New car on the road

Finally, got a chance to test drive a sleek red MyVi last week (well...not a test drive per se, just a drive around the block). What can I say, except that this time Perodua really come up with a good, reliable car and reasonably priced too. But then, all Perodua cars are good in terms or low maintenance cost and high resale value. Oppss...okay, all except for Kembara maybe (as preached by a car salesman friend to me again and again) What's wrong with Kembara anyway...somebody please tell me.

New MYVI, Latest Perodua Flagship model

The name ‘MYVI’ is an abbreviation for My Vehicle, My Vision or Malaysian Vision.

The project started in 2002, when a team of 80 engineers was sent to Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd, Perodua’s technology partner, in Japan, to work together, utilizing the Advance Simultaneous Engineering (ASE) programme to conceptualise and produce the new generation car. Perodua’s vendors were also involved from the inception stage, providing collaboration to design and develop component parts, the result of which is the Myvi having 80 percent of local content at the time of launch.

The Myvi comes with two engine capacities, 1.0 litre and 1.3 litre, and is priced between RM41, 200 for the base 1.0 litre manual transmission model to the top-of-the-range 1.3 litre automatic which will sell for RM51, 300 (price on-the-road, with insurance, Peninsular Malaysia). The top model, designated the flagship of the Perodua range, comes with dual airbags, and ABS.

According to the price list released to the press, the 1.0 litre model is available only with manual transmission, and in basic trim only, while there are two variants of the 1.3 manual, and two variants for the automatic model. The 1.0 litre model is available only in metallic colours while the 1.3 litre models are available in both solid and metallic colours.

The engines for the Myvi come from the current Kelisa (1.0 litre), while the 1.3 litre model shares the same engine as the Kembara. The 1.0 litre develops 43 kW at 6,000 rpm and 88Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm, while the 1.3 litre develops 64kW at 6,000 rpm and 116Nm of torque at 3,200 rpm. Both engines are DOHC units with variable valve timing. The manual transmission is a 5-speed, while the automatic is a 4-speed.

Brakes are ventilated discs in the front, and drums at the rear. Wheels are 14-inch, steel wheels for the 1.0 litre, and alloys for the other models. Tyre size is 175/65 R14. The spare wheel is a space saver. Suspension is independent Macpherson struts in the front, and a torsion beam axle at the rear.

In terms of size, the Myvi has been designed to be a full 5-seater. By placing the wheels at the extreme ends of the vehicle, and by having a short engine compartment, the designers have managed to maximize the usable passenger cabin space. Headroom is excellent, both for the front and rear occupants.
Source : Autoworld