NEW SUNDAY TIMES

NEW SUNDAY TIMES

COMPACT/FAMILY
COMPACT/FAMILY MAY 30, 2010

CAR GUIDE
MAY 30, 2010
E-mail: cars@nstp.com.my
E-mail: cars@nstp.com.my
Tel: 03-2056 9298
Tel: 03-2056 9298
Sms: 012-300 6655
Sms: 012-300 6655

CAR MART CAR MART CAR MART

RM 75,000 RM 109,800 RM 83,822
CAR MART CAR MART CAR MART

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY

RM 75,000 RM 109,800 RM 83,822

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY

JAZZ
FIESTA

JAZZ
FIESTA

MAZDA22
HONDA
FORD

MAZDA
HONDA
FORD

CHOOSE your first car?

CAR MART CAR MART CAR MART
RM 175,000 RM 46,499 RM 75,800
CAR MART CAR MART CAR MART

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY

RM 175,000 RM 46,499 RM 75,800

FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY

PERSONA
PERSONA
PRIUS
PRIUS

FORTE
FORTE
PROTON
TOYOTA

PROTON
TOYOTA

KIA
KIA

HAVING an option is always a good thing, but making the right choice is certainly not easy, especially when the cheapest car
in the market costs about RM25,000. Our Compact/Family Car Buyers Guide is to help you know what is there for you in the
market. There are two categories which are popular, and many first-time buyers will decide on what to buy from one of these
categories. With our objective reviews, testimonials from users and a list of cars, which includes specifications and prices, this
guide will come in useful for first-time buyers.

