More and more SUVs are coming this year ranging from a budget-priced seven-seater up to a super exotica.
Less than B1m
*Like archrival Chevrolet, Ford is set to become a pickup and SUV specialist in Thailand. To help underscore this mission, Ford will introduce a flagship model of its Ranger pickup next month boasting macho looks and off-road addendum. What remains to be seen is whether the Raptor will inherit Ford’s latest 10-speed automatic transmission already used in the US. Rumours indicate that the Raptor will be priced well over one million baht, despite the lesser WildTrak costing less than that level.
*After launching in Japan for around a year already, Suzuki’s latest Swift is set to hit Thai showrooms next month with a bigger body albeit mildly evolved design. The current 1.2-litre petrol engine is claimed to be uprated with dual fuel-injectors per cylinder for maintained performance but better fuel economy. Expect Ecocar pricing of some 500,000-750,000 baht.
*Two brand-new seven-seat crossovers are set to come tax-free from Indonesia to rival the Honda BR-V, currently priced between 750,000-850,000 baht. Both the Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Rush have traditional 1.5-litre petrol power and four-speed automatic. But while the Xpander uses a more monocoque platform, the Rush is armed with a traditional chassis-on-frame body.
*Chinese-owned MG is set to launch two hatchbacks this year including the facelifted 3 and all-new 6, both getting the brand’s new family look and interior design. The 6 C-segment hatch gets the latest 1.5-litre petrol-turbo and 7-speed dual-clutch auto, while the main update in the 3 B-sector car is the switch from single-clutch auto to the torque-converter type.
*Although Toyota showed the C-HR at last month’s Motor Expo, it is only in the first quarter of this year that official sales of the style-led SUV start. Kicking out in the 900,000 baht range will be E85-compatible 1.8-litre petrol engine up to the 1.8-litre petrol-electric hybrid, whose prices peak out at 1.2 million baht.
B1-2m
*Mercedes-Benz’s entire range of small cars will be renewed in next-generation form starting with the A-class hatchback. However, the more crucial model for Thailand is a traditional saloon body (CLA is coupe-cum-saloon) previewed by this near-production concept car here. Apart from some mechanical updates, all body dervs get a shared widescreen fascia concept first used in the E-class.
*Nissan is set to finally join the pickup-based SUV race in Thailand with a new model that makes it world debut at April’s Shanghai motor show. The name for Nissan’s Fortuner rival has yet to be confirmed, although the Xterra is said to be the preferred choice. Expect the seven-seat SUV to get a new twin-turbo 2.3-litre diesel motor.
*Passenger car supremos Honda and Toyota will renew their rivalry in the mid-sized (aka D-segment) saloon with the redesigned Accord and Camry in the second half of this year. While both will get petrol-electric hybrid option on top of their model ranges, their true distinction comes on the skin: the Camry sticks with the trad three-box design and the Accord is trying new waters with a hatchback-style silhouette.
B2-5m
*After pondering whether to continue sales of the CX-9 SUV in Thailand, Mazda has decided to change tack by offering the sportier-looking CX-8 instead. Due at the year’s end, the CX-8 also has a three-row interior matrix as its more practical sibling. But while the CX-9 comes with a 2.5-litre petrol-turbo engine, the CX-8 employs a tuned version of the CX-5’s 2.2-litre diesel-turbo motor. At some 2 million baht, expect the CX-8 to be a posh alternative to rougher-riding pickup-based SUVs.
*Competition in the premium compact SUV sector will intensify this year with an array of new players taking on the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. The three babies include the Jaguar E-Pace, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40 which all have the additional task of luring female clients and young customers as well. While the XC40 will eventually get plug-in hybrid tech, the E-Pace is likely to stick with diesel power. As the UX will be based on the Toyota C-HR, the only choice might be petrol-electric hybrid.
*BMW is set to go a step ahead of its rivals by branching out into a new niche of the premium compact SUV class. The X2 is essentially a sportier-looking but pricier derivative of the more functional X1. Although the X2’s nearest competitor would be the Range Rover Evoque, its circa-2.5 million baht starting price would be substantially cheaper.
*The just-launched BMW 6-series GT will be seeing some stiff competition this year. The first is a fastback-style hatchback from Audi called A7 Sportback, while the other is the highly successful CLS coupe-cum-saloon from Mercedes-Benz. Expect both the A7 Sportback and CLS to come with suitable engines enabling for sub-5 million baht prices.
*After previewing a concept version of the next-gen Z4 roadster last year in the US, BMW is planning to unveil the production-ready model toward the end of this year. An aggressive-looking face can still be expected in the renewed two-seat soft-top Bimmer, although the extra-long snout won’t be maintained.
*Mini will be giving the Hatch and Convertible models a mechanical update before their mandatory mid-life facelift. In place of the 6- and 8-speed torque-converter automatics come a new 7-speed dual-clutch version. The BMW-owned Mini says the new gearbox offers quicker and more satisfying gearshifts suiting the brand’s concept of sportiness.
