Isuzu’s Alterra, Crosswind People’s Choice winners

BALMADRID shows off the Best Large SUV award for the Alterra from 2012-2013 Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards

The updated Isuzu Alterra SUV as well as Crosswind AUV were voted among this year’s winners of the recently concluded Auto Focus People’s Choice Awards.

The 2013 Alterra Urban Cruiser X was voted this year’s Best Large SUV while the 2013 Crosswind Sportivo X was inducted to the Hall of Fame for collecting more than five awards. The AUV was also cited for having the Best On-board Entertainment System among the competing AUVs in the awards’ Media’s Choice category.

The winners of the annual awards are determined by a nationwide public poll including the motoring public and members of the automotive media.

This year voting included 147 different models.

Unit sales

“Now on its eighth year, the awards for the first time incorporated unit sales as a factor in the vehicles’ selection process, carrying 60 percent of the overall result. Meanwhile, the votes garnered during a three-month online poll on Facebook made up 40 percent of the final score,” informed Isuzu PHilippines Corp. SVP Arthur Balmadrid who received the award held at Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City.

The latest edition of the Alterra Urban Cruiser X is Isuzu’s flagship model and features black leather seats and trim cabin materials, smoked headlamps and taillights, a new rugged front chin spoiler, European-inspired rear chin spoiler, high-mount LED stop lamps with clear lens, and a navigation-ready Kenwood multimedia entertainment system equipped with true-surround Kenwood speakers and high-definition headrest-mounted LCD monitors.

The Kenwood system features a built-in 7-inch wide touch panel monitor, an iPod direct connector, integrated Bluetooth connectivity, MPEG capability, an SD card reader as well as 240-Watt front speakers with additional tweeters and the 280-Watt rear speakers.

The SUV is still powered by Isuzu’s reliable and Euro 3-compliant 3.0-liter turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine.

The latest edition of the Crosswind Sportivo X on the other hand, is equipped with 15-inch performance alloy wheels, fog lamps, chrome-plated power side-view mirrors with integrated LED turn signal lamps, a state-of-the-art entertainment system, roof rails, a rear spoiler, a shark fin antenna and a sporty spare tire cover.

The AUV is still powered by a Euro 2-compliant 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine.

Conquering Mayon

Balmadrid was elated to report that the freshly awarded  Alterra Urban Cruiser X was recently featured in a drive event around Mt. Mayon in Albay.

“The fact that we visited several Albay landmarks like the Padang Cross, St. John The Baptist Church in Tabaco, Pottery House in Tiwi, Tiwi-Sangay Road, Mayon Rest House and, of course, the famed Cagsawa Ruins proved the mettle of the SUV in dealing with long drives and various road condition,” Balmadrid said.

Balmadrid added that with the updated Alterra Urban Cruiser X’s new range of equipment, the SUV becomes an excellent choice for young professionals and entrepreneurs who are seeking for a spacious, luxurious and superior ride.

Sophisticated

“Because of its sophisticated looks and features, the 2013 Alterra Urban Cruiser X will surely appeal to young executives who lead dynamic and active lifestyles,” said IPC president Ryoji Yamazaki. “The fact that this premium SUV is highly capable of taking on the urban jungle as much as it could the scenic countryside makes it quite ideal for people who are always on the go.”

The Mt. Mayon trip is part of IPC’s On Journeys That Matter campaign in partnership with Caltex Diesel with Techron D and sports and lifestyle brand Reebok.

Yamazaki informed that the 2013 Alterra Urban Cruiser X is available in four-wheel drive variant that features four-speed automatic transmission as well as rear-wheel drive variants also mated to either a four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed manual transmission.

Available in Starry Black, Mineral Gray or Silky Pearl White colors (with optional pearl finish), the manual 4×2 variants are priced P1.528 million (monotone) and P1.540 million (pearl option). The automatic 4×2 variants on the other hand, are priced P1.585 million (monotone) and P1.595 million (pearl option). The automatic 4×4 variants are priced P1.718 million (monotone) and P1.728 million (pearl option).

The 2013 Alterra Urban Cruiser X is available at all IPC dealerships nationwide (for more information, log on to www.isuzuphil.com).