Own your dream car with Malaysia’s No. 1 Car Financier

 2 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
India overtaking us
F
IVE years ago, India came to
Malaysia to learn about our motor
insurance industry.
Today, according to Carl Rajendra
Group Managing Editor
Datuk Zainul Arifin Mohammed Isa
Group Editor
Datuk Syed Nadzri Syed Harun
Editor | Yamin A. Vong
News Editor | Hezeri Samsuri
Assistant News Editor | Thomas Huong
Writers | Grace Chen, Albakry Salehuddin
Production Editor | Anthony Raj
Graphic Consultant | Wan Ismail
Researcher | S.J. Gana
Advertising | Joseph Raj
(josephraj@nstp.com.my)
Cars, Bikes & Trucks
(cars@nstp.com.my)
Tel: 03-22821841 SMS: 012-300 6655
(picture), CEO of ISM (Insurance
Services Malaysia), the big country has
now overtaken us.
According to an article in the Asian
Insurance Review website (www.
asiainsurancereview.com), India has
moved on towards premium increase
based on factors such as the district the
customer lives in, the make and model
of the car and his claim record.
A senior official of state-owned New
India Assurance said when de-tariffing
happened more than three years ago,
companies were aggressive in offering
discounts on own-damage covers.
That aggression, he continued, is not
there this year.
“The premiums may go up for certain
categories of cars and not across the
board.”
Amarnath Ananthanarayanan, CEO
of Bharti Axa General Insurance, was
quoted as saying that his company
will increase the premium rates for
customers with bad claims last year, and
not across the board.
Head of motor insurance at ICICI
Lombard, Ajay Shah, commented that
the claims ratio for private cars in the
northern states has increased.
“These cars are small or mid-sized
cars and sports utility vehicles. We have
already increased premiums by 5-15
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
percent of the existing premium when
they came up for renewal. However,
for luxury cars, the premium rates have
remained flat.”
A senior official of Oriental Insurance
Company, which will increase premium
rates in the next several weeks,
explained:
“The claims ratio, which used to be
as low as 30-32 percent in own-damage
Cruze, Alto, new Waja... soon
cover of private cars, has now increased APPARENTLY the market is getting in the C-Segment, bordering to a
to 50 percent. By and large, the claims better where option is concerned. D-Segment sedan. This is Chevrolet’s
Chevrolet and its new partner, global car and knowing Naza, it
cost of private cars is rising compared to
Naza, will soon be launching the should be feature-packed too.
commercial vehicles.”
Cruze, an example of a good family Other compact/family cars that
According to the website, other
insurers such as United India Insurance, car. will soon enter the market will be
We believe the price of the car will the Suzuki Alto and the Proton Waja
Bajaj Allianz, Future Generali India
General Insurance and Royal Sundaram hover around RM100,000. replacement, with the latter getting a
General Insurance, say their pricing The Cruze is a 1.8L sedan that sits lot of response from the public.
strategy will remain the same this year.
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010 COMPACT/FAMILY car guide PAGE 3
 4 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
More than
an oil change
S
HELL invited us to experience a
lube job at one of its many Shell
Service centres, and the Taman
Tun (Dr) Auto Service in Kuala Lumpur
was given the honour to have us.
The assignment was simple: just
drive in with our car and see how the
service centre handles the task.
The Satria Neo and I arrived at
the location at 10am on the dot,
and Lee Kwai Leong, the manager
for the centre, was already waiting
for us.
Lee’s chief mechanic, Lim Chai Hock,
quickly went around the car for a
visual inspection and covered the seat
with a plastic cover.
The car went into one of the two
available service bays and Lim briefed
me what he and his team would be
doing.
The first was the checklist, which is
quite lengthy. However, Lee and his
team did more than just what was
stated in the list.
“We will inform the owner of the
real condition of his (or her) car, and if
there are parts that require changing,
we will inform him. He can either do
the changed now, or later,” Lee said.
The Neo apparently needed a few
things — front brake pads were about
to give up the ghosts, the bulb of left
fog light was fused, one of the plate
number lights was also out, plus the
centre exhaust muffler was rusting.
Lee and the team even went on to
check the windscreen washer which is
a tedious job to do. Equipped with an
air gun, they blasted the nozzles and
made them work.
They even noticed that one of the
Bosch wiper end-cap was missing,
something which might have just
happened.
The centre is equipped with a
Bosch diagnostic machine, one of
the selected service centres to be
provided with such a machine by
Shell.
“The machine allows us to quickly
‘read’ the condition of the car and this
saves time for both the customer and
Lee (left) with his loyal mechanics, Lim.
19-point service check
1 Top up battery water
2 Top up windscreen water
3 Check power steering fluid level
4 Check brake/clutch fluid level
5 Check radiator coolant level
6 Check and clean air filter
7 Check drive-belt/V-belt condition
8 Check cooling hoses and
connections
9 Check exhaust mounting
10 Lubricate battery terminals
11 Lubricate door hinges, lock and
latches
12 Check and correct tyre pressure
13 Spare tyre check
14 Tyre tread check
15 Check windscreen wiper
condition
16 Check auto transmission fluid
level
17 Check lighting system
18 Check fuel tank cap
19 Check rubber boots and dust
cover condition
us,” said Lee who was with Tan Chong
a long time ago.
When it comes to parts, Lee gives
the owners the option to choose
the type of parts available in the
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
Ultra costs more,
but worth every sen
SHELL has given me the Helix Ultra oil
engine to go with my Proton Satria
plus specially selected base oils will
reduce oil volatility and therefore oil
Neo 1.6L Manual. consumption — lesser oil top-up is
There is nothing hi-tech about needed.
that 1.6L Campro engine, and as one The best part was that I enjoyed
needs to rev it higher to get decent the minimal vibration and engine
power at the lower revs, and the noise, something that I can test
engine, after three years, has started without using any scientific laboratory
to feel coarse. equipment as I have been with the car
My Neo was fed with an imported for the past three years.
semi-synthetic engine oil before this Driving out from the Shell TTDI
because I felt using the synthetic (Kuala Lumpur) service centre, I could
variant did not make any significant quickly feel that the engine was more
changes. It has been tried before and responsive. It was quieter too, and
the changes were too minimal to smooth but I shrugged this off as a
justify the money I had to fork out. feel-good factor, something most of
The Helix Ultra on the other hand, us are affected to each time we install
is the best Helix engine oil from Shell expensive gear to our car or pamper it
Malaysia. with top grade oils.
The 5W-40, according to the Helix “Let that feeling die off in a couple
Ultra website, is a fully synthetic motor of days and we’ll see how the engine
oil and is five times as effective at really feels,” I said to myself.
removing sludge than mineral oil. Five days after I changed to Helix
market or they can even buy the parts
themselves.
It is suited for high performance Ultra, I could drive the Neo without
modern petrol engines and fuel- blasting the audio to drown the nasty
“We have been here for the past
20 over years and the relationship
injected models fitted with catalytic mechanical engine noise.
between us and our clients is based
converters. The engine had somehow become
on trust,” said Lee.
Okay, the Campro is really not a quieter, and it felt smoother and more
”This is how we can get an average
high performance engine but I bully responsive.
of 20 cars a day.”
it a lot and it does come with a fuel No, the Campro engine is still not
The oil lube change was done in a
injector and catalytic converter. a V-Tec unit, and it is still powerless
few minutes, and as the old engine oil
Anyway, Ferrari and Porsche at low revs but compared to what it
was being drained, more checks were
approve this oil and I am sure Proton was before the oil change, it is a big
will have no objection either. change.
done on the car.
“Visual checks are easy and cost
Helix Ultra is also said to offer up I guess I will have to pay more for
nothing, but they can help owners
to 37 per cent more protection than my oil change now but it is worth
to understand the condition of their
other synthetic leading brands tested, every sen.
has a low viscosity, rapid oil flow and I mean if I do not need any fancy
vehicles,” said Lee.
“This car has been driven hard,” Lim
low friction for better fuel efficiency equipment to feel the changes,
commented, pointing to the tyres, R3
and easier cold starting. imagine what goodness it will do the
coil covers and Autofoam-ed subframe
Shell claims Helix Ultra has a high engine at a micro level.
beneath the car.
shear stability, which it needs to You can’t blame me. I am totally
A rally mechanic (also with Nissan),
maintain viscosity and stay in grade hooked to Helix Ultra. – Hezeri
he politely asked for our preferred tyre
throughout the oil drain period, Samsuri
pressure and went on checking all the
tyres, including the spare which was
neglected.
In less than 45 minutes, everything
was done and the checklist was
shown to us. He gave another round
of explanation of the job done and we
put down our signature on the list.
We drove away smiling, rather
pleased that the lube service was
comforting.
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010 COMPACT/FAMILY car guide PAGE 5
 6 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
n By Hezeri Samsuri
L
ast month somebody
reminded us of the
Hyundai Avante, or the
X20. And some people in the
web have been raving about
how good this Korean car is.
Fine, we said, let’s take one
out and test it against our
benchmark for family sedans,
the Nissan Sylphy.
Sylphy smooth
THE Sylphy has become our
benchmark for a two-litre family
car simply because it is a good
family car. Car fanatics might cry
out loud as they think a good
car should take corners like
BMW and weight balance must
be as balanced as a Lotus Elise.
In the real world, there are
more people who want a
comfortable ride with decent
performance, like what the
Sylphy is offering.
Built on a platform which
Nissan got from Renault, the
powerplant is the MR20DE unit
which is a 1,997cc, four-cylinder
in-line engine with DOHC and
C-VTC (Continuously Variable-
valve Timing Control).
We find this engine smooth
and the 131hp and 191Nm
figures are enough for most
people.
Adding in the smoothness
will be the Xtronic CVT and
fortunately, this unit does not
buzz and hum like the CVT
units in other makes. In fact,
we didn’t even realise it was a
CVT gearbox until we read the
brochure.
Okay, the interior design
will never win any best-design
awards, in fact, truth be told, it
looks pretty staid and boring.
The S-shape design philosophy
that Nissan tries to sell does
not really impress us, and the
clamshell seat with the Masumi
fabric material reminds us of
slumberland.
So why did we give it the Best
Family Car Award in 2008?
Because when all those
Tan Chong offers value-for-money sat nav
IT was not love at first sight.
We were hardly impressed
with the RM3,500 satellite
navigation optional kit that
Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn
Bhd (Tan Chong) recently
launched for the Sylphy.
But it was basically our fault.
We are so used to Garmin-
based systems that we tackled
the Tan Chong version the
same way. Apparently, it works
in a slightly different mode and
in fact, it is easier to use than
the Garmin.
Once we learnt how to use
the search function properly,
and after recalibrating the
touch screen, we couldn’t stop
using it.
The map is one of the
most complete we have ever
stumbled upon. Provided by
A tale of two sedans
The Sylphy is the benchmark in Malaysia.
factors are combined together,
the Sylphy turns into your
comfort zone that you dream to
get back into after a long hard
day at work.
The seats, boring as they may
look, are very comfortable. The
dashboard, as bland as it feels, is
actually ergonomically designed
and allows you to reach every
control easily.
There are pockets for
oddments almost everywhere
within reach from your seating
position, and the air-conditioner
rivals the one at home –
efficient cooling without it
having to sound like a hurricane.
Drive wise, the Sylphy does
not like to be pushed around.
It glides and floats over the
horrible city roads, but gives
enough tautness to the driver
for the twisties. Push it too hard
and the nose starts ploughing
ahead but a simple lift-off of
the accelerator will get it back
in line.
Fuel consumption is also one
of the car’s strong point. Despite
being a two-litre machine,
Map IT (which also supplies
maps for Google), the map
runs on an operating system
from Speed Navi, a Korean
company.
The system is preloaded with
Nissan Sylphy
2.0L
Engine: Four-cylinder in-line
1,997cc DOHC CVTC
Max power: 131hp @
5,200rpm
Max torque: 191Nm @
4,400rpm
Transmission: Xtronic CVT
Safety features: Dual
airbags, ABS, EBD, Brake
Assist, six-star Japanese new
car safety award
Price: From RM118,888 (OTR
with insurance)
drive it within the speed limit
and it returns 1.6L-like fuel
consumption figures.
Simply said, this is a car
in which you just sit and
drive and rest. It is a bit like
the Toyota Corolla, but with
enough character to make you
appreciate your journey.
Avant-e Garde performance
OKAY, we were not really
impressed with the positive
maps of Malaysia, Brunei and
Singapore.
One interesting thing is that
it has a 600Mhz ECU whereas
the rest are usually 400Mhz.
Tan Chong spent a year fine
The Korean contender focuses more on performance.
Hyundai Avante
X20
Engine: Four-cylinder in-line
1,975cc DOHC CVVT
Max power: 141hp @
6,000rpm
Max torque: 186Nm @
4,600rpm
Transmission: Four-speed
auto gearbox
Safety features: Dual
airbags, ABS, EBD
Price: From RM98,888 OTR
with insurance
remarks from some of the
Avante’s owners in the local
forums, especially the ones
posted by clubs under the
brand.
Not to say they are not telling
the truth, but facts often tend
to get exaggerated. We would
rather do our own test and
compare it with a back-to-back
test drive. Yes we have to agree
that the Hyundai Avante has
terrific handling dynamics.
tuning the system to ensure
that we get through our
haphazardly-laid roads.
With the receiver located
under the third brake light,
hooking up to the satellite is
quick.
Practical information is
also given for POIs (Point of
Interest), like phone numbers
for hotels and contact numbers
for Nissan service centres.
We noticed that the
“Favourite” pre-set button
couldn’t be renamed, and
according to Tan Chong, this is
for security reason.
For instance, if you rename
it to your “Home”, other parties
will know the location of your
house.
We also like the Lane
Information feature, which we
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
This Korean sedan has about
the same dimensions as the
Sylphy, and engine wise, it is
also running on nearly the
same displacement, but the
Hyundai trumps the Nissan on
horsepower values.
The four-cylinder 16-valve
DOHC CVVT 1,975cc engine
cannons out 141hp, 10hp
higher than the Sylphy’s but at a
higher 6,000rpm versus Sylphy’s
5,200rpm.
Torque rating, however, is
lower, 186Nm versus Sylphy’s
191Nm. The Nissan also
manages to reach its max
torque at a lower RPM too.
The Hyundai makes do with
a four-speed auto gearbox with
fuzzy logic software thrown in.
With the torque converter
gearbox, power delivery is far
more “gutsier” than the Nissan.
We love how the Avante
speeds ahead; there is
something manly about feeling
the gearbox swapping cogs
(a manual would have been a
better experience).
The Avante corners with
failed to notice in other sat-nav
systems.
Practical and downright safer
to use, the Lane Information
feature tells you to stick to a
particular lane. For example,
if you are on a four-lane
highway, the system will guide
you through audio and visual
means to stick to a particular
lane.
This means you will not
swerve dangerously to an exit
because the Lane Change
system will warn you to move
to the correct lane way before
you reach the exit.
Tan Chong says the map will
be upgraded twice a year, free
for the first two years.
After that, Tan Chong will
charge you RM50 per update,
which we think is a fair
confidence, and the tail chucks
in nicely without trying to hop
around. Invest in better tyres
and the handling will be even
better.
Now how on earth can the
Avante offer such a nice drive?
Easy. Instead of the space
saving torsion beam setup the
Nissan uses, the Hyundai Avante
has one of the best set-up there
is, a multi-link system with a
stabiliser bar.
A bit stiff actually, especially
over potholes and ruts, but the
Avante never borders into harsh.
It does not glide as smoothly as
the Sylphy, but it is still quite a
comfortable car.
Hyundai Malaysia is also
offering a service where you can
“tune” the steering system.
We have no idea whether
other manufacturers do this
or not but Hyundai is able to
tune the Motor Driven Power
Steering (MDPS) to suit your
driving style. You want light or
a heavy steering, the service
centre can easily dial it in for
you.
There is some unrefined
character to it that Nissan has
managed to iron out. A short
five-minute drive and you can
feel the difference.
And some words of advice,
when you test out cars. Do
not go blindly into triple-digit
speed. Unless you are reviewing
a race car, a lot can be learnt
from a car while driving at legal
speed.
As for the interior, we still
prefer that of the Nissan. No
doubt the Avante uses high
quality materials but the design
is yesteryear.
We hope the new Avante
which was unveiled recently
in Busan will offer a more
modern look but until it arrives
in Malaysia, those looking for
a two-litre sedan with more
character should give the
Avante a spin.
Ah, and did we tell you the
Hyundai is nearly RM20,000
cheaper too?
amount.
Apart from satellite
navigation, the system can also
view pictures from your SD
card or play music and video
from a USB drive.
Audio quality, however,
is on the low side. It is not
connected to the in-car
entertainment (ICE) system,
which means when you are
navigating, you need to lower
the ICE audio volume.
The seven-inch touch screen
panel is better for viewing
maps rather than videos.
With a three-year warranty,
you can opt for this system
for only RM1,500 if you are
planning to buy a Sylphy. If
you already have a Sylphy and
you want to install the system,
it will cost you RM3,500.
 New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE 7

