BANGKOK: This year’s 44th Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) was off to a great amount of excitement after having been relegated to a virtual show for the last three years.
With the re-opening of Thailand’s borders to international visitors, the show (being held from March 22 to April 2) was filled with much enthusiasm.
More than 40 automotive brands have converged at Challenger Hall, Impact Muang Thong Thani located on the outskirts of Bangkok city.
Spread throughout 170,960 sq m, the 12-day show welcomed visitors to peruse, test-drive and purchase vehicles ranging from affordable to ultra-luxury makes and models.
Grand Prix International CEO and the organising chairman of the show Dr Prachin Eamlumnow said this year’s BIMS was moving smoothly with its (Thailand’s) automotive industry returning to normalcy.
“The parts shortage situation in the assembly line has been continuously improving with the Government anticipating an increase in the production of cars and motorcycles in Thailand,” said Eamlumnow who recently turned 80 years old on March 8.
The organising company’s chief operating officer and BIMS vice-chairman Jaturont Komolmis shared this year’s growth target of 15% to 20% in terms of visitors and total vehicle bookings.
“We believe in our target because of various positive factors such as the relaxation of Covid-19 measures as well as the nation’s improving economic trend and the emergence of EVs for both cars and motorcycles in the market,” said Komolmis.
The COO added the show will provide an estimated 50mil Baht (RM6.4mil) worth of economic contribution to further the development of Thailand’s economy and automotive sector.
The show features popular players in the industry displaying their latest models.
Hyundai Stargazer
From Hyundai, the South Korean carmaker introduced the Stargazer compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) which sports three seating rows of either six or seven seats in four variants for choice.
Powering the front wheels is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 115PS and 144Nm while being managed by an Intelligent Variable Transmission – the South Korean carmaker’s version of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
This MPV happens to feature automatic LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, keyless entry with push-start button and remote-start function, leather upholstery and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay among others.
For safety, it comes equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, high-beam assist, safe-exit warning and driver-attention warning.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Meanwhile, the brand also introduced the Ioniq 6 electric vehicle (EV) which features a 77.4kWh battery that’s touted to provide up to 610km of range and can be recharged from 10% to 80% in 18mins via a 305kW DC charger.
Claiming to be one of the world’s most energy-efficient EVs, the Ioniq 6 is capable of achieving 13.9kWh per 100km while having a rather slick drag coefficient of just 0.21.
With each axle equipped with an electric motor to create an all-wheel-drive system (AWD), power has been rated at 320PS and 605Nm of torque – enabling it to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 5.1 seconds.
In terms of equipment, the Ioniq 6 has been fitted with side-viewing cameras which replace conventional exterior rearview mirrors.
Furthermore, two 12-inch panels are also featured here with one serving as a digital instrument cluster while the other is touch-sensitive for the infotainment system that comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity for up to two smart devices.
GWM Tank 500 Hybrid SUV
Great Wall Motors (GWM) launched its take on what a luxury three-row seating sport utility vehicle (SUV) should be by introducing the Tank 500. Tank is a sub-brand of GWM.
At a tickle over 5.0m-long, this SUV possesses a hybrid powertrain which combines the efforts of a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor to produce a system’s output of 350PS and 616Nm of torque.
Power is managed by a Hydraulic Automatic Transmission that gets sent to a selectable four-wheel-drive system while rolling on 20-inch wheels.
This SUV from China provides 11 driving modes, front and rear electric differential locks for some serious off-roading and an off-road cruise control system.
Uniquely enough, it also comes with a Body Transparent System which combines the view of the road ahead with what’s underneath for added visibility.
For kit, the Tank 500 has been equipped with LEDs for the automatic front headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights and rear light clusters.
Also included in the equipment list are retractable side steps, paddle-shifters, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a huge 14.6-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a reverse camera system.
A 12-speaker sound system, Nappa leather upholstery and power adjustability have been thrown in for the steering wheel, rear window sunshades, third-row backrests and front passenger seats with driver-side memory function.
For added comfort, there are rear window sunshades while safety has been bolstered by autonomous braking function and adaptive cruise control.
