Ferrari Museum Opens Exhibit Dedicated to Its Grand Tourers

In celebration of Enzo Ferrari’s birthday, a new exhibition has been opened at the museum that bears his name in Modena, Italy. Entitled “Ferrari Grand Tour, a journey through beauty and passion,” celebrates the Italian carmaker’s most elegant grand tourers, all of which happen to be truly global in their appeal.

Featuring Ferrari’s Grand Tourers both past and present, the journey takes visitors through five different cities: Paris, London, New York, Shanghai, and Abu Dhabi using a mix of audiovisual presentations.

The Paris arch opens the area devoted to Europe, where Ferraris such as a 1954 Ferrari 375M and 330GT 2+2 are displayed. Moving to the United States, there’s the 1959 250 GT Berlinetta SWB. To the Far East, represented by Shanghai, there’s a 2006 599 GTB Fiorano, and a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti; while finally, in Abu Dhabi, there’s the Ferrari FF.

Of course, the journey ends in Maranello where the Grand Tour caps off the display with the all-new Ferrari Roma—the latest Grand Tourer in the Italian carmaker’s stable. Developed by Ferrari’s Maranello Style Centre, it’s a contemporary take on the sophisticated chic of the “Dolce Vita” of the 1950s and 60s.

The Kia Seltos's Intelligent Variable Transmission Restores My Faith in CVTs

We’re currently resting up in Baler, Aurora giving the 2020 Kia Seltos its first out-of-town shakedown. Oh, and before you ask, yes, we’ll be coming up with our initial impressions soon, and yes, we’ll also be doing a full-fledged review too. But before all that, let’s talk all about the IVT because, holy shit, it blew my mind.

See, Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT is typically the bane of any car enthusiast. With its artificial feel and rubber band-like sensation, it can turn any good car into a mere so-so one; and for some, it’s an immediate turn off (yes, Subaru, we’re looking at you). Half the time, it’s neutering the performance of the engine, and the half, it’s like staving off a horny dog from humping your leg—it doesn’t know what “middle ground” means.

Well, Kia seems to have found that magical “middle ground,” and it’s called the Intelligent Variable Transmission or IVT. Admittedly, this system isn’t groundbreaking or anything, but it’s funny how few manufacturers could do it so well.

Kia’s IVT combines a CVT’s lightness and simplicity, throws in a chain-link-type belt, and sprinkles in an adaptive shift logic. In short, it mimics a conventional automatic transmission with none of the drawbacks (potential shift shock, etc.).

In their internal tests, Kia says the IVT transmission is good for a 1.27 km/L jump in fuel economy (combined city and highway) compared to a conventional 6-speed automatic. True enough, comparing the Kona and the Seltos (essentially mechanical twins), the Hyundai did a fuel economy rating of 12.82 km/L, while the Kia did 13.5 km/L—within the promised level of increase.

More than just better fuel economy, the Seltos drives much better, hands down. It’s more responsive, confident, and torque-y than the Kona, especially in gunnit mode. Plus, it’s got none of the slipping, drone-like sound that plagues the Honda HR-V so much.

This small improvement, we’d say, is enough for the Seltos to overtake its sibling from another mother, the Kona, in terms of mechanical polish. We can’t wait to drive it some more (through some twisty roads tomorrow, we believe) to get a fuller picture of where this new sub-compact SUV stands.

BREAKING NEWS: Overnight Parking Suspended at All NAIA Terminals

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is suspending long-term (overnight) parking at all terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) starting today Thursday, December 26, 2019 up until Sunday, January 5, 2020.

This temporary interruption of service is due to the overcrowding at the parking facilities at the said terminals. This will allow the MIAA to address the requirement of the bigger majority of motorists who use the NAIA parking areas to wait for arriving passengers.

The MIAA urges motorists to use public transportation or ride-hailing services (TNCs) when going to and from the airport.

NISMO is Celebrating 60 Years with Special Exhibit in Yokohama

Nissan’s motorsports division, NISMO is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. To commemorate the occasion, the Japanese carmaker is displaying an all NISMO line-up at the Nissan Gallery in Yokohama starting today.

Decades of challenges and incremental improvements have been distilled into today’s NISMO road cars. First introduced to the company’s mainstream model lineup in 2013, NISMO road cars incorporate many of the advanced technologies used in race cars and deliver a sporty driving experience.

If you happen to drop by the Nissan Gallery, expect to see the following models:

• 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO
• Nissan 370Z NISMO
• Nissan LEAF NISMO
• Note e-POWER NISMO S
• Note e-POWER NISMO S Black Limited
• Note NISMO S
• March NISMO S
• Juke NISMO RS

In addition, a rotating display of classic racing-spec NISMO models will also be display such as:

• Pennzoil NISMO GT‐R (1998 JGTC series champion)
• NISMO GT-R LM road car
• Skyline 2000GT-R (“Kenmeri”)
• Patrol NISMO Super GT “First Rescue Operation” vehicle
• LEAF NISMO RC electric race car
• Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 2018 Kondo Racing Nurburgring 24h racecar

For those who’re unfamiliar how to get the Nissan Gallery, check out this link. The exhibit opens daily from 10 AM and closes 8 PM.