Swift as the wind

n Story and pictures by Grace Chen

I
T sounded really nuts to attempt a
camping trip to Port Dickson with two
adults and two young children in a
very compact Suzuki Swift, but we did it!
We didn’t think it was possible at first
as upon opening the back hatch, the
booth space seemed really small — just
enough for a huge sports bag and
perhaps one or two more items of a
smaller size and bulk.
When we flicked open the upper lid, it
revealed a more spacious compartment
underneath, where the spare tyre was
supposed to be stored. What went in
was an entire supply of camping stuff
for a two-day-one-night affair by the
beach. Plastic quality acceptable, EPS is smooth. If you want something better than the Myvi, try the swift.
In went a small barbecue set, a
portable butane stove, a six-man tent, a awards, this little engine is not to be beam in the rear. Smoothness of particular by-road leading to a beautiful turning on the ignition knob.
12 x 8 feet tarpaulin (folded), two rolled looked down upon. manoeuverability from the rack and seaside view. Another thing that we like about the
up sleeping bags, a mengkuang mat, This is the kind of car that fools you pinion steering is enhanced by EPS While it is the common goal for most central locking system is that it will only
two days’ supply of canned food plus into thinking that it’s going at 80kmh (Electronic Power Steering). compacts to go for cute, the Swift begs open the driver’s door at first click. To
the chiller for our meats, our bag of when the actual speed is 120kmh. So One other thing that you must to be different. The keyless system open the other three, you’d have to do a
clothes and toiletries, and spades and the response may be a little slow, but know about the Swift is that with is one of the Swift’s many intelligent double touch on the feature
sand buckets. it’s not the short spurts that matters but the minimum turning radius of 4.7m, features. The audio system with its six speakers
The 1.5 VVT DOHC engine of the Swift the sustaining stamina for the long haul. U- turns are a breeze and knowing As long as the remote transmitter is will make you smile. There is nothing
1.5 Automatic may look like nothing The first thing you will feel is the the nature of the not-so-wide roads on your person, inside a handbag or a like having Sheila Majid’s honey-coated
much on first impression, like in the steadiness which comes from the coil of Port Dickson, this saved us a lot of trouser pocket, all you have to do is to voice reverberating within the cabin
case of the booth, but for a ride that has spring suspensions, the MacPherson embarrassment on the many occasions press the button on the door handle for when you’re negotiating a rainy evening
earned no less than four Car of the Year struts at the front and a torsion we had to turn back after missing a entry. Starting the engine is as simple as jam.
 8 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
>OWNER’S
308’s true test
O
NLY a few people can test the
durability of a car – cab drivers
and marketing people.
We fail to find a cabbie that drives a
Peugeot 308 Turbo but our marketing
director, Joseph Raj, owns one. Joe as
he is known as, is an experienced driver,
but when it comes to everyday driving,
he treats his car like a truck.
“I rarely stop for speed bumps.
Slowing down is a waste of time,” he
quipped.
We have to agree because we have
seen him behind the wheel. In fact, we
pity his cars but for the record, he treats
his 1997 Alfa Romeo GTV better than
the wife.
Joe’s previous car was a gold Perodua
Myvi. Gold is the perfect colour for him
because the car will still look “goldish”
even after three months without a car
wash. Bullet-proof as a Myvi is, Joe’s
gave him constant headache, from day
one.
At first it was the ECU, then it was
the brake rotors and soon the squeaks,
but since he drives it like a truck, the
squeaks were actually acceptable.
The day Joe announced that his
Myvi will be replaced with a spanking
new Peugeot 308 Turbo, Hezeri quickly
called Nasim Peugeot to apologise.
“ Sorry sir, my colleague Joe will be
buying your 308 Turbo and he is not an
easy to customer to please.
“I am apologising now before he
strikes terror to your establishment,”
said Hezeri.
Hezeri said it was his fault for making
Joe fall in love with the car — he gave
the 308 Turbo test car to Joe for a
weekend and the week after, Joe made
his announcement.
That was November 2009, and more
than half year later with 25,000km plus
on the odometer, Joe is still singing
praises about his Peugeot, which also
means nobody from Nasim has been
terrorised yet.
“I still drive like before, and speed
bumps are like mini ramps,” he
declared.
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
Joe explained that he has many
reason to be happy with his Peugeot.
“I love the design and the family
loves the spacious cabin and big boot.
We can go shopping and have no
problem cramming in the shopping
bags. With the old Myvi, I had migranes.” 
“My two children simply adore the
panoramic roof and I think for a family
of four, the 308’s size is just perfect.

“I also love the fact that the 1.6L
turbocharged engine gives a two-
litre engine like performance but fuel
consumption is marginally lower than
the 1.3L Myvi’s.”  Joe Raj with his pride and joy, The Peugeot 308 Turbo.
The Peugeot, despite his rough
driving, stays quiet. “It feels brand new!” take the car out too and Joe normally happened a few days ago and
Joe exclaimed. 
The not-so-good part baulks on that. the Peugeot had to be sent to the
is short. Joe pays around RM400 plus “Not that I don’t trust her but each workshop.
for each of his 10,000km and 20,000km time she drives out with the car, I am “She hit a cow, and damaged the
service. scared that the phone will ring and she front headlight and a wing mirror,” Joe
He replaced his front brake pads for will inform me she is in another fender told.
RM500 but luckily the warped rotors bender,” Joe explained while stressing Luckily, after RM780 for the headlight
were replaced under warranty. 
His the fact that it was the wife he was and RM819 for a wing mirror (the latter
biggest complaint is that the wife now more worried about, not the car. is cheaper than the Civic’s), his Peugeot
fights with him because she wants to Unfortunately, the phone call and his marriage are okay again.
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010 COMPACT/FAMILY car guide PAGE 9

10 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
Forte – the new benchmark
n By Hezeri Samsuri
I
T is quite difficult not to get smitten
by this car. This is the second time
we took the Naza Kia Forte out, and
even though the 1.6 SX is the middle
range version of this car (the 1.6L EX
is the basement model while the top
range type is the 2.0L SX), the amount
of equipment is unheard of in this price
range.
For instance, you get a keyless system
which is factory fitted, with a proper
push-start button. We just wish there is
a button to open the boot from the rear
so that we don’t need to either fish out
the key tab to press the button or open
it via the boot hatch lever next to the
driver’s seat.
The audio system has a six in-dash
CD changer that can play MP3. You can
even connect your thumb-drive via the
USB port, or hook it up to your iPod
player via a cable supplied.
The volume toggle on the steering
wheel is easy to use and sound
reproduction from the six-speaker
system is fair. There is a “power-bass”
function but audiophiles will definitely
upgrade.
¨There are no power seats, but the
steering wheel is adjustable for tilt and
reach. Air conditioning is a full auto unit,
but we hate the air circulation function
that has the outside air set as standard.
That makes sense in cold countries, not
in Malaysia where smoke odour gets in
after a few seconds.
We are happy with the cabin space,
which is more towards Civic/Altis size
rather than City/Vios. Flat rear floor
provides proper seating area for the
third passenger and the seats are firm
but comfortable, which is good for long
journeys.
Noise suppression is another factor
that you should look into. Of course,
the Forte doors sound tinny when
you knock it but on the move, but
it allows minimum sound intrusion,
even at highway speeds. This is better
then Japanese cars costing more than
the Forte but if you want to improve
this, Desmond Chong of KL Auto
(017-282 3073) has some experience
with a few Fortes. He claims that some
Autofoam on the C-pillar can make a big
difference.
¨Driving the Forte is not a let down,
but it will also not put the car in the hall
of fame either.
¨The torsion beam set up at the rear
offers space, but it makes the tail a bit
bumpy over undulated roads. It is not
uncomfortable, but a multi-link set up
like the one in the Persona will offer
better handling.
The 1.6L Gamma engine offers
Kia’s investment on Peter Schreyer is paying off handsomely - this is one of
the best looking car on the road now.
around 122hp and 156Nm with a four-
speed Shiftronic gearbox — good for
normal driving but those who want a
more fulfilling driving experience, we
recommend the 2.0L with the Theta
engine. That has 153hp and 194Nm of
performance to play around with.
¨The SX comes with traction control,
and we tested it on a sandy deserted
road. The system kicked in swiftly,
cutting power to stop the rear from
sliding out too much.
Impressed we were, as some traction
control we had tried before on entry
level cars were slow to react.
With a car as good as this, Naza Kia
should have no problems selling it.
We think the figures will easily triple if
the company focuses on upgrading its
brand image.
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
Gated gear lever with manual mode.
Premium feel to the button.
Aggressive looking instrument panel.
Toggle button is easy to use.
Needs more grunt from the 1.6L.
COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE 11
>Real-life review
Forte for the Professor
WE asked one Dr Mohd Hasmadi Ismail,
a senior lecturer in Faculty of Forestry in
Universiti Putra Malaysia for his driving
experience in the Forte.
This Professor bought his Forte in
February to replace his Volvo S40.
“The Volvo has started to cost me
more and it made sense just to buy a
The audio system is feature packed but still easy to use. new car,” he explained.
Hasmadi stated that his number one
reason for buying the Forte is looks.
“I think it looks impressive, just like
its marketing tagline — Leaves You
Speechless,” he said, his eyes never
leaving his white Forte.
The second reason is the Forte’s
handling, which in his words, is “superb
in its class”, although he admitted he still
thinks his old Volvo has a better drive.
“I had a Mazda before and the Forte
rivals that car. Quiet and comfortable.
“But the Forte offers high-end The Professor in his Forte.
technology at a very reasonable price,”
the professor added. a guzzler.
He carries his three children, aged “I drive from my house to my office in
nine, six and three, at the back. “There is UPM, which is around 30km to and fro.
more than enough space for the whole This costs me RM50 a week, similar to
family. my two-litre Volvo. Roughly, I calculated
Any room for improvement? the Forte gives RM8.88 per kilometer.
Yes, Hasmadi suggested that Naza Kia Hasmadi’s car has yet to clock its first
should install a front parking sensor too 5,000km and perhaps the engine is quite
so that parking will be even easier. new.
There is no perfect car and Hasmadi Other than that, Hasmadi is smiling
The boot offers 415 liters of luggage space, enough for a family of five. complained that the Forte can be quite away behind the wheel.
 12 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010

