The Perodua Myvi – A National Icon

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1.1-million. Big number, right? It’s not until you think about it that you realise just why you see a Perodua Myvi everywhere you turn.

It’s amazing to think that back in 2005 when the Myvi was launched, Perodua thought that their bulbous, cute hatchback would maybe sell in the mid 5-figures annually. Compared to where it is now, wearing the crown as the best-selling new car in Malaysia for over a decade, the humility seems almost cute.

The Perodua Myvi can almost be singlehandedly credited for Perodua’s meteoric rise in the local automotive industry. While they’ve always been a big-volume player, the sheer dominance that the company enjoys today could not be possible with the various transformational changes that have been ushered in by every new iteration of the venerable Myvi.

Three generations have each been an indicator of where the company stood at that given time.

With the first generation, Perodua was an almost-bashful firm with a few good hits under its belt, having successfully moved the masses with the Kancil before moving buyers on to the more sophisticated Kelisa. But nothing could have prepared them for the whirlwind ushered in by the Myvi, which was conceptualised to sit in the market as a niche left-field offering against the ‘saloon-heavy’ Malaysian landscape.

Arriving as a lightly-reskinned version of Japanese domestic-market models, the first-generation Myvi went on to become the mainstream option to beat. It redefined the Malaysian market as not being saloon-heavy but one focused on value – and with the practicality on offer with the original Myvi, paired to Perodua’s already iron-clad reputation for quality and reliability, it proved to be a challenge that its competitors simply couldn’t beat.

With the second-generation, Perodua realised that its customers had become more exacting and with it, even more mature. As such the Myvi lost a bit of its practicality in favour of more style and vigour, featuring even greater degrees of local design flair and parts localisation. The original Myvi had bought Perodua much favour and trust from its Japanese technical partner and as such, they were given greater reign to determine the future of the Malaysian favourite.

If you paid close attention, you could see where Perodua flexed its engineering and design muscles on the second-generation Myvi. The two differing faces for the car for example were something of a litmus test that Daihatsu had devised for Perodua, to see if they could successfully and convincingly execute such an exercise and better align the Myvi to suit local tastes. And then there was the introduction of the 1.5-litre engine which, with the 1.0-litre of the first generation nowhere to be found, clearly demonstrated that Perodua had bigger ambitions for its family hatchback. Even the somewhat extreme designs of the Advance and Extreme models of the time were made to push the envelope and test the market, to see how well Malaysians would react to a more localised product.

These various exercises were conducted at Perodua to determine their readiness, to prepare them to take on the mammoth challenge ahead. So big was the task of developing the first fully localised Myvi that Perodua had to pop its R&D cherry with the Bezza first, ensuring that any kinks in the process were ironed out there first.

And with the Bezza’s rip-roaring success a solid proof of capability, only then were the boys and girls at Sg. Choh given the ultimate mandate: To design the next-generation Myvi.

They had a seemingly-Herculean task ahead of them: It had to be sophisticated in appeal, but simple in its engineering. It had to be frugal on fuel but still decently powerful, and it had to offer a level of refinement that would silence the critics (no pun intended). And above all it had to offer a level of safety at an accessible price point, effectively democratising life-saving active technology for the masses.

And in November of 2017, the Perodua Myvi did just that.

Debuting Advanced Safety Assist, the 3rd-generation Myvi brought big-car features like autonomous emergency braking, pre-collision warning, and range-wide full-LED headlights to the masses. And it came packaged in a car that was designed, developed, engineered and built in Malaysia. While it had long been considered the love of a nation, the 3rd-generation Myvi is the car that turned it from beloved to iconic, to be
forever enshrined as a pillar of Malaysian automotive capability.

Thanks to the Myvi, Perodua has been able to conclusively shift its focus from being an economy car brand to a value-driven one, with a clear vision on offering safety for the masses. And what better way to begin that trend than with the Myvi – a 12-year best-seller, Perodua’s beloved B-segment hatchback has been recently refreshed to offer a striking Electric Blue hue which hides upgrades and refinements like Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 to further improve the appeal of the segment dominator.

