With the usual fanfares of trumpets and an exhibition hall full of crumpets, the 23rd annual Bangkok International Motor Show kicked off this last week. Promoted by the Grand Prix International Group, our local motor show is classified as a true “international” event by the world authority that grants the status of these motor shows, and we have just cause to be proud of it. 

The theme this year at the BITEC venue was “Never-ending Energy” and many of the concept cars were using alternative fuel sources and hybrid technology.

With the auto-market being a global enterprise, we cannot think of just the Thai market as being all important. This country has a place in the world. This was brought out by people such as Mike Pease, the boss of Ford in this country, who announced that Thailand has been selected as the manufacturing hub for pick-ups in the SE Asian region, while Ford will make their small cars in the Philippines.

Toyota is another company which has selected Thailand as the SE Asian manufacturing base, as has the General with its Zafira and the newcomer Alfa Romeo which is manufacturing the new 156 through the GeeEmm plant on the Eastern Seaboard.

Benz CLK 240

While the total number of vehicles may still not be quite at the pre-1997 (economic crash) levels, it is rapidly reaching that level of production and will soon surpass it. The world may have gone through a recent downturn, but the local industry is more than holding its own.

I will give more detailed summaries over the next few weeks, but here are some of the highlights of the Press Day. For me, the stand which impressed most was Mercedes Benz. It was not the brightest or biggest, but had a wonderful range of very impressive (and pretty) cars. The CLK coupe which made its world debut in RHD at the Bangkok Show is a beautiful looking vehicle, only edged out in the styling stakes by the new SL 500 roadster. This will set you back about 12 and a bit million, that’s all! For a cool 30 million baht you could also have the AMG S 63 version. A large saloon which knocks over 0-100 kays in a shade over 6 seconds. There was also a “David Coulthard” F1 McLaren Mercedes on display, which is stretching the longbow somewhat, since the engines are designed and built by Ilmor Engineering, but ah well, it’s Benz bucks that have made it possible.

BMW 745

BMW, on the other hand had a huge stand, but apart from the new 745 long wheelbase 7 series on a turntable (which I think has an “awkward” rear end), the rest of the BMW range, albeit with some very good cars, were left as static exhibits, even if there was a real live dolly bird dressed in black evening dress standing beside each one. BeeEmm even chose to show the motorcycles the same way.

The aforementioned Alfa Romeo manufacturer’s stand had Michael Schumacher’s F1 Ferrari and a couple of 156’s on mirror turntables, complete with ladies in gold evening dresses as human decoration. I had the opportunity to drive the new 156’s around Bira Circuit last weekend and will be doing a full test on these shortly. Well, I’ve been promised a car, so we’ll see!

Tuk-tuk tipper

Even the humble tuk-tuk was at the show, with various body styles as well as the usual people carrier. The tipper was probably the most novel. I wonder if we’ll ever see them on Beach Road?

There was the usual problem in getting English language Press Kits, and I must say I was not impressed with the Citroen stand, who when I asked if they had any English Press Kits, replied in Thai that they didn’t. I then asked if they had any in French, but I think the irony went over their heads. The manufacturers should understand that sine it is an “international” show, they should have information available in the “international” motoring language. After all, why do all F1 drivers have to speak English? I will give Volvo their due, however. They confessed they did not, but emailed the information to me, which got to the office even before I did. Thank you Volvo.

CLK World premier in RHD at Bangkok

One of the most impressive cars, visually, was the CLK Benz. Bangkok was its release in RHD form and it has reputedly a Cd of only 0.28 to make it one of the most slippery coupe’s in history.

The one on display at our motor show is considered the “entry level” CLK 240 while we do not look like getting the hot CLK 55 AMG. More’s the pity.

The CLK styling is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, and comes complete with frameless and fully retractable side windows and twin bi-xenon headlights.

CLK Benz

The new cars are 71mm longer, 18mm wider and 42mm higher than their predecessor. The wheelbase has been increased by 25mm to 2715mm, with Benz claiming this will deliver improved distance between the seats, headroom, knee room, elbow room and shoulder width.

The CLK 240 is actually a 2.6 litre V6 that generates 125kW, but if we ever get it, the CLK 55 AMG produces 270kW from its 5.5 litre engine and accelerates from rest to 100km/h in just 5.2 seconds. The CLK500 is also impressive, with 220 kW and a 0-100 kph figure of 6.0 seconds.

Alfa GTA

Inside the cabin, the instrument panel, centre console, door panels and seats are all new, while standard equipment includes adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, side bags, window bags, as well as belt tensioners. The CLK also benefits from high-tech systems first seen in the S-class luxury limousine including Distronic proximity cruise control, keyless go entry, bi-xenon headlamps and Linguatronic voice control for the telephone and radio should all be included in the locally offered car.

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