Skip... at your peril

>USED CAR (national)
Perodua Kancil 850

The ‘Graduate’ plodding on

B
UYING a car is not just about the
face value of it, apart from the
down payment and the monthly
installment, new car buyers should also
look at how much it costs to maintain
the car.
Each car will have a different need
for regular maintenance depending on
how the manufacturer designed the car
and how it’s packaged.
Some need attention every 5,000km
and some every 10,000km. These are
important information as it shows
how often you have to service the car,
especially if you clock a lot of mileage
in a day as it means down time for the
car.
Skipping these service intervals
is not recommended as it involves
unnecessary wear and tear which
usually result in a really expensive
repair job a few months down the
line, especially for cars that use timing
chains as the engine oil also lubricates
the chain.
The most hard hitting is the major
service where a lot of parts are replaced
and this translates into a big bill, not to
mention the long wait for the car while
the technician works on it.
Some manufacturers try to lessen
its impact by spreading the parts to
other service intervals. It helps a bit but
it also makes the common oil change
just a bit more expensive so don’t just
look at one service interval but the
whole thing, including if the car needs
a timing belt change or not.
Also there are items that as an owner
you are entitled to refuse in the service
package like windscreen washers or if
the part can still be used if it is still in
good condition.
It is your right as an owner to be
informed of the parts and work going
to be done to your vehicle. Don’t
hesitate to ask, especially if you don’t
understand why a certain part needs
to be replaced and how much it costs.
We have compiled some basic
information furnished by the car
makers themselves. Engine oil price is
not included as it is generally about
the same for every manufacturer while
some have a wide range of engine oils
to choose from.
All manufacturers have a basic
minimum service package which is
engine oil change that consists of
draining the engine oil, replacing the
used oil filter, topping up with new
engine oil.
Depending on the car company
or service centre, this service usually
comes with a simple check on the
other parts of the car from tyres to
brake pads which, depending on the
company, will be free or passed on to
the customer which makes it a little
pricy for just a simple oil change.
Manufacturers also offer certain
discounts and promotions from
time to time (especially nearing a
big holiday like Hari Raya Aidilfitri or
Chinese New Year) so prices may vary
from time to time.
THE fresh graduate’s first car is now more
than 15 years old.
But some nine years ago a final facelift
was done giving it a little more interior
and exterior style in tandem with its
immediate competitors.
It did, however, leave the market place
with little sadness as it was not the
best in space, handling and even fuel
consumption.
Yes it consumed little fuel but in
comparison to what some imported
models costing four times more, it was
not that well engineered.
However, at its asking price there
was little competition and so it became
Malaysia’s favourite first car, a city car for
>USED CAR (Non National)
Toyota SEG Auto 1998
A steal for RM30,000
THIS was UMW’s bread and butter
model. The Toyota SEG started its life in
1992 with a 1.6-litre and a lesser manual
driven 1.3-litre.
Both were carried over engines but the
1.6-litre SEG came with all the bells and
whistles of the day. Wrapped in a simple
evergreen suit, the SEG had ample space
for three adults in the back and a boot to
swallow a suitcase and some bags.
Power steering, locks, windows and
exterior mirrors gave the car a luxurious
feel and owners had a car that drove
and handled well. The single cam engine
produced a decent 118bhp and the four-
speed auto gearbox worked well with its
power delivery.
Today many units are still in the
the wife or wheels for the pensioner in
the family.
Today a used unit will set you back
between RM8,000 and RM10,000 and
there will still be at least another 5-8
years of motoring left in it as long as well
taken care off. – Oh Toh
hands of the first owners but our
recommendation is for the last face-lifted
model which was introduce in late 1998.
It came with revised lights, grille,
bumpers and a more up-market interior.
Safety features were increased with ABS
brakes and an airbag.
The most common colour was grey
silver, light blue and bronze. All light
colours that hid dirt and grime well.
Today , this last generation SEG will
sell for anywhere between RM28,000 and
RM31,000, providing its new owner will a
low-running cost family sedan that could
easily out-run and out-perfoRMmany
more modern Afta cars costing 2.5 times
more. Tests drive one before dismissing it
all together.  – Oh Toh

Proton Saga Proton Neo Perodua Myvi Toyota Vios Suzuki Swift Hyundai Accent Hyundai Avante Nissan Slyphy Kia Forte Honda Jazz Honda City

Service interval 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km, 1,000km,
5000km, 5,000km, 5,000km and 5,000km, 5,000km, 5,000km and 5,000km and 5,000km and 10,000km and 5,000km and 5,000km and
10,000km, and 10,000km, and every 5,000km 10,000km, and 10,000km, and every 5,000km every 5,000km every 5,000km every 10,000km every 5,000km every 5,000km
every 10,000km every 10,000km onwards every 10,000km every 10,000km onwards onwards onwards onwards onwards onwards
from then from then from then from then
onwards onwards onwards onwards

Standard labour charges for basic RM20 RM24 RM30 RM25 Information not RM30 RM30 RM44 RM15 RM61.43 RM61.43
available
service (changing the oil and filter
excluding cost of parts)
Major service interval 20,000km 20,000km 20,000km 40,000km 30,000km 40,000km 40,000km 40,000km 40,000km 40,000km 40,000km

Parts recommended to be replaced Engine oil, oil Engine oil, oil Engine oil (semi Engine oil, brake Information not Engine oil, oil Engine oil,oil Engine oil, oil Engine oil, oil Engine oil, oil Engine oil, oil
filter, drain plug, filter, drain plug, syn), oil filter, fluid, manual available. filter, gasket, oil filter, gasket, oil filter, oil pan filter, air filter, filter, fuel filter, filter, fuel filter,
on major service battery water, battery water, air filter, gasket transmission plug, spark plug, plug, spark plug, washer, air-cond coolant, brake coolant, brake coolant, brake
screen wash, screen wash, drain plug, spark fluid for manual air filter element, air filter element, & alternator belt, fluid, ATF fluid. fluid, spark fluid, spark
spark plug, gear spark plug, gear plug, ATF or transmission auto transmission auto transmission coolant, brake RM573.73, plug, pollen plug, pollen
oil, brake fluid, oil, brake fluid, transmission oil, vehicle), fluid and filter, fluid and filter, fluid. RM631.88, including labour filter. RM769.55, filter. RM769.55,
air filter, coolant. air filter, coolant. coolant, battery windshield radiator coolant, radiator coolant, including labour including labour including labour
RM490.64, RM561.51, water and brake washer fluid, oil fuel filter, brake fuel filter, brake
including labour including labour fluid. RM390.22 filter, drain plug fluid, power fluid, power
charges charges (auto), RM375.86 gasket, air filter, steering fluid, steering fluid,
(manual), spark plug. (price air conditioner air conditioner
including labour not available) filter. RM868.18, filter. RM923.24,
charges including labour including labour

Prices of some • Spark plugs RM38 RM38 RM50 RM34.4 RM39.20 RM49.90 RM49.90 RM248.00 RM67.08 RM84.94 RM84.94
common parts • Brake pads (front) RM141.10 RM349.57 - RM247.40 RM256.60 RM325.10 RM410.30 RM393.00 RM407.53 RM297.83 RM339.29
• Brake pads (back) RM91.08 - - - - RM186.40 RM186.40 - - - -
and their
• Oil filter RM12.22 RM12.22 RM12.95 RM30.70 RM28.70 RM18 RM18 RM30.50 RM19.27 RM23.00 RM23.00
recommended • Air filter RM16.71 RM23.71 RM38 RM71.40 RM66.20 RM26.70 RM48.66 RM77.50 RM51.18 RM70.36 RM70.36
intervals to • ATF RM154.55 RM154.55 RM46.20 - - RM78.75 RM78.75 - - - -
change/replace • Fuel filter RM37.8 RM37.8 - RM379.20 - RM13.50 RM13.50 For life RM94.09 RM287.66 RM287.66