So this Merdeka day, let’s show some love for the Perodua Myvi.

It’s more than just the love of a nation; it’s a national icon.

GALLERY: The Perodua Myvi – A National Icon

2020 Hyundai Kona – 2.0L NA And 1.6-Turbo, Hyundai Smart Sense, Other Details Confirmed

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Hyundai Sime Darby Motors (HSDM), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia, confirmed a few more details surrounding their new Kona crossover, which is set to debut locally sometime in the fourth quarter of this year. Yesterday, HSDM opened the order books for the new Kona, confirming that its base price would begin at “RM11x,xxx.”

Since then, HSDM has gone on to confirm a few more details. The powertrain question has been answered, with HSDM confirming that there will be a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox (149PS/179Nm, 0-100km/h in 10s), alongside a 1.6-litre Turbo-Gasoline Direct Injection mill (177PS/265Nm, 0-100km/h in 7.7-seconds). The engines will be split across Standard, Mid, and High variants, with the Turbo engine limited for the flagship High model.

With the tree trims, there will (naturally) be a difference in specification. Standard cars will run on 17-inch alloys, while the Mid and High variants will run on 18-inch units. Standard models will also make do with halogen illumination at the front and bulb-type lights at the rear, while the Mid model will add LED headlights and taillights.

The High model will benefit from Hyundai’s Smart Sense suite of active safety kit, which will bundle in autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist, as well as intelligent high-beam.

Further differentiation will be inside, where the Standard model will make do with manually-adjustable front seats and basic air-conditioning, while the Mid and High models will add a powered driver’s seat and single-zone climate control. The Mid and High models also get a heads-up display as standard, though all models will get a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mated to 6 speakers.

In a press release, HSDM has confirmed that the Kona will be arriving as a fully-imported model built in Hyundai’s plant in Ulsan, South Korea. With the Kona, Hyundai’s number of SUV offerings will rise to three, with the Kona joining the Tucson and Santa Fe. They have also confirmed that the Kona is set to go on sale in Q4 of this year. 

Measuring in at 4,165mm long, 1,800mm wide, 1,550mm tall sitting on a 2,600mm wheelbase, the Kona is shorter, lower, but wider than the segment-conquering Honda HR-V which it will have to compete with upon arrival.

Notably, HSDM has gone on to reveal that the new Kona will be offered with LED headlights, as well as a heads-up display projecting key driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight.

“We are excited about the launch of the Kona as it’s an entirely new product for us in this segment and we are reassured of a good response for the Kona. The Compact SUV is in great demand not only in Malaysia, but globally as well.”

Low Yuan Lung, Managing Director, Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia

Launched in 2017, the Kona has gone on to be a major sales success for the Korean marque, racking up more than 600,000 sales across the globe (excluding Hybrid and Electric variants). With multiple awards under its belt, the Kona is set to shake up the Malaysian market rather substantially upon arrival.

The question of price however remains unanswered. Hyundai has teased on its website that the Kona will go on sale for “RM11x,xxx” which suggests a price between RM110k and RM120k. This would put it above the Honda HR-V price-wise, but below the Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR. That’s a pretty remarkable price-point given that the Kona is set to arrive as a CBU-import – the Toyota C-HR is also fully-imported, and its RM144k price tag doesn’t do it any favours. 

We expect to see the three variants range between RM110k and RM130k upon arrival, but of course, this is merely educated guessing at this point. 

The Hyundai Kona will certainly have a lot to contend with upon arrival. In addition to the Honda HR-V that’s dominated the segment since its launch, rivals like the aforementioned Mazda CX-3, Toyota C-HR, as well as other rivals like the Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008, as well as upcoming rivals like the Kia Seltos and PROTON X50. 

GALLERY: Hyundai Kona Turbo

Mini John Cooper Works GP Arrives In Malaysia – 10 Units, 306hp, RM378k

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While Mini models have long been known for offering go-kart thrills in a city-friendly package, MINI Malaysia has turned up the wick today by offering the most powerful MINI in history – the new, limited-edition Mini John Cooper Works GP.

