The 10 Hottest Cars In Thailand In 2003

[george]

The 10 Hottest Cars In Thailand In 2003

BANGKOK: High-versatility compact cars, mid-sized passenger cars, luxury cars, performance cars, sport-utility vehicles, multi-purpose vehicles and pickup trucks from major automobile producers have been popular this year, while attractive financial offers have given consumers the upper hand.

Automobile sales are expected to reach as much as 530,000 units this year, thanks to an improving economy and a large number of interesting new products in the market. At this rate, the industry expects to reach pre-crisis sales levels by the end of next year, and while some critics say that the market could reach saturation point when this happens we all hope sales will reach 1 million units per year in the not too distant future.

The following are the top 10 vehicles we road tested this year, ranging from a diminutive sub-compact like the 88-horsepower Honda Jazz to a super car like the 500-horsepower Lamborghini Gallardo costing Bt19.5 million.

Many factors influence buyers, including price, design, performance, safety, versatility, financial promotions and sometimes peer pressure.

But at the end of the day, it is the product itself that determines the winner, so don’t fool yourself and always go for the car you like best, and enjoy it!

Lamborghini Gallardo (Bt19.5 million)

The most powerful car we drove this year, the Lambo Gallardo not only kicks ass but also turns heads around with its Darth Vader looks and beastly roar from the 500-horsepower V10 engine.

Zero to 100kph takes 4.2 seconds and the top speed is said to be 309kph (no, we didn’t get it up to that speed, only to about 260kph). And what’s good about it is that the Gallardo isn’t hard to drive. The E-gear features automatic mode and the al-wheel-drive system keeps the car planted to the road with great stability.

It gets around town in city traffic without any problem, and the ride isn’t as harsh as expected. This could be a car you can drive to work every day.

BMW M3 (Bt7.65 million)

The M3 is probably the best BMW to demonstrate the company’s “sheer driving pleasure” slogan. Its normally aspirated in-line-six produces 343 horsepower at 7,900rpm and 365Nm of torque at 4,900rpm.

Acceleration from 0-100kph takes 5.2 seconds and BMW claims an electronically limited top speed of 250kph (although during the test it went as far as 270kph).

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual SMG (Sequential M Gearbox) that features shift speed control for sporty or relaxed shifts. The steering is beefy and direct, while the suspension is wonderful, with massive brake discs offering superb stopping power.

Honda Jazz (Bt644,000)

The Jazz opens up a new segment in the sub-compact market, bringing the versatile hatchback back into popularity. Perhaps the 88-horsepower engine might not be impressive in terms of performance, but the twin-plug i-DSI offers good fuel economy and low emissions.

Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the Jazz 1.5E (AS) automatic offers large cabin space, as well as a large number of seating arrangements thanks to its “Space Magic” concept.

And compared to its City sibling, the Jazz offers superior handling and road holding, with the short front and rear overhangs giving it great manoeuvrability in tight spaces.

Toyota Wish (Bt1.3 million)

The Wish2.0 Q Limited makes a big entry into the growing MPV market with exceptional looks and sporty character. The 2.0-litre VVT-i engine pumps out 150 horsepower and the transmission is a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic.

The Wish offers a sporty ride, with low profile tyres on 17-inch alloys coming as standard, although a little comfort has to be traded off. The interior is fresh and modern, with the four-plus-two seating arrangement giving it high versatility. Leather upholstery and carbon-kevlar design trim is standard. There’s a long list of features, including ABS brakes with Brake Assist, VSC (vehicle stability control), dual SRS airbags, electric moon roof, aerodynamic package, automatic climate control, multi-information display, and more.

BMW 530D (price n/a)

The new 5 Series, which will be introduced in Thailand in 2004, again sets the pace in the mid-sized luxury car market.

Jet-fighter style head-up display, headlights that turn with the car, cruise control that keeps a specific distance from the car in front and steering wheel with variable steering ratio are among the highlights of the new Beemer. The 530d is powered by a 3.0-litre diesel turbo engine that is capable of developing a whopping 500Nm of torque (at only 2,000rpm) that gives it outstanding flexibility and punch.

Acceleration from 0-100kph takes 7.3 seconds and makers claim the top speed to be 243kph.

Mini Cooper (Bt2.917 million)

Many say that the chassis of the 163-horsepower Mini Cooper S is capable of taking more power, and that explains the decision to offer the Mini Cooper JCW (John Cooper Works). The Mini Cooper JCW is based on the Cooper S, but fitted with a tuning kit (including a beefed-up supercharger) that raises maximum output to 200 horsepower and torque from 210Nm to 240Nm.

