Thrills and spills of the Thailand International Motor Expo 2015
10 Dec 2015|15,308 views
In Bangkok, spicy food and sizzling hot ladies are in abundance. But those aren't the only things that have been attractive in the land of smiles. Other than the 33 car brands from 11 countries, with four concept vehicles and more than 10 new model launches, the 32nd Thailand International Motor Expo 2015, held at the Impact Challenger Expo Hall, is an attraction of its own. Thanks to a layout that's easy to navigate and the clever use of space within the hall, it's never too difficult to get around.
Themed "New Standards… Thai Vehicles Care About The Earth", this year's expo is expected to fetch over 55 million baht of transactions from the projected sale of 50,000 units of vehicles from over 1.5 milion visitors.
We walk you through some of these vehicles at this year's show:
BMW X5 xDrive40eThis X5 is the first production plug-in hybrid SUV from the Bavarian marque. Permanent all-wheel drive and the BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology endow the BMW X5 xDrive40e that you see here with sensational sportiness and supreme poise on the one hand and outstanding efficiency on the other.
Sporting a total system output of 313bhp generated by a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a synchronous electric motor, the BMW X5 xDrive40e achieves a combined fuel consumption of some 3.3L/100km. Yet, the SUV is able to achieve a combined fuel consumption of 30.3km/L and CO2 emissions of 77g/km.
Like the BMW i3 and the BMW i8, owners can check on the vehicle's state of charge remotely via the BMW Remote app. In addition, the app can help to locate public charging stations or call up efficiency evaluations for the BMW X5 xDrive40e on a smartphone. The auxiliary heating and ventilation functions can also be activated remotely.
Chevrolet CaptivaWhile Chevy has been quiet on our shores, it's quite the contrary in Thailand. Hot on its heels is the facelifted Captiva, with a redesigned cabin and sheet metal that refreshes the model and brings it in line with the design cues of the current Chevrolet models.
Equipped with a 2.4-litre four-pot powerplant, the SUV is capable of the same output as its predecessor of 167bhp and 230Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (DSC).
What's different, though, is that the car now comes with a new Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, providing unsurpassed connectivity and plug-and-play convenience for smartphone users through the downloadable Apple CarPlay and Android Auto applications - enhancing its smartphone on wheels feature.
Ford RangerThis has to be our personal favourite of the show. Furnished with Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning System, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert System, etc., the 2016 Ford Ranger Wildtrak has been enhanced and modernised to keep up with its peers without losing its machismo appeal.
Sharing its underpinnings with the Ford Everest that was also showcased at the show, the Ranger features a class-leading ability to wade through water up to 800mm deep, and has 230mm of ground clearance - giving drivers the much needed confidence when taking on steep terrain.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is armed with a 3.2-litre five-cylinder TDCi diesel engine, allowing for an output of 197bhp and a generous 470Nm of torque. Maximising the efficiency of its engines, the new pickup truck is available with Automatic Start/Stop Technology, which saves fuel by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is idling, improving fuel economy by up to 3.5 percent.
Honda BR-VFirst, there's the CR-V SUV, then came the HR-V crossover. Now, the BR-V is here but it should never be confused with any of its elder and bigger siblings.
Made to fit seven, the BR-V is essentially a bulkier version of the Honda Mobilio and it measures 4,455mm long, 1,735mm wide and 1,650mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,660mm.
Powering the car is a 1.5-litre four-pot engine that produces 120bhp and 145Nm of twisting force. However, due to the lack of business case in Singapore, the car will not be coming to our shores.
Singaporeans, however, can expect other exciting Honda models such as the Honda Legend at the Singapore Motor Show that's happening in mid-January 2016.
Hyundai HED-9 Intrado ConceptThe Hyundai HED-9 Intrado shows the carmaker's optimistic vision of a future where mobility is more enjoyable and more relevant. Far more than a styling exercise, Intrado demonstrates Hyundai's belief that advanced vehicle technologies and intelligent design can combine to engage more effectively with driver and passengers.
The car's use of lightweight materials, radical construction methods and advanced powertrain raises efficiency, while the design focus inside and out is on meeting the needs of consumers with busy lifestyles.
The concept car is powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain that utilises a lithium-ion 36kW battery. Refueled in just a few minutes, the HED-9 Intrado has a range of more than 600km and emits only water.
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The expected high number of sales at this year's Thailand International Motor Expo can be due to the fact that the Government is implementing new transport regulations based on carbon emissions come January next year. As a result, a higher number of buyers are looking out for luxury cars at the expo to avoid higher taxation when the regulation kicks in.
