It’s no surprise that in this year’s Motorshow, 70% of the vehicles displayed are comprised of full EVs or hybrid models. But the biggest news this year is the influx of new Chinese brands that are seeking a piece of our local automotive pie.
But don’t look away from legacy carmakers just yet, for many of them are entering our market with new or renewed lineups. Here are the 12 models (in alphabetical order) we think you should definitely check out when you head to the Motorshow this weekend!
(Prices, inclusive of COE, have been included where information is available. All figures are correct at time of writing.)
AUDI Q6 e-tron – from $389,999
The Q6 e-tron is Audi’s newest contender in the mid-size luxury electric SUV segment, taking on competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and Porsche Macan, which is now fully electric.
The Q6 e-tron features new LED and OLED lighting technology that lets the driver select from several light signatures. Inside, though, the car aims to wow buyers with its ‘digital stage’, which merges an 11.9-inch instrument panel with a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment.
There are two powertrain options for the Q6 e-tron: A single-motor, rear-wheel drive variant with an 83kWh battery and 520km of range, and a Quattro version with dual motors, all-wheel drive, a 100kWh battery and 625km of range. The latter sprints from rest to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
BMW 116
Likely to add another notch to BMW’s strong belt of compact-class models is the all-new BMW 1 Series.
The entry point to the brand arrives with heavily refreshed styling – there’s a sharper snout, narrower head lights, and of course, larger kidney grilles. Its cabin has likewise been thoroughly overhauled to keep it up to date with other members of the family, with a single Curved Display panel up front combining two new screens that run BMW OS 9.
Thanks to improved chassis technology, BMW believes that its compact hatch should be even more rewarding at the helm for keener drivers. For those forking out the cash to buy it, however, the real reward probably lies in the fact that only the 116 variant has gone on sale here – with the 122bhp and 230Nm of torque from its 1.5-litre engine slotting it neatly into Category A.
BYD SEALION 7 – from $209,888
The Sealion 7 is BYD’s newest and largest SUV in Singapore. Built on the brand’s e-Platform 3.0 Evo and features an 8-in-1 electric powertrain. With its fastback-style sloped roof and tailgate, it can be considered a ‘coupe-SUV’.
Facing the driver in the cockpit are a 10.25-inch instrument panel and 15.6-inch rotating display for the infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay and a Dynaudio sound system are standard, along with a long list of ADAS that includes Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Blind Spot Detection (BSD).
The Sealion 7 is available in two forms: Extended Range Premium, and AWD Performance. The former delivers 230kW (308bhp) and 380Nm of torque with a century sprint time of 6.7 seconds, while the latter offers 390kW (523bhp), 690Nm of torque and a zero to 100km/h time of 4.5 seconds.
IM5 SEDAN
Debuting with not just one but two special showcases at the Motor Show, IM Motors is yet another Chinese carmaker trying to find its footing in the premium segment. Unlike a few of its direct rivals, however, it won’t technically have to start from scratch: It’s been officially positioned as the more upmarket sister of MG.
The coupe-SUV body of the IM6 is probably what paying customers will go for, but it’s the IM5 sedan that stands out more in our eyes. There’s just something about its sleek fastback silhouette that brings out the brand’s clean design language a bit more elegantly.
Because the IM5 hasn’t been homologated yet, the car seen here isn’t fully reflective of what buyers can expect. Nonetheless, there’s something eye-catching wherever you look: A steering yoke, a stunning tri-screen setup on the dash, and the car’s “Interactive Signal Communication Tail Lights”, which displayed an interactive puppy when we were present. IM stands for “Intelligence in Motion”, so expect to see lots of cool tech on the IM5 when it is officially launched.
JAECOO J6 – from $191,888
If you’re ready to make the full electric switch and want a modern SUV with a tough outlook, Chery’s Jaecoo J6 may just be the perfect car. Boxy styling aside, a unique design cue you’ll note is its use of “i” motifs on both its headlights and tail-lights.
Dual motors give it good power (a generous 205kW and 385Nm), along with the confidence desired when behind the wheel of an all-wheel-drive SUV. Powered by a 69.77kWh battery, the J6 can go the distance too, with a WLTP-rated range of up to 470km.
But where the J6 should really win you over is with its neat, contemporary, and well put-together cabin. Like its sibling, the J7, it gets a good dose of digitalisation with a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and is also generously equipped, getting ventilated seats, a full-length panoramic glass roof, and a total of 13 advanced driver assistance systems.
KIA EV5 – from $190,000
The EV5 is the first Kia that’s made in Singapore, and the third model after the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 to be produced at Hyundai Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS). The EV5 features the same boxy design as the Kia EV9, and is underpinned by the E-GMP platform, too.
The EV5’s interior evokes the feel of a high-tech home lounge, with a Panoramic Wide Display that’s comprised of two 12.3-inch screens. There’s a new Unified Graphical User Interface that ensures the information and functions are displayed in a consistent manner.
