Perodua is keeping things fresh as usual with their vehicle line-up. The Malaysian compact car manufacturer have basically announced that the facelifted Perodua Axia is due to be launched very soon as it is now open for booking (and now available for viewing at Perodua showrooms- updated 17th January 2017). The facelifted Axia city car will feature a new engine and additional features to keep it very relevant in the A segment compact car market.
The Axia facelift will feature a new Variable Valve Timing engine called the VVT-I (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence). The previous 1KR-DE2 engine does not have valve timing. This new one is similar to the one used in the Perodua Bezza 1.0 - the 1KR-VE. It should make 67hp and 91Nm (previously 66hp) and 90Nm. Economy and drivability should be slightly better. Perodua claims 22.5km/liter compared to 21.6km/liter.
Other improvements mentioned by Perodua include new styling for the front grill and bumper; a rear hatchback handle (there was none previously - See the teaser pic from Perodua above), new seat fabric design; and projector headlamps.
Perodua Axia has also mentioned that the Standard-G spec audio system now comes with USB port.
The Axia SE and Advance variants get a bit more improvement which include new styling front grille and bumper; push start button; smart entry with smart key; multimedia system with ‘Smart Link’ (for android OS only); new design projector headlamps; new chrome door outer handles; spiral design alloy wheels; rear hatch handle; new seat fabric design (for SE); and meter-combi with new white illumination.
The Perodua Axia (Standard) comes in Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Ebony Black and Midnight Blue. The Lemongrass Green and Cherry Blossom that were introduced during its launch in September 2014 have been dropped.
The SE and Advance Version variants have two (2) additional colours compared with the Axia Standard-G; which are Solid Sunflower Yellow and Metallic Lava Red.
The Peninsular Malaysia price for the new Perodua Axia variant begins from RM 24,900 for the Standard-E (manual) to RM42, 900 for the Advance (auto).
The rear hatchback handle is a nice addition to the car, as is USB connectivity for the more basic variant. You can see that Perodua likes keeping things fresh for buyers.
As for the dropping of the two colours - I do not think young Malaysians are pretty conservative when it comes to choosing their car colours as the bright yellow and red are kept in the line-up for the Axia Advance variants. This is the model which is usually bought by youngsters and the choice by those whose parents have bought the cars for them.
The Axia Standard's buyers are more conservative in that from my observation, the ones that buy this model are usually the older crowd. This is their car that they use as a roundabout and they have their bigger car at home. So these people are older and less flashy. And they usually just need a car to go to the market and back. Compare this to the Axia Advance buyer which are usually tech-savvy and outgoing.
Now as to when this car will be officially launched is up to speculation. I believe it will be launched at the biggest Perodua carnival event - MYPerodua Nation which will be held next weekend from 20th to 22nd January 2017 at AEON Mall Shah Alam (outdoor car park). A week or so away. (Update - New front end seen in the photo below at the MyPerodua Nation carnival)
For the full price list and comparison, please see the pics below as well as the Press Release after the pics:
PRESS RELEASE
New Perodua Axia line up with new engine and improved features now open
for booking
Rawang, 13 Jan: Perodua announces that the new Perodua Axia facelift, which
includes a new Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-I) engine – an
improvement compared with its current KR Engine as well as improved features, is
now open for booking to the public.
The new engine with VVT-I will further boost the Axia’s fuel efficiency up to 22.5Km/L
in Eco-Driving mode, compared with the current 21.6Km/L (manual transmission).
“The Axia has been our best-selling model since 2014 and we believe that the added
value included in these new variants would be able to sustain the public’s interest for
this model,” Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director, Dato’ Dr. Zahari Husin said.
Perodua sold 214,700 Axia since it was launched in September 2014 which makes
the Axia Malaysia’s No.1 EEV. In 2016, the entry level compact car sold 85,900
units.
“We target the Perodua Axia to have an average sales volume of 6,000 units a
month,” Dato’ Dr. Zahari said.
Other improvements for the Axia standard include new styling for the front grill and
bumper; backdoor handle; a new seat fabric design; and comes with projector
headlamp.
On the entertainment system, Perodua Axia Standard-G audio now comes with USB
port.
While for the Axia SE and Advance variants; improvements include new styling front
grille and bumper; push start button; smart entry with smart key; multimedia system
with ‘Smart Link’ (for android only); new design projector headlamps; new chrome
door outer handles; spiral design alloy wheels; backdoor handle; new seat fabric
design (for SE); and meter-combi with new white illumination.
The Perodua Axia (Standard) comes in Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Ebony Black
and Midnight Blue. The Lemongrass Green and Cherry Blossom that were
introduced during its launch in September 2014 have been dropped.
The SE and Advance Version variants have two (2) additional colours compared with
the Axia Standard-G; which are Solid Sunflower Yellow and Metallic Lava Red.
The Peninsular Malaysia price for the new Perodua Axia variant begins from RM
24,900 for the Standard-E (manual) to RM42, 900 for the Advance (auto). For the full
price list and comparison, please see attached document.
“Despite the added value we included in this Perodua Axia facelift, we have kept the
price range affordable for all Malaysians”.
“We welcome the public to visit our 182 sales showrooms nationwide and to speak to
our authorised sales advisors about the new Axia facelift,” Dato’ Dr. Zahari said.
Perodua is also inviting customers to come to the biggest Perodua carnival event-
MYPerodua Nation which will be held next weekend from 20th to 22nd January 2017
at AEON Mall Shah Alam (outdoor car park). – End
No comments:
Post a Comment