Lexus GS300hSending a maximum output of 223bhp to the front wheels and mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) from a 2.5-litre direct-injection petrol engine with a high-output electric motor, the Lexus GS300h that you see here is capable of a nine-second century sprint while managing 21.3km/L on paper.
However, our market can expect the more powerful GS450h in the first quarter of next year, together with the GS turbocharged models. With a total system output of 338bhp from the 3.5-litre V6 powerplant, the car will finish the 100km/h sprint in a mighty 5.6 seconds.
Design wise, the car's spindle grille is now in line with the rest of the cars in its lineup - wider and more coherent - with an overall sheet metal that's simple and elegant.
Mazda CX-3This car is a beaut. On first glance, the CX-3 offers a design of the finest quality and style thanks to Mazda's KODO design language. Being the baby CX in Mazda's lineup has its advantages too.
Its compact dimensions of 4,275mm x 1,765mm x 1,550mm (L x W x H) should see to tighter handling capabilities compared to its bigger brethrens. Of course, that remains to be seen when it comes to Singapore in the third quarter of next year.
While the car you see has a 2.0-litre powerplant residing under the bonnet, Singapore will be expecting a 1.5-litre petrol variant. Pricing of the car is to be confirmed again.
MG CS ConceptThe cutting-edge MG CS concept car was first unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show.
Designed to slot into the compact SUV sector, the MG CS sports a pair of head lights that has a multi-faceted 'shard' structure, which refract light in different colours and shape from the side, but coalesce to form the iconic MG's trademark octagon from the front.
Should it go into production, it's likely the SUV will be offered with the 158bhp 1.8-litre petrol four-cylinder engine used in the MG6. Whether or not the car will come to Singapore despite the British marque having reported its comeback last June remains to be seen.
MINI ClubmanWith its humble 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, the Cooper will spin off 134bhp and 220Nm of torque. The more powerful Cooper S, on the other hand, will churn out 189 horses and 280Nm of twisting force from the 2.0-litre four-pot lump.
While performance figures are vastly different, the functional boot space of 496 litres remains the same for both cars.
In terms of its design, fats have been converted to muscles and the overall sheet metal has been modernised without losing its iconic and instantly recognisable look. We can expect to see both the Cooper Clubman and the Cooper S Clubman in Singapore on the 29th of January 2016.
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Admittedly, the expo may be a little more quiet than last year's but it did showcase more cars, which lifted the spirit of the entire experience. The fact that there were four additional concept cars on display enhanced this very positive vibe. There were the Hyundai HED-9 Intrado, the MG CS, the Subaru VIZIV 2 Concept and the Toyota FT-86 Open Concept.
Nissan X-Trail HybridAlthough the Singapore market will not be seeing this car, it deserves a mention thanks to the regular X-Trail's excellent performance when we reviewed it in December 2014.
Equipped with the 2.0-litre MR20DD hybrid engine that enables both driving and environmental performance, the X-Trail Hybrid is capable of 147bhp and 207Nm of torque from the word go. More relevantly, the clean and green Nissan achieves excellent fuel economy of 20.6km/L. While this figure should be taken with a pinch of salt, it remains to be an impressive figure considering its weight of over 1.6 tonnes.
The high-output lithium-ion battery is able to charge/discharge quickly. This contributes to high-speed, precise control of the electric motor and optimum clutch control, which both enable smooth start and quick shift changes. Also thanks to the battery's compactness, the hybrid X-Trail realises a luggage capacity of over 400 litres, which is very close to the regular X-Trail.
Subaru XVSubtle changes to the Subaru XV enhance the crossover's appeal both inside and out.
Featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer powerplant underneath the bonnet, the facelifted XV is capable of churning 150bhp and 196Nm of torque, translating to a century sprint timing of just 10.7 seconds. Needless to say, the combination of Subaru's all-wheel drive system and the lower centre of gravity should see to a more enjoyable drive compared to its predecessor.
Singaporeans can expect to see the car next January at the Singapore Motor Show 2016.
Suzuki CiazLaunched with the concept 'Upscale Your Smartness', the Suzuki Ciaz is an elegant-looking sedan that will go head to head with the Honda City, the Nissan Almera and the Toyota Vios. Whether it will rise to the top in this competitive segment remains to be seen when the sedan arrives in Singapore in the first quarter of 2016.
Fitted with a 1.4-litre powerplant for the Singapore market, the Ciaz is capable of 68bhp and 130Nm of torque. While figures are humble, the car boasts a generous boot space of 510 litres - ahead of its peers in its class.
Additionally, with a wheelbase of 2,650mm, the car should have no problem fitting five adults at the back.
