Honda PH debuts newly refreshed CR-V

Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit in the Philippines, officially launched the new Honda CR-V through a virtual media event streamed via HCPI’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

Derived from the grand concept of Heroic Beauty CUV, the New CR-V has been updated with sophisticated and modern styling features. Combined with a powerful and efficient turbo diesel engine and seven-seater capacity, the introduction of the New CR-V reaffirms Honda’s commitment to providing innovative products in response to the evolving needs of Filipino customers coinciding with the company’s 30th anniversary here in the Philippines.

The new CR-V has a redesigned exterior that gives it a modern and stylish appearance. Up front, the new CR-V features a newly redesigned front bumper, new chrome grille wing, and chrome bumper accents, which conveys a sophisticated yet commanding appearance. LED Headlights alongside LED Fog lights now also come standard across all variants, while the top SX Diesel 9AT AWD is now equipped with front sequential turn signal.

At the side, the new CR-V sports newly designed 18” alloy wheels for the SX Diesel 9AT AWD, S Diesel 9AT, and 2.0S CVT variants that feature a solid and modern tone highlighting a premium look. The New CR-V also now comes standard with new roof rails across all variants.

At the rear, the new CR-V also gets updated with dark-tinted rear taillights, and a redesigned rear bumper, perfectly complementing the overall exterior look of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the S Diesel 9AT variant is now equipped with a Power Tailgate providing improved convenience in accessing the rear cargo area. The SX Diesel 9AT AWD on the other hand now features a new Hands-Free Access Power Tailgate, which through the use of sensors under the rear bumper, enables the rear tailgate to open through a kicking motion when both hands are occupied. Other features such as the Panoramic Sunroof and Auto Rain Sensing Wipers are also exclusively available to the SX Diesel 9AT AWD variant.

Designed to comfortably accommodate up to 7 passengers, the new CR-V continues to boast impressive space, comfort and convenience features, and new improvements particularly on the seats and center console.  Upfront, the new CR-V SX Diesel 9AT AWD is fitted with an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat with 4-way power lumbar support that allows for a customizable seat configuration, helping provide even more comfort for the driver. Also, a 4-way power-adjustable seat is likewise available for the front passenger.

USB ports are now located on the center console for easy connectivity access. The SX Diesel 9AT AWD now also comes equipped with a wireless mobile charger for added convenience.

To keep passengers comfortable and entertained, the new CR-V SX Diesel 9AT AWD, S Diesel 9AT, and 2.0 S CVT variants are equipped with a 7-inch Touchscreen Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, the SX Diesel 9AT AWD and S Diesel 9AT variants pack a Navigation feature and additional controls for its automatic air conditioning system.

Moreover, the third-row seat of the 7-seater diesel variants comes with 50:50 Split Reclining seats and additional air-conditioning vents with independent controls.

In addition, the new CR-V’s unparalleled cargo capacity can handle a variety of cargo requirements, depending on the customer’s needs. The 7-seater diesel variants’ flexible seat configuration can accommodate 472 liters of cargo space with the third-row seats tumbled and 967 liters of cargo space with both the second and third-row tumbled. The 2.0S CVT variant, on the other hand, can comfortably accommodate 5 passengers with 522 liters of cargo space behind the rear seats.

Watch: 2021 Honda City and CR-V First Look:

Under the hood, the new CR-V is available with two engine options, the 1.6-liter DOHC i-DTEC Turbo Diesel engine mated to a 9 Speed Automatic Transmission, which produces 120PS at 4,000rpm, and a maximum torque of 300Nm at 2,000rpm. Moreover, Honda’s familiar 2.0-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which produces a maximum output of 154PS at 6,500rpm and peak torque of 189Nm at 4,300rpm, powers the lone 5-seater gasoline variant.

The two engine options give the new CR-V its responsive performance and fuel efficiency. On top of the CR-V’s potent powertrains, Honda’s Eco Assist System, which consists of the ECON mode and Eco-Coaching Ambient Light, encourages fuel-efficient driving.

For the new CR-V, the SX Diesel 9AT AWD and now the S Diesel 9AT variants come equipped with Honda’s SENSING suite of driver-assistive functions. Through a monocular camera and wave millimeter radar, both devices work simultaneously to monitor and assess various road conditions in front of the vehicle, alerting the driver of potential hazards that may occur. Honda’s suite of driver-assistive features provides an array of advanced safety features such as Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and the Auto High Beam.

