Author: karla

If there’s anything, it seems Toyota is not resting on its laurels.

In addition to being the number one car brand worldwide in terms of sales, it managed to bag another distinction that is sure to put smiles to the company’s PR people globally. Recently, it has been named as the world’s Most Valuable Car Brand, according to a study conducted by market researcher Millward Brown.

There’s really no stopping the Japanese automaker giant — not even the recent $1.2 billion fine that the U.S. justice department slapped Toyota for the massive recall it conducted back in 2009 to 2010 for the “sticky” floor mats and accelerator pedals. What a coup for the company’s brand image. Last year, Toyota also topped the list.

The results were posted in the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study conducted by market researcher Millward Brown’s Optimor division. It’s a very comprehensive study as it combines measures of brand equity based on more than two million interviews with consumers using data gathered from Bloomberg and Kantar Worldpanel.

Toyota tops the list with a 21 percent increase compared to last year, reaching a brand value of 29.6 billion USD. BMW went up by 7 percent to 25.7 billion USD and secured second place, ahead of Mercedes-Benz’s 21.5 billion USD brand value which compared to 2013 increased by an impressive 20 percent. Honda came in fourth place with 14.1 billion USD while Ford managed a huge 56 percent increase to 11.8 billion USD.

Here is the full top ten list:

World’s most valuable car brands in billions; rank in top global 100; % value change from 2013

1. Toyota $29.6 — (26) +21
2. BMW $25.7 — (32) +7
3. Mercedes $21.5 — (42) +20
4. Honda $14.1 — (70) +14
5. Ford $11.8 — (84) +56
6. Nissan $11.1 — (90) +9
7. Volkswagen $8.4 — (*) -4
8. Audi $7.1 — (*) +27
9. Chevrolet $4.9 — (*) (**)
10. Hyundai $4.6 — (*) +15

(*) Did not rank in the top 100 global brands
(**) Did not rank in the top 10 most valuable car brands in 2013

Do you agree with this list, mga Kapuso?

After the leak on its order guide, Ford is now releasing initial price tag details for the highly anticipated 2015 Mustang. Perhaps we can get a feel on how much this car will cost if ever it makes to the Philippine roads soon?

The starting price for the pony car is at $24,425, which includes destination and delivery charges. This is for the entry-level V6 3.7-liter version, which produces at least 300 bhp (223 kW) and 270 lb-ft (365 Nm) of torque.

Compared to the base 2014MY, the new Mustang is 1,090 USD more expensive but you do get an all-new platform boasting an independent rear suspension so the price hike is somewhat justified.

Standard features of the 2015 Ford Mustang include push-button start, rear-view camera, eight airbags, tire pressure monitor system and HID headlamps. The base Mustang also comes with keyless entry, leather-covered steering wheel with manual tilt and telescope adjustment as well as SYNC system boasting a 4.2-inch color screen, two USB ports and next-gen AppLink.

In a sea of supercars all over the world, Koenigsegg’s new One:1 has been dubbed as the world’s most powerful production car. It was launched in March at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, however, only a mock-up was shown in the auto exhibit. The prototype is still at works, which the public will see in action — for the first time — at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. next month.

As Cars UK points out, Koenigsegg will bring not just its One:1 mock-up, but also a working prototype. We also hear that the prototype will be taking part in the Goodwood festival’s Michelin Supercar Run, meaning we should get a good taste of the car’s insane performance level. Organized by the French tire company, the Michelin Supercar Run is a firm favorite of the Goodwood Festival of Speed as it sees the hottest and coolest supercars show off their sheer tire-smoking power.

And just in case you aren’t fully up to date on the One:1’s specs, its power maxes out at an incredible 1,341 horsepower. Torque, meanwhile, is 1,011 pound-feet. And considering the One:1 will weigh 1,360 (2,998 lbs) kilograms or less, it’s easy to understand why Koenigsegg is confident the One:1 will set a new land speed record for a production car. Sadly, only six of these babies will be built—and all are spoken for.

To say that Enzo Ferrari has become an automotive legend is underrated. His life and contributions to the industry are larger than life — it’s surprising that a biopic about him has not been made yet.

Well that’s about to change, as a movie depicting Ferrari and his fair share of ups and down will soon be released to theaters. The film is based on Brock Yates’ book titled “Enzo Ferrari: The Man, the Cars, the Races.” While filming of the movie was scheduled in 2004 headlined by Al Pacino, plans were shelved when director Sydney Pollack died.

There hasn’t been much movement since then but Cecchi Gori Pictures is trying to get things back on track as they’re shopping the biopic at the Cannes Film Festival.

Nothing is set in stone but Cecchi Gori Pictures CEO Niels Juul told Variety he is in advanced talks with financiers and a well-known U.S. director. A script has already been written and Juul says “It’s a beautiful tale of the story of Ferrari battling with Maserati for supremacy in speed, yet it’s not a racing movie: it’s a ‘Godfather’ movie with racing in it.”

If everything pans out, an official announcement could be made in a month or two.

Do you think Al Pacino can perfectly justify the lead role? Who else do you see playing Enzo Ferrari in film?

Good news for Nissan car fans: the Japanese automaker just unveiled the 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO. Staying true to the original design penned by Filipino Randy Rodriguez,the 2015 NISMO model now beefs up the beast with an aggressive new look, an available 7-speed automatic transmission option, and a new 370Z NISMO Tech package.

According to Nissan, the 2015 370Z NISMO is available to be sold in July 2014. Tag price has not been revealed yet, but the company says it will be made public closer to that period.

The most dramatic visual changes to the 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO are found at the front end, where a wider, reshaped grille opening, red splitter lip, and, at either side, vertical cooling inlets are added below LED Hyper daytime running lights. The red accent is also found on the re-shaped side sills, the side mirrors, and across the bottom of the rear bumper area. The rear spoiler has also been restyled and made smaller.

Standard equipment includes black and red Recaro seats with leather and Alcantara covering, 19-inch NISMO alloy wheels by RAYS wearing a charcoal gray machine finish, large Nissan Sport Brakes, a viscous limited-slip differential, and, of course, Nissan’s 350-horsepower, 276-pound-foot version of the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V-6 engine. The 2015 model’s suspension has also been slightly re-tuned.

A six-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match is standard, but a seven-speed automatic can also be had with the 2015 model, expanding the reach of the NISMO Z beyond the previous manual-only versions.

The new Tech package adds a welcome touch of up-level equipment, including a hard-drive-based navigation system with 7-inch touchscreen, rear-view camera, Bose audio, streaming Bluetooth audio, and more.

Only four exterior colors are offered: Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, and Pearl White.

How are you digging the 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO model?