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.