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2021 Perodua Alza (D27A) Shaping Up – 1.0-Turbo or 1.2-Hybrid, DNGA

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It seems that the reality is forming at Perodua to finally usher in a replacement for its venerable Alza MPV – while the 7-seater’s sales remain surprisingly strong, with over a decade under its belt, it is about time that it is sent off to the figurative scrapyard in the sky. The Alza it seems is about to play a supporting role in Perodua’s ongoing transformation into a value-brand rather than a budget-brand it seems, preceded only by the D55L that we are insistent must go to market as the ‘Kembara.’

According to a report from Indonesia, Astra Daihatsu are in the very early stages of preparing a replacement for their Daihatsu Xenia, which is familiar to all and sundry here as the Toyota Avanza. For all intents and purposes the two cars are the same there, sharing just about everything, including most of their skin. Astra Daihatsu however is saying that their next Xenia will be a 2+2+2 rather than the 2+3+2 that we’re more familiar with, which has led us to connect the dots.

Some time ago at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2017 (GIIAS), Daihatsu brought the world the DN Multisix concept, which previewed a low-roofed compact MPV that was tipped to be the precursor to a Avanza-replacing model. That Multisix was later brought to Tokyo in 2017, where it sat alongside the DN Trec concept, which has since gestated into the Toyota Raize & Daihatsu Rocky duo, which are tipped to be a foreshadowing of the upcoming Perodua D55L ‘Kembara.’

Autonetmagz had more to share, however. In addition to leaking the progress of the information, they report that the DN Multisix will go into production running on Daihatsu’s New Global Architecture (DNGA), and be powered by either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged motor, or curiously, a 1.2-litre hybrid powertrain. Notably, the former powerplant is heavily rumoured to go into production in Malaysia with the D55L ‘Kembara,’ whereas we all recall the strange ‘hybrid powertrain concept’ that Perodua had on display at KLIMS18, right? Could the D27A Alza be the model that brings electrification to the Perodua lineup?

Either way, what we’re certain of seeing here is significant Malaysian input – it is no secret that Perodua a gem in ASEAN to both Toyota & Daihatsu, with the Sg. Choh company investing billions of Ringgit into improving their R&D facilities in order to take the lead. While we’re likely to see another Aruz this time around (in the sense that the differentiation will be less obvious among its Daihatsu & Toyota siblings rather than the Myvi and the JDM Sirion & Passo), once again we will have to highlight the level of involvement that Perodua will bring to the table. With Malaysian engineers & designers from Perodua permanently stationed in Japan to work with both Daihatsu & Toyota, this is certainly no rebadge effort. This is not the Perodua of the past.

However, if you’re looking at your bank balance and wondering if you can stretch for a new Alza, we have to rain on your parade – Perodua has emphasized on multiple occasions that it has the capacity to release 1 minor model change & 1 full model change every year. This year has seen the debut of the Perodua Bezza facelift, and it’s widely expected to see the arrival of the D55L Kembara too. Which means that, in all likelihood, the D27A Alza will be scheduled for a launch sometime in Q3 or Q4 2021.

Plenty of time to gather a downpayment, then.

Next-Gen W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Spotted – Huge Grille, CLS Rear, Tesla Infotainment Inside

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The next-generation W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the next successor of the hallowed Sonderklasse nameplate, has been spotted various times by various titles as it has gone about its R&D and testing phases, but it seems that that might all come to an end. What has been circulating online are photographs of what appear to be a completed, finished product, laid bare for all to see. We’re certain that Mercedes-Benz isn’t happy about this.

What’s abundantly clear is that the W223 will mark a stark departure from the current-generation S-Class (W222 for reference), sporting a new design that from some angles appear to be derived from the new CLA-Class. Up front a pair of slim headlights flank what appears to be the largest grille ever fitted to an S-Class – a point emphasised by the use of only 3-slats and a clear visual de-cluttering around the face to point eyes towards its massive gob.

And down the rear, we’re treated to a rump that looks remarkably like the CLS-Class, leaving behind the vertically-orientated taillights that have adorned S-Classes since the W220 of the 2000s. Atop those sit a full-width chrome strip (yes, we also thought Mercedes reserved that for its coupes), though the number plate recess sits in a more dignified position on the bootlid itself.

Down the bumper, there are actually very few changes over the W222 that we’re all familiar with, with little surface play employed and a pair of very, very fake exhaust tips integrated into the lowest edge.