Timing RM532.19 @ RM557.19 @ Chain driven -- Chain driven -- Chain driven -- RM613.50 @ RM677.40 @ Chain driven -- Chain driven -- Chain driven -- Chain driven --
60,000km, inclusive 60,000km inclusive periodic check only periodic check only periodic check only 60,000km inclusive 80,000km inclusive periodic check only periodic check only periodic check only periodic check only
belt/chain of all replacement of all replacement of all replacement of all replacement
repalcement/ parts (timing belt) parts (timing belt) parts (timing belt) parts (timing belt)
adjusment and labour charges and labour charges
 New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
Simple-minded Vios
n Story and pictures by Grace Chen
I
T was a hellish week with back-to-
back appointments and mile-long
to-do lists. By the time the week was
about to end, this brain had become so
hay wired that it couldn’t even answer
the simple question of “Where are you?”
The only comfort, the quiet place
that would serve as a brief retreat
from that demanding week, was in the
Toyota Vios 1.5G AT.
The “G” stands for “grandeur” and
frankly, there were times when we
wished that the drive could have been
a little longer, just so that we didn’t
have to step out of its luxurious cocoon.
It might have something to do
with the piano black panelling of the
dashboard’s middle cluster, that shiny
bewitching surface that throws your
reflection back at you, or the shiny
chrome fascia of the automatic gear
knob.
Fantasies aside, the Vios is the kind
of car that will totally embrace you in
entirety. Sliding into the leather seats
gives you a feeling of luxury.
Touch the three-spoke leather
steering and it reminds you of
the purpose of existence and the
importance of having a clear view of
one’s goals. Turn on the ignition and
the purr of the four-cylinder, DOHC
VVT-i engine sounds sweet music to
the ear.
Imagine, you do not even have to
worry about locking the doors because
the Vios does so by itself! Once the
speed reaches 20kmh, you’d hear the
reassuring “click” to let you know that
all doors are locked and you are safe.
Truthfully, not all of the Vios’ features
were always appreciated. One instance
was the irritating beep to remind me
to fasten the seatbelt. This incessant,
unrelenting and persistent “teet teet
teet” grew louder by the second.
Though there is nothing it can do
to remind you to keep to the speed
limit, and believe me, with a maximum
torque of 141Nm at 4200rpm and a
maximum output of 80kW at 6000 rpm,
>OWNER’s review
From a two-door GTI to a Honda City
SELLING off your two-door GTI for
a boring family car can be the most
difficult thing in the life of a car nut.
So how can one live with the decision?
“By choosing the best in the market,”
said Saiful Jazri Zahari, 38, an IT server
specialist.
Saiful had been driving a Proton
Satria GTi for eight years and clocked
more than 300,000km.
In fact, he was once the vice-
presidents of the Satria GTi club and
even served as its driving instructor.
“It was a big change from the Satria
GTi,” said Saiful. “The driving dynamics,
the handling and the performance are
lower than that of the GTi.
“But I can carry more things in the
boot of the City, get more people in it.
And somehow it has turned me into a
more sedate driver.
“The City in some ways compensates
for the performance aspects that I
miss. The City has paddle shifters for its
five-speed gearbox and it can also go
The new look Vios gets a more prominent grille and is pleasing on most eyes.
Extra legroom is always good.
the Vios can really go; you will feel the
stiffening of the speed sensitive power
steering as the car responds to the
accelerator.
The six-speaker audio system was
awesome, and it became louder as the
Vios picked up speed -- the ASL (auto
sound levelling) was kicking in.
almost as fast as my old GTi.”
Saiful is very particular about
handling dynamics. He modified his
first car, a 1983 Nisan Sunny 130Y, so
that the handling became loads better
COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
No reliability issues here. Gated gear shift.
This feature adjusts the volume with an optional suspension kit
counteract the ambient noise of the (RM92,000) for those with more robust
car. For example, the faster you go, the preferences.
louder the road noise thus the volume But the one thing that strikes an
gets louder to compensate. unusual note is the Optitron gauges
Launched in April, the face-lifted are at the centre of the dashboard and
version of the Vios comes in four not in front of the steering wheel. How
variants, including the 1.5 TRD Sportivo fast you go is now open knowledge to
decent handling, especially around
town, but when it comes to spirited
driving on B-roads, it can get a little
hairy around corners.
“Thankfully the automatic
transmission is smooth and gear shifts
do not interfere with my driving style.”
Saiful has clocked more than
50,000km with his 15-month-old City.
That is definitely above the average
20,000km most Malaysians do.
“When I like a car, I will drive it
anywhere and everywhere. I have
driven the City to Haadyai twice,
Penang a couple of times, Trengganu,
Johor, Malacca and many other places,”
Saiful said beaming with pleasure.
“So far, the Honda has lived up to
expectations as an economical and
comfortable sedan.”
than the stock model. Saiful is getting an average of 420-
“Proton did well with the GTi’s 460km for city driving and up to 520km
handling, the main reason why I on the highway from the City’s 42-litre
bought the car.” tank.
Saiful claims the Honda City has “The highest I got was 580km on the
13
Toyota Vios 1.5G AT
Engine: 1NZ-FE VVT-I, DOHC, in line
4, 16 valve, petrol
Max Output: 107hp @ 6000 rpm
Max Torque: 141Nm @ 4200 rpm
Transmission: Four-speed
automatic with ECT (Electronic
Controlled Transmission), Gate
Shifter.
Features: SRS Front Dual Airbags,
GOA (Global Outstanding
Assessment) Body, EPS (electric
power steering), tilt steering with
audio switch, ABS with EBD and BA,
electric wing mirrors with signal
indicators.
Price: RM87,300 OTR with
insurance
A bit boring, but ergo is good.
your passengers and, depending on
their age group, they are able to cue
you to slow down or step on it.
Nevertheless, it is not easy to
maintain any sense of negativity on
the Vios for long for the car is only
designed to fulfill one aspiration and
that is to be desirable.
highway and I doing below the speed
limit.”
As for after sales service, Saiful is
extremely happy with the service he
gets from the Glenmarie branch.
“They can service my car in under
one hour, complete with checks on tyre
pressure, lights and other mandatory
parts.”
Saiful said he will without hesitation
recommend the City to his friends, and
in fact he had actually done it.
A car nut will always be one, and will
Saiful modify this car?
“I have already begun. I have
changed the horn and wipers. Then I
installed a Modulo bodykit and recently,
a set of Enkei alloys with springs.”
Saiful said the Proton was an easier
car to modify as there were readily
available parts but for the City it proved
a bit more difficult.
“I have to find Honda Jazz or Fit parts
instead,” he said before driving off in his
gleaming black City.
 14 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
The hunks too, reluctantly
I
N the market for a premium
compact car?
Well, there are not many in the
market, unless your money can stretch
for a Fiat 500 or a Mini.
But if it is for something around
RM90,000, you can get a Honda
Jazz (well, it is actually closer to
RM100,000) or the newly launched
Mazda2 Sport (V-spec at RM83,822,
R-spec at  RM86,822; both without
insurance).
This is not just any car. The Mazda2
was the World Car Of The Year back in
2008, and it was no small feat.
Here in Malaysia, our pricing
structure might not put the car in its
real light but it is a zippy car that can
even excite the men, even the hunks
with hairy chests.
You see, we had comments from
some “hunks” that the car looks too
feminine for them to drive. Perhaps it
was the bright metallic green of the
test car that made it look feminine but
there was nothing feminine about its
handling dynamics.
The simple MacPherson struts and
torsion beam set-up is no different
from other compact cars but Mazda
has got the balance right with its
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
Sport Tuning suspension package
— from the nicely weighted electric
power steering to how the tail chucks Cute yet easy to read.
in quickly around the corners.
The 95/45 R16 80W tyres are  of 
the low profile kind, which contribute
to the handling but when we went
over a metal railing for a sliding gate
in a hotel in Morib,  the steering
shook so violently, we thought we had
ran over a bunch of steel pipes.
The MZR 1.5L inline four-cylinder Archaic HVAC controls.
engine DOHC 16-valve is eager to rev
and at its best, you get 102hp and
135Nm.
The four-speed auto (the hatch only
comes in auto) does its intended job
and we rarely had to disturb it.
It has a “hold” button instead of an
overdrive and it actually works about
the same as the hold function will Engine allows a top speed of
drop a gear and maintains there. Sporty handling compensates its dashing looks. 160km/h.
Brakes were sufficient, even with
drum units at the rear. knob for its circulation control — all challenged ones, to park. plastic panel is missing.
Interior, you get Vios-like plastic but cable operated. Sadly, you need to switch it off Our major complaint, however, will
definitely a funkier design. That big Bermaz has installed an aftermarket manually (if not, it beeps for no have to be the grab handles. There is
white-faced speedometer is easy to sonar detector (also known as the apparent reason when you are only one grab handle, which is only
read while the audio has big buttons, parking radar) at the front. This is a driving). for the front passenger. 
plus toggles on the steering wheel. brilliant idea as the front nose slopes The glove box has a unique slot Apart from this “appalling” omission,
The air-conditioning system uses down and having the detector helps on top of it for you to slide your we think this is one heck of a sporty
rotary knobs and an ancient slider drivers, especially the vertically documents, but it looks like a piece of compact car. – Hezeri Samsuri
 New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
Moving from the Gen2
The Persona has managed to change the public's opinion on Proton's
quality.
LED light for the rear.
The Lessons of ‘Throttlegate’
Toyota’s massive vehicle recall because of faulty accelerator pedals highlights a series of issues — such as “component sharing” —
which pose risks in manufacturers’ efforts to cut costs.
ITS corporate slogan is famously “Today
Tomorrow Toyota” but company chief
Akio Toyoda must be wishing that he
could turn the clock back to Yesterday.
Being one of the lead stories on
virtually every TV and radio bulletin
because of three massive recalls is a PR
nightmare.
Toyota Britain’s communications boss
wrote on a social networking website
that “he’d been on the BBC more than
Jonathan Ross”.
In case you’ve been on Mars, here are
the nuts and bolts of “Throttlegate”.
There’s a risk that accelerator pedals
on seven Toyotas sold in Britain could
stick because of a corroding component
inside the mechanism.
More than 180,000 cars are affected.
Separately, a loose floor mat problem
can interfere with the throttle on some
US models, and there’s also an issue
with brakes on the Prius, which is being
investigated in America and Japan.
But it’s not just Toyota taking flak.
Honda has compounded the scare
with recalls for defective airbags.
Vehicle recalls to correct faults are
going on all the time, but it’s only when
they are carried out on a massive scale
that they attract media attention. VOSA,
the government agency which oversees
recalls, reports that 263 were issued in
2008/09 (see table for some examples).
It has hovered around that level for
the last five years, but go back a decade
and it was only 109.
VOSA attributes the increase to a
greater willingness by manufacturers to
alert the public about safety issues.
But that prompts the question:
What’s happening during the design,
R&D and manufacturing process that’s
allowing faulty cars to come off the
New panel is easier on the eyes.
2009’S BIGGEST
BRITISH RECALLS
Fiat Grande Punto
56,168
Steering shaft bolt could
sheer, causing steering to fail.
Land Rover Discovery 3
/ Range Rover Sport
56,142
braking problems caused
by oil leak
Peugeot 307 and Expert III
48,938
Lighting management
system could fail, causing
lights to switch off
Toyota Yaris
45,335
Seat belt pretensioner
problems may cause a fire
after an accident
Renault Scenic II
and Kangoo II
34,403
Software problem might
cause power assistance on
steering to fail
production lines in the first place?
There’s always pressure to reduce
costs, but you can’t blame the recession
as today’s new car was in development
COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
T
HREE years down the road and the
Proton Persona gets a welcome
facelift, with some pleasing
features like the front grille featuring
a larger intake to highlight the car’s
sporty personality.
As with other cars, the top of the
line, which only comes in the automatic
version, gets better attention, including
leather upholstered interior, auto-cruise,
ABS, EBD, dual air bags, pre-tensioner
seatbelts and, for added convenience,
an electric remote release for the trunk.
The Medium Line model gets driver
side airbag and pre-tensioner seat belt.
The driving experience of the
Persona Elegance, as it is called
now, remains the same, planted and
confident thanks to the Lotus tuning
while the DOHC 16-valve 1597cc
engine feels ample enough.
The Persona, which made its
entrance in 2007, was based heavily on
the four-door coupe Gen2 at a glance
both models looked no different. So for
a more “grown up” identity, the Persona
got a long chrome garnish on the rear
boot lid, which has been retained.
five years ago.
Is it a desire to cut development times
to get a model to market quicker than a
rival, or too many of them so the quality
assurance budget is being spread too
thinly?
“The core issue is the complexity
of the vehicles, and particularly the
interface between the traditional
mechanical components and the more
modern electrical ones,” says Dr Peter
Wells, a senior researcher at the Centre
for Automotive Industry Research at
Cardiff Business School.
“While the former have got more
reliable, the problem is with the latter,
either in terms of hardware or software.”
Wells also believes financial pressures
on car companies mean that if there’s a
change in component sourcing strategy,
mistakes get made.
And they don’t always become
apparent before a new model goes on
sale.
“Along with the increase in vehicle
sales over the last decade has been a
huge growth in the number of models,
body styles and variants,” argued Wells.
“It means the market place has
become more complex in terms of the
variety offered to the consumer. And
that is turn means the manufacturing
environment has become more
complex.”
He reckons the increase in platform
sharing — where on basic architecture
can be spread over say, four brands,
seven models and 30 or more variants
— is a factor.
So rather than standardisation
of parts leading to a decrease in
manufacturing faults, it actually works
the other way.
“If there’s a problem, it affects many
The Medium and Highline variants
now come with a full on body kit that
fits on the front and rear bumper and
side skirts, and a small spoiler on the
boot lid to complement the car’s lines.
The headlights remain the same but
they have been blacked out without
affecting its ability to light up the road
while the rear lights have been updated
with LEDs.
The LEDs are not only more efficient
but also brighter, adding to the safety
features of the car. However, the
number of LEDs used in the rear lights
do not match up to the size of the car
when you turn on the lights.
Instead of a nice spread on the rear
lights like we can see in the new Audi,
the designers clumped the LEDs in a
group only few inches wide making it
look suitable on a bike instead of a car.
A welcome addition is the turn
signals integrated into the side mirrors,
much like the other more expensive
cars of its class.
Several changes have been made
to the interior. White numbers in
the meter display show the driver
more vehicles over a number of brands,
and each gets its own recall campaign.”
There’s evidence of that now because
the Toyota Aygo, the Citroen C1 and
Peugeot 107 share the same production
plant.
So on sub-standard part equals to
three recalls.
Consultancy and research company
Frost & Sullivan attributes many of
the problems to the continuing rise in
electronics to meet demand for fuel
efficiency, better driving dynamics and,
ironically, safety.
Commented Krishnasami
Rajagopalan, a Frost & Sullivan expert
in chassis, safety and driver assistance
systems:
“It now remains to be seen whether
the recent recalls will lead to stricter
enforcement, review and testing of
vehicle electronics, and whether any
weakening of consumer confidence will
lead to a slowdown of ‘electronification’.
“Until this problem is sorted
out, consumers are likely to sit
apprehensively in their cars, surrounded
by electronics they no longer trust.”
Paul Everitt, chief executive of the
SMMT, said: “Remember, not every car
that has a recall notice is unsafe. It may
just need a check as part of a suspect
batch. However, the fact that a robust
safety net for the unforeseen exists
should be a reassurance to motorists,”
he said.
A recall of a few thousand cars won’t
dent manufacturer finances too heavily
because the likely costs of any remedial
work are built into the list price.
However, something the size of what
Toyota is facing is on a different scale.
Estimate run into billions of dollars.
What about the price paid in terms
15
the readouts, replacing the all blue
numbers.
For the audio system, the purpose
built double din unit that was used
to match the centre dash has been
replaced with a single din unit from
Blaupunkt which features an auxiliary
3.5mm input along with a USB stick
socket.
Although the volume knob is more
suitable for “left-hand” cars, the driver
also has access to volume control and
some limited functions on the steering
wheel.
While the Highline gets the plush
leather upholstered interior, the Base
and Medium variants have to be
satisfied with two-tone fabric cover for
seats and door panels.
For the colour conscious, the Persona
has introduced Chiffon Green and
Bronze Garnet. The regular Silver and
Black are also available.
For peace of mind, the new
Persona comes with a two-year or
50,000km warranty and a three-
year/125,000 km extended warranty.
– Albakry Salehuddin
of negative publicity or unhappiness of
owners?
Toyota has built its global reputation
on offering conservative products that
were safe — in every sense of the word
— but would run forever.
Recalls could result in a substantial
drop in customers buying the affected
product or others from the same brand.
Bob Johnston is a professor at
Warwick Business School and an expert
in “service recovery” — the posh name
for cleaning up the fan after it gets
caked in the brown stuff.
He said recalls of any sort, not
just automotive, can be seen as
an opportunity for a company to
demonstrate how serious it is about
safety and quality.
“Cars are complicated and I think
most people accept that things go
wrong,” he said. “Companies can get
away with this once or twice in a period
would be — but not more than that.
“There’s no doubt recalls do
undermine a brand, but it’s not the
‘going wrong’ per se which can damage
an image. It’s how the company deals
with it, and if it’s done quickly and well
it can even enhance a reputation.”
Johnston said that a fault serious
enough to spark a recall wasn’t going to
stop people buying cars, but could lead
them to switch brands.
“As a long-standing Subaru driver
with no problems, I’m likely to stick with
the brand. My two daughters who both
have Renault Clios have been affected
by recalls, and are significantly less
likely to buy one again,” he explained. –
Motor Industry Magazine
n Read more articles from MIM,
register yourself at www.motor.org.uk.
 16 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
PRICE LIST
CHANA
Changan Berjaya Auto Sdn Bhd
03-79541188
www.changan.com.my
Chana Era CV6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1301cc/
Max Power: 84hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 110Nm@3500-4500rpm
Price: RM37,500
CHERY
Chery Alado Automobile
Sdn Bhd
03-79556666
www.cheryalado.com
Chery A520
Engine/Transmission/Features:
L4-cylinder, 1971cc/4-speed auto with
steptronic/ABS, EBD, dual airbags
Max Power: 127hp@5750rpm
Max Torque: 180Nm@4300-4500rpm
Price: RM95,888
CHEVROLET
GM Motors
1-800-224-389
www.whoareyounext.com.my
www.chevrolet.com.my
Chevrolet Aveo Notchback 1.4
Engine/Transmission/Features:
VGIS, 1400cc, DOHC, 16-valve/4-speed
auto/radio, air-conditioning,
Max Power: 94hp@6200rpm
Max Torque: 130Nm@3400rpm
Price: • 1.4L LUX – RM80,558
• 1.4L SX – RM73,558
• 1.4L SE – RM70,558
Chevrolet Optra Magnum 1.6L
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1598cc, 4-cylinder in-line, 16-valve,
DOHC with VGIS/4-speed A/T with
Fuzzy Logic/1-airbags(ABS with EBD,
immobiliser, dual airbags LSSS)
Max Power: 107hp@5800rpm
Max Torque: 150Nm@4000rpm
Price: • 1.6L Base – RM85,578
• 1.6L LSSS – RM90,578
Chevrolet Optra Magnum
Estate 1.6L
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder in-line, 16-valve, DOHC
with VGIS/4-speed auto/dual airbags
(for SS), 4-channel ABS, EBD, pre-
tensioners, Isofix mountings
Max Power: 106hp@5800rpm
Max Torque: 150Nm@4000rpm
Price: • 1.6L LS – RM92,578
• 1.6L LSSS – RM97,578
Chevrolet Optra Magnum
1.8L LT SS
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1799cc, 4-cylinder in-line, 16-valve,
DOHC with VGIS/4-speed A/T with
Fuzzy Logic/ABS with EBD, TCS,
immobiliser, dual airbags
Max Power: 121hp@5800rpm
Max Torque: 160Nm@4000rpm
Price: RM99,767.60
FORD
Ford Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Toll free line: 1800-88-3181
Website: www.ford.net.my
Ford Focus 2.0L Ghia
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1-4, DOHC, 16-valve Duratec,
1999cc/4-speed auto/ABS, EBD, ESP,
dual airbags
Max Power: 143hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 185Nm@4500rpm
Price: RM111,888
Ford Focus TDCi.
Ford Focus 2.0L Sport
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1-4, DOHC, 16-valve Duratec,
1999cc/4-speed auto/ABS, EBD, ESP,
dual airbags
Max Power: 143hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 185Nm@4500rpm
Price: RM112,888
Ford Focus 2.0L Sport TDCi
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1-4, Duratorq turbocharged diesel,
1997cc/6-speed powershift double-
clucth/ABS, EBD, ESP, TCS, dual airbags
Max Power: 134hp@4000rpm
Max Torque: 320Nm@2000rpm
Price: RM128,888
FIAT
Torino Motors Industies
www.fiat.com.my
03-4251 1058
Fiat L500
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder in-line, 16-valve, 1368cc/5-
speed Dualogic sequential manual/
7 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, TRC, all-
round disc breaks
Max Power: 100hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 131@4250rpm
Price: RM135,000
Fiat Grande Punto 1.4
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder, 8V MPI 1368cc/5-speed
AMT/Dual SRS airbags, side and
window airbags, fire prevention
system, EBD, ABS
Max Power: 77hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 115Nm@3000rpm
Price: RM108,000
Fiat Panda 1.2
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder in-line, front, transverse,
1242cc/AT/
Max Power: 60@5000
Max Torque: 102@2500
Price: RM82,000
HONDA
Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Toll free line: 1800-88-2020
Website: www.honda.net.my
www.honda.com.my
Honda City 1.5
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder, 16-valve, SOHC, i-VTEC,
1497cc/5-speed automatic with shift
hold control/halogen headlight,
illumination meter, Vehicle
Information Display (VID), rear micro
antenna, dual front airbags, ABS, EBD,
BA, immobiliser, power mirror, (fog
light, door mirror with turn light, alloy
16”, steering wheel audio control,
6-speakers, power retractable door
mirror – only for Grade E)
Max Power: 120hp@6600rpm
Max Torque: 145Nm@4800rpm
Price: • Grade S – RM84,980
• Grade E – RM89,980
Honda Jazz 1.5 Grade V
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder, 16-valve, SOHC,
i-VTEC, 1497cc/5-speed automatic
transmission with shift hold control/
