Malaysia-Made Hyundai Santa Fe And Peugeot 408 GT Bows At TIME 2023

Stellantis at the 40th Thailand International Motor Expo 2023 (TIME 2023) held in Bangkok this week. (Image source: Peugeot Thailand Instagram)

The 40th Thailand International Motor Expo 2023 (TIME 2023) is happening this week in the Kingdom’s capital of Bangkok. Amongst the debutants here were two Malaysia-made offerings, albeit from two differing brands.

Debuting at TIME  2023 is the Malaysia-made Peugeot 408 GT 'fastback' crossover. (Image: Peugeot Thailand Instagram)

We’ll start with French marque Peugeot, and the Stellantis-owned brand took centre stage to debut the new Peugeot 408 GT ‘fastback’ crossover in said Kingdom. According to reputable Thai sources, this Thai-bound model rolls off the line from Stellantis’s Malaysian plant in Gurun, Kedah.

Priced at THB1,849,000 (approx. RM244,997), it appears just one variant of the Malaysia-made 408 GT for Thailand will be offered. Powering it is a familiar 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol heart paired with an 8-speed automatic, the former producing 218 HP and 300 NM and powers the front wheels.

Overall, this Thai-spec 408 GT looks similar to the car we spotted undergoing trials in Malaysia not too long ago. (Images: Autospinn Thailand)

As far as looks go, this Thai-bound model resembles the model we sighted undergoing road tests here in Malaysia not too long ago. Key touches include the a frameless front grille, LED DRLs shaped like fangs, three-lined ‘claw’ LED taillight graphics, and 20-inch wheels.

On board, the 408 GT presents Peugeot’s latest i-Cockpit concept featuring plush nappa leather seats, 10-inch digital meter panel with 3D displays, 10-inch infotainment touchscreen boasting navigation functions plus both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well a high-end 10-speaker FOCAL audio suite.

As we’ve reported, the new 408 fastback crossover is bound to launch here Malaysia under Stellantis’s new National Sales Company (NSC) for Malaysia next year. Specifications for said upcoming Malaysian market version ought to mirror closely to what’s seen in this Thai-spec car.

Debuting at TIME 2023 too is another Malaysia-made offering, which is the refreshed Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV. (Image: motorexpo.co.th)

Besides this French fastback crossover, the next Malaysia-made offering to debut here is the face-lifted Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid SUV. Just one hybrid variant was introduced at TIME 2023, which boasts a specification sheet mirroring the Hybrid Max variant for Malaysia that’s set to launch soon.

As for price, the Thai-spec refreshed Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid commands THB1,849,000 – approx. RM245,849. Assembled at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah, the refreshed Santa Fe hybrid packs a 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol heart that works in tandem with a electric motor to output 230 PS and 350 NM.

In terms of appearance, the sole hybrid variant offered in Thailand is similar to the Malaysia-spec Hybrid Max variant that's set to launch soon. (Image: autoinfo.co.th)

Key features present include full LED lighting front and aft, 19-inch wheels, uprates 12.3-inch digital meter panel, power tailgate, heated and ventilated front seats, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment boasting voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a Harman Kardon audio suite.

One notable addition in the Thai-bound face-lifted Santa Fe Hybrid is the Harman Kardon premium audio suite. (Images: Hyundai Thailand website)

Aside from that, the Thai-bound refreshed Santa Fe is also brimmed with the Hyundai SmartSense ADAS suite in full, promising Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities – just like the Malaysian version. Speaking of which, the refreshed Santa Fe for Malaysia comes in three guises – two petrol hybrids plus one diesel.

As noted, the Hybrid Max variant mirrors what’s just launched in Thailand, albeit sans Harman Kardon audio suite noted. We’ve already taken a close look at the refreshed Santa Fe recently alongside the new fourth-gen Tucson. The latter was just launched recently, whilst the former is likely to get launched either this month at the earliest.