Category: Auto

The 10th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) is gearing up to be a landmark event for local automotive enthusiasts, with an increasing focus on sustainable mobility and off-road capability. Taking center stage from June 4 to 7, 2026, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is set to wow crowds with a trio of highly anticipated models: the all-new Land Cruiser FJ, the Hilux BEV, and the Land Cruiser 300 HEV.

This year, Toyota’s showcase perfectly balances its legendary 4×4 heritage with its commitment to an electrified future. Here is a closer look at the two models stealing the spotlight.

The All-New Land Cruiser FJ: “Freedom & Joy”

For fans of the iconic Land Cruiser nameplate who want something more accessible and city-friendly without sacrificing trail readiness, the new Land Cruiser FJ is the answer.

Standing for “Freedom & Joy,” the LC FJ packages Toyota’s proven off-road pedigree into a more compact footprint. Instead of an electrified powertrain, the FJ sticks to its rugged roots with a traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).

While it may be smaller than its LC300 sibling, it is built for serious utility. The FJ comes equipped with standard off-road hardware including a Differential Lock, an Auto Limited Slip Differential, and a 2nd Start Mode. It also features a Panoramic View Monitor to help drivers navigate tight urban streets and rocky trails with equal confidence.

The Hilux BEV: An Electric Workhorse

Toyota is also bringing battery-electric power to one of its best-selling and most durable vehicles: the Hilux. Marking the local debut of an electric 4×4 pickup, the Hilux BEV represents a massive step toward sustainable utility.

Guided by Toyota’s “Tough and Agile” design philosophy, the Hilux BEV sports a much more dynamic and sophisticated front fascia, which the brand calls a “Cyber-Sumo” aesthetic.

Underneath the futuristic exterior, it retains the “invincible spirit” of durability and performance that the Hilux is famous for. The BEV variant features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) system pumping out 193 horsepower, powered by a 59.2 kWh battery capable of an estimated 240 kilometers of range. Interestingly, Toyota is also updating the diesel variants of the Hilux to adopt this bold new design language.

A Hybrid Flagship: The Land Cruiser 300 HEV

Rounding out Toyota’s PIMS 2026 lineup is the Land Cruiser 300 HEV. Toyota’s flagship SUV finally receives a practical hybrid system mated to its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. This hybrid variant also introduces electronic power steering for a smoother driving experience and features an exclusive Aero body kit with Jet Black Garnish to distinguish it from the purely ICE models.

Catch Them in the Metal

Attendees can view all three vehicles at the Toyota Choice Booth during the 10th PIMS. If you are already sold, Toyota has confirmed that reservations for the Land Cruiser FJ and the Hilux BEV are available online, while the LC300 HEV can be reserved through authorized Toyota dealerships nationwide.

From the Touge to the Circuit: The Unstoppable Evolution of Manabu “Max” Orido

Mark your calendars, Manila. Clear your schedules and get your gear ready, because the legend is landing. On June 17, 2026, Manabu “Max” Orido is pulling up to the Auto Complex, and we at Two and Four are practically vibrating with excitement.

For the local JDM community, this isn’t just another celebrity driver appearance—this is a pilgrimage. Max Orido is automotive royalty. We are talking about the grassroots prodigy who conquered both the underground midnight runs and the absolute pinnacle of professional motorsport.

Forged on the Mountain

There are racing drivers who are forged in the sterile, high-budget environments of karting academies and factory simulators, and then there is Orido. He didn’t start with telemetry data or millionaire sponsors. He cut his teeth in the dead of night on the unforgiving mountain passes—the touge—of Chiba, Japan. Back in an era where street racing was about pure survival and earning respect the hard way, Orido learned vehicle dynamics by pitching cars completely sideways toward concrete barriers. He developed a preternatural sense of balance and car control that didn’t just earn him street cred; it made him a global household name.

His defining breakthrough arrived in 1990. Entering a drift contest organized by CARBOY magazine and sponsored by the Bandoh Chain of Commerce, Orido took the grand championship. That victory wasn’t just a shiny trophy for the shelf; it was his golden ticket out of the underground and straight into the professional paddock.

Conquering the Grip World

While many drift kings stay comfortably within the realm of oversteer, Orido proved his raw, untamed talent translated flawlessly to grip racing. He debuted in the Japanese Grand Touring Championship (JGTC) and immediately silenced any purists who viewed him as “just a street racer.”

In 1997, driving a Nissan Silvia for Racing Project Bandoh, he captured his first GT300 class championship. To prove it was absolutely no fluke, he secured a second GT300 title in 2009, this time piloting a Lexus IS350. His relentless adaptability even took him to the ultimate endurance stage in 2004, where he made his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, securing an incredible second-place finish in the GT class.

The Architect of Modern Drifting

Despite all the grip racing glory, the man never abandoned his roots. When the D1 Grand Prix was inaugurated in 2000, formalizing drifting into a legitimate professional motorsport, Orido was right there sitting alongside Keiichi Tsuchiya as a founding judge. He helped shape the rules, the culture, and the sky-high standards of modern drifting we obsess over today.

But sitting behind a judging desk wasn’t enough for a driver with gasoline in his veins. In 2005, he famously stepped down to get back behind the wheel as a competitor, eventually campaigning a raucous, ear-splitting V8-powered Toyota 86 that became an absolute crowd favorite and solidified his reputation as the ultimate showman.

The Legacy Continues

Today, Orido is so much more than a driver; he is a global ambassador for Japanese car culture. Through his legendary shop, MAX ORIDO Racing in Yokohama, and his investments in high-end sim racing facilities, he is still out there pushing the boundaries of automotive performance and driver training.

His visit to the Auto Complex this June isn’t just a celebrity appearance—it is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Filipino enthusiasts to connect with a living legend. He is the ultimate proof that with enough raw talent, pure passion, and relentless tenacity, the streets can lead straight to the podium.

We at Two and Four will be right there in the crowd, screaming just as loud as the rest of you. See you at the Auto Complex!