After two years, the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) will again be staged at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on April 7 to 10, 2022. The annual event has traditionally served as an opportunity for automakers to showcase their upcoming releases for the Philippine market, and this year’s edition is no exception.
Buckle up for new cars coming your way at the 2022 MIAS
Participating car brands will no doubt be as eager to feature their new models as the public is excited to see them in the metal. Take a look at the vehicles that are expected to premiere at the auto show.
Changan
Changan will be among the Chinese car brands that will be gracing the event with their presence. Anticipated to make an appearance at MIAS will be its refreshed CS35 Plus compact crossover, now sporting full-width LED lighting on both ends.
Changan CS35 Plus
A sportier-looking interior accompanies driver-assist features for 2022, and the vehicle comes with a tweaked 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that now makes 160 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque.
Chery
Rumor has it that Chery will be bringing its Tiggo 8 Pro midsize crossover to MIAS. It may look like a regular 7-seater SUV on the outside, but the bigger news is that the Tiggo 8 Pro utilizes a hybrid powertrain.
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro
Reports say that the model has been spotted undergoing testing on Philippine roads. The Chinese-market hybrid uses a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid motor generating 156 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission.
Chevrolet
The Golden Bowtie brand will be marking the 2022 MIAS with three of its latest models. First of these is the Suburban full-size SUV that features a powerful 3.5-liter V8 engine, along with an active grille shutter system that improves aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
Chevrolet Corvette C8
Also making an appearance is the eighth-generation Corvette in Stingray trim, the first iteration with a mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine rated at 474 horsepower and 613 Nm of torque. These will be accompanied by the Camaro, which could be the model’s final auto show appearance locally before the nameplate is discontinued by 2023.
Foton
Foton will be launching the 2022 Thunder midsize pickup at MIAS, featuring a revised front end and improved interior, complete with more leather and a floating-type touchscreen.
2022 Foton Thunder
In lieu of the standard Cummins engine that the brand has been known for, this refreshed version will reportedly have a new 2.0-liter AUCAN turbodiesel engine that has more grunt with 390 Nm of torque. Another detail speculated to be coming on the refreshed Thunder is a 6-speed manual transmission, along with a four-wheel drivetrain.
GAC
GAC Motor Philippines will bring its current lineup of lifestyle and business vehicles for the public to see, including the GA4, GS3, GS8, and GN6. These will be accompanied by the debut of the new GA8 midsize sedan, now powered by a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine that’s good for 248 horsepower and 390 Nm of torque.
Geely
The latest from Geely is its Emgrand subcompact sedan, the first three-box model for the Philippine market following the Coolray, Azkarra, and Okavango crossover SUVs.
Geely Emgrand
Coming in two trims (Comfort and Premium), the Emgrand is also Geely’s first non-turbo model, equipped with a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine rated at 102 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque. A third variant will likely be shown to the public, which Geely is marketing towards taxi and ride-sharing use.
Mitsubishi
Fans of the Mitsubishi Xpander can expect the refreshed 2023 version to appear at MIAS. It features an updated fascia incorporating new LED headlamps and the addition of daytime running lights for the first time. The ground clearance has also been increased, now at par with the Xpander Cross.
2023 Mitsubishi Xpander
Changes are also evident in the interior, with a restyled dashboard featuring a new steering wheel, upgraded air-conditioning switches, and a new head unit offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While it continues to run on the same powertrain as the current Xpander, the new version now comes with stability control and hill-start assist.
MG
British brand MG is bringing along its newly launched HS compact crossover, which boasts a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that makes 167 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. There’s also a power tailgate function at the rear to make loading and unloading cargo easier.
MG RX8
The automaker also tells the public to prepare for a surprise at the event, which could mean that it will be unveiling its first 7-seater SUV, the RX8. Unlike others in its class equipped with a diesel engine, the RX8 could come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 221 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque, along with all-wheel-drive and a differential lock.
Nissan
Having confirmed plans of bringing its e-Power hybrid technology to the Philippines, Nissan could use the MIAS to display its Kicks e-Power subcompact crossover, especially since the Juke has been dropped from the local lineup.
Nissan Kicks e-Power
The Kicks e-Power made its debut in Thailand two years ago. It uses an electric motor exclusively to spin the front wheels, charged by the onboard combustion engine that constantly spins at its most efficient speed, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The model also comes with Nissan’s e-Pedal technology to handle acceleration and braking using just a single pedal.
Peugeot
French automaker Peugeot is expected to showcase its Traveller Premium 7-seater MPV alongside the new 3008 and 5008 crossovers. Propelling up to seven passengers is a 2.0-liter turbodiesel power unit kicking up 150 horsepower and 370 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox actuated by a rotary shifter.
Peugeot Traveller Premium
The new 2008 crossover is also slated to appear, bringing safety features such as Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), High Beam Assist, Active Lane Keep Assist, and Active Blind Spot Monitoring.
Subaru
The long-awaited second-generation BRZ will make its Philippine debut at MIAS. Subaru’s only rear-wheel-drive sports car carries a longer wheelbase, along with an updated suspension setup and a limited-slip rear differential. Power comes in the form of a 2.4-liter Boxer engine that makes 228 horsepower and 249 Nm of torque.
2022 Subaru BRZ
Also being fielded is the updated Forester compact crossover, featuring Subaru’s Dynamic X Solid design language. A 2.0-liter hybrid e-Boxer engine is expected under the hood, making 145 horsepower and 188 Nm of torque. Driver-assist tech has been updated, now offering EyeSight 4.0 with lane departure prevention and updated adaptive cruise control.
Volvo
Swedish auto brand Volvo will display its range of Boost Hybrid models at MIAS, comprising the 2022 XC60 compact crossover and S90 executive sedan. These models will feature an advanced air purifier, part of Volvo’s world-first air quality system.
The Boost Hybrid system comprises a turbocharged gasoline engine and Integrated Starter Generator powered by a 48-volt battery, good for 313 horsepower and 460 Nm of torque.
Find out more about the upcoming models in our market at Philkotse.com.