By the time we got to Santa, Ilocos Sur, on a short stretch where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the vast, calm West Philippine Sea, I was on the wheels trying to rein in the incredible torque of the Dongfeng Aeolus Huge.
The road was narrow and busy that late Tuesday morning. I was the new guy in the bunch of motoring journalists trying out units in the Ilocandia heartland. Of course, I’d try to make a good impression with my driving.
But the Nanobox in front of me kept pulling away. Either the other driver was running fast, or I was too slow. The temptation was there to give chase – like in the movie The Italian Job — but like in the film, the street was too crowded. And I’m not Robert De Niro.
So, I just decided to drive on the speed I was comfortable with. Only pushing the pedal down when there was a big opening. No problem with Aeolus Huge, a hybrid SUV worth P1.888 million, which could glide effortlessly from listless pace to massive burst of acceleration.
Down the winding portion of the provincial road, its LKA or Lane-Keeping Assistance would tighten the wheel just enough for you to avoid swerving.
And it has regenerative braking system, meaning it recharges the batteries upon lifting your feet from the gas. You can change settings from the wide control panel up front, but I don’t have it in me to tinker the touch screen while on the fly.
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- FORTHING Friday by the Quirino Bridge spanning Abra River in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
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- MAJESTIC beasts in the truest sense of the word, Forthing Friday and Aeolus Huge beside a herd of grazing deers in Safari Hotel and Villas.
That’s why there was that very slight change in inertia when I took my foot off the pedal. Nothing too distracting, though.
Sunroof was perfect. Especially in such picturesque destination. Add the cellphone charging dock; arm rest that doubles as cooler; luxurious leather seats; and the spacious cabin that can fit seven.
And we haven’t talked about the exterior yet. It has an elegant, yet modern appeal highlighted by its imposing grille that speaks power and authority.
The Forthing Friday I was able to drive in a previous test-drive. In Vigan I handled it for a few minutes, navigating through the streets of the famed UNESCO historic city. It was a glaring anachronism. Sticking out like a sore thumb rolling onto the cobbled stones, through the Spanish-era neighborhood.
Friday’s 630-kilometer range variant has a price tag of P2.58 million and is full electric. It could reach Vigan from Manila in one charging cycle. It has breathtaking looks with futuristic-looking bonnet that would remind you of a Porsche Cayenne.
The response was real-time. Ideal for getting through rush-hour, tricycle-dominated traffic when we left Baluarte and Safari Hotel and Villas on our way to the plaza for a late afternoon empanada.
Nanobox, priced P888,000, would be great, too, in tight spaces. It could probably fit the parking space calesas in front of the Vigan Plaza Hotel.
And during that spurt I mentioned earlier on our way to Narvacan, Nanobox reached 85 kilometers per hour ever so smoothly. It has a maximum speed of 100 km/h. No bad for a compact, full electric vehicle.
That’s why I had a hard time catching up with it.
