The American automaker recently won the “Most Line Today Billboard” award at the Line Thailand Awards, where the best brands are recognised in 26 categories.

Chevrolet Thailand won in the Automotive & Energy category with content about the new Captiva SUV coming to Thailand soon.

The Thai affiliate says the award shows it is effectively connecting with people on the Line platform in an engaging way.

Inspired by the popular Mirage GLX CVT variant, the Mirage Limited Edition also comes with black-painted 15-inch alloy wheels plus upgraded suspension. The model comes in two colours – metallic red with black roof (Bt520,000) and pearl white with black roof (Bt527,000).

The interior finishes include red-leather accents on the steering wheel and gearshift knob, as well as seats upholstered in black and red fabric. The infotainment system features voice command, Bluetooth, touchscreen monitor and DVD player, while safety features include dual SRS airbags, stability control, traction control and hill-start assist.

“The Mirage Limited Edition is highlighted by its stylish appearance designed to specifically match the lifestyle of our younger generation customers. More importantly, it is still packed with a list of equipment and safety features that inspire customer confidence and convenience,” said Morikazu Chokki, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co Ltd.

However, it’s no bigger than the Q7 at all, but in fact is a coupe version of the German brand’s flagship SUV. It’s slightly shorter, but at the same time wider and lower.

The Q8 is almost five metres long (4,986mm compared to the 5,052mm Q7), but appears less bulky due to its sportier design, particularly towards the rear end (C-pillar area). Think of SUV coupes such as the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, or even the Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

And at Bt6.799 million, the Q8 is priced much higher than the Q7, which retails at just Bt4.999 million and surely offers better value for money, along with more interior space.

The Q8 is powered by a 340hp turbocharged V6 engine with direct injection and comes with a mild hybrid system that helps improve fuel economy, particularly while braking and coasting.

The 48-volt system uses a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter – Audi says that, during braking, it can regenerate up to 12kW of power and feed it back to the battery.

While coasting, the engine can be deactivated (starting from 22km/h) and, according to Audi, this can lower fuel consumption by 0.7 litres per 100 kilometres driven. Audi claims an average fuel economy of 10.9km/litre for the Q8.

And despite a total weight of almost 2.1 tonnes, the Q8 never feels sluggish, with as much as 500Nm of torque being on tap from 1,370rpm right up to 4,500rpm. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 5.9 seconds, and it is capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

Power goes through an eight-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic, adding to the fun when driven in sports mode.

The sharp steering and grippy suspension are a surprise for a vehicle this size. Set up for the corner properly and the Q8 is glued to the curve like a smaller and lighter vehicle, with hardly any lateral roll. Audi has really matched the performance of the Q8 with its sportier appearance.

There is Audi Drive Select with sport and off-road modes to choose from too, although it’s hard to imagine who would take the Q8 into the jungle.

The suspension is multi-link both front and rear, with stabilisers at both ends and 21-inch alloy wheels wearing low-profile 285/45 tyres. The ride offered by the sport-adaptive air suspension is comfortable on highways but, unfortunately, bumps and potholes on the road aren’t really ironed out perfectly, as many would expect from a luxury SUV.

The brake pedal is super-sensitive (an Audi trademark) and I needed a couple of days to get used to it, especially in low-speed traffic. Nevertheless, braking at high speeds, it poses no problems – it’s much easier to judge the brakes now.

The exterior design of the Q8 appears more contemporary compared with the Q7, which is bulkier and has a stronger off-roader character.

The Q8’s front end is highlighted by the huge grille flanked by HD Matric LED headlights, while the rear lights feature directional Light Staging function.

The interior remains spacious, and the only setback is just a smaller luggage compartment due to the rear-end design. There are 605 litres of space for luggage behind the rear seat bench, which increases to 1,755 litres when the backrest is folded. That’s not bad, and I was able to fit a 180cm sofa bed without any difficulty.

The slanted rear end doesn’t affect headroom much, with rear passengers still enjoying lots of space and legroom. Visibility is also great for everyone and the huge panoramic sunroof does give the cabin a super-airy holiday atmosphere.

I expected a little more bling with the interior design considering the positioning of the Q8, but was slightly disappointed. The door panels and dull-looking and the buttons for the power windows had pretty sharp edges that I didn’t appreciate.

The Q8 comes with the Virtual Cockpit dashboard featuring a 12.3-inch screen that has lots of options. At the centre console is an MMI Navigation Plus with 10.1-inch touchscreen that’s a fuss to use (Google Maps on your smartphone is much simpler) and even the voice command function doesn’t help much.

The infotainment system features a high-end Bang & Olufsen audio system which has plenty of detail, even from MP3 files, but the midrange is over-boosted, with no bass (and there’s no midrange adjustment, so you can’t lower it).

On both screens, the controls are also touch rather than knobs and buttons, making it harder to use than normal controls, and the result is plenty of fingerprints on that glossy black screen. But don’t misunderstand – the interior quality of the Q8 is great still, something you can always count on with the German automaker.