Toyota FortunerArriving in the second quarter of next year, fans of the Toyota Fortuner will be happy to know that the beefcake of a car will be equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission - an improvement over the previous four-speed autobox.
It will feature the same 2.7-litre powerplant that is capable of whipping 156bhp and 241Nm of torque from the word go.
Pricing of the car will be confirmed again nearing the launch date.
In Bangkok, spicy food and sizzling hot ladies are in abundance. But those aren't the only things that have been attractive in the land of smiles. Other than the 33 car brands from 11 countries, with four concept vehicles and more than 10 new model launches, the 32nd Thailand International Motor Expo 2015, held at the Impact Challenger Expo Hall, is an attraction of its own. Thanks to a layout that's easy to navigate and the clever use of space within the hall, it's never too difficult to get around.
Themed "New Standards… Thai Vehicles Care About The Earth", this year's expo is expected to fetch over 55 million baht of transactions from the projected sale of 50,000 units of vehicles from over 1.5 milion visitors.
We walk you through some of these vehicles at this year's show:
BMW X5 xDrive40e
This X5 is the first production plug-in hybrid SUV from the Bavarian marque. Permanent all-wheel drive and the BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology endow the BMW X5 xDrive40e that you see here with sensational sportiness and supreme poise on the one hand and outstanding efficiency on the other.
Sporting a total system output of 313bhp generated by a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a synchronous electric motor, the BMW X5 xDrive40e achieves a combined fuel consumption of some 3.3L/100km. Yet, the SUV is able to achieve a combined fuel consumption of 30.3km/L and CO2 emissions of 77g/km.
Like the BMW i3 and the BMW i8, owners can check on the vehicle's state of charge remotely via the BMW Remote app. In addition, the app can help to locate public charging stations or call up efficiency evaluations for the BMW X5 xDrive40e on a smartphone. The auxiliary heating and ventilation functions can also be activated remotely.
Chevrolet Captiva
While Chevy has been quiet on our shores, it's quite the contrary in Thailand. Hot on its heels is the facelifted Captiva, with a redesigned cabin and sheet metal that refreshes the model and brings it in line with the design cues of the current Chevrolet models.
Equipped with a 2.4-litre four-pot powerplant, the SUV is capable of the same output as its predecessor of 167bhp and 230Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (DSC).
What's different, though, is that the car now comes with a new Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, providing unsurpassed connectivity and plug-and-play convenience for smartphone users through the downloadable Apple CarPlay and Android Auto applications - enhancing its smartphone on wheels feature.
Ford Ranger
This has to be our personal favourite of the show. Furnished with Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning System, Lane Keeping System, Driver Alert System, etc., the 2016 Ford Ranger Wildtrak has been enhanced and modernised to keep up with its peers without losing its machismo appeal.
Sharing its underpinnings with the Ford Everest that was also showcased at the show, the Ranger features a class-leading ability to wade through water up to 800mm deep, and has 230mm of ground clearance - giving drivers the much needed confidence when taking on steep terrain.
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is armed with a 3.2-litre five-cylinder TDCi diesel engine, allowing for an output of 197bhp and a generous 470Nm of torque. Maximising the efficiency of its engines, the new pickup truck is available with Automatic Start/Stop Technology, which saves fuel by shutting off the engine when the vehicle is idling, improving fuel economy by up to 3.5 percent.
Honda BR-V
First, there's the CR-V SUV, then came the HR-V crossover. Now, the BR-V is here but it should never be confused with any of its elder and bigger siblings.
Made to fit seven, the BR-V is essentially a bulkier version of the Honda Mobilio and it measures 4,455mm long, 1,735mm wide and 1,650mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,660mm.
Powering the car is a 1.5-litre four-pot engine that produces 120bhp and 145Nm of twisting force. However, due to the lack of business case in Singapore, the car will not be coming to our shores.
Singaporeans, however, can expect other exciting Honda models such as the Honda Legend at the Singapore Motor Show that's happening in mid-January 2016.
Hyundai HED-9 Intrado Concept
The Hyundai HED-9 Intrado shows the carmaker's optimistic vision of a future where mobility is more enjoyable and more relevant. Far more than a styling exercise, Intrado demonstrates Hyundai's belief that advanced vehicle technologies and intelligent design can combine to engage more effectively with driver and passengers.
The car's use of lightweight materials, radical construction methods and advanced powertrain raises efficiency, while the design focus inside and out is on meeting the needs of consumers with busy lifestyles.
The concept car is powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain that utilises a lithium-ion 36kW battery. Refueled in just a few minutes, the HED-9 Intrado has a range of more than 600km and emits only water.
