NEW CARS FOR 2009
- Published: 9/01/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
AT A GLANCE
- Due to the global financial crisis, this year's sales is likely to stay flat or drop by 5% at the worst, according to auto industrialists. The major problem will be credit.
- While several brands will continue launching new products to stimulate the market, some others are delaying their's to next year. Crucial all-new products that have been pushed out to 2010 include the Chevrolet Cruze (new Optra) and Mazda 3.
- Although Ecocar rules come into effect in November, most vehicles in the category will be launched next year. But Nissan hopes to become the first to do so this October.
- While product variety in the mass market segment is only expected to increase fractionally, that in the luxury end would see more colour due to a purchasing target more immune to the crisis.
>B10m
Panamera gets 500hp turbocharged V8 on top of its range. Petrol/electric hybrid to come at a later stage.
- The Porsche Panamera is a stunning five-door fastback with four seats which is becoming a new trend in luxury cars. The engine range starts with a petrol V6 going up to the turbocharged V8 with an expected price range of B13-20m when it goes on sale in September.
Lambo’s latest Gallardo Spyder gets 560hp.
- The Maserati model range will be revitalised with the latest ones after a short hiccup in distribution rights. The newest will be the Quattroporte GT S coming with a proper six-speed automatic gearbox, 440hp 4.7-litre V8 and an anticipated B18m pricetag.
Ferrari’s California has dual-clutch auto ’box.
- The soft-top version of the Gallardo LP560-4 complements the current range of Lamborghinis. The Spyder gets the Coupe''s 560hp 5.0-litre V10 engine and should cost close to B25m.
- Rounding off this year's new car list is the most expensive one: the Ferrari California highlighting folding hard-top, dual-clutch automatic 'box, direct injection for the V8 engine at circa B30m.
B5-10M
BMW to import 740i and 750i in CBU form early this year. Diesel-powered 730d not planned yet.
- Due in February, the facelifted Boxster sports a more powerful 255hp 2.9-litre flat-six engine with the brand's all-new PDK dual-clutch automatic costing B7.9m. At the same time comes the coupe' version known as Cayman with two variants to choose from: 265hp 2.9 priced at B8.9m and 320hp 3.4 (Cayman S) costing B12m.
Cayman now has 320hp in S form costing B12m.
- The Evora (see first drive on page M4) is the first all-new model from Lotus in 12 years and features a unique 2+2, mid-engine package to position itself between the Porsche Cayman and Carrera. Powered by a Toyota-sourced 280hp 3.5-litre V6, the Evora could cost around B10m.
Only 255hp baseline model for Boxster is being sold.
- The all-new 7-series from BMW is due in the first quarter in completely built-up form. The two engines for the long wheelbase version (codenamed F02) are 740iL (3.0-litre inline-six) and 750iL (4.8-litre V8) both coming with twin turbos. Prices should kick out at some B11m.
Evora will be most expensive Lotus at some B10m.
B2-5M
No four-cylinder power for BMW’s second-gen Z4 yet, so expect to pay at least B5m.
- The facelifted 3-series saloon from BMW is likely to focus on only four-pot motors including the 320d diesel and 320i and 318i petrol. There's a chance of seeing the 318d whose 2.0-litre is used in the 320d but detuned to less than 150hp. This could make the price come down to around B2.5m.
Facelifted 3-series could see more economical 318d.
- Alfa Romeo's Mini-rivaling Mito gets a 150hp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine with dual-clutch automatic. It's slated to come towards the end of the year costing almost B3m.
Mini’s new Convertible due March at some B2.5m.
- The Mini Convertible, sporting a classic soft-top, enters its second generation and should come by late March in 120hp Cooper and 175hp Cooper S guises with prices kicking out at about B2.5m.
MX-5 gets mid-life facelift and minor technical tweaks.
- The Mazda MX-5 gets a facelift and some mechanical refinements made to the existing 2.0-litre engine and six-speed automatic transmission to make it decent value against the similarly priced Mini Convertible when it goes on sale in February.
New RX to come in both petrol and hybrid forms.
