Photos by THE aSTIG, Philip Aragones, and Errol Panganiban
The 2013 Manila International Auto Show is an event that really gave everyone a glimpse of what the car manufacturers had in their line-ups for this year. A total of 28 automotive brands joined the show, and nine new model debuts and launches were held. Of course, with us being Pinoys, more often than not, we can never let our cars remain stock for long. So this event really gave us a glimpse of what the platforms of our future project cars would be.
So allow us to take you around the Manufacturer’s booths at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show. Enjoy!
With displays all the way to the outside…
The World Trade Center, and it’s surrounding vicinity was completely packed…
So Ford made the most out of the outside area to showcase…
The brand-new Ford Ranger Wildtrack, in what I must say is a very creative display.
So despite the heat of the sun, we couldn’t help but take several shots of it. Would be interesting to see future projects based on this. Perhaps in a pre-runner setup or something? *Wink wink…
Stepping inside the World Trade Center, we’re greeted by the 2012-2013 Car of the Year and Truck of the Year Philippines – The Mitsubishi Mirage, and the Mazda BT50 4×4. Some tuning houses were quick to provide aftermarket kits for the Mirage – more on this on a later post. But I’m sure we’ll see some off-road mods as well for the BT50 as we get to see more of these on the road.
Inside the main halls, the Toyota booth of course had to have the Toyota 86. This is one car that I believe will go on to be a legend in the future, being arguably the best driver’s car around. Perhaps we’ll see future installments of Initial D with Takumi driving this? I’m sure you’re wishing that would become a reality. LOL!
Toyota’s latest rendition of the RAV4 was on display. I must say, this car gives me mixed emotions. But overall, I think it looks sharp!
Honda had the current Civic and CRV on display.
Honestly, I’m not a biker guy…
…but these Harley Davidsons…
…to me, are works of art!
I bet it’s fun and relaxing to cruise all the way to Tagaytay Highlands in one of these.
Jeep’s new Grand Cherokee is a far cry from the boxy designs of the classic XJ Cherokees. I wonder if we’ll still see lifted versions of these with mud tires crawling over rocks and kicking up sand and mud?
But what is probably the highlight of the Jeep booth is their new Moab Wrangler, one of the nine new vehicles debuted at the 2013 MIAS. Named after Utah’s mountainous and rocky region called Moab, it looks like this will be slotted between the top-of-the-line Rubicon edition, and the Sahara.
Kia had the new Rio Hatchback on display…
…as well as the new Sportage.
Land Rover had the latest Defender 90 on display, which I believe is still the Best 4×4 by Far. Call me biased if you want, but I also own a Land Rover, that’s why. LOL!
It looked like Subaru had their entire model line-up on display.
From the Legacy…
…to the Outback…
…and the XV, all sporting Subaru’s new grille design.
This was a little different from the previous face as seen in Subaru’s Impreza STi, which was still looking mean as ever.
But what was really new was the Forester model…
…also one of the nine new vehicles debuted at the 2013 MIAS. I wonder if those vertical bumper vents serve any purpose? Or is it purely for looks?
Subaru’s Symmertical All-Wheel-Drive display took a lot of notice…
But not as much as their “Jellyfish” see-through model…
…of the BRZ.
According to the MIAS Organizers, “it is a see-thru prototype model of the BRZ sports car designed to show the internal engine and suspension layout of its acclaimed boxer engine…
The shell of the full-size model car was made of specially formed plexiglass panels and it was said that a specially refrigerated container was used to import this from Subaru Japan to avoid warping the bodyshell due to the hot local climate.”
As for the real BRZ, Subaru’s mainstay performer to the MIAS and UK precision driver Russ Swift used the BRZ for the first time in any country to perform a new routine. Check it out on our video coverage here.
Moving on to the Mitsubishi booth, apart from the winning Mirage…
…they had the Strada on display wearing what looked like 20 inch wheels?
Same with the Montero Sport. Though I doubt these wheels come as standard options from the factory. Or do they?
Peugot showed a promising line-up. Shall we see modified versions of their cars rolling the streets of Metro Manila soon? I’m sure that would be real interesting!
The Mazda booth, on the other hand, was highlighted by the newly-debuted Mazda 6. Now we have an intense match-up amongst Asian car manufacturers in the latest models in the executive car arena. With a wide range of options such as the Mazda 6, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, etc. What will you go for? Me, personally, I’m looking forward to seeing a VIP-styled Mazda 6 here in the Philippines. What do you guys think?
Same goes with the compact sports car arena. Will you go for the Mazda Miata, Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, Peugot RCZ, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, etc.?
I think the Mazda Miata will still remain to be a contender in this arena, being a fun and exciting roadster that it is, and having seen many modified renditions of it by popular car tuners in car shows all over the world.
The latest Mazda 3 is looking good as ever…
…as well as the CX-5…
…and CX-9.
But of course Mazda has brought home the bacon with the Truck of the Year award thanks to the BT50. Can’t wait to see modified versions of these! It looks like uprated wheels and tires, and a bike rack at the back already looks like a good start. This just looks really sharp!
So did the current Suzuki line-up.
MAN had an interesting display. I wonder if we’ll see a “Pimp My Truck” sort of version here in the Philippines? While for the bus, I’m sure tuners such as Atoy Customs are the go-to people for modifying vehicles like these.
Meanwhile, the Chinese brands were making a statement during the show…
…such as this sleek-looking JMC Orion SUV.
While JMC was showcasing…
…a sporty outdoorsy style, showing they can cater to the active-lifestyle crowd too!
They were out in full force, with Chery debuting the new Fulwin hatchback and E5 sedan at the show.
Moving on to the non-Asian brands, Ford also had a massive display on the inside, and their Mustang was looking muscular as ever. Can you feel chest hairs growing just staring at this?
MINI had their line-up present as well…
…and had debuted the all-new MINI Paceman as well, the last of the nine new models unveiled at the 2013 MIAS.
So there you have it, dear readers, for our coverage of Brand New Vehicles seen at the 2013 Manila International Auto Show. Tell us, what do you think would be your future project car? Share it on the comments!
And stay tuned for our coverage of the Petron MIAS Custom and Classic Car Competition. Check back with us soon!
Related Stuff:
- See more coverage of the 2013 Manila International Auto Show here.