Lexus GS300hSending a maximum output of 223bhp to the front wheels and mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) from a 2.5-litre direct-injection petrol engine with a high-output electric motor, the Lexus GS300h that you see here is capable of a nine-second century sprint while managing 21.3km/L on paper.
However, our market can expect the more powerful GS450h in the first quarter of next year, together with the GS turbocharged models. With a total system output of 338bhp from the 3.5-litre V6 powerplant, the car will finish the 100km/h sprint in a mighty 5.6 seconds.
Design wise, the car's spindle grille is now in line with the rest of the cars in its lineup - wider and more coherent - with an overall sheet metal that's simple and elegant.
Mazda CX-3
This car is a beaut. On first glance, the CX-3 offers a design of the finest quality and style thanks to Mazda's KODO design language. Being the baby CX in Mazda's lineup has its advantages too.
Its compact dimensions of 4,275mm x 1,765mm x 1,550mm (L x W x H) should see to tighter handling capabilities compared to its bigger brethrens. Of course, that remains to be seen when it comes to Singapore in the third quarter of next year.
While the car you see has a 2.0-litre powerplant residing under the bonnet, Singapore will be expecting a 1.5-litre petrol variant. Pricing of the car is to be confirmed again.
MG CS Concept
The cutting-edge MG CS concept car was first unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show.
Designed to slot into the compact SUV sector, the MG CS sports a pair of head lights that has a multi-faceted 'shard' structure, which refract light in different colours and shape from the side, but coalesce to form the iconic MG's trademark octagon from the front.
Should it go into production, it's likely the SUV will be offered with the 158bhp 1.8-litre petrol four-cylinder engine used in the MG6. Whether or not the car will come to Singapore despite the British marque having reported its comeback last June remains to be seen.
MINI Clubman
With its humble 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, the Cooper will spin off 134bhp and 220Nm of torque. The more powerful Cooper S, on the other hand, will churn out 189 horses and 280Nm of twisting force from the 2.0-litre four-pot lump.
While performance figures are vastly different, the functional boot space of 496 litres remains the same for both cars.
In terms of its design, fats have been converted to muscles and the overall sheet metal has been modernised without losing its iconic and instantly recognisable look. We can expect to see both the Cooper Clubman and the Cooper S Clubman in Singapore on the 29th of January 2016.
Nissan X-Trail HybridAlthough the Singapore market will not be seeing this car, it deserves a mention thanks to the regular X-Trail's excellent performance when we reviewed it in December 2014.
Equipped with the 2.0-litre MR20DD hybrid engine that enables both driving and environmental performance, the X-Trail Hybrid is capable of 147bhp and 207Nm of torque from the word go. More relevantly, the clean and green Nissan achieves excellent fuel economy of 20.6km/L. While this figure should be taken with a pinch of salt, it remains to be an impressive figure considering its weight of over 1.6 tonnes.
The high-output lithium-ion battery is able to charge/discharge quickly. This contributes to high-speed, precise control of the electric motor and optimum clutch control, which both enable smooth start and quick shift changes. Also thanks to the battery's compactness, the hybrid X-Trail realises a luggage capacity of over 400 litres, which is very close to the regular X-Trail.
Subaru XV
Subtle changes to the Subaru XV enhance the crossover's appeal both inside and out.
Featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Boxer powerplant underneath the bonnet, the facelifted XV is capable of churning 150bhp and 196Nm of torque, translating to a century sprint timing of just 10.7 seconds. Needless to say, the combination of Subaru's all-wheel drive system and the lower centre of gravity should see to a more enjoyable drive compared to its predecessor.
Singaporeans can expect to see the car next January at the Singapore Motor Show 2016.
Suzuki Ciaz
Launched with the concept 'Upscale Your Smartness', the Suzuki Ciaz is an elegant-looking sedan that will go head to head with the Honda City, the Nissan Almera and the Toyota Vios. Whether it will rise to the top in this competitive segment remains to be seen when the sedan arrives in Singapore in the first quarter of 2016.
Fitted with a 1.4-litre powerplant for the Singapore market, the Ciaz is capable of 68bhp and 130Nm of torque. While figures are humble, the car boasts a generous boot space of 510 litres - ahead of its peers in its class.
Additionally, with a wheelbase of 2,650mm, the car should have no problem fitting five adults at the back.
Toyota Fortuner
Arriving in the second quarter of next year, fans of the Toyota Fortuner will be happy to know that the beefcake of a car will be equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission - an improvement over the previous four-speed autobox.
It will feature the same 2.7-litre powerplant that is capable of whipping 156bhp and 241Nm of torque from the word go.
Pricing of the car will be confirmed again nearing the launch date.
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