Omoda and Jaecoo Philippines invited members of the motoring media to test their vehicles at Batangas Racing Circuit. The tests involved hard braking, slaloms, and off-roading, pushing the limits of the cars and the drivers. This article details the author's experience as a new journalist, navigating the challenges and triumphs of testing these vehicles.
Omoda and Jaecoo Philippines (OJP) recently invited several members of the motoring media to test out its lineup around the Batangas Racing Circuit . Laps around the track were a given, but the day also included a few driving test s to really get a feel of each vehicle. These tests included hard-braking courses and slaloms that all started with the driving instructors saying, “floor it.
” We were meant to push these cars to their (reasonable) limits, to verify their conditioning for day-to-day driving and in emergency situations. But I must confess, as a newbie in this industry, OJP ended up putting me through the wringer. \I joined Top Gear Philippines in October 2024, and these past four months have been a wild ride, to say the least. On my third week on the job, I plunged into the hectic media room of the Philippine International Motor Show, and then a couple of weeks later I was off to China for another assignment. However, those assignments never had me behind the wheel. I was truly excited for OJP’s track day as then I could finally have my own driving experiences to share with my fellow journalists. While these cars needed to go through the trials and opinions of the Philippine media, I also felt like this was my rite of passage to be an active part of the industry. That excitement then turned to fear and nervousness as I put on my helmet, and strapped into the driver’s seat of an Omoda C5. I was nervous about making a fool of myself in front of the editors and seasoned journalists who were also present. And, I was obviously mortified about the possibility of wrecking the car. \The first test had me drive up to about 50-70kph, and quickly slam on the brakes to engage the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB)—immediately, it felt unnatural. The tracks were wet from the morning rains which made things feel more slippery and loose. To my driving instructor, that made the test more exciting, but for me it was more daunting. On my first couple of tries, I couldn’t bring myself to get up to the right speed and hit the brakes at the hardest pressure. I was scared of possibly snapping the car’s brakes, or tearing a tire. “Any good owner wouldn’t stress-test their new purchase,” I thought to myself. The instructor reassured me that it it’s an ‘icky’ feeling, but a necessary one as these tests are important for cars that are in the public market. What comes out of these is integral to the safety and purchasing decisions of interested car buyers. I breathed in, and on the advice of my instructor, I floored it. Its 230Nm of torque launched me, and at a little over 70kph, I finally floored the brakes. The hazard lights fired away, the car jerked as the AEB kicked in, and then came to a full stop—all in a matter of seconds. I breathed out with relief, feeling as if I evaded an actual emergency. After that, I went for a few more rounds, feeling that sense of relief over and over again. The Omoda C5 passed my test, and I think I passed its test, too. \The slalom test was the one I feared the most. Slinging and sloshing around some cones at a high speed had my hands sweating more than usual. The Omoda E5, the C5’s electric counterpart, was up and so was I. Thankfully, the instructor was gracious enough to let me do a slow round first around the course to get familiar, but ultimately those frightful two words were uttered—“floor it.” And floor it, I did. Omoda’s electric crossover handled just like its ICE sibling. It was oddly reassuring as it twisted and turned around the track. Maneuvering was on point, adding another layer of reassurance to its overall drive. There isn’t a big learning curve to Omoda’s models, which made my job a lot easier. The Omoda’s quickness and ease of use allowed me to focus on the task at hand as there weren’t any kinks to its driving experience. \Now, the Jaecoo EJ6 had said big learning curve I was willing to climb. Jaecoo’s electric off-roader took us to the muddy slopes just outside of the racing circuit. It was my first time reverse-steering outside of video games, as I slid around the mud trying to get a hold of the car. However, with a few clicks on the knob on the center console, I switched to the ‘Muddy’ driving mode. I could feel the rear motors tense up, as the car’s traction control stiffened and the front motor confidently took us through the mud. It was serious business. But the EJ6 has a funny sound effect when the EV goes into Muddy—like a squishy sound of tires running over a mud cake. So maybe it wasn’t that serious.
Omoda Jaecoo Philippines Motoring Media Driving Test Batangas Racing Circuit Automatic Emergency Brake Electric Vehicle Off-Road New Journalist Automotive Industry
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philippines Tourism Promotes 'Love the Philippines' Campaign Despite Budget CutsDespite a reduced budget for branding and marketing, the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to promote the country abroad through various media channels, including television, billboards, and social media. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco highlighted the ongoing 'Love the Philippines' campaign, which has reached key markets worldwide. While acknowledging the challenges posed by the budget cuts, Frasco emphasized the DOT's efforts to address power supply issues on Siargao Island and promote sustainable tourism development.
Read more »
Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. Rebrands as Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines Inc.Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. officially rebrands as Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines Inc. (CCEAP) to reflect the Aboitiz Group's strategic investment and partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). The rebranding signifies a commitment to a sustainable future and long-term growth for the Philippines.
Read more »
Isuzu Philippines Celebrates 25 Years as the Philippines' Top Truck BrandIsuzu Philippines (IPC) has achieved a remarkable milestone, celebrating 25 consecutive years as the leading truck brand in the Philippines. The Japanese automaker has solidified its position through a combination of Japanese engineering expertise and an in-depth understanding of the local market's needs.
Read more »
French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to visit PH in FebMANILA, Philippines — The French Navy aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escorts are visiting the Philippines in February, signaling the growing maritime security relations between France and the Philippines.
Read more »
Philippines and US Reiterate Commitment to Deterrence in South China Sea Amidst Chinese Vessel ActivityRecent reports of Chinese vessels encroaching on the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have prompted a strong response from the US and the Philippines. The defense chiefs of both nations recently held a significant discussion emphasizing the need to reestablish deterrence in the South China Sea. This comes amidst ongoing joint patrols conducted by the Philippines and the US within the Philippines' EEZ, as well as US 'freedom of navigation' patrols in the disputed waters.
Read more »
GAC Motor Philippines Soars in 2024 with GS3 Emzoom Leading the WayGAC Motor Philippines (GMP) achieved significant success in 2024, spearheaded by the popularity of its crossover, the GAC GS3 Emzoom. The GS3 Emzoom alone accounted for 65% of GMP's total sales, demonstrating its strong performance in a competitive market segment. GMP continued to capitalize on this momentum in 2025 with the release of the GAC GS3 Emzoom R-Style Black Edition and attractive discounts on the Emzoom R-Style lineup. The brand also catered to the demand for versatile vehicles with the GAC M6 Pro and M8, expanding its offerings to meet Filipino customer needs. GMP is further strengthening its presence by expanding its dealer network.
Read more »