Performance-wise, the EV5 has an 88.1kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a maximum driving range of 540km. As a Cat A COE model, its outputs stand at 110kW (148bhp) and 310Nm of torque. When plugging into a 141kW charger, the battery can be recharged from 10% to 80% in 38 minutes.
MERCEDES-AMG E53 HYBRID 4MATIC+
The E53 AMG is the sportiest E-Class model, and its road presence is impossible to miss. Tasty accoutrements include an AMG-specific front bumper, spoiler lip, and rear apron, plus 21-inch cross-spoke forged wheels finished in matte black.
Other goodies include AMG Sports Seats, an AMG steering wheel, and pedals finished in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs. The 26.7-inch MBUX Superscreen is also found here, along with distinctive AMG menus.
Powering the E53 is a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six that’s paired to a plug-in hybrid system, whose electric motor is fed by a 21.2kWh battery. With a combined system output of 577bhp and 740Nm of torque, the sedan finishes the century sprint in 4.0 seconds. In addition, with a fully charged battery and under ideal driving conditions, the E53 can cover up to 101km on electric power alone.
MG HS 1.5
Amidst the flurry of EVs, new names, and otherworldly previews in this year’s Motorshow is a name that stands out precisely because of its familiarity and normalcy: The MG HS, which is now in its second-generation.
Like its predecessor, it has a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, which should provide good punch for most driving situations with its healthy 168bhp and 275Nm of torque. For the efficiency-oriented folks, a proper hybrid variant is slated some time later this year too.
Where the HS takes a leap forward, however, is with its styling and interior. A new grille and slimmer headlights have given it more distinctiveness than before. And while the cabin was already arguably a strength of the previous car, this one shines even brighter with its modern cockpit and extra space. If priced correctly, this could be another hit for MG in Singapore.
NISSAN QASHQAI – from $212,800
The updated Qashqai sports a redesigned grille, said to be patterned after ancient Japanese armour scales, alongside new head lights that now come with an adaptive high beam module. There are new taillights and a new rear bumper, and higher-specification models even feature sequential turning indicators.
In the cockpit, there’s a new 12.3-inch NissanConnect infotainment system that replaces the previous 9.0-inch display, redesigned black Nappa leather is used to upholster the seats, and the rearview mirror looks sleeker than before because it’s now frameless. There’s customisable ambient lighting to suit various moods, too.
The Qashqai continues to be powered by a turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid technology. This powerplant produces 156bhp and 270Nm of torque, and averages 16.1km/L.
XPENG X9 – from $315,000
Buyers seeking an electric family ferry can check out the X9, a seven-seater MPV that promises plenty of room and advanced technology. Measuring 5,293mm long and with a wheelbase length of 3,160mm, the model’s dimensions certainly bode well for passenger space.
For comfort, the X9 offers ‘Windless Surrounding Central Air-Conditioning’ that promises to keep everyone cool while being draught-free, an integrated chiller/warmer for drinks and snacks, and a one-touch entry/exit function for the third row. Speaking of which, the last pair of seats can be electrically folded into the floor’s recess, thereby freeing up space for luggage.
The X9 is available in either FWD Standard Range that has a 480km driving range, or FWD Long Range, which offers a maximum of 575km. Rear-wheel steering reduces the X9’s turning radius, while dual-chamber air suspension helps create a cushier ride.
YANGWANG U9
In the realm of even the most manic electric hypercars, theatrics typically manifest themselves in sub-three-second century sprint timings, and scissors or butterfly doors thrown in for good measure.
The Yangwang U9 – brainchild of BYD’s luxury sub-brand – aims for something even crazier: It can bounce about, and even rotate on the spot like a tank. How exactly it manages this remains beyond the mental reach of us non-engineering – but this flurry of movement can apparently be credited to its three-system active suspension.
And even without its befuddling party tricks, the U9 has the looks and numbers to match. Thanks to a quad-motor setup – one on each wheel – performance is similarly show-stopping: A whopping output of 960kW (1287bhp), sending it from 0 to 100km/h in 2.36 seconds. It’s unclear who exactly this sort of car would appeal to in Singapore (and BYD has stated it’s not going on sale here – at least not yet), but again, whoever said supercars were sensible? This one’s certainly one to catch!
ZEEKR 7X
In their own unique ways, the X and 009 have both helped bring Zeekr’s vision of left-field luxury to life. As they say, however, “third time’s a charm”, and the brand’s latest model, the 7X, may just be the one that propels it firmly into the consciousness of the mainstream.
The same promises of luxury and tech are fundamentally the same, but the 7X’s later arrival means both are taken to further heights. On the latter front, the car’s 800V electric architecture doesn’t just mean an outstanding CLTC-rated range figure of 780km; it also supports ultra-fast charging that can see its battery’s state-of-charge go from 10 to 80% in just 10.5 minutes.
Ultimately, however, it’s also the 7X’s body style that should win buyers over: A mid-sized, five-seater SUV that will simultaneously swallow both rear passengers and grocery runs with ease, thanks to a 2925mm wheelbase and 616-litre boot respectively. Expect this on our shores by Q3.
This story was first published on Sgcarmart.
