Car launches amid the pandemic

Carmakers are bracing for a very tough year. The economic slowdown brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted in slower sales. Yet, despite the challenges, most remain upbeat, launching new vehicle offerings in order to remain competitive in the local automotive landscape.

Launches, now done through virtual platforms, may lack the intimacy of a real-life launch, but that didn’t stop the country’s auto brands from trying to one-up each other whether it’s through launch executions or even the products themselves.

Here are the newest cars launched so far in 2020 in order of launch:

Ford Ranger FX4 and upgraded Ranger Line-Up

Ford Philippines opened 2020 with the introduction of two new variants of its Ranger pickup. This brings the total available variants to 13 — one of the widest in its segment. The two new variants launched are the FX4 in manual and automatic transmission guise. The Ranger FX4 features unique exterior and interior styling to make it stand out from the rest of the Ranger line. Along with the FX4, Ford also upgraded the rest of the Ranger line-up with new aesthetic and tech features as well.

BMW 1 Series and X1

BMW launched the all-new 1 Series hatchback. Available in two variants, the 1 Series switches to a new platform (UKL2) which fuses the brand’s dynamic excellence with increased interior space. The sharper aesthetics include the shark nose design, strong wedge shape, and a choice between two engines including a hot hatch version with 306hp and 450Nm of torque. On the other hand, the X1 becomes more affordable this year. Aside from aesthetic changes, it gets a more practical 150hp 2.0-liter diesel engine together with a shift to front-wheel drive.

Mazda MX-5 and CX-5

Mazda has upgraded both its CX-5 compact SUV as well as its MX-5 sportscar. For the CX-5, the diesel variant is bumped up to the Signature trim which adds a much more luxurious interior coupled with a revised suspension and tweaked 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D engine. Meanwhile the MX-5 adds Smart City Brake Support and Lane Departure Warning along with a new color: Polymetal Gray.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4WD GT

With the halting of the Pajero’s production, this Montero Sport variant becomes the flagship SUV for Mitsubishi Motor Philippines. The midsize seven-seat SUV “elevates your journey” with cutting-edge features including a way to control your vehicle using your smartphone.

Ford Everest Trend

After missing from the Ford’s 2019 Everest line-up, the Trend variant is launched to match the rest of its midsize SUV range. It features a new grille as well as a slew of added convenience and safety features.

Maxus T60

Maxus Philippines added a pickup truck to their line-up with the launch of the T60. The longest in its class, it’s balanced to meet both private and business needs. The toughened construction is backed by a 2.8-liter diesel engine and a high-value interior. It also boasts a lengthy service interval.

Isuzu D-Max Boondock 4×4

Based on the 4×4 variant of the D-Max 3.0 LS, the D-Max Boondock is a pickup that’s ready to go anywhere. Fitted with a more aggressive wheel and tire package and increased ride height, it offers off-road adventurers confidence to tackle challenging terrain.

Nissan 370Z

Hailed as the sibling to the GT-R, and in the developer’s own words—a “better dance partner” (that’s why its Japanese market name is Fairlady Z), the Nissan 370Z offers a strong performance and celebrated heritage. Finally available in the Philippines, this rear-wheel drive sportscar lives up to its heritage with its punchy V6 engine, and a choice between a manual or automatic variant. There’s even a NISMO version for those who’d like crank things up to 11.

Mitsubishi Xpander Cross

The seven-seater Mitsubishi Xpander Cross has finally landed in the Philippines. Compared to its non-Cross sibling, the Xpander Cross receives beefier-looking bumpers, fender flares, side body garnish, roof rails, a shark’s fin antenna, and a new tailgate garnish. The Dynamic Shield front grille itself has been revised with a larger Mitsubishi logo front and center. The headlights and front fog lights are now illuminated by LEDs, while the wheels themselves are an inch up to 17s with 205/55 R 17 tires. It even has 225 mm of ground clearance—higher than some compact SUVs!

Mitsubishi Strada Athlete

Designed to appeal to those who want a bit more style, the Mitsubishi Strada Athlete adds aesthetic changes not just to set it apart from the “regular” Strada, but from other pickup trucks in the market as well. Outside, the Strada Athlete boasts of a more striking fascia, while inside it boasts of a two-tone orange and black leather seating with orange stitching. There are two variants of the Strada Athlete — a 2WD and a 4WD variant.

Geely Azkarra

Geely’s foray into the compact SUV space brings with it a high-tech touch. Setting a competitive price range among its competition, the Azkarra features a segment-first 48V EMS mild-hybrid system. Aside from this, it also gets an N95-certified air filtration system along with other luxury features such as Nappa leather seats.

