EV
Maserati’s Electric Storm Hits Manila
Maserati Philippines Goes Electric with Folgore Launch, Stars Rhian Ramos and Sam Verzosa
SAN JUAN, Metro Manila — Maserati Philippines has officially entered the electric vehicle (EV) market with the local debut of its Folgore lineup. The private showroom event in San Juan marked the national unveiling of two all-electric Maserati models: the GranCabrio Folgore and Grecale Folgore.
Hosted by Modena Motorsports Inc., the brand’s exclusive importer and dealer in the country, the event was attended by high-profile guests including Maserati Southeast Asia Pacific’s Wallace Wong and Modena Motorsports President Sam Verzosa — who was seen alongside actress and Maserati ambassador Rhian Ramos during the launch ceremony.
Verzosa emphasized that the move signals a mindset shift for the luxury marque. “This isn’t just the unveiling of new models,” he said. “This is the ignition of a new mindset—where electrification is not a trend, but the future. And Maserati leads that vision.”
The GranCabrio Folgore is the world’s first fully electric luxury convertible, equipped with an 800V system and three electric motors generating 761 horsepower and 1,350 Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds.
The Grecale Folgore, Maserati’s first electric SUV, features a 105 kWh battery and dual motors delivering 410 kW and 820 Nm of torque. Inside, it blends luxury with sustainability, using materials like ECONYL®, made from recycled nylon.
Both models feature exclusive electric design elements, including a “Rame Folgore” copper paint finish. Maserati also announced plans for test drives and roadshows across major Philippine cities, along with the upcoming arrival of the limited GranTurismo Folgore 110° Anniversario edition.
The launch concluded with a ceremonial toast led by Wong, Verzosa, and Modena Motorsports GM Mody Llamas, marking the start of Maserati’s electrified chapter in the Philippines.
Honda Cars Philippines Inc. kicked off 2026 with a familiar name but a very different lineup. The refreshed Honda CR-V has officially landed in the Philippines, unveiled at the Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center, and the big headline is simple. The CR-V is now mostly hybrid.
After its regional debut in Thailand late last year, the new CR-V arrives locally with three variants. Two are now e:HEV hybrids, while only one keeps a pure turbo gasoline setup.
Three Variants, Two Hybrids
The range opens with the V Turbo HuNT CVT. It runs a 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo engine paired with a CVT, sending power to the front wheels. Output stands at 190 PS at 6,000 rpm and 240 Nm of torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm.
The big shift happens in the middle. The VX e:HEV e-CVT now goes hybrid. It combines a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle VTEC engine producing 148 PS and 183 Nm with a dual-traction electric motor rated at 184 PS and 335 Nm. Power flows to the front wheels through an e-CVT.
At the top sits the RS e:HEV AWD e-CVT. It uses the same electrified setup as the VX but adds Real-Time AWD, giving the CR-V hybrid traction on all four wheels for the first time in the local lineup.
Same Shape, Sharper Details
Visually, the 2026 CR-V keeps its familiar proportions. Updates are subtle but noticeable. New 18-inch alloy wheels wear wider 235/60 tires, while exterior trim pieces and blacked-out accents freshen the look.
The HuNT styling package, exclusive to the V Turbo variant, adds copper accents on the grille and fog lights, silver highlights on the lower bumper, black wheel arch cladding, and silver running boards for a tougher stance.
Safety and Tech Go Standard
All variants come loaded with Honda Sensing, the brand’s full driver-assist suite. This includes adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, collision mitigation braking, lane-keep assist, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, auto high-beam, and lead car departure notification. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert are now standard across the board.
Inside, every CR-V gets a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus Google built-in, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, leather seats, a wireless charging pad, power front seats with driver memory, a power tailgate, and Honda Connect. The head-up display is now available on the VX, no longer limited to the RS.
The RS keeps its premium edge with a panoramic sunroof, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, red contrast stitching with RS logos, and a hands-free power tailgate.
