We shot the All-New Ford Ranger during the last Ford Club Philippines 10-Year Anniversary. Let me tell you this, I think it looks awesome.

From a styling perspective, I’ve always liked the Toyota Hilux better than the previous rendition of the Ford Ranger. But for this latest version, I’m pretty impressed! It’d be a good platform for any sort of mods you’d like to do with it. Audio, Offroad, Slammed to the ground, or just about anything!

I can’t wait to see modified versions of this in upcoming car shows. Bring it on!

Check out all the features of the All-New Ford Ranger on the Ford Philippines website. Enjoy!

The 21st iteration of the Trans Sport Show saw us returning to SM Megamall, with near 100 cars on show (or maybe more – I lost count!). Cars on display ranged from a 1937 Chevy, to the latest of Porsches, so whether you were into vintage or the cutting edge, this years Trans Sport Show had something for everyone.

The 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe by A-toy Customs looking meaner than ever.

A 1997 Nissan Skyline, also by A-toy Customs in classic red…

…and an RB26 to back it up!

Off-road in style with this 1997 Land Rover Defender by Bilstein Performance Suspension.

This 1982 Toyota Landcruiser 4×4 is all business…

…especially from this angle.

1985 Toyota Corolla by Vkool Philippines

2010 Honda CRV by Phat Audio

2010 Honda CRV by Phat Audio

2010 Honda CRV by Phat Audio

1991 Mini Cooper by Hotwheels Autobody Specialist

The general styling of this car really flowed well from front to rear, with the front grills being painted matte black, along with what were originally chrome accents… genius!

2010 Mercedes Benz C180 and E300 by Concept One, wrapped with Foil A Car technology, giving that clean, sleek, matte finish look.

Firland Audio shows us a clean and composed audio setup.

.. and then gives us something completely out of this world with this 1978 Volkswagen Beetle.

A seizure inducing interior, which will keep any party animal going all night.

This must have been one of the more striking cars in the event, obviously with plenty of hours put in to get the Beetle looking as slick as this…

…with the front suspension exposed for all to see,

Every square inch of this vehicle has been transformed, with speakers lining what used to be the rear seats.

Stay tuned to see more of the 21st Trans Sport Show 2012 coverage.

The results are in! And with that, I’m proud to announce the Car Photography Club January 2012 Photo Contest winner, and henceforth, the January 2012 Car Photographer of the Month… Jay Cee, with his spectacular photo of this rock crawling Toyota FJ40 at Mt. Pinatubo.

Indeed a worthy shot for our January theme: Action Shots (or the Notion of Action where the viewer is compelled into thinking that the subject did an action prior to the photo being taken).

Join us in congratulating Jay Cee for this fantastic achievement. We look forward to seeing more awesome photos from you in the days to come.

Meanwhile, watch out for the February 2012 Car Photography Club Photo Contest to be announced soon. Stay tuned for this on the Car Photography Club group page.

If you were given the chance to own any single one of these fabulous customized offroad machines, whether as your weekend warrior, or as a daily driver to scare-off crazy undisciplined lane-cutting morons, which would you pick? Choose your weapon!

Do you prefer American? Such as the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon?

Or British? Such as the Land Rover Defender 90?

How about a modified version of the modern status symbol – the Toyota Fortuner?

Or monster truck looks, such as this humongous Toyota Hilux?

Or if you’re more of the Dakkar Rally type, how about something like this Nissan Frontier?

So what do you think? Which type of custom offroad machine would you pick? Do share your thoughts on the comments!

Related Stuff:
- The vehicles above were showcased in the 2011 Manila Auto Salon. See more coverage of the car show here.
- See more custom offroad vehicles here.

Let’s face it. Not everyone can afford the latest and greatest rides on the planet. If so, then Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Rolls-Royces would just become vehicles for the masses. So unless you’re something akin to an Arab Shiek, business tycoon, or hotshot celebrity, you probably have to make do with what you can afford – the more simple vehicles like what you and your next-door neighbor have sitting in the garage.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t “look the best while rolling with the rest”! Just like this Daihatsu Feroza, for example. By merely replacing the wheels with 15-inch ROTA Grid Type-X wheels finished in Gunmetal and with a Polished Lip, and wrapping them with large-diameter all-terrain tires, this has instantly transformed what would otherwise be an unattractive vehicle into a stunning piece of art.

