Being at foreign motor shows and expos is always an eye-opener because we get to check out the many makes and models not available in Singapore, and also the tuners, who create monstrous builds out of everyday econoboxes.
This week, we visited one of our favourites, the 33rd Thailand International Motor Expo 2016, held under the concept of 'Connect the World … Connect People: Smart Vehicles'. For those of you who haven't heard of this event, the 33rd Motor Expo provides a stimulus to the year-end market for the Land of Smiles. The public is invited to see concept cars, buy new cars and bikes with, of course, special promotions. Having seen its many interesting cars, Editor Julian and I sat down over a comforting cup of Thai Iced Tea and decided on five cars, which we wish were available in Singapore.
Ford Everest
The Ford Everest is a seven-seater Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), which won the title of Thailand's 2015 Car of the Year. The top-of-the-range Everest is powered by a 3.2-litre TDCi turbodiesel engine, delivering 197bhp and 470Nm of peak torque. Its cabin is also a refined and comfortable space to be in, important if you're constantly caught in Bangkok's jams.
The Everest is as clever as it is capable thanks to numerous driver assistance features. In Singapore, the Everest would do battle with the Toyota Fortuner, if the latter came in diesel variant.
The Ford Everest is a seven-seater Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), which won the title of Thailand's 2015 Car of the Year. The top-of-the-range Everest is powered by a 3.2-litre TDCi turbodiesel engine, delivering 197bhp and 470Nm of peak torque. Its cabin is also a refined and comfortable space to be in, important if you're constantly caught in Bangkok's jams.
The Everest is as clever as it is capable thanks to numerous driver assistance features. In Singapore, the Everest would do battle with the Toyota Fortuner, if the latter came in diesel variant.
Honda BR-V
The Honda BR-V is a compact SUV manufactured by Honda since 2015. It shares its platform with the Mobilio, and sits below the HR-V. Compacts like the BR-V are all the rage in Singapore but sadly, this car is only sold in Indonesia, Thailand, and India.
This car serves as Honda's answer to rising customer demands and needs for an affordable SUV, which rides higher, wears a modern face and is capable of seating up to seven. It comes with standard roof rails, front projector head lights, rear LED taillights and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The Honda BR-V is a compact SUV manufactured by Honda since 2015. It shares its platform with the Mobilio, and sits below the HR-V. Compacts like the BR-V are all the rage in Singapore but sadly, this car is only sold in Indonesia, Thailand, and India.
This car serves as Honda's answer to rising customer demands and needs for an affordable SUV, which rides higher, wears a modern face and is capable of seating up to seven. It comes with standard roof rails, front projector head lights, rear LED taillights and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Honda Brio
My favourite of the lot is probably the Brio, a small city car produced by Honda since 2011 and sold in India, Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Brio prototype was first shown at the 2010 Thailand International Motor Show. It's developed to position in a class below the Jazz and like the Jazz, is a sweetheart for tuners wherever it's sold. If we ever had the chance of owning one, we'd have one in 98.6bhp, 1.3-litre iVTEC, five-speed manual trim.
My favourite of the lot is probably the Brio, a small city car produced by Honda since 2011 and sold in India, Thailand, South Africa, Indonesia and the Philippines.
The Brio prototype was first shown at the 2010 Thailand International Motor Show. It's developed to position in a class below the Jazz and like the Jazz, is a sweetheart for tuners wherever it's sold. If we ever had the chance of owning one, we'd have one in 98.6bhp, 1.3-litre iVTEC, five-speed manual trim.
Suzuki Ertiga
New to Thailand is the Suzuki Ertiga, a seven-seater compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) developed by the Japanese manufacturer and its Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki.
Suzuki Motor Thailand claims the Ertiga to be the ultimate MPV due the car’s comfortable cabin and sporty styling. The Thai Ertiga, in GX trim, comes standard with dual front SRS airbags, a TECT body designed from lightweight steel for strength and durability and a reverse parking sensor. In Singapore, it would see the Honda Mobilio and Toyota Sienta as rivals.
New to Thailand is the Suzuki Ertiga, a seven-seater compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) developed by the Japanese manufacturer and its Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki.
Suzuki Motor Thailand claims the Ertiga to be the ultimate MPV due the car’s comfortable cabin and sporty styling. The Thai Ertiga, in GX trim, comes standard with dual front SRS airbags, a TECT body designed from lightweight steel for strength and durability and a reverse parking sensor. In Singapore, it would see the Honda Mobilio and Toyota Sienta as rivals.
Toyota Yaris
Julian's pick of the crop is the Toyota Yaris, a compact hatchback, which needs no introduction since the second generation model was available in Singapore.
In Thailand, this third generation Yaris was released in 2013, powered by a 1.2-litre engine, granting the Yaris as part of the country's 'eco-car' program. The variant here is the TRD Sportivo. The Yaris got its name from 'Charis', the singular form of Charites, the Greek goddesses of charm and beauty.
Julian's pick of the crop is the Toyota Yaris, a compact hatchback, which needs no introduction since the second generation model was available in Singapore.
In Thailand, this third generation Yaris was released in 2013, powered by a 1.2-litre engine, granting the Yaris as part of the country's 'eco-car' program. The variant here is the TRD Sportivo. The Yaris got its name from 'Charis', the singular form of Charites, the Greek goddesses of charm and beauty.