Subaru Forester GT Edition

Like the work done on the Subaru XV GT Edition, the Forester GT Edition receives a hitmaker’s touch. The aesthetics package adds integral aero elements, sportier 18-inch wheels, as well as two-tone black and gray leather seats. And like the rest of the Forester line-up in 2020, it gets a new infotainment system with SAR 360 — Superview Around Recognition camera.

Suzuki XL7

The Suzuki XL7 is the family MPV made tougher. Based on the Ertiga MPV, the Suzuki seven-seater XL7 gets SUV-like styling complete with wrap-around moldings. At four corners are 16-inch polished alloy wheels, while at the front is a stronger fascia with LED headlights and daytime running lights. Inside, adds more convenience and tech features as well. Performance is backed up by a 1.5-liter engine mated to a four-speed automatic.

Suzuki S-Presso

Suzuki Philippines is giving a unique twist to its entry-level micro car offering. Replacing its strong-selling Alto is this SUV-styled hatchback called the S-Presso. It has squared wheel arches and increased ground clearance as well as center-mounted gauges with a digital-type speedometer. A 1.0-liter engine mated to a five-speed manual make it zippy around town.

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz Philippines launched its flagship three-row GLS luxury SUV. Called the “S-Class of SUVs,” it maximizes interior space while boasting the brand’s Sensual Purity design. For the local market, it comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 diesel engine and Airmatic air suspension as standard.

Ford Everest Sport

Picking up where the Trend 4×2 leaves off, the 2020 Everest Sport comes decked with sportier exterior cues. It replaces chrome exterior highlights either with high-gloss black or body-colored ones. The interior continues with its sporty theme as well.

Jeep Compass

The Compass is Jeep’s global compact SUV designed for individuals who’ve perfected the code for work-life balance. The Compass features muscular styling outside and multiple storage solutions inside. Powering the Compass is FCA’s 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged engine with idle start/stop.

Jeep Renegade

Positioned as their entry-level model, the Renegade fits the bill for those aspiring to own their first Jeep. The youthfully styled Renegade is juxtaposed with classic design cues making it a standout among the compact crossover class. The bold colors are backed up by a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine—perfect for urban trailing.

BMW 5 Series, X3, and Z4

BMW Philippines added three new variants to its existing line-up: the 520i Sport, X3 xDrive 20d Business, and Z4 M40i Frozen Edition. The 520i Sport features new exterior design elements including gloss black elements and 19-inch wheels. Meanwhile, the X3 adds new exterior elements but this time, as aluminum trims as well as 19-inch wheels. Finally, there’s the ultra-limited-edition BMW Z4 M40i Frozen Edition with its matte gray paint and upgraded power from its inline-6 engine.

Toyota Wigo

The 2020 Toyota Wigo builds on the success of the current model. It sports a meaner-looking face along with the availability of a new TRD S variant. Inside, it receives an updated instrument cluster and a slew of additional convenience features.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

The first-ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe arrives, fueling enthusiasm for those looking for a sporty, yet practical sedan. It blends BMW’s classic aesthetic with a more dynamic body style, evidenced by the four frameless doors, large kidney grille, and full LED headlights. Inside, the 2 Series Gran Coupe ensures comfort and durability with power seats, and the unique “Illuminated Berlin” design.

Ford F-150

Coming from the success of the Ranger Raptor, Ford officially marks the return of the F-150 back to the Philippines. For the Philippines, Ford brings in two variants, both are packed with segment defining features and capabilities that has made it the truck of choice around the world.

JAC S4

JAC Philippines brings in a high-value compact crossover in the S4. Penned by a global design team, the S4 features a sharply designed exterior backed up by the sporty performance of a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine. Available features include automatic climate control, a large infotainment screen, and even some advanced driver assist technologies.

Jaguar I-PACE

Jaguar Philippines goes electric with the launch of the I-PACE SUV. The all-electric I-PACE is Jaguar’s entry into the EV segment and takes a clean sheet approach, particularly with its engineering. Using a unique architecture that takes advantage of battery electric technology, it’s able to optimize performance, aerodynamics, and interior space. The most decorated production car (of any powertrain type), the I-PACE produces 400hp with zero emissions.

Land Rover Range Rover PHEV Models

As Range Rover globally celebrates its 50th Anniversary, the brand is going electrified in the Philippines with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). Both Range Rover and Range Rover Sport PHEV are equipped with a 2.0-liter Ingenium turbocharged petrol engine complemented by an 85-kW electric motor. Together, the Ingenium engine and electric motor make a combined 404hp and near-instantaneous torque of 640Nm.