multi reflector headlight, Vehicle
Information Display (VID), keyless
entry, dual srs airbags, ABS, EBD,
immobiliser, wave blade key, (door
mirror with turn light, alloy 16”, cruise
control only for grade v)
Max Power: 120hp@6600rpm
Max Torque: 145Nm@4800rpm
Price: RM109,800
Honda Civic 1.8S
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder, 16-valve chain-driven,
SOHC i-VTEC, 1799cc/electronically
controlled 5-speed automatic/alloy
16”, front fog lights, keyless entry,
immobiliser system dual SRS airbags,
VSA, ABS, EBD, BA, 4-corner reverse
sensors
Max Power: 140hp@6300rpm
Max Torque: 174Nm@4300rpm
Price: RM114,980
Honda Civic 2.0S
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder, 16-valve chain-driven,
DOHC i-VTEC, 1998cc/electronically
controlled 5-speed automatic with
paddle shift control alloy 17”, front fog
lights, High-Intensity Discharge (HID)
headlight, leather upholstery, blue
ambient light, steering audio remote
control, cruise control, keyless entry,
dual srs airbags, VSA, ABS, EBD, BA,
Side airbags with Occupant Position
Detection System (OPDS) immobiliser
system, hydrophilic door mirror,
4-corner reverse sensors
Max Power: 155hp@6500rpm
Max Torque: 188Nm@4500rpm
Price: RM129,980
Honda Civic Hybrid
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-Cylinder, SOHC i-VTEC + IMA,
1339cc/Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)/Alloy 15”, dual SRS
airbags, side airbags with Occupant
Honda Jazz.
Position Detection System (OPDS),
ABS, EBD, BA, VSA, hydrophilic mirror,
immobiliser system, ultrasonic sensor,
wave blade keys
Max Power: 95hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 123Nm@4600rpm
Price: RM129,980
HYUNDAI
Hyundai-Berjaya Sdn Bhd
www.hyundai.com.my
Hyundai Avante 2.0
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC Fuel CWT,
1997cc
Max Power: 143hp@6000rpm
Max torque: 186Nm@4600rpm
Price: RM98,888
Hyundai i30 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1591cc, DOHC, CVVT/4-speed
automatic
Max Power: 120hp@6200rpm
Max torque: 152Nm@4200rpm
Price: RM97,888
Hyundai i30 2.0
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1975cc, DOHC, CVVT/4-speed
automatic/dual airbags ABS with EBD,
all wheel disc breaks
Max Power: 141hp@6000rpm
Max torque: 186Nm@4600rpm
Price: RM112,888
Hyundai Accent 1.4
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1399cc, DOHC/5-speed manual/
Max Power: 95hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 124.5Nm@4700rpm
Price: RM69,888
Hyundai Accent 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1599cc, CVVT/4-speed automatic
with grade logic, overdrive & lock-up
torque converter/ABS, airbag
Max Power: 112hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 145.1Nm@4500rpm
Price: RM75,888
Inokom i10
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Epsilon 1.1 SOHC, 1086cc/4-speed
automatic/dual airbags
Max Power: 66hp@5500rpm
Max torque: 99Nm@2800rpm
Price: • i10 (M) – RM44,488
• i10 (A) – RM46,988
• i10 (A) High spec – RM49,688
Inokom Matrix 1.6GL
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1599cc, 4-cylinder in-line/5-speed
manual/4-speed auto/ABS, airbags
Max Power: 101hp@5800rpm
Max Torque: 141Nm@4500rpm
Price: • (A) RM67,895.48
• (M) RM65,082.46
Inokom Getz 1.4 SE
Engine/Transmission/Features:
G4EE(Alpha II)-DOHC, 1399cc, 16v/4-
speed auto/5-speed manual/
SRS airbags, ABS with EBD
Max Power: 97hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 125Nm@3200rpm
Price: • (M) RM60,284
• (A) RM63,888
NAZA
Naza Kia Sdn Bhd
1-800-88-6292
www.nazakia.com.my
Naza Forte 1.6EX
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Gamma 1.6 DOHC CVVT,
1591cc/4AT(Gate Type), H-Matic/
Shiftronic/ABS, dual front advanced
airbags
Max Power: 124hp@6300rpm
Max torque: 156Nm@4200rpm
Price: RM75,800
Naza Forte 1.6SX
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Gamma 1.6 DOHC CVVT,
1591cc/4AT(Gate Type), H-Matic/
Shiftronic/ABS ESC pack, TCS, ESC,
dual front advanced airbags
Max Power: 124hp@6300rpm
Max torque: 156Nm@4200rpm
Price: RM81,800
Naza Forte 2.0SX
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Theta II 2.0 DOHC CVVT,
1998cc/4AT(Gate Type), H-Matic/
Shiftronic/ABS ESC pack, TCS, ESC,
dual front advanced airbags,
front seat-mounted side airbags, full-
length side curtain airbags
Max Power: 156hp@6200rpm
Max torque: 194Nm@4300rpm
Price: RM93,800
Naza Picanto
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1.1L SOHC, 1086cc/4-speed automatic/
(dual front advanced airbags – only
for EX)
n CONTINUED PAGE 17
 New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010
PRICE LIST
n FROM PAGE 16
Max Power: 64hp@5500rpm
Max torque: 96Nm@2800rpm
Price: • LS: RM44,500
• EX: RM46,800
MAZDA
Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd
03-5569 2797
www.mazda.com.my
Mazda2 1.5 Sedan
Engine/Transmission/Features:
MZR 1.5 DOHC 16-valve, in-line,
4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, 1498/4-
speed automatic/Electric Power Assists
Steering (EPAS), ABS, airbags
Max Power: 102hp@6000rpm
Max torque: 135Nm@4000rpm
Price: • V-spec – RM80,122
• R-spec – RM83,122
Mazda2 1.5 Sport
Engine/Transmission/Features:
MZR 1.5 DOHC 16-valve, in-line,
4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, 1498/
4-speed automatic/Electric Power
Assists Steering (EPAS), ABS, airbags
Max Power: 102hp@6000rpm
Max torque: 135Nm@4000rpm
Price: • V-spec – RM83,822
• R-spec – RM86,822
Mazda3 Sport 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
In-line 4-cylinder DOHC MZR, 1598cc/
4-speed activematic/ABS with EBD
Max Power: 104hp@6500rpm
Max torque: 145Nm@4000rpm
Price: RM111,249
Mazda3 Sport 2.0
Engine/Transmission/Features:
In-line 4-cylinder DOHC MZR, 1999cc/
4speed activematic/ABS with EBD, air-
conditioning, full automatic
Max Power: 145hp@6500rpm
Max torque: 182Nm@4500rpm
Price: • Sedan – RM131,249
• H/Back – RM135,999
MITSUBISHI
Misubishi Motors Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Hotline: 1-800-88-2166
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my
Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GT
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4B11 DOHC Mivec, 1998cc, 16-valve,
ECI-multi (fully alluminium block)/
CVT with sports mode and Inecs III/
dual airbags with weight sensors, Rise
body, ABS, EBD, pre-tensioners
Max Power: 152hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 199Nm@4250rpm
Mitsubishi Lancer GT.
Nissan Latio.
Price: RM123,980
MITSUOKA
Able Automobil Sdn Bhd
03-79561078
www.mitsuoka.com.my
Mitsuoka Cute 1.4
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Inline 4-cylinder DOHC, 1386/full
range electric control automatic
transmission (E-ATX) 4-speed/electric
power steering
Max Power: 97hp
Max Torque: 137Nm@3200rpm
Price: RM92,800
Mitsuoka MPV 1.4
Engine/Transmission/Features:
CR14DE, inline 4-cylinder DOHC,
1386cc/full range electric control
automatic transmission (E-ATx)
4-speed/7 seats
Max Power: 97hp
Max Torque: 137Nm@3200rpm
Price: RM89,800
NISSAN
Edaran Tan Chong Motors Sdn Bhd
03-40478888
webside: www.nissan.com.my
Nissan Sentra Sport 1.6L
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1767cc, 4-cylinder with VTC, DOHC,
16v/4-speed auto/5-speed manual/
ABS, BA, engine immobiliser, leather
seats, V-Kool crystal tinting
Max Power: 128hp@5600rpm
Max Torque: 164Nm@4400rpm
COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE
Price: • (M) – RM85,750
• (A) – RM89,800
Nissan Latio 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1598cc, DOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder
with CVTC and drive-by-wire
technology/4-speed auto/dual front
airbags, EBD, ABS, BA
Max Power: 107hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 153Nm@4400rpm
Price: • 1.6ST (MT) – RM84,680
• 1.6ST (AT) – RM89,980
• 1.6ST-L (AT) with ABS
– RM92,929.50
• Latio Sport 1.6ST-L (AT)
– RM97,980
Latio tuned by Impul
Price: • 1.6 ST (MT) – RM 95,466
• 1.6 ST (AT) – RM100,740
Latio Sport tuned by Impul
Price: 1.6 ST-L (AT) – RM108,766
Nissan Latio 1.8Ti
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1798cc, DOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder
with CVTC/electronically controlled
4-speed auto with lock-up-torque/
intelligent key, dual front airbags,
EBD, ABS, BA, automatic bi-xenon
headlights
Max Power: 123hp@5200rpm
Max Torque: 1748Nm@4800rpm
Price: RM99,958.30
Nissan Sylphy 2.0L X-CVT
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1997cc, 4-cylinder in-line, DOHC with
CVTC, balancer shaft & drive-by-wire
technology/XTRONIC CVT/ABS, EBD,
BA, EPS, engine immobiliser, leather
seats, V-Kool tinting, ambient light,
auto-light system, SRS airbags,
Max Power: 133hp@5200rpm
Max Torque: 191Nm@4400rpm
Price: • Comfort – RM114,880
• Luxury – RM118,880
• Navi – RM120,380
Sylphy 2.0L X-CVT tuned by
Impul
Price: RM125,980
Luxury Navi Package
Price: RM131,480
PROTON
Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd
1-300-880-888
www.proton.com.my
Proton Gen2.
Proton Savvy 1.2
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder, 16-valve D4F, 1149cc/AMT/
seatbelts, air-conditioning, radio
Max Power: 74hp@5500rpm
Max Torque: 105Nm@4250rpm
Price: • B-Line (M) – RM33,549
• H-Line (AMT) – RM45,841.25
Proton Gen.2 CPS 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Campro CPS, 4-cylinder, DOHC,
16-valve, 1597cc/5-speed manual/4-
speed auto/ABS, EBD, dual SRS
airbags, headreat, seatbelts, air-cond
Max Power: 125hp@6500rpm
Max Torque: 150Nm@4500rpm
Price: • (CPS) H-Line (A) – RM60,488
• (IAFM) M-Line (M) – RM53,488
Proton Waja CPS 1.6
Premium
Engine/Transmission/Features:
16-valve, CPS (Cam Profile Switching),
1597cc/4-speed auto/5-speed manual/
ABS, EBD, dual SRS airbags, leather
seats, immobiliser
Max Power: 125hp@6500rpm
Max Torque: 150Nm@4500rpm
Price: • (AT) – RM64,888
• (MT) – RM61,888
Proton Saga 1.3
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Campro, 16-valve, DOHC, 1332cc/5-
speed manual/4-speed auto with
Invecs/driver’s seat airbag, pre-
tensioner, immobiliser
Recommended engine oil:
Max Power: 95hp@6000rom
Max Torque: 120Nm@4000rpm
Price: • B-LINE (M) – RM36,548
• SE (A) – RM44,998
Proton Satria Neo 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Campro 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC,
1597cc/5-speed manual/4-speed
auto/headrest, seatbelts, Captor,
multi-function steering, air-cond,
cruise control (auto only), CD/MP3
Max Power: 110hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 148Nm@4000rpm
Price: • Satria Neo 1.6 Lite (M)
– RM43,900
• Satria Neo 1.6 CPS (A)
– RM60,763
Proton Persona Elegance 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Campro IAFM, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16V,
1597cc/4-speed auto/5-speed manual/
dual airbags, pre-tensioners,
17
(Navigator, body kit, fog lamp, rear
spoiler: M-line & H-line only)
(ABS with EBD, leather seats, cruise
control: H-line only)
Max Power: 110hp@6500rpm
Max Torque: 148Nm@4000rpm
Price: • B-Line (M) – RM46,499
• M-Line (A) – RM55,999
• H-Line (A) – RM59,499
PERODUA
Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Berhad
1800 88 6600
www.perodua.com.my
Perodua Viva 660
Engine/Transmission/Features:
659cc, DOHC, 12-valve/5-speed
manual/seatbelts, air-conditioning,
radio
Max Power: 47hp@7200rpm
Max Torque: 58Nm@4400rpm
Price: • BX (M) – RM24,900
• EX (M) – RM28,900
Perodua Viva 850
Engine/Transmission/Features:
DOHC, 12V (4-valve per-cylinder)
with DVVT/5-speed manual/power
windows, 1 DIN radio CD player, alarm
and central locking
Max Power: 52hp
Max Torque: 76Nm@4000rpm
Price: RM32,900
Perodua Viva Elite
Engine/Transmission/Features:
989cc, DOHC, 12-valave, DVVT/
4-speed automatic/ABS, EBD, BA, dual
airbags
Max Power: 60hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 90Nm@3600rpm
Price: • Viva 1.0 – RM36,500
• ELITE EZi – RM44,900
Perodua Myvi 1.0SR
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Water-cooled, 4-cycle, in-line
3-cylinder, DVVT DOHC, 989cc/5MT/
headrest and seatbelts, Air-
conditioning, radio
Max Power: 57hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 88Nm@3600rpm
Price: • Solid – RM38,924.10
• Metallic – RM39,447.30
Perodua Myvi 1.3
Engine/Transmission/Features:
Water-cooled, 4-cycle, In-line
4-cylinder, DVVT DOHC, 1298cc/5MT,
n CONTINUED PAGE 18
 18 COMPACT/FAMILY CAR GUIDE New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010

