New Perodua MYVI
New MYVI, Latest Perodua Flagship model
Sepang, 18 May 2005 – Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (PERODUA) held a media preview of its latest model, the Perodua Myvi at the Sepang International circuit today. 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.
At the press conference held during the preview, Perodua stated that pre-launch orders are already exceeding the 6000 mark, and estimates that the waiting period for people signing up for new orders after the public launch scheduled for 25 May 2005, will be about three months.
Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, Managing Director Perodua stated that an estimated 35,400 units of the Perodua Myvi will be produced within the first year of production, and the monthly forecast for unit sales is 4,800 units, making an expected contribution of 27 percent of Perodua’s total sales.
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.
Members of the press were given a chance to take a Myvi around half of the Sepang circuit. It was only a two kilometre drive, and other than the fact that it feels quite good around the six turns that we went through, and that the monococque feels rigid, we cannot tell you much more until a more exhaustive test later.
Finally, there is an embargo on the visuals until the official launch on 25 May, but we are allowed to show you parts of the car, or mutated pictures. Use your imagination, they said!
