Expo's new cars
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
The Chevrolet Cruze and Toyota Prius are set to become the most popular choices to see at the year-ending car show
CHEVROLET CRUZE
Price: B729,000 to B1.149m.
Specs: 109hp 1.6- and 141hp 1.8-litre inline-four petrol and 150hp 2.0-litre inline-four turbo-diesel, all with six-speed automatic.
What's cool: This is the all-new replacement for the Optra compact saloon boasting a stylish body, attractive equipment list and a diesel fighter to rival the Ford Focus.
TOYOTA PRIUS
Price: B1.19m and B1.26m.
Specs: 134hp 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid with CVT automatic.
What's cool: Toyota's second hybrid-powered car comes with a practical five-door package that can run on pure electricity for short distances to make owners feel good about protecting the environment.
MINI COUNTRYMAN
Price: B2.79m (Cooper) and B3.29m (Cooper S).
Specs: 122hp 1.6-litre petrol (Cooper) and 184hp 1.6-litre turbo-petrol (Cooper S), both with six-speed automatic.
What's cool: The market's funkiest brand goes SUV with the brand's traditional design cues. The top-of-the-line Cooper S comes with a 2+2 seating layout, 4x4 drivetrain and lights that can swivel in corners.
BMW 5-SERIES
Price: B3.699m (520d) and B4.399m (525d).
Specs: 184hp 2.0-litre inline-four (520d) and 204hp 2.5-litre inline-six (525d), both with turbo-diesel and eight-speed automatic.
What's cool: BMW is making a two-pronged attack on the Mercedes-Benz E-class, which comes in just one version: E250 CDI. The 525d boasts tech like four-wheel steering system.
MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS
Price: B5.899m and B6.499m.
Specs: 190hp 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel with seven-speed automatic.
What's cool: The R-class comes with a facelift and more tax-friendly engine in the guise of R300 CDI. The baseline version has seven seats, while the Executive variant has one less but bigger armchairs in the middle.
VOLVO XC60
Price: B2.99m.
Specs: 163hp 2.0-litre inline-five turbo-diesel with six-speed automatic.
What's cool: Volvo now assembles its junior SUV to the XC90 flagship in the country to lower the price by B1m. The engine of D3 is also smaller than the imported model's D5 unit.
LEXUS CT
Price: B2.3m (est).
Specs: 136hp 1.8-litre inline-four petrol/electric hybrid with CVT automatic.
What's cool: The CT200h is the first luxury compact hatchback to come with hybrid power packed with a sporty chassis setup. Thanks to special excise tax, it is cheaper than any conceivable rival.
MINI
Price: B2.09-3.29m.
Specs: 98hp 1.6-litre (One), 122hp 1.6-litre (Cooper) inline-four petrol and 184hp 1.6-litre turbo-petrol (Cooper S), all with six-speed automatic.
What's cool: The whole range of Mini _ Hatch, Convertible and Clubman _ is facelifted. As well, the entire engine lineup as been upgraded with new technologies to boost power and lower fuel consumption.
MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS ESTATE
Price: B4.949m.
Specs: 204hp 1.8-litre inline-four turbo-petrol with five-speed automatic.
What's cool: Coming in E250 CGI form, it is the only load-lugging executive car available officially in Thailand highlighting the so-called Easy Pack which allows for easy loading of baggage in the boot.
HONDA ACCORD
Price: B1.265-1.42m.
Specs: 156hp 2.0-litre inline-four petrol with five-speed automatic.
What's cool: The baseline version of Honda's popular mid-size saloon lineup gets the mandatory mid-life facelift, as well as bigger 17-inch wheels and DVD/navigation system of the bigger 2.4 to stand out in its class.
LAND ROVER DEFENDER
Price: B2.5m (est).
Specs: 122hp 2.4-litre inline-four turbo-diesel with six-speed manual.
What's cool: Land Rover has widened the Thai Defender model lineup with a pickup-style body and flashy add-ons like rollover bar. It is the ultimate expression of Land Rover's toughest-going 4x4.
HYUNDAI GRAND STAREX
Price: B1.89m (introductory from B1.95m).
Specs: 170hp 2.5-litre inline-four turbo-diesel with four-speed automatic.
What's cool: Instead of coming with the H1's standard 11-seat layout, the seven-seat Starex gets captain chairs in the middle plus a comprehensive audio system.
PEUGEOT 207
Price: B959,000.
Specs: 110hp 1.6-litre inline-four petrol with four-speed automatic.
What's cool: The 207 hatchback used to be an import from France costing between B1.35-1.55m. Today, it is a saloon assembled in Malaysia and shipped to Thailand via Afta trade benefits at a lower retail price.
PEUGEOT RC-Z
Price: B3m (est).
Specs: 1.6-litre inline-four petrol with four-speed automatic.
What's cool: This is the sportiest Peugeot currently available in its lineup that aims to mimmick the Audi TT at nearly B2m less.
EXPO'S SHOW CARS
HONDA SMALL CAR
What is it? Honda will premiere another prototype of its Nissan March-rivalling five-door hatchback at the show next week. It will be a follow-up of the Small Concept, pictured here and shown to the Thai public in March earlier this year, although the car is said to be very close the production-ready model due early next year.
Why is it here? To showcase Honda's new-entry level car sitting under the B-segment Jazz for the country's Ecocar project.
HYUNDAI BLUE-WILL
What is it?
Last year, the Koreans showed off a concept car with a hybrid engine. This time, they're taking the game up a notch with plug-in hybrid drivetrain showcased in this Blue WILL. The range-extender comes from a 1.6-litre petrol engine supplementing the electric motor backed by lithium-ion battery.
Why is it here? To tell the market that Hyundai has the technology to match giant carmaker Toyota.
MAZDA RYUGA
What is it? It's a stylish concept car that has been shown at a previous international motor show . It communicates the current design language of several cars sold in other markets.
Why is it here? It previewed the look of the latest 3 C-segment saloon and hatchback, on sale in world markets for two years already but due to be introduced in Thailand early next year.
MITSUBISHI I-MiEV SPORT
What is it? This is the sporty concept to the i-MiEV rear-engined hatchback with an electric motor fitted to each of the wheels. Like Tata's prototype, i-MiEV Sport has a touring range of 200km but gains with an impressive 180kph top speed.
Why is it here? It's part of Mitsubishi's continual electric vehicle campaign in Thailand and around the world.
TATA INDICA EV
What is it? This is Tata's experimental vehicle showcasing a pure electric drivetrain backed by super polymer lithium-ion battery. It can run for 200km and crack the 0-100kph time in 10sec.
Why is it here? To tell Thais that the brand is an international car player not only known for commercial vehicles.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment