BANGKOK: The Volvo C40 Recharge and Toyota bz4x were among electric cars vying for attention at the 2022 Bangkok International Motor Show, which runs from March 23 to April 3.
A total of 37 car and motorcycle brands are taking part in the 43rd round of the motor show themed "Keep Moving Forward Together".
Electric cars made their presence felt at this year's show in line with Thailand's move to incentivise EV use and preserve its status as a major regional automaker.
The government is targeting production of 725,000 EV units a year, or 30% of output by 2030.
This year's show is the year of electric vehicles, said Grand Prix International chief operating officer of sales and marketing Jaturont Komolmis, who is also the vice chairman of the motor show.
Volvo unveiled the C40 Recharge at the show, making it the first fully electric Volvo for Thailand. The C40 Recharge offers the benefits of an SUV but with a lower and sleeker design.
The car features twin electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle, powered by a 78kWh battery that can be fast-charged to 80 percent in about 40 minutes 2 . It offers an anticipated range of around 420km, which is expected to improve over time via over-the-air software
updates.
Earlier this month, Volvo also announced a single electric motor variant is also available.
In the dual motor variant on display, the 71.4 kWh Li-ion battery under the floor can be juiced up to 80% in around 30 mins via a 150kW DC fast charger.
For comparison, the single-motor C40 Recharge comes with a 69 kWh battery and an anticipated range of up to 434 km on a single charge under the WLTP drive cycle. The battery can charge from 10 to 80 per cent of capacity in about 32 minutes on a fast-charging system.
Like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge comes with one of the best infotainment systems on the market, jointly developed with Google and based on the Android operating system. It provides consumers with Google apps and services built-in, such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store.
The bZ4x comes in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations with a range of 500km and 460km respectively.
Like the Subaru Solterra EV, the bZ4x is built upon the new e-TNGA platform for EVs.
Toyota had previously claimed its BEV series' batteries, starting with the ones in bZ4x, would retain more than 90% of their capacity after a decade.
Its batteries, developed with Panasonic Corp, contain a special coolant that does not conduct electricity easily. Battery packs are also structured to keep the cells and coolant separated in case of a leak.
The bZ4x is expected to go on sale in Thailand later this year before making its way to Malaysia in early 2023.
Over at the Honda booth, the Japanese car maker is taking a more restrained approach with a focus on hybrids led by the all-new HR-V e:HEV plus other full-hybrid e:HEV vehicles in various segments at this year’s motor show.
Aside from the City e:HEV, there's also the City Hatchback e:HEV, and Accord e:HEV on show.
The highlight model in the lineup is the HR-V e:HEV, which Honda described as a premium sports SUV with a full-hybrid e:HEV system and Honda SENSING intelligent safety technology in all variants.
The sleek look is enhanced in the RS variant with a sporty exclusive design.
It comes with an e:HEV full-hybrid system with a combination of two electric motors and a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder, 16-valve engine coupled to an Electrical Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) and an Intelligent Power Unit equipped with a lithium-ion battery.
It offers maximum torque of 253Nm and boast fuel efficiency of up to 25.6 km/litre and is also equipped with a Drive Mode switch for easy switching to one of three drive modes.
The cabin is touted as spacious, comfortable and versatile because of the signature multi-utility rear seats.
The HR-V e:HEV is also equipped with a hands-free power tailgate with Walk Away Close, together with safety and advanced driving technology.
Honda is giving a 10-year hybrid battery life warranty and a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty for the entire hybrid system.
Other exhibitors included Audi, BMW, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Ford, Lexus, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Bentley, Porsche, Suzuki cars and motorcycles as well as Kawasaki and Royal Enfield.
Attesting to the green theme were a raft of EVs such as Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi e-tron GT, BMW iX, iX3, i4, Lexus UX 300e, Mercedes-Benz EQS, MINI Cooper SE, Nissan LEAF, Porsche Taycan and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.
The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost - albeit a combustion engine car - stood out as the most expensive exhibit with a price tag of 43.9 million baht (RM5.5mil).
Chinese car makers Great Wall Motors and SAIC Motor also took part in the show with their respective Ora Cat GT and MG ZS EV .