The seats feature diamond-cut stitching and looks pretty unique (although I preferred the normal seats in the Q7), and the flat-bottomed steering comes with lots of controls for various systems.

In summary, if I had to make a choice, I would probably go for the Q7 purely because of the price difference (which is enough to get you a Honda Accord Hybrid).

But for those who really want that trendy SUV Coupe looks and better driving dynamics, the Q8 may just be it.

Audi Q8 55 TFSI quattro S line specs

Engine: V6 24-valve with turbocharger

Displacement: 2,995cc

Bore and stroke: 84.5x89mm

Compression ratio: 11.2:1

Max power: 340hp/5,000-6,400rpm

Max torque: 500Nm/1,370-4,500rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

0-100kmh: 5.9 secs

Top speed: 250km/h

Average fuel economy: 10.9km/litre

Average CO2: 207g/km

Suspension (f/r): multi-link, stabiliser/multi-link, stabiliser

Steering: powered rack-and-pinion

Turning circle: 13.3 metres

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/vented disc

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,986

Width: 1,995

Height: 1,705

Wheelbase: 2,995

Track (f/r): 1,679/1,691

Weight: 2,095kgs

Wheels: 21-inch alloy

Tires: 285/45 R21

Fuel tank capacity: 85 litres

Price: Bt6.799 million

Distributor: Audi Thailand Co Ltd

Sales have already rocketed by 91 per cent for Volvo during the first half of 2019, with 1,079 vehicles sold. Aa much as half of Volvo sales in Thailand are made up of the new XC40 model launched earlier this year.

Last year the Swedish auto maker sold 1,300 vehicles in Thailand, far from its peak in 1994 when more than 5,000 units were sold.

“We do things our own way without targeting the competition, and among the key things that we did this year was to take the cars to the customers, rather than expecting customer to visit the showrooms,” Volvo Car Thailand managing director Chris Wailes said.

Approximately half of vehicles sold this year came from fleet sales, Wailes said, with SME sales shooting by 197 per cent. All Volvo models are imported from Malaysia, after local assembly ceased several years ago.

Despite the spectacular sales growth in the first half of the year, things could change during the second half.

“The economy is slowing and growth in the premium car market has been falling during the past three years,” he said.

Wailes said while the premium car market enjoyed 20 per cent growth in 2017, the figure has fallen to 14 per cent in 2018 and just 3 per cent during the first six months of 2019.

This would be the year that Volvo achieves the highest growth in its history in Thailand, according to Wailes.

“For 2019, we anticipate a growth of 70 to 95 per cent, depending on the economy,” he stated.

Volvo currently has 12 dealerships in Thailand, and plans to add three more during the final quarter of the year.

As much as 90 per cent of Volvos sold in Thailand this year are PHEVs (Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles) which offer a short pure electric driving range. According to parent company Volvo Corporation, by 2025 as much as 50 per cent of its product line-up would be electrified.

Asked whether Thailand is ready for EV technology, Wailes quickly replied: “No, due to the infrastructure. But ask me again next year and the answer could be different.”

Wailes said currently the charging infrastructure for EVs in Thailand is still incomplete. Although there are enough in Bangkok, upcountry areas still need more charging stations.

Nevertheless Volvo, which will launch a new model at this year’s Thailand International Motor Expo in November, will be offering an EV in the near future.

“With our global plan to have 50 per cent of our products being EVs by 2025, we will be offering them in Thailand as well,” he said.

Meanwhile, Volvo is currently staging “The Volvo Way: Freedom to Experience” at Megabangna, with more than 100 tons of steel being constructed into a two-storey test course. Other attractions include street art, mini concert, and eco-friendly activities such as plastic recycling lab, and pendulum painting for kids. The event goes on until August 18.

In a keynote speech presented at the Delta Future Industry Summit held in Bangkok on Thursday, Peter Galli, vice president of communications at Nissan Motor (Thailand), noted how electrification is changing the future of cities as he highlighted the automaker’s electrification strategy and the importance of advancing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) through collaboration.

“Thailand and Asean are entering a new era of mobility, with opportunities built around a robust EV ecosystem via private-public partnerships,” Galli said. “Our ability to provide a comprehensive charging and support system around the all-new Nissan LEAF in Thailand is due to key partnerships with government organisations like the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Provincial Electricity Authority and private companies like Delta Electronics.”

These strategic partnerships will enable Thai EV owners to seamlessly access charging solutions at home, work, or on the road, regardless of geography. Thailand’s future EV ecosystem is a topic that Nissan is hugely passionate about, he said.

Thailand’s goal is to put 1.2 million EVs on the road by 2036, and the government has expressed its support for the development of green transportation infrastructure so as to address the issue of rising emissions, traffic congestion and noise pollution.

Nissan LEAF

He said Nissan recently commissioned leading research firm Frost & Sullivan to develop a position paper that examines the evolving role of mobility in future cities across Asia and Oceania. It produced studies on “The Future of Electric Vehicles in Southeast Asia” and “Future of the Cities in Asia” to provide an insight into consumer behaviour across the region.