B5-10m
*After showing a concept model a year ago, Audi is set to unveil the production-ready version of the Q8. Rivalling the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Range Rover Velar, Audi’s new SUV flagship will boast a sportier profile than its more practical Q7 sibling. Expect the Q8 to come with six-cylinder power and a plug-in hybrid capable of more than 400hp.
*BMW is luring customers of the Mercedes-Benz GLS to its forthcoming X7, a seven-seat SUV with a super-pronounced kidney-grille treatment on the front end. The X7 has already been previewed in near-production concept form and will be the most expensive SUV BMW has yet to offer. The show car’s iPerformance tag suggests that plug-in hybrid tech will also be available.
*Land Rover has finally added plug-in hybrid variants to its Range Rover model and Sport derivative. Dubbed P400, the 400hp RRs go up against the semi-electric models of the BMW X5 40e and Mercedes-Benz GLE500e, particularly in Sport form. There are some reports suggesting that the X5 and GLE will be renewed in next-gen guises toward the end of the year.
*Mercedes-Benz will debut a heavily revised version of its off-road icon in Detroit next week. The new G-class will maintain its classic boxy design, but the big news is the adoption of the brand’s latest widescreen dashboard. The G-class aims to be a retro-SUV with contemporary features.
*Audi hopes to add some sparkle to its lineup of saloons with the introduction of the latest generation A8. Filled with hi-tech features and 48V mild hybrid system, the A8 targets the BMW 7-series and Mercedes-Benz S-class. A plug-in hybrid for the A8 has been confirmed and will go up against the 740e and S560e, the latter being planned for Thai sales this year in facelifted form and with more all-electric driving range.
*Joining the regular 718 Boxster/Cayman and S models from Porsche is the new GTS. Like the 350hp S, the GTS uses a 2.5-litre flat-four turbo albeit tuned to a higher 365hp with beefier driving characteristics to match. BMW, meanwhile, is reportedly gearing up to launch a faster version of today’s M2 Coupe likely to be tagged CS.
B10-20m
*Aston Martin is gearing up to launch its most price-affordable sports car by mid-year. The all-new Vantage replaces its 12-year-old predecessor and sticks to the two-seat concept. The first model available is the V8 Vantage which gains the AMG-developed twin-turbo V8 developing 510hp like in the DB11 models. Replacing the seven-speed single-clutch automatic is an eight-speed torque-converter unit.
*BMW will be reviving sales of the 8-series Coupe toward the end of the year after showing a concept version last year. It will indirectly replace the 6-series Coupe and is slated to come with nothing less than six cylinders. A super-hot M8 version has also been confirmed, although sales would start in 2019. A key rival for the 8-series Coupe is the Mercedes-Benz S-class Coupe, which goes for around 15 million baht in Thailand in V8 form.
*The BMW i8 has been given a mid-life update including some visual changes, updated infotainment display and more pure-electric driving range for the plug-in hybrid system. Also due by March will be the open-top i8 Roadster which gains the improvements seen in the fixed-top sibling.
*Although unlikely to be available on an official basis, orders of BMW’s latest M5 may be taken by the Thai office. The 600hp super saloon comes with all-wheel-drive for the first time, although there’s a mode to make it pure rear-drive. Its Mercedes-AMG E63 S arch-rival also generates as much power and similarly incorporates switchable drive system.
Over B20m
*Lamborghini has become the latest supercar brand to embrace the SUV trend with the unveiling of the Urus in Italy last month. Due by mid-year, the Urus uses a platform shared with the Audi Q7/Q8, Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne. Similarly, the eight-speed automatic and 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 are pooled within the Volkswagen Group. With 650hp available on tap and the brand’s unique chassis settings, the Urus is claimed to be a super SUV to drive.
*Ferrari has made the Portofino as the effective replacement for the California T. Like in its predecessor, the Portofino is a an open-top sports car with 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 power tuned to a higher 600hp good for a 3.9sec 0-100kph time.
*Also coming in the 20 million baht range is Bentley’s all-new Continental GT, although this one’s a coupe initially. While the 630hp 6.0-litre bi-turbo W12 sounds familiar, the latest Conti has switched from torque-converter auto to the dual-clutch type.
*After launching the DB11 Coupe in V8 form last year, Aston Martin will follow up its super GT game with an open-top version called DB11 Volante. Although there is 600hp-plus V12 power to additionally choose from in the Coupe, the Volante so far only comes with the 510hp 4.0-litre V8.
*Rolls-Royce will be launching the market’s dearest and most opulent saloon in the guise of the all-new Phantom going for some 50 million baht. Although the design and V12 hardware remains unmistakably the same, the biggest improvement is said to come in the NVH department allowing for a super-quiet cabin on the move.
*McLaren has unveiled its fastest-ever road-going sports car called Senna. The mid-engine supercar has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 dishing out 800hp for a potential 0-100kph time in 2.5sec. Only 375 will be made worldwide with each costing around 100 million baht in Thailand if a lucky customer has got a hold of the already-sold-out Macca.
