BMW is beginning to phase out its manual transmission models, evident in the brand’s newer models, all coming with automatic transmissions. Even the brand’s lineup M cars no longer have this gearbox as there is a low demand for them. Aside from this, the German brand also cites that it also creates production difficulties and that these shift-it-yourself gearboxes are “worse” than their automatic counterparts. For recently launched models such as the 2023 BMW M2, it forces customers who want a m

With crossovers of all sizes cropping up left and right, you’d think that the traditional station wagon has gone the way of the dodo. Not for SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp., which is the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines. The company launched the BMW 3 Series Touring on June 1, 2023 at its RSA Motors dealership in San Juan. This is the wagon version of the popular 3 Series executive sedan. Wagon revival SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. president Spencer Yu told AutoFun

Disclosure: SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp., the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, very kindly lent me a 2022 BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport for five days. The test car came with a half tank of diesel and loaded RFID cards. AutoFun Philippines paid for additional fuel and a car wash. The notion of “premium” has long been a source of contention in various industries and ideologies. It boils down to this – what’s the point of paying more for something that can be bought for a

The R35 Nissan GT-R is a bit of a miracle in the automotive world – it’s been around for over 15 years. First introduced in 2007, the GT-R was the long-awaited replacement to the legendary R34 Skyline GT-R that had stopped production in 2002. In an industry where new cars tend to pop up every five years, the R35’s incredible longevity is perhaps a testament to its enduring design and performance. In fact, the 2024 Nissan GT-R now cranks out 565 PS and can do 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds – to

The BMW 3 Series has long been the benchmark for compact luxury sedans, combining superb driving dynamics with German refinement and quality. But in the Philippines, one rival beat out the 3 Series in the sales stakes. And it comes from Japan. Lexus Philippines said in a February 2023 press statement that the Lexus IS was the country’s best-selling model in its class in 2022, according to data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI). “Since the debut of its f

They say that if you don't look back at your car after you've parked it, then you've bought the wrong car. It sounds rather simplistic, but we must admit that there is quite a bit of truth. Here are some head turners on display at the 8th Philippine International Motor Show that would make anyone's garage a wonderful, happy place. Toyota GR 86 Branded with the Gazoo Racing badge that celebrates Toyota's racing spirit, the GR 86 comes in with better steering feedback and sharper handling. It is a