As a result, the JCW-tuned Cooper S does the 0-100kph in 6.7 seconds (compared to 7.4 seconds for the standard model), and reaches a top speed of 226kph (up from 218kph). Flexibility is also improved, with the 80-120kph acceleration time being lowered from 6.7 seconds to 5.6 seconds.

Toyota Soluna (Bt625,000)

The Toyota Soluna Vios 1.5E automatic

may be the cheapest Toyota passenger car in the market, but it’s the one we like best. The Vios comes with trendy design, powerful 109-horsepower VVT-i engine and road manners that are better than the Corolla Altis. The cabin is larger than the outgoing model and the Vios is able to challenge higher models like the Corolla.

There are also a good level of safety features including driver airbag, disc brakes with ABS and EBD, GOA safety structure, seats with whiplash injury lessening system, side impact beams, collapsible steering column and safety brake pedal.

Mazda Fighter (Bt716,900)

Apart from Ford, Mazda is the other auto-maker

to offer the “freestyle” cabs, which give a new dimension to one-tonne pick-up trucks in Thailand.

The rear-hinged openings give the Fighter Freestyle Cab Luxury WLT 4x4 high utility, with easy access to the space behind the seats, which can be used to store stuff you don’t want to leave in the pick-up bed.

While the performance is its strong point thanks to the turbo-charged and inter-cooled 2.5-litre engine developing 112 horsepower and 270Nm of torque, the Fighter also has the edge in terms of handling and road holding.

Volvo XC90T5 (Bt3.625 million)

The Volvo XC90 may not come with extreme off-road capabilities, but on the road and in light off-roading conditions, it’s the SUV to look for.

While offering exceptionally high safety standards and huge interior space, the XC90 beats rivals in terms of pricing and prestige. The power plant is a light turbo-charged 2.5-litre in-line five that develops 210 horsepower and 320Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm, giving it great flexibility.

The middle seat in the second row serves as a child booster cushion with a three-point safety belt, and there are two more foldable seats at the rear, both with three-point safety belts and pretensioners.

Apart from the dual front airbags, there are side airbags for the front seats as well as window airbags for all three rows. The RSC (rollover stability control) detects risks of a rollover and electronically reacts to minimise the chances.

Mercedes-Benzs280L (Bt6.25 million)

Anyone who wants a proven luxury car cannot afford to overlook the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. And for those who don’t need so much power, since the car is chauffeur-driven most of the time, the entry-level S280 L (long wheel base) is a highly interesting choice.

Priced at Bt6.25 million, the S280 L is a bargain when compared with the S350 (Bt9.65 million) and S500 (Bt13.5 million). There’s plenty of legroom for backseat passengers, and the comfort level is unbeatable. The outer rear seats are electrically adjustable (the front passenger seat is also adjustable from the rear), and a separate climate control system is offered in the back. Power comes from a 2.8-litre V6 power plant, with 201 horsepower and 270Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox, giving the S280 L 0-100kph acceleration in 9.9 seconds and to a top end of 230kph.

--The Nation 2003-12-29

[maerim]

Those Lamborghini Gallardo's are hopeless. You can't move for them where I live.

I was watching a local farmer trying to load his buffalo into the back of one, he was at for twenty minutes before he gave up and put in the back of his 15 year old pick up.

S280 L 0-100kph acceleration in 9.9 seconds and to a top end of 230kph.

That will be no end of an advantage in the empty roads of Bangkok.

[penelope]

BMW M3 (Bt7.65 million)

That is about $300,000 NZD

I could buy one brand new in NZL for $150,000.Half the ###### price.

Superb roads in NZL too.Performance cars have no place on Thai roads.

[Garry]

2003/2004 Mercedes Sports Coupe with retractable hard-top...9,900,000 Baht

It never ceases to surprise me the price of exotic cars in Thailand. This one I saw at Lotus / Robinson in Chiang Mai a short time back. The same car here in the Middle East is around 3,000,000+ baht. Amazing mark-up. Now I know how thailand is paying some of its inflation bills.

The roads over here are also quite capable of taking speeds 300+ kph for the experienced driver, but then you only have to watch out for (dangerous wildlife) camels, donkeys and the odd goat wandering accross the road. Methinks I'll go slow.