Nature of Forces

There’s one big fact in the world of automotive journalism: all of us look like Tom Cruise. Of course, we’d blend in perfectly well scaling the mountains and looking cool in a pair of twelve-thousand-peso Oakleys. Ha! If only God would be so kind. In truth, though we bear a passing resemblance to the man, we’re not as physically fit. The mere fact of doing a crunch sends chills down our spines—that is, unless it’s a Nestle Crunch bar.

Our definition of THE perfect day would actually shame even the imagination of P. Diddy: being chauffeured around in the latest luxo-pimp mobile throwing a wad full of cash on women, some bling-bling and booze. Dream on…in reality, picture us this way: sweating it out figuring out how to drive a beaten up manual econobox with a nearly empty fuel tank. Motoring journalists live a sad and lonely life. And we do what we do because we have to feed our souls as well as our stomachs.

Always keen to show us a good time and a way to recharge our minds and bodies, Isuzu Philippines Corporation invited us over for the Isuzu Challenge last 28 September 2002. Upon reading the “mission brief”, we immediately had our doubts: in a day’s worth of activities, we’d be doing more physical stuff than we have during the past ten years. Excuses came easy: kayaking is dangerous…may we go for competitive drinking instead? After some brain-busting thoughts, we decided to give it a go—maybe the girls will go wild over our overly developed physiques.

The Isuzu Challenge is actually a combination of two formerly separate events designed to test both man and machine. Throughout the day, participants and their Isuzu vehicles would be subjected to grueling activities such as an Eco-Drive, Mountain Biking, Jet-Skiing, Beach Volleyball, Flag Capture and Sea Kayaking.

Not bad—on paper. Now, imagine all of these activities compacted into a single day. Hmm… it doesn’t look too appetizing, doesn’t it?

The orientation itself was held a week before the actual event, at Isuzu Alabang. In the course of the afternoon, the talks were focused on the first leg of the Challenge: the Eco-Drive. The theme was monotonous with how to’s: driving a diesel, conserving fuel, and so forth.

On the day of the Challenge, as early as five a.m., ‘early-birds’ were already waiting in front of Isuzu Alabang . Everyone was raring to go. Nature cooperated well: it was cool, thanks to a slight shower that happened a few hours earlier, and vehicular traffic wasn’t bad. All of these would work in favor for the Challenge participants.

After a hearty breakfast, participants prepped their respective vehicles. After topping off with Caltex diesel fuel, dozens of Isuzu Fuegos, Crosswinds, XUVs and Troopers were all lining up to inflate tires to 40 to 44 psi (figures which are at least 6 psi higher than the recommended tire pressure); folding the side view mirrors and other drag-creating devices; removing excess weight such as toolkits, VCD systems and even extra underwear!

Some of us drove the personal vehicles of the folks from Isuzu. Though we didn’t have the luxury of meeting our Crosswind XTO’s owner, once we stepped inside, we immediately knew that this belonged to a person who enjoys paradoxes. For such a fuel miser 2.5-liter turbo diesel, our vehicle came with every conceivable weight-gaining, drag-inducing accessory available to man: side step bars, bull bars, hood scoops, wood trim, Necrox LCD monitor—even white-out tail lamps were thrown in for good measure. So much for trying to make it lightweight, we thought.

Moreover, of all the possible permutations available in the decimal system, we just had to end up with the luckiest number of all: vehicle number 13. Not to worry though, always present in true-blue Filipino fashion was Jesus Christ who was present in at least three places: the instrument panel, the center console and dangling from the rearview mirror. Of course, we thought that with His presence, we would be assured of safe travel and assured victory.

After last minute scrutinizing and checking, we flagged off. The acceleration-challenged Crosswind XTO pushed through the course slowly, but surely. Though we wanted to test the creature comforts of the vehicle, we couldn’t, as we wanted to conserve as much fuel as possible. All the way, we had to fight with the artificial intelligence called ‘automatic transmission’. The four-speed box seemed to have taken a liking to third gear, when all we wanted was a cruise in fourth.

We had to trundle along, even though our gearbox had a mind of its own. We looked for ways to cut our drag. Our solution came in an unlikely form: staying behind all sorts of tall trucks and buses, so that we could slip-stream behind them ala Indianapolis 500. At the end of the day, we ended up testing the XTO’s double wishbone / semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension—not in the usual AUV sort of way. In order not to reduce our speed, we tried to straight-line every kind of curve and bump. In the end, we even had test the Crosswind’s three-wheel adhesion as we went too fast in a corner that was too tight—tire smoke and screech were all accounted for.