Nissan to Open New Interactive Brand Center in Yokohama

Nissan plans to open an interactive venue near its global headquarters where people can experience the company’s products, technology and vision for the future of mobility.

Set to open early next summer in Yokohama, the Nissan Pavilion will be an all-new destination appealing not just to locals but also to visitors to Japan, who are projected to surge in numbers next year. In addition to highlighting Nissan’s innovations, products, technologies and stories, the Nissan Pavilion will also host global new-vehicle announcements.

“With the eyes of the world turning to Japan next summer, we have a can’t-miss opportunity to share our company’s vision,” said Asako Hoshino, executive vice president at Nissan. “The Nissan Pavilion will show how Nissan’s focus on technology and innovation is energizing human potential to create a better world.”

To be built just steps away from Nissan’s headquarters, the Nissan Pavilion is part of the company’s partnership with the city of Yokohama and will show how Nissan envisions developing the city of the future together.

The 10,000-square-meter venue will feature a variety of advanced Nissan technologies. These include the ProPilot driver assistance system, Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) connected-car experiences, and Nissan Energy solutions that enable EV customers and society to better harness electricity. Together, these will demonstrate to visitors the benefits of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and connected with society.

The Nissan Pavilion is planned as a temporary experience for four months next summer. It joins Nissan’s permanent brand destinations welcoming visitors: the Nissan Gallery in Yokohama and Nissan Crossing in Tokyo’s Ginza district.

The Curious Story of This One-Off Yellow Mazda MX-5

While this opportunity wasn’t our first visit to the Mazda Headquarters and Museum in Hiroshima, since we had around 100 members of the Miata Club of the Philippines in tow, it was only appropriate that our host, Mazda Corporation put on a show.

Before making its way to the Miyoshi Proving Ground for the roadster’s 30th anniversary party, they brought this out for the MCP members to appreciate: the 1989 Miata Club Racer.

For those who’re not too familiar with MX-5 history, the Miata Club Racer was actually shown side-by-side with the road-going MX-5 during its global debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. Showing a sportier concept next to the regular looking production car may sound counterproductive, but Mazda simply wanted to show the aftermarket potential of their new roadster.

It’s truly a 90’s tuning snapshot with its bright yellow paint job, “aggressive” 15-inch wheels (205/50 R 15 in front and 255/45 R 15 at the back), and flared arches.

However, the most interesting bit about the Miata Club Racer is that, despite its wild looking exterior, it’s pretty much a bog-standard MX-5 inside and underneath. In fact, it was one of the last pre-production MX-5s with interior bits that never made it to the production roadster! For the curious, they include things like different gauges, more complicated looking door trims, and more.

In the thirty years since the MX-5’s debut, it’s become obvious that the “NA” roadster gained a much bigger following in stock form as opposed to something tuner as suggested by the Miata Club Racer. This bright yellow thing is indeed the automotive equivalent of elephant pants and whatever 90’s fashion faux pas you could think of. But you could also say that Tom Matano’s clean, elegant design of the original NA is what makes it look good even up to today.

Why the Mazda MX-5 Remains Loved for 30 Years

Signs pointed out, “Welcome home [to] Hiroshima” around Mazda’s Miyoshi Proving Ground. Here, around 2,300 MX-5 descended onto the track in celebration of the roadster’s 30th anniversary; also in attendance were 102 members from the Miata Club of the Philippines and the MX-5 Club of Malaysia. There were other countries in attendance as well from Australia to Thailand to Italy to the United Kingdom, but none as big as the contingent from the Philippines.

This comes as a surprise since the MX-5 was deemed “impossible to sell” when the Japanese brand was handled by Columbian Autocar Corporation in the 1990s. It came to a point that if you bought a Mazda MPV, you’ll get an MX-5 for free. Literally, it was like they were telling you, “buy a car for your family, and you can reward yourself with a car for the weekends.”

This two-for-one scheme helped flush out the MPV and MX-5’s remaining inventory then, but little would anyone know that it will also sow the seeds for a strong and loyal MX-5 fanbase in the country. A year after the MX-5’s local market introduction, the Miata Club of the Philippines was founded.

Fast forward to 2014, just as the world saw the newly introduced fourth-generation “ND” model, Mazda Philippines managed to snag 25 units of the outgoing “NC” decked out in special 25th Anniversary Edition garb. Limited to just 1,000 units worldwide, the Philippines accounted for 2.5 percent of the total run. At that point, everyone thought its distributor, Bermaz Auto Philippines, was crazy to gamble getting so much of these. It sold out in just three months.