“In MINI’s 60-years of gracing both the racetracks and the streets, we continue to be revelled for our legendary racing success. Today, 14-years on, designers and engineers are paying tribute to the first MINI John Cooper Works GP once again with the successor – the fastest and most powerful MINI GP ever built.”

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia

Minis have always been known to offer immense driving pleasure, but it’s safe to say that every aspect of the new JCW GP pushes everything to the extreme. This is evident in both the engine and performance characteristics – This is an intense, purist race feeling machine, conveyed by what is by far the most powerful engine ever used in a MINI, with suspension technology that is fine-tuned based on John Cooper Works’ extensive racing expertise and a body that’s been weight-optimised as much as possible.

Under the bonnet lies the star of the show – with 306hp and 450Nm, this is the peppiest and punchiest MINI ever. 0-100km/h is handled in just 5.2-seconds, and it’ll go onward to a top speed of 265km/h. All this punch is what enabled the the JCW GP to lap the Nürburgring in less than 8-minutes, making it significantly faster than the car it replaces. 

The JCW GP will only be made available in its exclusive Racing Grey metallic, with the roof & mirror caps finished in Melting Silver. The hexagonal radiator grille, inserts in the lower air intake and the inside of the roof spoiler is finished in a contrasting Chili Red, accentuated by GP insignia in Rosso Red matte on the front, the rear, the outer sides of the enormous spoiler, and in the foils above the side skirts and door sills.

However, black is utilised to finish off the surrounds for the lights, the central radiator grille, the handles, the fuel filler cap, the bonnet inlay, and the MINI logos on either end. This is, purportedly, to emphasise the uncompromisingly sporty flair of the new JCW GP.

In all four corners you’ll find 18-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels, weighing less than 9kg each, finished off with GP logos in the centre caps. Above each of the alloys you’ll find the bold and unmissable wheel arch flares, manufactured through a special process and material combination that is a first for the BMW Group, with a thermoplastic substructure finished with carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) on the outside.

You will also find emblazoned on the front arches a 4-digit number, denoting the actual build number of the car itself. Only 3000 of these cars are available globally, and the numbers on the fenders will denote where in that limited production run each car sits in.

Inside the first thing you’ll notice are the seats – lightweight units to, well, reduce weight, they’re upholstered in Dynamica leather with silver side edges, red accentuation seams and seat belts, and a GP badge beneath the integrated headrests. On the passenger’s side of the dash you’ll find a piece of trim again bearing the individual build number of each car, produced using a state-of-the-art 3D printing process. That same process features on the steering wheel for the centre marking for the 12 o’clock position, as well as the paddle shifters. 

GP logos finish off the cabin on the floor mats, matched by twin stripes on the gear selector, and the bright-red cross-member that sits behind the front seats. No, there is no back seat in the JCW GP – you didn’t really think there would be, did you?

In the centre of it all you’ll find the MINI Visual Boost infotainment system, replete with navigation and accompanied by a 5-inch fully-digital instrument cluster. The JCW GP is also pretty well equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay, a must-have in the premium segment, going some way to make up for the lack of Android Auto. 

The Mini John Cooper Works GP is available at all authorised MINI dealerships across the country, with prices set at RM377,470.90 including the current SST tax exemption for fully-imported vehicles.

The Mini JCW GP is covered by the same 4-year/unlimited mileage warranty as other MINI models, along with 5-years roadside assistance and other benefits. 

Reckon that this is the track machine to set your heart alight? Let us know in the comments below. 

GALLERY: 2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP – RM377,470.90 with SST exemption

Mini Electric Makes Local Debut – 270km Range, 28.9kWh Battery, RM218k

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For the first time in its 6-decade history, British marque Mini has finally come to embrace the electric mobility revolution in the form of the all-new Mini Electric. Making its local debut today, the Mini Electric also marks an important milestone for parent company BMW Group Malaysia, as it now offers the most number of all-electric models in its lineup compared with any other brand available locally. Joining the BMW i3s, the Mini Electric represents an important shift for the Mini brand as well as BMW Group, as the German conglomerate positions itself aptly to take on the wave of battery-electric vehicles.