- Like the Mazda MX-5, the Peugeot 308CC comes with a folding hard-top but has a bigger four-seat package. In 2.0-litre form, the 308CC could cost slightly under B3m.
All-new XC60 will eye users of V70 and XC70 models.
- Citroen's C5 will be a late arrival and is slated to come with a diesel engine, automatic gearbox and prices of around B2.5-3m.
Peugeot 308CC sells easier than hatchback siblings.
- The BMW Z4 comes in second-generation form with a new retractable tin-top to match the Mercedes SLK by mid-year. However, the six-cylinder engine would make the Z4 pricey at some B5m.
New IS250C aims straight for BMW’s 325i Convertible.
- Lexus would be adding some colour by selling the IS250C. Unlike the BMW Z4, the IS250C is a four-seater rivaling the 325i Convertible, which sports the same folding hard-top at some B5m.
The Q5 would be Audi’s answer to the BMW X3.
- Mazda will make use of the FTA agreement by importing the CX-9 from Japan. The seven-seat SUV has three rows of seats and a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine costing close to B4m.
Mazda’s CX-9 to come via Thai-Japanese FTA.
- Like Mazda, Lexus would be waiting for the second quarter to launch the all-new RX as import duties in FTA terms drop a notch further down to 70% by that time. Even so, the RX350 (3.5-litre petrol V6) and RX450h (3.5-litre petrol V6 and electric motors) will cost some B5m.
Alfa’s Sud-reviving Mito to come with dual-clutch ’box.
- Volvo is looking to promote the all-new XC60 premium compact SUV in place of the V70 estate that proves to be less trendy than high-body 4x4s. The XC60 could cost between B3.5-4m to match the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander.
The C5 would be a belated arrival on Thai shores.
- Like Volvo, Audi could be taking advantage of the lofty positioning of the Lexus RX by importing the new Q5 in 2.0-litre diesel form to enjoy the lowest in excise tax for a price under B4m.
- No official information has been issued yet. But one important all-new car in this price bracket coming this year is the Mercedes-Benz E-class.
B1-2M
CVT ’box for all-new Teana.
- The second generation Teana from Nissan is likely to be introduced in March. Engine choices include the 2.0-litre inline-four and 2.5-litre V6. In order to stand out against the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, Nissan would highlight CVT transmission.
C4 Picasso is sized against a Toyota Wish.
- Citroen is hoping to pick some sales in the fading compact MPV class by importing the C4 Picasso at under B2m. To offset its high price (locally made Toyota Wish costs under B1.5m), the Picasso should be coming with a diesel engine.
Camry to go hybrid.
- Toyota will be adding a petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain to the Camry later this year. Combined with the electric motor, the 2.4-litre petrol engine produces around 187hp. Expect the price to come under B2m, pending tax issues with the government.
Freed to get sliding doors.
- The Honda Freed is an ultra-compact seven-seat MPV rivalling the Toyota Avanza with prices set to start at some B600,000 when it goes on sale after mid-year. Like the Avanza, the Freed comes from Indonesia with a 1.5-litre petrol engine.
Yaris to get cosmetic upgrade.
- The Ford Fiesta and Mazda 2 will become the latest entrants in the B-segment class towards the end of the year, effectively as 2010 models to match the Honda City/Jazz and Toyota Vios/Yaris saloon and hatchback models with petrol engines only.
Ford Fiesta comes as a 2010 model.
- Toyota hopes to launch the facelifted Yaris as soon as the stocks of the current version are cleared. Expect the changes to be limited to only the looks and specification.
Mazda’s 2 focuses on light weight.
- Nissan will launch Ecocar in October. Although the new March/Micra is the most likely choice, sources say another alternative could be a stripped-down version of the Livina that boasts a spacious interior since Thais tend to favour cavernous packages instead of compact ones.
- Safer roads, anyone?
- READERS' LETTERS
- Not your mom's tyre
- Downsizing invitation
- Two in a row
- Easing off the brakes a bit
- Finn eyes title
- Radical rubber?
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