After a 2-year absence, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) once again opens its doors to the motoring public starting today until Sunday, April 10, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. And as always, MIAS will feature the latest models from some of the country’s leading manufacturers and distributors.
Nissan is continuing its electrification strategy by debuting the e-Power technology at the show. The self-charging electric motor system features a small gasoline engine that charges the onboard battery negating the need to ever plug-in. The electric motor, connected to the drive wheels provide instantaneous torque for a smooth, exciting, fun drive. It will be joined by the all-electric LEAF as well as a limited-edition Navara called the Calibre-X 4×2.
Subaru, meanwhile is bringing back the highly-popular Russ Swift precision driving show. Guinness World Record holder Russ Swift will be performing at the World Trade Center three times daily during MIAS behind the wheel of the new Forester and Subaru BRZ sportscar. The new Forester brings EyeSight 4.0 driver assist technology making Subaru’s compact SUV safer and more intuitive than ever. Now meeting Level 2 autonomous driving standards, it covers even more traffic scenarios including being able to see at intersections. The much-awaited new BRZ joins the line-up as well. The 2-door sports car now packs more power while retaining key attributes such as light weight and low center of gravity.
Marking the appointment of a new distributor, Peugeot will bring its distinctive automotive design and technology at the show. Not only will recently launched vehicles like the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 be on display, but showgoers will see the revised Traveller Premium as well as the new Peugeot 2008 compact crossover.
Fresh from its launch, MG will put the all-new HS compact SUV on centerstage. It will be joined by the rest of the local line-up such as the MG 5, ZS, and ZST. They have also confirmed that they will be bringing in a “surprise” at the show hinting perhaps at the arrival of their much-awaited 7-seater MG RX8.
Chevrolet on the other hand, will use MIAS to debut the all-new Tahoe SUV. Straight from North America, the Tahoe lives large with its best-in-class interior room. It also benefits from the American brand’s next-generation electrical architecture giving it an all-digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment touchscreen. For muscle car enthusiasts, the Bowtie will also be displaying the Camaro muscle car alongside the all-new Trailblazer compact SUV and Tracker subcompact SUV.
Chery Auto will bring their entire all-SUV line-up to MIAS from the Tiggo 2, Tiggo 2 Pro, Tiggo 5X, Tiggo 7 Pro, and Tiggo 8. It will be joined by the new Tiggo 8 Pro. The latest member of the “Pro” family takes on the new family look and even a hybrid powertrain. The 7-seater SUV also carries the usual myriad of technology features such as digital gauges and panoramic sunroof to name a few.
Meanwhile, Foton will be celebrating its 15th anniversary at MIAS with the introduction of the all-new Thunder pickup truck. The truck features “Bionic” headlights for increased nighttime visibility and enlarged branding thanks to the bold “FOTON” spelled out on the matte grille and tailgate garnish. It also gains a modernized cockpit fitted with more leather. A floating infotainment touchscreen dominates the dashboard. A special concert by OPM legend Bamboo will greet showgoers on opening day.
Over at Mitsubishi, the new Xpander MPV will be shown to the public for the first time. The country’s bestselling MPV takes on the latest Dynamic Shield design giving it an added dose of aggression—a rarity in family-oriented vehicles. T-shaped head- and taillights with LED lighting elements offer a more technical look, while the more aerodynamic side sills give it a more sculpted feel. Inside, the Horizontal Axis dashboard with soft-touch materials add luxury, further enhanced by the revised suspension system. It will be flanked at the booth by the Black Series variants of the Montero Sport, Strada Athlete, and current Xpander. The new Mirage G4 is also slated to be there.
At Geely, not only will they showcase their recently launched Emgrand subcompact sedan, but it will be joined by the refreshed Coolray. Fresh off the boat, the revised styling replaces the current “Expanding Cosmos” grille with a honeycomb design and a grayed-out portion to give it more visual heft. It also incorporates a new “welcome sequence” in its LED headlights as well. Inside, the refreshed Coolray is expected to get a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen. It should also get ambient interior lighting that can be made to match the driving mode or the rhythm of the music played. It also has a reshaped gear selector. For fans of the current Coolray, there’s also the Coolray GT Limited Edition which comes decked out in aftermarket parts including 19-inch wheels, carbon fiber aero parts, a big brake kit, and a more aggressive exhaust system.
Over at Volvo, they’ll be showcasing their new all-electrified line-up with their range of self-charging or plug-in hybrids. The star of their pavilion will undoubtedly be the new long-wheelbase Volvo S90 Boost Electric, which will be joined by the 7-seater XC90 and compact XC40 and XC60 SUVs.
Changan will put their new CS35 Plus SUV on centerstage. Taking on the brand’s new family look, it has split LED headlights with LED DRLs and front position lamps. The grille, meanwhile is inspired by an obsidian rock formation accentuated by red accents that wrap around the exterior. The big news is the introduction of the Safe-Tech system, a comprehensive suite of driver assist technology that includes autonomous emergency braking with front collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and even a built-in drive recorder. The subcompact SUV will be joined by the rest of the line-up which includes the Alsvin, CS75 Plus, and CS95 SUVs, and the Eado EV460 all-electric sedan.
Finally, GAC Motor will preview two all-new vehicles poised to join the line-up this year. The first is the EMPOW55 sports sedan which is underpinned by the brand’s new GPMA platform. The EMPOW55 also comes with a low center of gravity and wide tracks for a meaner appearance. It will be joined by the second-generation GS8 mid-sized SUV. The flagship SUV features the new Dragon Scale Wing grille and at each corner are 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it has a 12.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Car lovers can once again personally see and feel the excitement of the biggest annual motoring event. The Manila International Auto Show runs from April 7 to 10, 2022 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Doors open at 10am and close at 9pm daily.