With this set of photos we’ve been treated to photos of the cabin, where more shocks await: The design in here is very different from what we’re used to, with its design clearly derived from the Vision EQS concept. There is now a Tesla-style portrait touchscreen that’s integrated into the dash, with vertical air vents on either side of a full-width piece of decorative trim. With no COMAND rotary controller in sight there is now more storage space on the centre console, and there is now a new 3-twin steering wheel which looks incredibly delicate & intricate.

Behind that steering wheel sits the very familiar digital instrument cluster, but it is what’s beyond that that’s interesting. Behind the screen appears to be a large hole – we’ve no doubt that that is the housing for a much larger heads-up display module, which will likely project even more information onto the screen and into the driver’s line of sight than ever before. It’s expected that the W223 S-Class will offer augmented-reality features with this new HUD system, which will minimise the need for drivers to ever take their eyes off the road.

At the rear, the twin infotainment touchscreens remain for the use of the rear passengers, but a third screen appears to have sprouted up between the seats. The lack of buttons throughout the cabin is obvious, which suggests greater integration of functions through the touchscreens dotted around the car.

There are very few technical details available surrounding the W223, suggesting that while Mercedes-Benz hasn’t had much luck keeping the lid on the new S-Class in general, they’ve done a good job hiding the specifications sheet. The new-generation Sonderklasse is expected to be available with a range of inline-6 and V8 engines, along with a more advanced plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant that’ll likely offer more than the 50km of all-electric range the current model has.

Additionally, it is expected that the new S-Class will continue to build on the 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) capabilities by offering an improved Airmatic+ suspension system. And on top of that, Mercedes-Benz has shown its intent for the new S-Class to be the first certified Level 3 autonomous vehicle on sale, a feat that’s looking very likely indeed.

It is also expected that, like the current Lexus LS, the new-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class will forgo the standard wheelbase variant, and be offered exclusively as a long-wheelbase model with additional space in the rear.

As always, MalaysianMotoring would like to remind its readers to be safe out there, both on the road and off it. Our success depends on our responsibility to ourselves and each other – our nation depends on it.We thank you for staying home, and staying safe.

#KitaJagaKita

2020 Perodua Bezza Open For Booking – Specs Confirmed, Prices Leaked

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Following our publication of leaked publicity shots of the 2020 Perodua Bezza last night, we received early this morning news from Perodua that the order books are now open on the new model.

Included in the press release regarding the commencement of bookings was a helpful graphic to list down all the new features of the Perodua Bezza, helping to confirm some of the specifications we speculated about in our earlier post.

It confirms that the Bezza will follow the same route as the recently-facelifted Axia, offering only three trim levels: G 1.0, X 1.3, and AV 1.3. Only the entry-level G variant will be offered with a choice between a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic, with the rest of the range getting only the automatic transmission.

Additionally, only the G models will go on sale without safety features lke vehicle stability control (VSC) and traction control (TRC). ABS and electronic brake distribution (EBD) are, mercifully, standard. So too are electric side mirrors, with G & X models now getting integrated turn signals, and AV models getting electric folding units instead.

The bigger news pertains to the X and AV models, with both featuring VSC and TRC as standard, but the AV now gets advanced safety assist (ASA 2.0) for the first time, just like the facelifted Axia. This is in line with Perodua’s goal of moving the industry forwards by offering innovative features at unbeatable pricepoints to set the bar higher for its competitors.

The press release also confirms what we already know – there are new bumpers on either end, standard LED headlights across the range, a smaller upper grille (with different finishes for 1.0-litre and 1.3-litre models) and larger under-breather, and new alloy wheels (14-inch units for the 1.0-litre, and 15-inch ones for the 1.3-litre models). The facelift Bezza also touts a redesigned instrument cluster (now featuring white backlighting) and keyless entry & go (1.3-models only).

What we’ve also managed to get our hands on are price-lists for the new 2020 Perodua Bezza, though so far we cannot confirm the veracity of these documents. It states that the prices for the new Bezza will be as follows:

  • Perodua Bezza G M/T – RM34,580
  • Perodua Bezza G A/T – RM36,580
  • Perodua Bezza X A/T – RM43,980
  • Perodua Bezza AV A/T – RM49,980

*all prices are on-the-road, without insurance

What’s worth noting is the RM7,400 price gulf between the G and X variants, a gap that’s large enough to lose some customers in between. Normally carmakers will try and price their products close enough that potential customers can be ‘upsold’ to the plusher model, but it seems that Perodua is taking a slightly different tact here.