Hybrid Warranty and Colors
Both e:HEV variants come with an 8-year or 160,000-km battery warranty for added peace of mind.
Color options include Canyon River Blue Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, and Platinum White Pearl, with a PHP 20,000 surcharge for the white finish.
Introductory Pricing
Honda is offering special launch pricing for early buyers:
- RS e:HEV AWD e-CVT – PHP 2,788,000
- VX e:HEV e-CVT – PHP 2,438,000
- V Turbo HuNT CVT – PHP 2,258,000
Regular prices are set PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 higher depending on the variant.
Volvo Cars Philippines has rolled out a limited time promo on its two plug in hybrid SUVs, giving buyers a rare chance to step into electrified luxury with major savings.
Handled locally by Hariphil Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the offer puts both the XC90 T8 and XC60 T8 Plug in Hybrid under the spotlight, each carrying a ₱500,000 discount from their respective sticker prices. The promo covers Volvo’s top tier electrified models and comes with a DTI Fair Trade Permit, making it a certified deal for buyers looking to move into hybrid ownership.
Leading the lineup is the XC90 T8 Plug in Hybrid, Volvo’s seven seater flagship SUV. With the discount applied, the model drops from its ₱5.45 million suggested retail price. Designed for families and long drives, the XC90 T8 can travel up to 77 kilometers on electric power alone before switching to hybrid mode for longer trips. This setup allows for emissions free city use while keeping fuel efficiency and performance intact on highways.
Alongside it is the XC60 T8 Plug in Hybrid, Volvo’s best selling SUV globally with more than 2.7 million units sold worldwide. Priced at ₱4.55 million before the discount, the five seater SUV offers up to 80 kilometers of electric only driving, making it suitable for daily urban use. Once the battery is depleted, the vehicle automatically shifts to hybrid operation to maintain efficiency without sacrificing responsiveness.
Both models highlight Volvo’s long standing focus on safety, comfort, and Scandinavian design, while giving buyers access to plug in hybrid technology without fully committing to a pure electric vehicle.
Interested customers can visit Volvo Cars Makati to check availability, learn more about the promo, and book a test drive. The offer is available for a limited time only, subject to terms and conditions.
Hongqi Philippines has entered a new partnership with The Bellevue Manila, bringing chauffeur-driven premium vehicles into one of the south’s most established five-star hotels.
The collaboration places Hongqi vehicles at the center of high-end guest experiences, with a focus on weddings, VIP stays, and special occasions. The idea is simple. The luxury does not stop at the hotel doors. It begins the moment guests step into the car.
The partnership was formalized during a contract signing held on January 23. Present at the event were Hongqi Philippines Vice President and General Manager David Zaballero, Sales and Marketing Head Brian Badilla, Bellevue Manila Managing Director John Patrick Chan, and Assistant Director for Group Marketing Justine Delacerna.
As part of the agreement, hotel guests will have access to Hongqi’s flagship models. These include the Hongqi E-HS9, a full-size electric SUV, and the Hongqi HQ9, a premium MPV designed for comfort-focused travel. Both models offer spacious cabins, refined materials, and a calm ride that fits milestone events and formal occasions.
According to EVOxTerra President and TDG Group Co-CEO Rashid Delgado, the partnership reflects Hongqi’s focus on experience-driven luxury, where design and comfort are meant to work seamlessly together.
Beyond transport services, the collaboration will also have a public-facing component. Starting February 2026, Hongqi Philippines will hold a six-month vehicle display at the Grand Ballroom lobby of The Bellevue Manila. This allows hotel guests and visitors to view the vehicles up close in a hospitality setting.
For those looking to experience more of the brand’s lineup, Hongqi vehicles are also available for test drives at showrooms located in Alabang, BGC, Manila Bay, and Quezon City.
The partnership adds another layer to Hongqi Philippines’ push into the premium space, blending automotive luxury with curated hospitality experiences.