“For the very first time and in celebrating MINI’s 61st birthday, we are thrilled to bring this innovation into reality with the New All-Electric MINI. Since we introduced the first electrified MINI model with the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, electrified MINIs have become a fan-favourite worldwide. In 2019, MINI delivered close to 17,000 units of the Countryman PHEV worldwide. This success drives our commitment towards electromobility even further as it underlines the increasing shift towards electrified vehicles among MINIacs globally.”

Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director, BMW Group Malaysia

Available as a 3-door, the Mini Electric occupies no more space than its conventionally-powered siblings. Despite that, they’ve managed to cram a 28.9kWh battery in a T-shaped configuration under the skin. Thanks to that, the Mini Electric enjoys a maximum range of 270km (based on the NEDC cycle), with motivation provided by a 184hp/270Nm motor that powers the front wheels. “Maximum thrill of the road without the carbon footprint,” they claim. 

Notably, the battery can be recharged from 0-80% in just 36-minutes via a DC fast-charger, though more realistically you can expect similar results from a MINI Wallbox charger or a public charger in about 2.5-hours. Additionally, power can be recuperated via braking regeneration, which on its own is significant enough to enable one-pedal driving for the first time on a series-production MINI.

To mark it out as the new Mini Electric, the car features lots of unique flourishes about the place guaranteed to draw your eye. There are specific bumpers and a grille up front in grey with an Energetic Yellow E-Badge. And there are grille blades that can be had in either grey or yellow, depending on how bold you’re willing to be. Lighting is provided by Matrix LEDs on the front and signature Union Jack units at the rear, while there are E-Badges on the side scuttles too to mark it out. The mirror caps have been aerodynamically-optimised for minimum drag, and can be had in either Black or Energetic Yellow, while all mirrors (exterior & interior) offer anti-dazzle functionality as standard. 

The Mini Electric also runs on 17-inch dual-tone alloys as standard, with run-flat tyres.

Round the back, you can find a charging flap with an embossed E-Badge as well, marking it out as the all-electric model. However, the tailgate handle comes in grey as standard to provide contrast, as do the E-Bagdes and model badging that feature Energetic Yellow also for contrast.

Stepping inside, you’ll find unique features like the Electric Cockpit Fascia, the yellow start-stop button, unique floor mats and gear lever, as well as the brake-regent toggle. Both driver and front passenger get to enjoy dual-zone climate control while seated on carbon-black cross-punch leather seats, while they’ll be dazzled by the 12-colour ambient lighting setup when the singes down. There’s also a sports steering wheel that’s leather-wrapped for the driver, as well as a raised centre console with integrated electric parking brake. Centre-stage is an 8.8-inch infotainment display with the MINI Connected suite, as well as a MINI-first all-digital instrument cluster for the first time. 

Despite the need for a battery, it hasn’t hampered the Mini Electric’s practicality at all. There’s 211L of space behind the rear seats as standard, just like the regular three-door model, while the total maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded is rated at 731L. Adding to the practicality is Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring as well as a wireless charging tray, though it’s noteworthy that Android Auto remains noticeably omitted. 

Another unique feature of the Mini Electric pertains to the all-important driving experience – the four driving modes on offer (Sport, Mid, Green, and Green+) are all tailored to suit the new state-of-the-art MINI eDrive system, which offers things like the Green Driving Assistant that features the Range Assistant that suggests routes and solutions should there be insufficient charge for any given journey. There’s also an efficient Green Route that will suggest driving mode and stop-overs at charging stations, while the navigation system will automatically show a given range based on the charge level at any given time.

The Mini Electric also offers connectivity via the MINI Connected app. With Connected, you can monitor your Mini’s charge level at any given time, monitor your driving stats, and even read up on how you can maximise the efficiency of your drive. Additionally, you can also precondition the car to a set temperature while it’s being charged, ensuring that you enjoy comfortable motoring no matter the time of day. 

Debuting on the Mini Electric is the Driving Assistant package, which consists of automatic high-beam at speeds above 50km/h, city-speed autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. You also get autonomous parking and all-round parking sensors as standard. 