So if you’re looking to turn your ride into a gorgeous headturner, it’s time to get yourself some ROTA Wheels. As you can see, they’re run on a lot of cars shown at CustomPinoyRides.com. From Old School to New School, JDM to Euro, or even American V8-powered beasts. See these rides featured at CustomPinoyRides and on international websites and forums.

So what are you waiting for? Get your ROTA Wheels now! Available at a wheel dealer near you. Check out the latest designs at the ROTA Wheels gallery.

Jundio Salvador wins our Car Photography Club September 2011 Challege, where the theme was “Wet and ____ Ride!” brought about by the rainy and stormy weather last month. Jundio posted captured this Land Rover Defender making a big splash through some mud in the middle of a jungle setting and called it “Wet and Muddy Ride!”

His entry captured the most votes from fellow Car Photography Club members, and thus, he is crowned Car Photography Club – Photographer of the Month for September 2011. Congratulations Jundio! Looking forward to seeing more stunning photos.

Photos by Stephen P David

How would you like to have this…

Inside this?

Yes, your very own 5.1 DTS Surround AV/SQ Set-up inside your beloved car. This is something that is definitely worth having. Not only is it good for beating boredom while stuck in traffic, it doubles as an entertainment system on wheels!

So read on to check out the rest of the awesome photos, as well as the full specifications of this extraordinary ride…

VEHICLE:
2009 Mitsubishi Montero Sport 3.2 GLS SE 4×4

HEAD UNITS:
Pioneer DEX-P99RS
Pioneer AVH-P5250 DVD

A/V SYSTEM:
WDTV Media Player

PROCESSOR:
Pioneer DEQ-P7650 Multi-Channel Processor

MONITORS:
8″ Full HD 1080P Monitor
Two (2) Sansui 23″ Full HD 1080P LED TVs

SEPARATES:
*Front:
Pilipinas “Pinchers” LE 3-Way Set
- Tweeter: Dominations Futura F28
- Midrange: Dominations Futura D53neo
- Midbass: Danish Acoustics PW-165

*Center:
Dominations Futura F50

*Surround:
Dominations Sinatra ES62

SUBWOOFERS:
Two (2) 12″ Dominations Stun ES124

AMPLIFIERS:
Four (4) Sands David M475
75W x 4ch @ 4ohms

PRIMARY BATTERY:
Stinger SPV70

SECONDARY BATTERY:
Stinger SPV20

INVERTER:
Panther Power Inverter 500-watts

DEADENING:
28 sheets OEM (Whole Body)

SIGNAL & POWER WIRES:
Stinger HPM3 RCAs
Firland Power & Speaker Wires
HDMI Cables
Monster Cables

OTHERS:
Stinger Fuse & Distribution Blocks
HDMI Splitters

INSTALLER:
Candyshop Audio

GROUP:
Team Pilipinas DSD

ACTUAL COMPLETED PHOTOS:

Karty’s Interior

8″ Full HD 1080P Monitor, Pioneer AVH-P5250 DVD, Dominations Futura F50 Center Channel, Pioneer DEX-P99RS & WDTV Media Player

Pioneer DEX-P99RS & WDTV Media Player

Dominations Futura F28 tweeter & Dominations Futura D53neo midrange separates on a custom-built A-pillars

Danish Acoustics PW-165 midbass on a custom-built FG door panel

Pilipinas “Pinchers” 3-Way Set
- Tweeter: Dominations Futura F28
- Midrange: Dominations Futura D53neo
- Midbass: Danish Acoustics PW-165

Sansui 23″ Full HD 1080P LED TVs (2nd row)

Foldable Two (2) Sansui 23″ Full HD 1080P LED TVs (2nd & 3rd rows)

Karty’s Rear View…two 12″ Dominations Stun ES124 Subwoofers & four Sands David M475 Amps (75W x 4ch @ 4ohms)

12″ Dominations Stun ES124 Subwoofer & Sands David M475 Amps (75W x 4ch @ 4ohms)

Team DSD Logo – Glass Etched

12″ Dominations Stun ES124 Subwoofer

View from the 2nd row…Dominations Sinatra ES62 separates (surround) on a custom-built D-pillars

Third Row Seats still usable!!!