Mazda3 edition100

Commemorating its historic win as the World Car Design of the Year, Mazda Philippines launched a limited-edition model called the Mazda3 edition100. It’s purely an aesthetic upgrade with the Brilliant Black Speed kit re-colored in Soul Red Crystal. Other changes include Midnight Black alloy wheels, red colored brake calipers, and a front plate relocator.

Jeep Gladiator

After over three decades, Jeep has produced its first pickup truck, and that offering, the 2020 Gladiator, is now in the Philippines in two variants. Not just a Wrangler with a truck bed, the Gladiator is engineered from the ground up to provide real truck utility, functionality and of course, the legendary Jeep capability. The Gladiator is built for those who work on weekdays, but goes on extreme off-roading adventures on weekends.

Toyota Hiace Cargo

The Toyota Hiace, the country’s number one utility van, works even harder with the addition of a Cargo Variant. The Hiace Cargo is everything customers love about the Commuter except that now, it transports load instead of passengers. By providing a seat-less option, the Hiace further expands its service to more industries.

Toyota Vios

Almost exactly two years after its launch in 2018, the Philippines’s bestselling vehicle, the Vios, gets a makeover for 2020. The refreshed subcompact sedan receives a breadth of new updates, and most important of all, a brand-new front fascia with upgraded features such as LED headlights and a rear back-up camera.

Chery Arrizo 5e

Crossover specialist Chery Auto crossed over to a new genre with their first-ever electric car offering: the Arrizo 5e. The Arrizo is Chery’s sedan line, with the 5 denoting its compact size contender. The “e” designation at the end identifies this model as the full-electric variant.

Land Rover Defender

Land Rover Philippines has announced the arrival of the all-new Defender. An icon re-imagined for the 21st century, the Defender is built for adventurous hearts and curious minds. Using an ultra-stiff D7x architecture, it has class-leading off-roading capabilities backed up by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine with mild-hybrid technology.

Ford Territory

Ford Philippines is entering the compact crossover segment with its all-new Territory. Aimed at young professionals and starting families, the Territory offers a technology-driven driving experience wrapped around a sleek, stylish urban-ready design. Done as a joint-venture partnership with Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), Ford harnessed global engineering know-how by rigorously testing the Territory at proving grounds located in both Australia and China.

Foton Gratour TM 300

Foton Philippines is opening more opportunities for local businesses to level up with its new vehicle lineup assembled by Filipinos for fellow hardworking Filipinos: the 2020 Gratour TM 300 now powered by a class-exclusive diesel engine. The Gratour TM 300 is powered by a 2.2-liter Euro-IV compliant diesel engine that offers low fuel consumption, but high output.

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Mercedes-Benz Philippines brings in the newest member of its SUV family: the all-new GLB. Marking the 8th model underpinned by the Modular Front Architecture (MFA), it’s the German luxury automaker’s first seven-seater compact SUV. Dubbed as the “most versatile compact SUV” in its class, the Mercedes-Benz GLB can take you and six of your friends for road trips on weekends. Yet with a long wheelbase of 2,829 mm but relatively short overall length of 4,634 mm, it’s compact enough to be used on daily drives around the metro.

Ferrari F8 Tributo

Ferrari Philippines announces that the availability of its newest V8-powered supercar: the F8 Tributo. The F8 Tributo is Ferrari’s newest mid-rear engined sportscar, and as its name implies, it’s an homage to the most powerful V8 in Ferrari history. The F8 Tributo replaces the 488 GTB and, in the range, is the model with the highest performance matched by the greatest driver involvement.

Toyota Corolla Cross

After a long wait, Toyota Motor Philippines has finally entered the compact crossover segment with the 2021 Corolla Cross. Sitting below the RAV4 in terms of size and price, the Corolla Cross aims to bring the brand’s success in the compact sedan space into the small SUV segment. More importantly, it becomes the segment’s first-ever hybrid-powered offering.

BMW 7 Series

The 2021 BMW 7 Series arrived with the intent to become the benchmark of presence, elegance, innovation, and connectivity. Available in two variants, it marks the arrival of BMW Philippines’s first-ever plug-in hybrid with the 745Le. Features include electronically adjustable front and rear seats, genuine wood trim, and a Harman Kardon sound system.

Maxus G50

Slotting below its G10, the G50 is a family-oriented MPV that doesn’t scrimp on features. Aside from its larger than the competition dimensions, it comes with turbocharged power along with features including a panoramic sunroof and power tailgate.