The new Mini Electric can be had in the exclusive White Silver with Energetic Yellow pairing, or you can have it in British Racing Green, or Chili Red. The new Mini Electric is available through all authorised MINI dealerships nationwide beginning today, priced at RM218,380.78

Like all new MINI models, the Mini Electric is covered by a 4-year warranty with 5-years roadside assistance, as well as free towing services, replacement vehicle, Seamless Mobility, Accommodation, Mobility Services Solutions as well as Repatriation services. The battery is separately covered by an 8-year/100,000km warranty.

The Mini Electric can be had with Balloon Financing from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, with ownership starting at RM2,421/month bases on an 80% loan estimate over a 5-year tenure. 

Like the new Mini Electric? Reckon 270km range is more than enough for you to do your daily commute? Let us know in the comments below.

GALLERY: 2020 MINI Electric – Launch Gallery

2020 Perodua Myvi – ASA 2.0 On More Variants, Now From RM42k

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The Malaysian automotive darling that is the Perodua Myvi has received a mild update for 2020, bringing it up to par with its siblings in terms of safety and bumping it a little further in terms of desirability. With an average of 100,000 units sold per-year since its introduction, the Perodua Myvi has long held the title of being Malaysia’s most favoured ride – and now with the 2020 updates, it’s set to retain that honour for a little while longer.

Perodua has updated the Myvi with Advanced Safety Assist 2.0, which debuted first with the flagship Aruz SUV before trickling down into the 2019 Perodua Axia and the 2020 Perodua Bezza. ASA (1.0) first came about when the 3rd generation Myvi was launched back in 2017, and consisted of Pre-Collision Warning & Pre-Collision Braking (up to 30km/h), Front Departure Alert, and Pedal Misoperation Control. With ASA 2.0, the latter two functions remain, but the pre-collision warning & braking are now effective at speeds of up to 100km/h and 80km/h respectively; Additionally, ASA 2.0 now tacks on Pedestrian Detection, at speeds of up to 50km/h.

Also new for 2020 is the ‘Electric Blue’ hue, as seen here, which is available across the range. The favourite ‘Granite Grey’ has now also been made available on all but the 1.3G variants too, allowing more choice for Perodua’s customers

There are no mechanical changes to report with the 2020 Perodua Myvi, which means there’s still an option between a 1.3-litre VVT engine and a 1.5-litre VVT engine, putting out 94hp/121Nm and 102hp/136Nm respectively, mated to a 4-speed automatic on all but the base 1.3G, which gets the option of a 5-speed manual as well.

Speaking of which, the range has been updated a bit here too. The new lineup now reflects the optional ASA 2.0 on the 1.3X variants, as well as its standard fitment on the 1.5H and 1.5AV.

Variant Pricing (With Changes, No SST)
2020 Perodua Myvi 1.3G (MT) RM41,292 (unchanged)
2020 Perodua Myvi 1.3G (AT) RM43,029 (unchanged)
2020 Perodua Myvi 1.3X (AT) RM44,959 (unchanged)
2020 Perodua Myvi 1.3X (AT), With ASA 2.0 RM46,959 (new variant)
2020 Perodua Myvi 1.5H (AT), With ASA 2.0 RM50,530 (+RM2,000)
2020 Perodua Myvi 1.5AV (AT), With ASA 2.0 RM52,697 (+500)

“With the inclusion of ASA 2.0, the Perodua Myvi takes advanced safety to a whole new level at this price point, and it’s nw more widely available within the lineup. The latest Myvi carries on the Perodua tradition of bringing advanced safety technology to the people, by making it more affordable and accessible to all.” – Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President and Chief Executive Officer, Perodua

The updated 2020 Perodua Myvi is available in showrooms nationwide, with order books open today.

2020 PERODUA MYVI – GALLERY

2020 Perodua Myvi S-Edition Lands In Brunei?

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GHK Motors Sdn. Bhd., the sole authorised distributor of Perodua vehicles in the nation of Brunei, has launched the all-new Perodua Myvi at its showroom in Bandar Seri Begawan today via digital soft-launch, in keeping with COVID-19 preventative measures in place in Brunei to minimise social gatherings.

