global scale and acceptance of SAIC.”

The T60 is also the first pickup truck to get a 5-year / 100,000-kilomer warranty. Moreover, its PMS intervals is set at the first 5,000-km, and every succeeding 15,000-km or once a year, whichever comes first. Maxus Philippines also offers a 24/7 emergency roadside assistance, a pick-up and delivery service for customers, and on-site servicing for corporate fleet accounts.

The 2020 Maxus T60 is available in three variants: T60 4x2 Pro M/T, 4x2 Pro A/T, and 4x4 Elite A/T. They’re offered at special introductory prices of P 948,000, P 1,028,000, and P 1,278,000, respectively (these are less P 50,000 from their list price). Available colors are Agate Red, Lava Gray, and Blanc White for the T60 4x2 Pro, and Olive Green and Aurora Silver for the T60 4x4 Elite. Obsidian Black is available for both variants.

Maxus Philippines’ general manager Reginald See highlighted, “The addition of the T60 pickup to our growing model lineup strengthens our market foothold on the Light Commercial Vehicles category in the country as we now have virtually the entire range of models for business and lifestyle requirements—transporting people, cargo, or a combination of both in any road condition. More importantly, the T60 is packed with features at an entry level price. The pricing for the T60 highlights Maxus Philippines’ efforts to make a world class, feature packed and safe pickup be affordable for our customers.”

More photos to follow.

Peugeot Just Made Themselves a Rival to the Hilux and Ranger: the Landtrek

Peugeot is building themselves a rival to the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, but they’ve taken a runabout way to do so. Built and developed in China by Peugeot’s joint-venture partner there, Changan, the 2020 Landtrek is said to meet “the best international standards.”

The entirely new vehicle, as Peugeot claims, has undergone two million kilometers of testing and comes packing Peugeot’s 1.9-liter diesel engine that makes 150 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. For those who want a bit more punch (or can only drive an automatic), there’s the gas-fed version. With 2.4 liters of displacement, this turbocharged engine it makes 210 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque mated to either a 6-speed Getrag manual or 6-speed Punch automatic.

Fundamental to pickup trucks, the Landtrek comes in both 4x2 and 4x4 versions, as well. In its top-trim guise, it has 235 mm of ground clearance, a water wading depth of 600 mm, 29 degrees of approach, and 27 degrees of departure angle.

While Changan has taken charge of the Landtrek’s development, it still looks pretty much like a Peugeot down to the vertical grille featuring the Peugeot Lion crest, and vertical LED lighting. Wheel sizes go up to 18 inches. Inside, it comes with a two-spoke steering wheel nicked from the 3008, and a 10-inch floating infotainment display from the 508. Making the Landtrek’s interior unique is its split-folding rear seats. With them folded, it can support a weight of up to 100 kilograms.

Despite intended for markets outside Europe (Latin America, and South Africa being the first recipients), the Landtrek comes with safety features such as Lane Departure Warning, and Electronic Stability Program with Hill Descent Control, and Trailer Sway Control. A 360-degree parking camera is also available.