The 38th Bangkok International Motor Show (opened last week) at the IMPACT Exhibition Centre. With a vast, glamorous display of new vehicles and estimated attendance of 1.5 million visitors it promises to be the best show yet.
The show has attracted 30 car makers and 12 motorcycle makers plus hundreds of accessory and aftermarket stands selling everything from audio systems, to sports wheels and enough car-cleaning products to polish the exhibits in the IMPACT center 100 times over.
As always, luxury and premium bands draw the most attention. Mercedes-Benz and BMW both have massive displays, which an informed source estimated cost each more than 100 million Baht, amounts seemingly at odds to their sales when compared to those of the volume brands.
BMW showed the 5 Series sedan, while Mercedes-Benz showcased its “EQ” hybrid vehicles, ranging from the S-Class to the C-Class and M-Class SUV. But the AMG high performance versions, so popular in many countries, surprisingly is not present.
Audi also is back at the show this year with renewed vigor following a change of national distributor.
Supercars, concepts and new releases among the bread-and-butter most people actually buy are what make motor shows so exciting and the 38th BIMS doesn’t disappoint.
Assisted by Miss Universe Thailand 2016, Chalita ‘Namtan’ Suansane, Rolls-Royce made the south-east Asia debut of the magnificent Wraith Black Badge coupe. It’s unlike any Rolls we’ve seen, but alas, already displayed a “sold” sign in the window. Two Rolls-Royce convertibles and a sedan were also displayed.
The Wraith Black Badge is said to appeal to a younger, more assertive customer – rule breakers and the disruptors, those who work hard in the day but commit the same intensity to play once darkness falls. With 624bhp from its twin-turbocharged V12, it is also the most powerful Rolls-Royce model to date, capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
Sports car fans enjoy a triple treat, with three of the world’s latest direct from the recent Geneva motor show – the Lamborghini Huracan Performante, McLaren 720 and Aston Martin DB11.