The soft-launching was to mark the official introduction of the all-new Perodua Myvi there, available as a 1.3G variant. However, there was the added surprise of the Perodua Myvi S-Edition, which comes equipped with a bodykit.

2020 Perodua Myvi S-Edition, Brunei

As far as we can tell, the bodykit is designed to look like what was first seen on the Perodua Myvi GT concept that debuted to the public at the 2018 Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow, which has since sparked heavy speculation that the Sg. Choh company may be looking to introduce hotter variants of its popular Myvi in the future.

Very few photos of the Perodua Myvi S-Edition have surfaced, but it seems to us that the changes are purely cosmetic, marrying a bodykit and some black-painted alloys to an otherwise standard Myvi. We are certain that it is not the 1.5AV as it lacks the ASA camera module on the windscreen – we have strong reason to believe that it is based on the Perodua Myvi 1.3G, the standard model that’s been greenlit for sale there.

A video has surfaced showing that the interior matches that of the 1.3G, with fabric seats, a basic audio headunit, and a steering wheel without multifunction controls. We expect to see no changes to the mechanicals either.

We have contacted Perodua to ask for comment on the launch of the Perodua Myvi S-Edition in Brunei.

2020 Perodua Myvi S-Edition, Brunei

*This is a developing story, which will be updated with further information as it becomes available.

  • 2020 Perodua Myvi S-Edition, Brunei
  • 2020 Perodua Myvi S-Edition, Brunei
  • 2020 Perodua Myvi S-Edition, Brunei
  • 2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18
  • 2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18
  • 2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18
  • 2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18

6 SST-Free Bargains You Must Snap Up – Peroduas, Toyotas, BMWs, Volvos

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Buy a new car, save the economy. Who could argue with that?

Earlier today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that as part of the PENJANA COVID-19 economic stimulus package, new car purchases are set to see between a 50% reduction and 100% reduction of their sales & service tax as a way to stimulate sales in the automotive segment. This announcement came as a welcome move by the automotive sector, who are now hoping that things really can go back to normal for them.

As sales tax has long been part & parcel of any new car, many Malaysians are unaware of just how much SST they pay for on a new car. For reference, all new cars are subject to 10% SST – therefore, the ‘discounts’ on a new car can be easily calculated at 10% for locally-assembled or CKD vehicles, while there’ll be a 5% retail price reduction for fully-imported cars.

To give you an idea of what that looks like, we’ve listed down 6 excellent cars from across the spectrum, beginning with everyone’s favourite Perodua Myvi, all the way up to the segment-leading & benchmark-setting Volvo XC90, as well as a reference in between of what a fully-imported purchase would feel like right about now too.

It’s worth noting of course that as SST is applied only to the nett selling price, the figures that we’re suggesting here are likely a bit hopeful – based on what we saw during the last ‘tax holiday,’ we should expect to see decreases between 3%-5% at the most off retail selling prices. But given the current situation, car companies would be remiss not to put their best deals forward to lure customers back into showrooms and into new cars, no?

PERODUA MYVI 1.5 AV – RM48,681 (RM5409 expected reduction)

The Perodua Myvi is a firm favourite for all Malaysians, with the B-segment hatchback racking up an average of 100,000 annual sales every year since its introduction nearly 13 years ago. With lots of space, punchy performance, and levels of safety & convenience kit that would put most of its competitors to shame, the Perodua Myvi is a tough car to beat, which is why it dominates the sub-RM100k segment almost entirely.

Watch our review of the Perodua Myvi here.

PERODUA ARUZ 1.5 AV – RM70,110 (RM7790 expected reduction)

The Perodua Aruz is another one of the Sg. Choh company’s runaway successes, though while the Myvi is famously known as the surprise hit, the Aruz was far more calculated. Dominating the sub-RM100k SUV space and taking the cake as Malaysia’s most popular SUV, the Aruz provides acres of space & practicality, and offers car-like usability & functionality despite the commanding ride height. And paired with traditional Perodua running costs, it’s no wonder that its Japanese sibling (which is built in the same factory with the same powertrain by the same people, mind) is failing to gain traction…

You can watch our review of the Perodua Aruz here.

