One of the biggest and most noteworthy motor shows in Southeast Asia is the Bangkok Motor Show, where models shown off often make it to other Southeast Asian countries in similar configurations. This is why we can look to the show as a preview of what cars could make it to our shores. Here are a few interesting cars at the 46th Bangkok International Motor Show.
Audi S6 Avant e-tron
Audi’s practical and attractive-looking electric wagon ushers in a new era for the core A-series lineup of the brand as it appears in the auto show in S6 Avant guise.
Underpinned by the Premium Platform Electric architecture, it comes with a 100kWh battery capable of up to 647km of range on a single charge, up to 543hp of total system output, and a blisteringly quick 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 240km/h, all while being able to comfortably carry five people, and up to 1,422L of cargo with a 27L front trunk.
BMW X3 (G45)
The new G45-generation X3 is a total overhaul, with a more modern appearance outside thanks to diagonal lines, smooth surfaces, and revised lighting signatures.
The crossover’s interior follows a more minimalist approach with the Curved Display as the cockpit’s centerpiece, accented by light strips and sustainable cloth trim on the dashboard. All powertrains are electrified, from the base four-banger diesel and gasoline engines, all the way to the M50 xDrive’s turbocharged straight-six motor.
BYD Sealion 7
Consider this the sexier, all-electric sibling of the Sealion 6. It’s a style-focused, coupe-esque crossover with performance chops to match. The dual-motor performance variant has an output of 523hp and 690Nm, meaning the 0-100km/h takes as little as 4.5 seconds, and it can do up to 482km on a single charge.
Isuzu mu-X
A very comprehensive update of a beloved nameplate, the mu-X gets an entirely new front face with redesigned headlights and front bumper, new wheel designs across all variants, new taillights with a light bar, and a racier RS variant. The interior gains a new gauge cluster screen, nine-inch infotainment, and varying interior upholstery choices.
The mu-X has a choice of two turbodiesel motors: a new 2.2-liter engine (RZ4F-TC) with 163hp and 400Nm with an eight-speed automatic, or the tried-and-true 3.0-liter (4JJ3-TCX) with 190hp and 450Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic. It’s available either in 4×2 or 4×4 configurations, now uses electric power steering, and gets enhanced advanced driver assistance systems.
Hyundai Creta
The Creta subcompact crossover also gets a substantial update with a boxier front fascia with squared-off DRLs across the entire front, with the design also mirrored in the taillights. In this specific model’s case, the N Line variant has a different front bumper, 18-inch two-tone wheels, and a sportier rear bumper with a small rear wing.
The interior features a dual 10.25-inch screen integrated into one housing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and sporty black-and-red N leather upholstery. This specific Creta comes with the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 115hp and 144Nm mated to a CVT, but there is an option for a more powerful turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 160hp and 253Nm of torque mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Kia EV5
The Kia EV5 is a compact all-electric crossover that slots under its bigger brother (the EV9) in the lineup, looking like a simplified, shrunken-down version with its “Opposites United” design language. This minimal aesthetic also carries over to the interior with a lounge-inspired cabin for five. It can drive up to 665km on a single charge from its 88.1kWh battery, and power outputs go as high as 308hp and 480Nm.
Mazda BT-50
Elegant looks are traded for a tougher-looking Kodo facelift, which features a larger grille with a massive Mazda logo, new LED headlights with double-L-shaped DRLs, revised taillights, gloss black fender flares and a sports bar, and blacked-out 18-inch alloy wheels.
The interior gets new two-tone leather and synthetic suede upholstery, an updated seven-inch digital instrument cluster, and tweaks to the nine-inch infotainment system, with enhancements to the advanced driver assistance system suite.
There is a choice of two Isuzu-sourced turbodiesel engines, a 3.0-liter (4JJ3-TCX) with 190hp and 450Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic, or a 2.2-liter mill (RZ4F-TC) with 163hp and 400Nm paired to an eight-speed automatic.
Mazda 6e and Iconic SP
The automaker brought over these two models to show the world its multi-solution approach to electrification.
The 6e is a battery-electric vehicle made in partnership with Changan (where it is called the EZ-6). It features Mazda’s sleek design language inside and out, but more importantly, it’s the brand’s latest BEV. With the biggest battery rated at 80kWh, it can drive up to 552km on a single charge, and deliver an engaging driver experience thanks to a 50:50 weight distribution and up to 258hp and 320Nm.
Meanwhile, the Iconic SP concept is a callback to the brand’s heritage as it uses a two-rotor engine fueled by carbon-neutral fuel to generate electricity for an electric motor, which can also be plugged in to recharge. It may only have a theoretical output of 370hp, but it weighs 1,450kg, making it extremely light for an electrified vehicle.
Mitsubishi Xforce HEV
Mitsubishi’s latest crossover finally gets electrified as the Xforce HEV makes its world premiere at the show, with the biggest change being the e:Motion hybrid powertrain, pairing a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (4A92) with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery for a decent system output of 116hp and 255Nm.
Visual changes, at least with this top-spec model, include extra silver garnishing on the bumpers and side skirts, a larger spoiler, new aerodynamic three-spoke, two-tone 18-inch wheels, HEV badges, “XFORCE” emblazoned across the hood, and clear taillights.
A few more touches on the inside include a new shifter, warm white LED map lights, and new HEV-exclusive drive modes. The leather seats, Mélange fabric, 12-inch infotainment system, and Dynamic Sound Yamaha Premium sound system are still present.
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid
The 992.2 generation of the Porsche 911 introduced electrification to the nameplate and shook up the model as we know it. A compact high voltage battery, electric motor, and electric turbocharger work together with a new 3.6-liter flat-six motor to output 541hp and 610Nm, all while minimizing turbo lag and increasing power across the range.
The T-Hybrid powertrain made its Southeast Asian debut at the 46th Bangkok International Motor Show with this Carrera GTS model. This means that a local launch could be imminent as Porsche Philippines already sells the non-electrified 992.2.
Toyota Yaris Ativ (AC100 Vios)
At this point, it’s been out for almost four years, and it’s always a tease whenever we see the new Vios in other countries. In Bangkok, it’s known as the Yaris Ativ. It’s now based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA-B) platform, offered either with a 1.2-liter, 1.3, or 1.5-liter, naturally aspirated gasoline engine, mated to a five-speed manual or a CVT.
The interior is a massive departure compared to the previous generation with more modern tech, luxuries like quilted leather upholstery, ambient lighting, Pioneer speakers, and the addition of Toyota Safety Sense.
