WISHLIST: 6 cars we want from the Indonesia International Motor Show 2023

The Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2023 is being held in Jakarta until February 26, 2023.

Although we can’t be there, our friends from AutoFun Indonesia are on the ground getting the latest on the cars being showcased.

Here are six models that we want to see in the Philippines soon, in alphabetical order.

Chery Omoda 5

This stylish, Chinese-made crossover made its ASEAN debut at the IIMS 2023.

Packing Lexus-like looks and a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine, the Omoda 5 is actually on its way to the Philippines and is rumored to debut locally on October 2023.

Prices in Indonesia start at around 328 million IDR (around ₱1.18 million, as of press time) for the Omoda 5 Z variant.

Would you go for the Omoda 5 when it arrives locally?

MG4 EV

Chinese carmaker MG is also getting on the electric bandwagon with the MG4 EV.

The Indonesian model gets a 51-kWh battery with a rear-mounted 204 PS electric motor. It has a claimed maximum range of 425 km and can do 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds.

In other markets, the MG4 EV has a 449 PS all-wheel-drive variant that does 0 to 100 km/h in a face-melting 3.8 seconds.

The MG4 EV can also charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 35 minutes using a 150-kW rapid charger. 

The electric crossover sold like hotcakes when showcased at the Thailand International Motor Expo on December 2022, getting 1,598 bookings within eight hours of its unveiling.

Would the MG4 EV also be a hit if brought to the Philippines?

Mitsubishi Minicab-MiEV

Indonesia won’t just get the Minicab-MiEV kei van; it will also be the first country outside of Japan to produce it starting in 2024.

The minuscule commercial electric vehicle (EV) complies with Japan’s keijidosha (“light automobile”) regulations, which are for the country’s smallest highway-legal passenger cars.

Powering Minicab-MiEV is either a 10.5-kWh or a 16-kWh battery pack, which is good for a claimed maximum range of 100 km or 150 km, respectively. This is connected to a rear-mounted electric motor producing 41 PS and a whopping 196 Nm of torque. 

Mitsubishi said all EV components are mounted under the floor to maximize cargo space. The company said the van has a maximum payload of 350 kg.

Would the Mitsubishi Minicab-MiEV work as an urban hauler for your business?

Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid

As of press time, Suzuki Auto Philippines holds the crown for selling the cheapest mild hybrid in the country.

But if you need more space than the Ertiga Hybrid offers, the Suzuki Grand Vitara Hybrid crossover may be what you’re looking for.

Indonesia gets two variants, powered by a 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve, inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an Integrated Starter Generator and a lithium-ion battery. 

The combined output for the mild-hybrid crossover is 103 PS and 137 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Given that the Grand Vitara is a well-known nameplate in the Philippines, will Suzuki bring it back with an additional electrical charge?

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota may be one of the world leaders in hybrid EVs, but it has some serious catching up to do for battery EVs.

One of the Japanese carmaker’s handful of fully electric vehicles is the Toyota bZ4X crossover. 

It uses a 71.4-kWh lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 71.4 kWh and a front-mounted electric motor for the Indonesian market that produces 204 PS and 266 Nm of torque.

The bZ4X has a claimed maximum range of 500 km and can do 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.

Given that EVs in the Philippines has gotten much cheaper, Toyota Motor Philippines may consider importing this electric crossover sooner.

Wuling Air ev

The adorable Wuling Air ev is also at the show, unsurprising given that it is manufactured in Indonesia.

The local variant of the mini EV gets a 17.3-kWh battery pack that’s good for a claimed maximum range of 200 km. 

Incorporating retro and modern styling cues, would the Wuling Air ev be a great addition to a potential Wuling Philippines lineup?

Which of these cars from IIMS 2023 would you like to have?

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