BANGKOK: Huge crowds throng the 32nd Thailand International Motor Expo 2015 here, drawn to various sales promotions as visitors started buying vehicles in anticipation of a hike in car prices next year.
The increase in prices for Thai passenger cars and trucks is due to a new excise tax structure that will start from Jan 1, 2016.
Under the new tax structure, a vehicle will be taxed according to its rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions instead of engine displacement. Cars that emit less carbon dioxide will have a lower tax rate.
Held from Dec 3 to Dec 13, the motor expo is spread out over a total display area of over 100,000 sq metres, attracting more than 1.5 million visitors.
The event’s organiser Inter-Media Consultant Co Ltd predicted vehicle bookings at the motor expo to hit 50,000 units for cars and 3,000 units for big bikes, resulting in sales of over 55 billion baht (RM6.46bil). The exhibitors include 33 car marques from 11 countries and 15 motorcycle brands from eight countries.
Subaru happiness
Among the highlights is the facelifted 2016 Subaru XV which gets updated front looks including L-shaped lights located next to the fog lamps.
Powertrain remains the same, with Subaru’s trademark horizontally-opposed or “boxer” 2.0-litre engine producing 150ps at 6,200rpm.
Prices in Thailand are 1.1 million baht (RM130,352) for the standard XV and RM1.2 million baht (RM142,232) for a premium variant which has extra kit.
The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Subaru Levorg sport tourer also made its Asean debut at 2.35 million baht (RM279,260).
A successor to the fourth-generation Subaru Legacy Tourer (2003-2008), the Levorg is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder DIT (Direct Injection Turbo) Boxer petrol engine that produces 170ps and 250Nm of torque.
This is mated to Subaru’s Lineartronic (CVT) transmission.
The new 1.6-litre DIT power unit is billed as offering the same performance as Subaru’s existing 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated Boxer engine, despite being 36 percent smaller.
Subaru also brought in its Viziv 2 concept, which has a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine with CVT transmission, three electric motors, and a lithium-ion battery pack.
Mercedes-Benz SUV power
Mercedes-Benz showcased its revised GLE 250d sport utility vehicle, which was upgraded earlier this year with sportier front and rear looks, and improved drive systems.
The new GLE is touted as offering best on-road and off-road handling, outstanding spaciousness and high levels of active and passive safety.
The GLE 250d, with a 2.2-litre 204hp four-cylinder diesel engine and nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, is said to have a class-leading low fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100km.
Standard equipment for the new GLE include Crosswind Assist and Collision Prevention Assist Plus, an Eco start/stop function, and the Dynamic Select handling control system which offers extensive drive and off-road programmes.
Also on display was the Mercedes-Benz GLC 250d, which shares the same 2.2-litre diesel engine with direct injection, common-rail technology, and two-stage turbocharger that delivers 204hp and 500Nm of torque, mated to a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission.
The second-generation GLC, with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, offers Dynamic Select handling control system, the Agility Control suspension with steel springs and a variable damping system as standard.
Compared with its predecessor, the new GLC has a much more spacious cabin.
Intrado Concept.
Hyundai hydrogen concept
As for Hyundai, the Korean automaker brought its concept car Intrado, which has a range of more than 600km, yet emits only water. The concept made its debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
The Intrado concept has a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain with a 36kW lithium-ion battery – the most powerful ever fitted to a fuel cell electric vehicle.
The Intrado uses two high pressure hydrogen storage tanks capable of holding hydrogen pressurised to 700 bar.
The exterior styling of the Intrado is based on Hyundai’s fluidic design language.
This concept shows Hyundai’s desire to produce lighter, stronger cars that are even better to drive and simpler to repair.
The name Intrado is inspired by the underside area of an aircraft’s wing that creates lift.
The result of close collaboration between Hyundai Motor’s design and engineering teams in Europe and Namyang, Korea, the Intrado was styled at the Hyundai Design Centre Europe in Russelsheim, Germany – as indicated by its codename, HED-9 (Hyundai European Design-9).