Reaching the designated finish line at Caltex Nasugbu, Batangas, we had our fuel mileage measured and recorded. After driving nearly three hours without airconditioning, and trying to run at 1,500 rpm, we managed to consume 4.5 liters of diesel. That translated itself to 19.44 kilometers per liter—a good and commendable fuel-sipping figure—or so we thought.

As we watched in horror, our so-called good mileage figure was shattered by journalists and owners alike. For example, in our category, the formidable duo of Vernon B. Sarne (Rev Magazine) and Jeff Reyes managed to sip just 3.4 liters, translating to a figure of 26.01 kilometers per liter. James Deakin and Tito Hermoso, both from C! Magazine, who were ill that day, managed to go through the distance eating up just 4.4 liters—and they had air conditioning on the entire time!

Though we didn’t win the Isuzu Challenge, we did learn some lessons, especially in the area of doing an economy run using a diesel engine coupled with an automatic transmission. For the motioncars team, who are more familiar with gasoline-powered vehicles, the vehicle Eco-Challenged proved to be a very tough adjustment process indeed. With the help of activities such as these, Isuzu gave owners a chance to test the capabilities of their vehicles, and that in itself makes this entire event a winner.

Editor’s note: the rest of the day was filled with other activities, which are best experienced rather than read about. The Team Black (including the motioncars.com duo) tried their best, but unfortunately, were defeated in all the events except the Flag Capture, where a food-coloring-free Jason Ang saved the day.

A Very Sad Story
Courtesy of Isuzu Philippines Corporation

If you drive an average of 200 kilometers a day, and your average fuel consumption is 10 km/L, this means that you: use 20 liters a day, or 100 liters a week or 400 liters a month.

If a liter costs 12 pesos, this means that you spend 240 pesos a day, 1,200 pesos in a week or 4,800 pesos in a month!

So, if you are earning 20,000 pesos a month, and after taxes you’re down to 17,000, then you’re actually spending a third of your salary on fuel alone.

And this is for diesel. Imagine if it is for gasoline.

Here are some Isuzu tips and tricks for increased fuel mileage for your diesel-powered car:

Get your vehicle specifications right
Ensure proper vehicle maintenance
Take time to clean your own vehicle

Idling in stationary while warming up wastes fuel
Sign says “Baby on Board”*
Undue braking wastes fuel
Zero drag is most ideal
Unlearn wrong teaching from some driving schools **

Never overload, this consuming more fuel
Operate only on right gear
Watch out for traffic jams and unpaved roads

* – according to the Isuzu manual, always drive as if you have a sleeping baby as a passenger. Smooth acceleration and stopping minimizes fuel consumption and lessen vehicle stress. Use inertia as an added fuel to reduce your diesel consumption.

** – again, based on their manual: “half clutch, full clutch. Clutch brake and hanging. These terms heard in driving schools teach a young student how to drive. But these thing snot only increase fuel consumption, but increase the wear and tear of the clutch lining. So to drive more efficiently, use the clutch only when changing gears, slowing down and when the vehicle is about to stall.

Bewitching White Cove
Courtesy of White Cove Beach & Resort

Spread over 16 hectares of gently rolling hills, verdant trees, and a long stretch of secluded white sand beach, White Cove is being developed by UCPB into an upscale vacation community and a world-class destination for high-end local and foreign tourists.

UCPB acquired the property in settlement of a loan. It is one of several prime real estates that the bank has acquired and which its Asset Management Group is redeveloping as part of the bank’s thrust to turn acquired assets into revenue earners.

White Cove is located in Nasugbu, Batangas, about 102 kilometers south of Manila. It is very accessible. You can either go via the South Luzon Expressway, turning right at the Sta. Rosa exit or take the Coastal Road to Aguinaldo Highway and onto Tagaytay City. From Tagaytay City, White Cove is merely a 30-minute drive over well-paved roads.

White Cove has a residential condominium units and a hotel. Ten condominium units are already available for sale. The units are air-conditioned and furnished; all offer a spectacular view of the beach and the sea.

The hotel is currently being renovated. It will eventually feature a banquet hall and convention center, a coffee shop, an open-air restaurant, a fine dining area that can seat 200 people and a 1,500-square meter “infinity” pool.

The hotel is envisioned to cater to both local and international leisure and convention markets. Visitors are expected to be couples or families on vacation, convention and conference participants, special tour groups and wedding parties.

White Cove will be offered as one of the stops in short-haul multi-destination tour programs originating from Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia.

For inquiries on the condominium units, please call Ms. Carina C. Uy of the UCPB Asset Management Group at (632) 811-9466; you may also send your inquiries via email to [email protected].

For reservations to White Cove Beach & Resort, you may contact the resort through the following means:

Telephone (6343) 931-3554
Address Far East Road, Piloto Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas.

By Ulysses Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang and Jason Ang
Originally Published in the December 2002 Issue