Today, the fourth-generation model or “ND” is the best-selling MX-5 ever in the Philippines. With more than 650 units finding homes, it’s managed to outsell the first- (NA), second- (NB), and third- (NC) generations combined. It’s also made the Philippines the largest market of MX-5 in Asia outside Japan.

The number is still smaller than the likes of the Ford Mustang which sells an average of 400 units a year, but it’s nonetheless impressive considering its niche market. And with two body styles—a traditional soft top and a retractable fastback, and two transmission options, there’s an MX-5 for just about everyone.

Through all four generations of the MX-5 though, there’s its universality that’s made it such a successful sportscar for Mazda. Look at each and every MX-5, and it can trace its lineage directly to the first model that debuted in 1989. Since then, Mazda has produced more than one million examples while its competitors have all come and gone.

Also, by sticking to its basic formula, there’s no contempt that a generation is “less” MX-5 than another. The changes are borne out of improvements—more power, more rigid platform—but the same ingredients remain. By keeping it close to its founding ethos (even being produced at the same site in Hiroshima), there’s no debate if fancy electronics or a sub-contracted car justify the storied badge. This is the reason why owners, young or old, men or women, can sit down together as family.

And Mazda will not be messing with the formula any time soon. What can everyone expect with the fifth-generation roadster, the “NE”? Something that stays true to the formula according to Mazda Motor Corporation Vice President Kiyoshi Fujiwara. It’s something echoed by the MX-5 Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama who says it’ll be an evolution of the fourth-generation ND. With that, they introduced the fifth-generation MX-5’s Program Manager: Shigeki Saito. He has his work cut out for him, having to satisfy over 30 years of history. MX-5 fans around the world will surely like to see what he comes up with next, but for as long as he continues to celebrate driving, the roadster will be in very good hands.

Nissan Philippines's "Go Anywhere" Campaign Wants You to Explore

As a way of demonstrating the capabilities of its Nissan Intelligent Mobility features, Nissan Philippines has introduced the “Go Anywhere” campaign to prove to consumers that their vehicles have the power and confidence to travel across locations around the Philippines.

After a “soft launch” in Taal, Batangas with the Patrol Royale, Nissan Philippines assembled their strong Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) line-up—the Navara, Terra, and Patrol Royale for the first time ever to explore the island of Siquijor.

Known for its mystical traditions, Siquijor boasts of untouched beaches, diving cliffs, waterfalls, and caves. During the three-day drive, participants were challenged to reach the greatest number of kilometers in the Philippines’s third smallest province.

Nissan Philippines President and Managing Director Atsushi Najima shares that the Go Anywhere campaign aims to empower adventurers to reach their dream destinations using Nissan’s strong LCV line-up.

With authentic four-wheel drive capabilities and technologies such as the Intelligent Around View Monitor, the Navara, Terra, and Patrol Royale enables more Filipinos to explore the best and most diverse locations across the archipelago in safety and with confidence.

Nissan to Start Displaying Classic and Heritage Cars at Global Headquarters

With over 300 cars sitting in its Zama Heritage Collection, there’s no shortage of classic or historical cars to display over at Nissan. Now, because getting to the Zama Heritage Collection can be quite a challenge for the regular tourist, Nissan’s made a prudent decision to add a permanent Heritage Zone to its more accessible global headquarters in Yokohama.

Coinciding with Nissan’s move from Tokyo to Yokohama in 2009, the new Heritage Zone at the Nissan Global Headquarters Gallery can accommodate up to 19 classic cars. Aside from the exhibit, the Heritage Zone will also be used to communicate the carmaker’s history through seldom seen footage projected on a 220-inch LED screen, a mini library filled with books and back issues of magazines, and a model car wall.

If you’re still up to the challenge, you can still visit the Zama Heritage Collection (directions here). Otherwise, if you find yourself near the Yokohama area, this new addition to the Nissan Gallery may make for a good detour (directions here).

Subaru Expands STI Gallery

After renovating the shrine dedicated to everything STI last January, Subaru has announced that the STI Gallery has now been expanded. The shrine dedicated to Subaru Technica International is opening to the public starting this Saturday, September 21, 2019—perfect for those making the trek to the Tokyo Motor Show in October.

While the renovations made early this year focused on exhibiting trophies that STI has won in its motorsports history and a timeline wall, the expanded STI Gallery will hold more memorabilia. And to keep things constantly fresh, there will be special exhibitions and events as well.

Commemorating the expansion of the STI Gallery, the first special exhibit is entitled, “Discover STI vol. 1” which traces Subaru Technica International’s history from 1988 to 1998. The exhibit highlights the early years under STI President Ryuichiro Kuze.

To find out how to get to the STI Gallery in Mitaka, Tokyo, follow our guide here.