TOYOTA COROLLA 1.8G (CBU) – RM132,893 (RM6995 expected reduction)

The Toyota Corolla is actually our only fully-imported example car we’re putting in the list, on the account of its great styling, amazing safety kit, and impressive performance. The Thai-built Corolla (now free of the ‘Altis’ name previous generations carried) is an excellent example of what we can expect to see from the Japanese marque going forwards – more engaging design, a more engaging drive, better technology, and the same tried-and-tested Toyota value.

(We haven’t reviewed the Toyota Corolla yet, so there’s no review to plug here…)

BMW 330i M-Sport (CKD) – RM264,420 (RM29,380 expected reduction)

The de-facto choice in the compact executive saloon space, BMW Group Malaysia was wise to quickly introduce the CKD version of this car when it did. Not only did it offer a massive saving over the fully-imported first batch of cars, but it demonstrated the excellent quality control measures implemented by the local assembly plant, proving that there’s literally nothing to lose.

Notably, the G20 3-Series is now a sharper drive than the F30 it replaces, which means it has returned to form as the driver’s choice in the segment. Not that the majority of its buyers seek it out specifically for that, in all honesty.

(We also haven’t reviewed the G20 BMW 3-Series. Do these car companies not like us?)

Volvo S60 T8 R-Design (CKD) – RM266,299.20 (RM29,588.80 expected reduction)

We threw this in here because it’s an absolute favourite of ours at MalaysianMotoring – with restrained styling, mind-bending performance, unbelievable (yet verified) fuel economy and standard-setting safety, the Volvo S60 is a very difficult car to fault. Couple that with a truly refined ride and the ability to outsprint a Mercedes-AMG C43, and this Swede begins to show its more brutish side.

This car is like Dwayne Johnson in a suit. Ever a gentleman, but still able to knock your jaw out at 20 paces.

(Do we not review enough cars on this website? Thank God we’ve already driven the next one…)

Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription Plus (CKD) – RM368,899.20 (RM40,988.80 expected reduction)

Another favourite in the office, but also a favourite among buyers – in the 7-seater SUV space, the Volvo XC90 is not only the segment leader in terms of safety, performance and standard equipment, but it’s also the most affordable of the bunch, outpricing its nearest competitors by about 5-figures at the minimum. And it’s no Turkish prison either, with sumptuous Nappa leather seats, mesmirising Bowers & Wilkins premium audio, a solid crystal gear selector knob, and the sort of ride comfort that would shame everything short of a Rolls-Royce. The Volvo XC90 may have led Volvo’s transformation into the company we see today in the here-and-now, but it’s showing absolutely no signs of aging, or slowing down.

The Volvo XC90 was #Recharged for the 2020 model year – check out our review here.

So our advice is this – if you find yourself with money to burn, a secure job and secure income, now is the best time to buy a car. Not only will you be saving way more than any seasonal promotion, but you’ll also be directly helping our beloved local automotive industry and the millions of people that it employs directly & indirectly stay afloat.

And boy, don’t we Malaysians just love our cars?

  • The new Mercedes-Benz EQC makes its regional debut in Malaysia, alongside the new Mercedes-Benz S560e Plug-In Hybrid, as well as the Mercedes-Benz C300e Plug-In Hybrid
  • Mr. Michael Jopp, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, with the refreshed Mercedes-Benz GLC range featuring MercedesMe Connect

Perodua Once Again Confirms “Investigating” Myvi GT

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At their Chinese New Year luncheon event, Perodua was once again posed the question of the eagerly-awaited Perodua Myvi GT, a hotter variant of the effervescent hatchback that was first mooted as a concept at the KL International Motorshow back in 2018. We first asked about the Myvi GT during Perodua’s 1H 2019 review event back in July last year, where the company confirmed that they were “looking into” the matter.