Isuzu Blue Power
Isuzu showcased its new 1.9-litre diesel Ddi Blue Power engine for the D-Max, billed as the first such to be used in pick-ups.
This new engine delivers 150hp at 3,600rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,800 to 2,600rpm.
Another highlight was the Isuzu Safety Car from the “Isuzu One Make Race”, which had big 18-inch wheels, and a customised body kit with red and blue paint job.
MG style and DNA
British marque MG brought its CS urban compact SUV concept, which is billed as embracing the iconic brand’s sporting DNA.
Highlights of the MG CS design include headlights which have a multi-faceted ‘shard’ structure that refract light in different colours and shape from the side, but coalesce to form MG’s trademark octagon from the front.
The new MG5 four-door coupe-style subcompact was also launched, and it has projector headlamps, daytime running lights and a sunroof.
The MG5 has two 1.5-litre engine options, namely a VCT unit with 106hp and 135Nm of torque, and a turbocharged unit with 129hp and 210Nm of torque.
Honda BR-V
A popular exhibit among the visitors was the Honda BR-V seven-seater, which is due to be launched in Thailand early next year.
Honda calls the BR-V an active sport crossover, and it has sporty looks with projector headlights with LED position lamps, LED tail lights in C shape design, and 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels.
The BR-V is powered by a 1.5-litre SOHC, 4-cylinder, 16-valve i-VTEC engine that delivers 117hp at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 146Nm at 4,700rpm, plus a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) developed under Honda’s “Earth Dreams Technology”.
The spacious cabin has seven seats in three rows with multi-adjustable functions, automatic air-conditioning and rear-passenger air vents between front and second row seats for better rear air flow.
Safety features include two airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and Hill Start Assist (HAS).
Mitsubishi Mirage and Pajero Sport
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi had the Thai premiere of the 2016 Mirage compact car, which has a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder DOHC MIVEC engine mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or CVT gearbox.
It comes in five variants, and is priced from 383,000 (RM45,658) to 567,000 baht (RM67,630).
The new Mirage has a refreshed design with a chrome front lower grille garnish and LED tail lights.
Higher priced variants have projector bi-xenon HID headlamp with spectrum LED position lamps, rear spoiler with LED high-mount stop lamp, and two-tone 15-inch alloy wheels.
Extra safety features can include Forward Collision Mitigation System which uses a laser radar monitor the vehicle ahead and detect an impending impact and automatically applying the vehicle brakes, as well as Radar Sensing Mis-acceleration Mitigation System which regulates engine power while emitting an audible warning when the driver depresses the accelerator promptly.
Also showcased was the 2016 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV, which is powered by a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo diesel engine that is mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission.
Features on the new Pajero Sport include an electric parking brake, a multi-allround monitor and fully automatic climate control.
Toyota convertible concept and Fortuner
The Toyota FT-86 Open concept is based on the rear-wheel-drive “86” sports car.
With an electrically operated soft top, the cocnept offers “open-top thrill” to the joy of driving.
This concept convertible version of the Toyota Sport GT 86, retains a coupe form with the 2+2 configuration.
It is designed by Toyota Boshoku Milan Design, and is powered by a Subaru-sourced, naturally aspirated 2.0-litre boxer engine mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
Also on display was the new seven-seat family SUV Toyota Fortuner, which shares the rugged underpinnings of the robust Hilux pick-up.
Engine options include Toyota’s new 2.8-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that develops 177ps and 450Nm of torque.
A new six-speed automatic transmission is also available, with sequential shift and paddle shifters.
Top grade variants get bi-LED headlamps and LED daytime running lamps, rear view camera, Traction Control, and Hill Assist Control.
Check out our gallery of lovely ladies taken at this motor expo.
Keyword: Thailand International Motor Expo 2015: Thais rushing to buy cars ahead of price hike