Perodua Myvi

The vision of an ideal people`s car may have been thought out by a German but I think I have found a modern version of a car that everyone wants. And it is a Perodua Myvi.

National car manufacturers may tell you that they are in business for reasons that is the same as with all other international players but actually what they are doing is thinking of ways to come up with cars that will be the car for Malaysians.

And when you want to build a people`s car, you have to make it affordable enough for the average Joe. Usually this means a low-cost car, that is, either small or using yesteryear technology but thanks to modern cost-cutting methods, this is no longer the case.

The Kancil provided the starting point for many who longs to own a car for some time now but many buyers found that despite the low price and running costs, it was simply too small for the average Malaysian family. And the car, like the rest of the range, is a bit long in the tooth, so it was time to introduce a new Perodua.


Design

Even before the car was officially launched, spy photos of the Myvi – the name was still under wraps at the time - have surfaced prematurely on the web and even in the front page of a tabloid newspaper. This sends many prospective buyers rushing to the Perodua dealerships and booking the car, because even when the specifications are sketchy, one thing`s for sure: the new Perodua is by far the largest.

Of course, the modern, almost concept car-like design is very attractive because it makes the car appear twice its price.

The grown-up look is deliberate because it is fast becoming the trend in all modern hatchbacks today. The dimensions may be restricted in terms of length and width but in terms of height, there is almost no boundaries for the designers.

This makes the Myvi to appear very large when parked next to even the Kenari because of the smaller window area and height. But most impressive about the design is the incorporation of LEDs in the rear lamp. LEDs are not only brighter than normal bulbs, they are also more robust in the long run.

In addition to the LEDs, the door mirrors also have LED signal lights as a turning signal, something previously only found in larger, expensive cars.

Amazing level of detail, more so since this is only the entry level 1.0-litre model.

Cabin

While the exterior pulls in many people due to its modern appearance, the interior is even more impressive. Not because of its design, unfortunately, because here you begin to realise where the corners were cut, if you like. Lots of plastics and seats looked thinly padded. That`s the only `letdown` because the amount of space is unbelievably vast. Another novel idea by Perodua is the availability of a long cushion (sold as an accessory) to be placed over the rear row for a flat and comfortable area for children to play.The rear row of seats can be folded to extend the cargo area from 600mm to 1320mm.

More clues of a larger, more expensive car. The dash has instrumentation that features a backlit light - LEDs - similar to one found in a Lexus or Subaru, making the dials supremely legible even under bright sunlight. The audio and air-con controls stands out with a silver panel but the finish is a little basic.

Door mirror have no toggle type adjustment, so you have to manually push the mirror to adjust. But apart form that, equipment is quite impressive.

Driving

A car such as this may have a basic brief in terms of dynamics but it is still good considering it is a tall and narrow car. It has a good rate of roll, so you can confidently turn-in without ever feeling insecure. The suspension - MacPherson struts and torsion beam rear - is quite impressive when going over bumps, that it is possible to ignore what's going on underneath and press on unperturbed. The engine for one is very zesty for a 1.0-litre or rather 989cc. Very lively between 3200rpm to 4000rpm, it probably has to do with the Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT) mechanism which alters the intake valve timing. It gives the 12-valve engine 58.4bhp at 6000rpm and 88Nm of torque at 3600rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed manual 'box, which is notchy to shift and vibrates.

The brakes are particularly good, offering not only lots of feel but also a very good bite every time.

Conclusion

For an investment of RM210 million, Perodua have done a swell job on making an unbelievably impressive car. It offers plenty for so little money. Years ago, the Myvi is only a fantasy for many people wanting to own a car. It offers tremendous value that it almost defies logic. But many have known that already judging from the long queue that by now have stretched the delivery times to several months. But if you have to spend RM40k on a car, take it from us, it is worth the wait.

Source : http://www.asianauto.com/