GWM Ora Good Cat GT
Additionally, the show also saw a sportier version of GWM’s Ora Good Cat in GT form which costs 1.29mil Baht (RM165,667) price tag.
Although unsure if the GT variant will make it to Malaysia, the standard Ora Good Cat – available in two variants starting with the 400 Pro and the 500 Ultra costs RM140,000 and RM170,000 respectively.
The GT variant seen here has been dressed up with a rear roof spoiler with “GT” logos on its sides before getting fitted with sportier 18-inch wheels that partially hide its red callipers.
Also included are carbon fibre bits for the front splitter of the redesigned front bumper, side skirts, wheel arches and rear diffuser with red accents. A red GT badge now resides prominently on its posterior.
Inside, the cabin gets accented in red which can be found on the seats that now carry the GT logo embroidered into the headrests.
Additionally, a new welcome lighting system is provided as well as a powered tailgate, automatic climate controls and ventilated front seats.
While based on the 500 Ultra in terms of battery capacity at 63.14kWh, performance has been up-tuned from the standard 143PS and 210Nm to 171PS and 250Nm and is touted to still provide up to 500km of range (NEDC).
BYD Dolphin
Adding to the list of China-made vehicles was BYD’s introduction of its Dolphin compact EV in hatchback form which is estimated to cost some 800,000 Baht (RM102,700).
The single electric motor (174hp and 290Nm of torque) is powered by the company’s in-house designed 44.9kWh Blade battery pack.
This allows the Dolphin to provide up to 410km of range and the ability to sprint from o to 100kph in 12.3 seconds.
The battery is able to accommodate up to a 60kW DC charger which will get the battery from a 30% state-of-charge to 80% in about 30mins.
The Dolphin is also Vehicle-To-Load (V2L) capable, meaning this EV will be able to provide electric power should the need arise.
Honda WR-V
Onto Honda and this Japanese carmaker presented the WR-V and sixth-generation CR-V which made their debut at this year’s show.
Their arrival is highly anticipated as part of Honda Malaysia’s reportedly grand plan to introduce four new models before year-end.
The WR-V in Thailand was offered in SV and RS variants while being powered by the same 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine with 121PS/145Nm found in the City.
The Thai version of the WR-V is seen equipped with LEDs for front and rear illumination along with colour-matched door handles, auto-folding mirrors and up to 17-inch wheels that sport 215/55 series tyres.
Also included are paddle shifters, a six-speaker sound system, red-contrast piping for the leather-like upholstery and steering wheel, and the LaneWatch side camera system, among others.
Honda CR-V 6th-Gen
As for the new CR-V, this Thai-assembled model was unveiled with five variants for choice with a front-wheel-drive option for the base 1.5 Turbo E going for 1.42mil Baht (RM182,280).
This is followed by the 1.5 Turbo ES 4WD at 1.6mil Baht (RM205,531) and the 1.5 Turbo EL 4WD seven-seater at 1.65mil Baht (RM211,955).
While these are powered conventionally by a familiar 190hp / 242Nm 1.5-lite turbocharged engine mated to a CVT, the remaining two AWD variants carry the e:HEV hybrid moniker – namely the ES at 1.59mil Baht (RM204,247) and the range-topping RS at 1.73mil Baht (RM222,230).
The final two variants utilise a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine mated to an e-CVT that works in conjunction with two electric motors (one on each axle) to produce a total system output of 207PS and 371Nm.
For kit, the new CR-V in Thailand can be had with LEDs for the adaptive front automatic headlights and rear light clusters along with LED sequential turn signals, automatic power-folding external mirrors with integrated turn-signals, retractable panoramic sunroof, walk-away auto lock system, a powered tailgate and up to 19-inch alloy wheels.
Also included is a 9.0-inch touchscreen display with navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charger, heads-up-display, 12-speaker Bose sound system and paddle-shifters among others.
Last but not least, Honda Sensing’s suite of ADAS has been included as standard for all variants. – Jay Wong
Keyword: Bangkok International Motor Show 2023: Keeping the excitement