LED TV Mounting – Steel Fabrication

12″ Dominations Stun ES124 Subwoofer & Sands David M475 Amps (75W x 4ch @ 4ohms)

Karty’s engine bay

Stinger SPV70 Primary Battery with 100amp Stinger Fuse Block

Stinger SPV20 Secondary Battery with 100amp Stinger Fuse Block

Stinger Fuse & Distribution Blocks (100amp)…Gauge 0 & 4 power wires

Stinger Distribution Block (@ 30amp each)

Karty’s Night Shots

EMMA 2010 National Champion – MM Experienced 5.1

Jeff’s Offroad has done an awesome job with this Toyota Hilux. It stands up to its name now, being High, and Luxurious. Fitting for the name this truck was given and dhow it was intended to be don’t you think?

Photos by Louie Abad

If you’re a hard-core 4×4 Enthusiast, then you must’ve seen all the action during the 2nd 4×4 Philippines Jamboree last January 29, 2011. But if it just so happened that you weren’t able to make it, fear not, because these photos, skillfully captured by Louie Abad, will definitely do justice to showcase all the action that happened.

Take the jump to see all the action shots…

Ain’t no pothole deep enough…

Flooded streets are mere puddles…

You may have seen Nigel’s “The Punisher” Vitara
(middle) in a previous feature as seen in the 2009 Manila Auto Salon, but this ain’t just a show truck… It’s a pure-bred 4×4 that’s definitely got not just form, but function too!

The Suzuki Samurai is a weapon of choice for 4×4 enthusiasts. It’s not so hard to see why…

Same goes with the newer-generation Suzuki Jimny.

Who says only men enjoy dirty 4x4s?

And of course, the 4×4 Jamboree would not be complete without the Best 4×4 By Far – the Land Rover.

In this case, Land Rover Philippines’ Rainforest Challenge Defender 90, which we’ve featured on a previous article –> Land Rover Defender 90 by Team Land Rover Philippines.

So, until the next Jamboree?

When you hear the name “Suzuki Vitara”, you picture a tiny capable little 4×4 that blends well in city traffic and, well, doesn’t really stand out in the foray of CRV’s and RAV4′s that cruise the metro.

But when you hear the name “199 Offroad House”, you instantly get pictures of crazy monster 4×4′s with massive tires that eat boulders for breakfast.

So what if you take a Suzuki Vitara, and bring it to 199 Offroad House? Well, you get this… a Suzuki Vitara… ON STEROIDS!!!

Read on to see more of this awesome machine.

Take one look at this ride and you’ll find it hard to comprehend how this happened. It’s like David met Goliath and instead of battling it out to the death, they decided to be friends and combine forces for the heck of it. And you know what? It’s awesome!

The Punisher on the front bumper. Very fitting, as this vehicle will surely punish any obstacle it faces. And if all else fails, there’s always that winch to get you out of the gnarliest of extreme situations.

And take note, this isn’t any ordinary lift that was done just for the sake of fitting those massive tires under the fenders. This was engineered to function offroad, where no CRV or RAV4 would dare set foot. The flexy suspension enables it to traverse extreme terrain while keeping all 4 tires firmly planted on the ground. And the external reservoir shocks mean that no matter how rough the obstacles may get, you can be assured that the suspension would never let you down in terms of performance.

Despite the elevated ride height courtesy of the offroad suspension system and large-diameter Super Swamper TSL tires, the Safari Snorkel installed means business. This ride can now traverse rivers and floodwaters that would swallow whole any other ordinary SUV.

And this ride is equipped not just with the gear to get you through the rough stuff, but with the armor to protect the body and the super cool mural of The Punisher from wayward rocks or trees.

This ride won 4th place in the Offroad category of the 2009 Manila Auto Salon. Want to see the other rides from the MAS featured here? Then visit this link –> Manila Auto Salon Rides at CustomPinoyRides.com.