Additionally, the Perodua Bezza AV is now nearly RM10,000 more expensive than the new PROTON Saga Premium, which is also offered with a 1.3-litre engine and a 4-speed automatic. This is again in keeping with Perodua’s shift to becoming a value-driven brand rather than a maker of economy cars, as they have no doubt that buyers keen on getting the best features in the category (like ASA 2.0, LED headlights, and keyless entry/go) will not be swayed by the more affordable PROTON.

Two body colours new to the Bezza – Garnet Red (exclusive for 1.3-litre models) and Granite Grey – join the existing four colours on offer (Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Ocean Blue, Sugar Brown) to make a total of 6 available colour choices.

What do you think of the new 2020 Perodua Bezza? Do you think it has what it takes to take on the PROTON Saga, currently Malaysia’s top-selling A-segment saloon? Let us know in the comments below.

SPYSHOTS: 2020 Perodua Bezza Publicity Shots Leak Ahead Of Launch

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Our friends at Perodua are known for running an amazingly tight ship, with information only spread within relevant departments to reduce the risk of information leaking out ahead of official announcements. We know this for a fact because even when we lightly tortured staffers there, they refused to give up any information regarding new models or proposed timelines.

But despite their best efforts, photos have managed to leak out anyway. Posted in a Facebook group called Live Car Breathe Car by group administrator Chin Swee Hoe, these photos show the new 2020 Bezza in all its glory, revealing its new updates almost in their entirety.

The new Bezza seen here is strutting its stuff in a new colour, which appears to be a halfway-point between the Rosewood Maroon & Ruby Red offered by its main competitor, the PROTON Saga. It’s clear to see that up front, the new bumpers frame brand-new headlights which appear to be packing LED lighting for the first time in the A-segment, which is most certainly a good sign. The front bumper itself is far more aggressive in this iteration with large pseudo air-intakes around the fog-lights and a more aggressive lower breather, and it gives it a face that isn’t too far off what we’re seeing with the current-generation Toyota Vios.

Down the back there’s just a new bumper with similar pseudo air-intakes to be seen, as well as a prominent rear diffuser. We’re certain that Perodua will reason these upgrades as ways to make the car appear broader and more stable, though overall we’re fully aware that this more aggressive design is in response to market demand.

There are also new alloy wheel designs – the ones seen here are the 15-inch units, which we believe are reserved for the 1.3-litre models, while 1.0-litre models will get the 14-inch ‘turbine’ alloys from the Perodua Myvi 1.3.

Inside there are more changes than we anticipated, with a new dashboard design put forward, with silver accents (though these are likely to be reserved for the top-most ‘AV’ trim). The overall design of the dash appears to incorporate traits from the Aruz flagship SUV (notice how the silver accents tick upwards around the centre stack), as well as existing bits from the Bezza (like the rectangular air vents on either side). If you squint, you can almost make out a new, more sporty meter cluster (said to use white backlighting this time round) as well as a new infotainment unit.

On that infotainment unit, it’s clear that the new Bezza will receive the same touchscreen head unit as seen in the recently-facelifted Perodua Axia, offering bluetooth, smartphone mirroring and the like, as per the Axia AV. And given that the Axia AV also introduced advanced safety assist (ASA) with the latest refresh, we can expect to see that incorporated here too.

There also appears to be a new boot net in the… uh, boot. Which is nice.

There shouldn’t be any changes to the powertrain, with the Bezza soldiering on with either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine or a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual. We expect to only see the manual available for base 1.0-litre models only though, just like what happened to the Axia with its facelift.

There aren’t any major price revisions expected with the 2020 Perodua Bezza, which is rumoured to be launching within the next couple of weeks. We should see either a slightly shuffled lineup with the new Bezza, or maybe no changes at all given the popularity of the compact saloon in our market.

We’re made to understand that the booking forms will be opening on the new Perodua Bezza soon, with a launch date within the next 14 days. Either way, we’re glad to see that the Bezza has been revised to keep it fighting fresh for the new decade (ha!) and we can’t wait to put this up against our own grey PROTON Saga.

UPDATE: 2020 Perodua Bezza Specifications Confirmed, Bookings Opened, PRICES LEAKED