Together with Honda SENSING, the new CR-V comes standard with an array of safety features across all variants such as Front Driver and Passenger Airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Emergency Stop Signal, and Multi-View Reverse Camera w/ Guidelines. The SX Diesel 9AT AWD, S Diesel 9AT, and 2.0S CVT variants comes standard with additional safety features including LaneWatch, side airbags and side curtain airbags.

It maintains a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP (17- Protocol) safety rating as it gives customers better safety and peace of mind on the road.

The new CR-V is now available at all 34 dealerships nationwide in four colors with the following suggested retail prices:

  • SX Diesel 9AT AWD Honda SENSING (7-Seater) – Php 2,158,000
  • S Diesel 9AT Honda SENSING (7-Seater) – Php 1,888,000
  • V Diesel 9AT (7-Seater)- Php 1,713,000
  • 2.0 S CVT (5-Seater) – Php 1,678,000

Colors available:

  • Cosmic Blue Metallic (New Color – SX Diesel 9AT AWD and S Diesel 9AT only)
  • Ignite Red Metallic (New Color – All variants)
  • Platinum White Pearl* (All variants)
  • Modern Steel Metallic (All variants)

*Platinum White Pearl – Additional Php 20,000

Search

Cobweb review: A funny, dark film about making a film

10/04/2023

Cobweb hits close to home.

It shows all the things that could possibly happen (and go wrong) in a film set. And while a lot of the things depicted in the film might come across as exaggerated, I assure you, everything is totally possible inside the four walls of a set during the many times I’ve been in one.

Cobweb is a 2023 South Korean film directed by Kim Jee-woon. Being meta in its essence, this dark comedy movie is about director Kim Yeol (played by Song Kang-ho), in the 1970s, and how he believed his film would be a masterpiece if only he could reshoot the ending before it premieres. But, as film production goes, not everything falls into place for director Kim with only less than two days to reshoot.

The movie in itself is light and easy to watch — with dark scenarios (both literally and figuratively) happening almost continuously which filled the theatre with cringing reactions (due to the mishaps happening in the film) and outbursts of laughter.

Without spoiling anything, Cobweb has multiple layers of different socioeconomic aspects if you want to dissect it. But it could also be taken lightly by just going for the ride of ups and downs in the life of a filmmaker.

For one, it shows how in film (or any industry for that matter) is totally challenging when you don’t have a solid team with the same vision. You’ll see director Kim having problems left and right due to his actors and other talents, his set, and even the producer — Mr. Baek (played by Shin Sung-pil) who is closely watching their every move.

Mr. Baek’s presence alone is like watching a sitcom in itself since the film crew didn’t really get approval to reshoot the ending of the film which resulted in them going rogue and shooting behind the back of the producer. This formula alone already lets you imagine scenes of the director and his crew sneaking about to try and shoot.

Another takeaway is seen from the role of Shin Mi-do played by Jeon Yeo-been who handles the financial aspect of the movie they’re making. She reads director Kim’s script with the tweaked ending and became a believer of the director’s vision. She’s basically the one who gave the go signal to shoot in secret just to pull off the film’s new ending. Cobweb shows that it only takes one person who believes in you to be able to pull off almost impossible feats, and I personally find that powerful.

There is also a story of redemption for the film’s director. He has been known to produce his debut film which was critically acclaimed by the audience but a series of flops shortly followed after. He thought that his film with a reshot ending would be “a masterpiece” and would break his pattern of shallow drama films.

Apart from those, there is also a film-within-a-film treatment in the form of the actual movie they’re making. It intercuts with the movie as a black and white film so as the audience, you witness all the hullabaloo happening behind the scenes and at the same time, see the final version as well. And during the climax of their movie with the ambitious camera treatment of a long scene taken in one continuous shot, you simply enjoy it further, and is quite a treat being able to see two parallel films in one timeline.

Cobweb is not without faults, though. I feel like some of the characters were unnecessary like the actor who plays detective which, for me, didn’t really add a lot to the pool of characters for the film. A few of the scenes seemed like scenarios were pushed hard for the effect of humor, but felt shallow in my opinion.

Still, it was successful in contrasting light, humorous scenes with dark, disastrous scenarios which made the film enjoyable as a narrative.

Cobweb opens in cinemas on October 4 and is produced by Anthology Studios and globally distributed by Barunson E&A, the same studio that produced Parasite. 

Cobweb is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by TBA Studios. The same company that brought award-winning films such as Everything Everywhere All At Once and the box-office romantic drama Past Lives to the Philippines.

REVIEWS