Compact performance machines ready to burst through the doors of MIAS

Small but perfectly formed—and some are pretty fast, too: these are some of the most desirable cars that will debut at the Manila International Auto Show on March 29 at the World Trade Center. Small is the next big thing, not just in engines, but in automobiles as well. After all, you don’t need a huge engine to power a small, lightweight car. What makes these cars special is that they are sporty but relatively practical in terms of running cost—or at least, fuel consumption.

Hyundai has been radical with the exterior design of its mainstream cars beginning with the Sonata and culminating in the Elantra. Now it takes a left turn, as it introduces the Veloster three-door coupe. The third door doesn’t mean the hatchback. It really means a third door on the passenger side. Thus, the driver’s side has one door, in traditional coupe fashion, while the passenger side has the radical but very useful rear door. The Mazda RX-8 was actually a four-door, using radical rear-hinged rear doors, but the problem was that the front door had to open before the rear could open. With the Veloster, the rear door opens and closes independently of the front. The exterior door handle remains hidden to maintain a coupe look on both sides. Veloster will be powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with direct-injection technology, good for 138 hp and 167 Nm, mated to a dual-clutch six-speed transmission.

Mini Coopers have been unabashedly full-scale toy cars, but they have always had a bit of practicality thanks to a pair of rear seats. Now, Mini sheds some of the practicality for sportiness as it unveils its first production two-seater: the Mini Coupe. The Coupe features a separate trunk instead of the traditional hatchback, and a distinctive roof that Mini dubs a helmet roof. It’s easy to see why, especially when it’s painted in a contrasting color. Then for even more fun in the sun, Mini is also launching the Roadster. Following the two-seater ethos of the Coupe, the Roadster is an ideal getaway car for the weekend.

Subaru will pull the wraps off the XV compact SUV. The constellation brand promises that the XV, within its small footprint, packs the largest and most comfortable space in its class.

The Fiesta is a familiar sight on Manila’s roads, and Ford will add some spice to its best-selling nameplate by adding a Sport Plus variant. The five-door hatchback will feature new front and rear bumpers and leather seats. The Fiesta Sport’s six-speed dual clutch gearbox will be standard. It will undoubtedly look good decked out in racing stripes.

BMW’s radical 1 Series M Coupe will be part of a rare all-M lineup. The 1 Series M packs a 340 hp, 450 Nm punch into a body barely large enough to contain an engine and two rows of seats. With more than 100 hp/liter on tap, the 1 Series M hits 100 kph in less than five seconds, on to an electronically limited 250 kph top speed.

Range Rover will showcase its sporty new Evoque, the first Land Rover that is available with an on-road oriented two-wheel drive system. The Evoque will not be lacking for power, either, as it carries a 240-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine.—Jason K. Ang