Since then, there have only been minor movements on the Myvi GT front it seems, with President & CEO Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad skillfully avoiding saying anything concrete on the matter. Dato’ Zainal confirmed that there has been some progress, with the company actively evaluating the business case for the model, given that it will not only sit as the flagship of the range but justifiably command a bit of a premium over the current 1.5-AV top-dog. Additionally, the expected low volume of the car would pose a production headache for Perodua, which is looking to improve its tact times on its cars from both its factories (PMSB & PGMSB are Perodua’s two manufacturing plants, with PMSB tasked with the assembly of the Myvi).

2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18

The car remains a contentious topic among Malaysians – many applaud the strong value-appeal of the Myvi, with the Myvi GT seemingly flying against Perodua’s efforts to streamline and ‘reduce baggage’ in the lineup. But others contend that the Myvi, and Perodua in general, is in desperate need of some character, and the Myvi GT would indeed be the injection of colour that the Sg. Choh company would benefit massively from.

Additionally (in our opinion), the Myvi GT would be an excellent opportunity for local vendors and supplier to shine: Specialists like FTuned Racing for example could be brought in to help sharpen the car’s handling (FTuned is helmed by a former PROTON R3 engineer with masses of accolades under his belt), while local racing personalities (like Karamjit Singh, for example) could be consulted to help further fine-tune the vehicle for maximum tractability and engagement.

How Perodua would go about pepping the car up mechanically remains to be seen – alternative tunes for the transmission and engine could be applied if Perodua wanted to offer modest performance gains. That said, with Dato’ Zainal confirming that “all new Perodua models” will be built off of the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, perhaps the Myvi GT will be saved for the next generation, where it could be offered with a sprightly turbocharged unit.

We’ll just have to wait and see.

  • 2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18
  • 2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18
  • 2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18
  • 2018 Perodua Myvi GT Concept – KLIMS’18

PERODUA Axia Style Rocks Sri Lanka At Colombo Motor Show

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On the opening day of the Seylan Colombo Motor Show, Malaysian automotive heavyweight Perodua has debuted the favourite of the refreshed Axia range, the Axia Style, to the delight of fans in Perodua’s largest overseas market. The Motor Show, being held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall between today and the 10th of November, came forward as the best possible location for Perodua’s stylish new A-segment hatch to make its entrance into the Sri Lankan market. 

Sri Lankan Perodua distributor Unimo Enterprises has opened the books for the Perodua Axia Style today too, with deliveries expected to begin within Q1 2020. The crossover-like Axia Style will be priced at Rs3.895-million (or RM89,000 at the time of writing) in Sri Lanka when it arrives.  

“As Sri Lanka is the Perodua brand’s biggest overseas market and one that has always been accepting of the Axia, with some 3,000 units sold since 2015, it is fitting as the new Perodua Axia Style’s first export destination. Sporting rugged-looking bumpers with skid-plate elements, all-round body cladding, a rear spoiler and striking 15-inch five-spoke alloys, the Axia Style reflects owners’ lifestyles while retaining the hallmark Axia qualities of practicality, fuel efficiency, spaciousness, and ease of driving.” – Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President & CEO, Perodua 

The 2019 Perodua Axia Style in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Since its launch in September, over 2,000 Perodua Axia Styles have found new homes with bold, daring owners. Overall, over 10,400 of the new 2019 Perodua Axias have been delivered, from the over-20,000 bookings received for the refreshed model. 

“SUVs & crossovers are enjoying a big rise globally, and we forsee the same trend in Sri Lanka. The new Perodua Axia Style offers the active & trendy looks of a crossover in a compact, fuel-efficient, dependable, and value-for-money package that we believe will strike a chord with Sri Lankans.” – Mr. Mahesh Gunathilake, CEO & Executive Director, Unimo Enterprises 

Since establishing the first Perodua dealership in Sri Lanka back in 1997, Unimo Enterprises has sold nearly 16,000 Perodua vehicles. The lineup there consists of just the Axia and Bezza, with the Bezza taking the crown as Sri Lanka’s best-selling new sub-1.0-litre saloon. 

For 2019, Perodua aims to export 3,270 cars, marking a 50% increase over last years’ figure of 2,184 units exported. Since Perodua began its export activities, over 80,000 Perodua vehicles have left our shores and found homes abroad.