Galli said studies in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines showed that 37 per cent of prospective buyers were open to considering the purchase of an EV as their next car.

The report on Thailand also showed that there is a significant latent demand for EVs in Thailand, with 44 per cent of the respondents saying they would consider an EV when they next buy a new car.

Offers include an interest-free instalment plan and free Mazda Premium Insurance for one year for every Mazda model offered in the Thai market.

In addition, buyers also get Bt10,000 worth of fuel coupons, and those who pay a Bt5,000 deposit for a new vehicle will receive wireless JBL TUNE 120 earphones worth Bt3,990, which are upgraded to the JBL

Under Armour Flash wireless earphones, worth Bt6,990, for those paying a Bt10,000 deposit for the CX-5 model.

Thee Permpongpanth, vice president at Mazda Sales Thailand Co Ltd, said each Mazda model also comes with its own promotion package.

For more information, go to www.masda.co.th.

The MG Extender features a 1.9-metre pickup bed, which is the longest in the market. It is powered by a 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo diesel engine that produces 161hp and 375Nm. Both six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes are available.

The Extender Giant Cab models come with a 10-inch touchscreen, smart entry and multi-function steering, while the Double Cab models also come with powered front seats, foldable rear seats and rear air vents.

The i-SMART Thai voice control system is also available in the Extender along with the smart connect MG app for online music or destination searches.

Apart from the regular safety features like airbags, ABS brakes and stability control, the Extender has blind spot detection and lane departure warning, plus hill-start assist and hill-descent control.

The MG Extender will be officially launched at the BIG Motor Sale 2019 from August 16-25.

The new models are MINI Cooper S Countryman Entry, which comes with a new price tag of Bt1.989 million; the MINI Cooper S Countryman priced at Bt2.299 million; and the MINI Cooper S Countryman Hightrim going for Bt2.499 million.

Fans will also be greeted by the complete MINI range – from the MINI Hatch 3-Door, MINI Hatch 5-Door, MINI Convertible, and MINI Clubman to the powerful MINI John Cooper Works family – along with many special offers.

Another highlight of the expo is the launch of MINI Connected technology.

Apart from all this, MINI is also marking its 60th birthday by offering 60 free petrol refills to customers who purchase a MINI between August 1 and September 30, with delivery dates within September.

Preecha Ninatkiattikul, general manager for MINI Thailand, said: “This year has been an exceptional one for MINI with our deliveries seeing 25 per cent year-on-year growth in the first half of 2019. This success is a testament to the trust that Thai customers have placed in us and an incredible driving force for us to continue moving forward. Furthermore, this year is a milestone for MINI as we celebrate our 60th anniversary, and we will be delighting MINI fans with surprising activities throughout the year.

“Moreover, we are unleashing the cutting-edge connectivity technology, MINI Connected, which offers a seamless connection between a wide range of intelligent services and the vehicle. This brings the ultimate in safety and superior driving pleasure to MINI owners,” he added.

MINI Connected in MINI Cooper S Countryman Hightrim comes with the Navigation Plus package, allowing a fully-integrated connection between the vehicle, the driver and the outside world. In addition to the standard services included in the Connected Media package, the Navigation Plus offers a more all-rounded connection – including Real-Time Traffic Information, Apple CarPlay Preparation and MINI FindMate, the last of which can locate the position of personal belongings such as car key or wallet and notify the owner if the distance between the tag and the smartphone exceeds 40 metres. The MINI Cooper S Countryman Hightrim also comes with MINI Navigation and an 8.8-inch touchscreen display.

The 911 Carrera S, priced at Bt11.5 million, is powered by a flat-six turbo engine capable of developing 450hp. Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 3.5 seconds and the top speed is claimed at 309km/h.

Standard features include Porsche Wet Mode and 10.9-inch Porsche Communication Management touchscreen.

Other models to be shown at the Porsche booth include the Macan, Cayenne E-Hybrid, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive, and the 718 Cayman, AAS stated in a press release today.

Customers placing orders at the event will receive the following:

– Porsche Tequipment package at special price

– Bt10,000 voucher and welcome package from Hugo Boss

– Cashback credit for those using SCB credit cards

– Up to 50-per cent discount on Porsche Driver’s Selection items

AAS is also offering a 9-year warranty for all models.

The 2019 Sienta is priced at Bt765,000 for the 1.5 G model and Bt875,000 for the 1.5 V. Apart from the regular three exterior colour choices, the 2019 model comes with a new addition – Citrus Mica Metallic.

The front end features a new grille and bumper, along with bi-beam LED headlights, while the interior gets fresh black upholstery with orange stitching and new door panels.

The Sienta comes with smart entry and powered sliding doors on both sides (which also open and close via a switch on the console or remote unit), along with a 6.8-inch touchscreen with T-Link, navigation and online music streaming. There’s also an 8-inch LED screen for rear passengers.

Apart from a 360-degree exterior camera, the 1.5 V gets a front-rear video recorder and a full active safety package (ABS, EBD, BA, VSC and HAC).