PRICE LIST
n FROM PAGE 17
4AT/headrest and seatbelts, ABS and
airbags (SXi and EZi)
Max Power: 87hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 116Nm@3200rpm
Price: • SX (M) – RM43, 400
• EZi (A) – RM50, 100

PEUGEOT
Nasim Sdn Bhd
1-800-88-6292
www.peugeot.com.my

Peugeot 207CC 1.6L

Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder, 1587cc, DOHC, 16-valve/4-
speed automatic/airbags, ABS, EBD,
leather seats
Max Power: 110hp@5740rpm
Max Torque: 147Nm@4000rpm
Price: RM158,888

Peugeot 308GT
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1.6-litre, 16-valve, turbocharged Peugeot 207CC. Renault Clio.
in-line, 4/6-speed manual/airbags,
ABS, EBD, leather seats
Max Power: 175hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 240Nm@1600rpm
Price: RM159,999

Peugeot 308 VTi 1.6

Engine/Transmission/Features:
1598cc, DOHC, 16-valve with
dual variable valve lift and timing
injection/4-speed auto adaptive
with tiptronic/4-airbags, ABS, EBD,
EBA, all-round disc breaks, automatic
headlights and wipers, cruise control
Max Power: 120hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 160Nm4250rpm
Price: RM96,500

Peugeot 308 Turbo 1.6

Engine/Transmission/Features:
1598cc, Turbo High Pressure (THP),
DOHC, 16-valve with VVT/4-speed
auto adaptive with system tiptronic/6-
airbags, ESP, ABS, EBD, EBA, all-round
disc breaks, automatic headlights and
wipers, cruise control
Max Power: 140hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 240Nm@1400rpm
Price: RM113,888
RENAULT
TC Euro Cars sdn Bhd
1-800-888-363
www.euroncap.com/www.renault.com.my
Renault Clio 1.6 H/Back
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1598cc/Pro-active automatic, 4-speed
with manual selection/ABS, EBD, EBA,
airbags
Max Power: 111hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 151Nm@4250rpm
Price: RM119,750
Renault Clio RS 2.0
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1998cc/manual, 6-speed
Max Power: 200hp@7250 rpm
Max Torque: 215Nm@5550rpm
Price: RM189,039
SUZUKI
Suzuki Malaysia automobil.Sdn Bhd
Hotline: 1-300-88-6699
website: www.suzuki.net.my
Suzuki Swift 1.5
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1490cc, M15A VVT, DOHC, 4-inline,
16-valve/automatic/dual airbags, ABS,
EBD, per-tensioners, head impact
protection structure
Max Power: 101hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 131Nm@4000rpm
Suzuki SX4 Hatchback.
Price : RM71,706.50, Premier –
RM77,706.50
Suzuki SX4 Crossover 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
M16A, 4-inline, 16v, 1586cc, MPI/4-
speed auto FWD/dual airbags ABS,
EBD, BA, pre-tensioners, decoupling
pedal mechanism for brake pedal
Max Power: 101hp@5600rpm
Max Torque: 140Nm@4000rpm
Price: RM87,490, Premier –
RM92,360.50
Suzuki SX4 1.6 Sedan
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1586cc, DOHC, 16-valve, VVT/4-speed
auto/dual airbags ABS, EBD, BA
Max Power: 101hp@5600rpm
Max Torque: 140Nm@4000rpm
Price: RM88,888, Premier – RM93,888
TOYOTA
UMW Toyota Motors
Freephone: 1-800-88-3333
www.toyota.com.my
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1ZZ-FE 4-cylinder inline 16V, 1794cc,
DOHC VVT-i/4-speed auto with super
ECT/ABS, EBD, BA, GOA body, dual
airbags WIL (aerokit only on Sporty),
(VSC only on 1.8G and 1.8G Sporty)
Max Power: 130hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 170Nm@4200rpm
Price: • 1.8E – RM109,900
• 1.8E Sporty – RM112,302
• 1.8G – RM117,900
• 1.8G Sporty – RM120,302
Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
3ZZ -FE 4-cylinder in-line 16V, DOHC
with VVT-i, 1598cc/4-speed automatic
with super ECT/ABS, EBD, BA, GOA
body, anti-theft system dual airbags
Multi Information Display (MID),
(aerokit only on Sporty)
Max Power: 109hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 146Nm@4400rpm
Price: • 1.6E – RM102,900
• 1.6E Sporty – RM105,328
Toyota Vios 1.5
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1NZ-FE, 4-cylinder in-line, 16-valve,
DOHC with VVT-i, 1497cc/4-speed
automatic super ECT gate shifter/
ABS with EBD, BA, reverse sensor,
GOA body, dual front SRS airbags
(185/60R15, alloy, seat material: black
and red, suspension kit aerokit: front
and rear bumper spoiler, side skirts,
trunk spoiler - TRD Sportivo)
Max Power: 109hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 141Nm@4200rpm
Price: • TRD Sportivo – RM92,000
• 1.5G – RM87,000
• 1.5E – RM81,319
Volkswagen New Beetle.
Toyota Vios 1.5J
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1 NZ-FE, 4-cylinder in-line, 16-valve,
DOHC with VVT-i, 1497cc/4-speed
automatic with Super ECT, Gate
shifter/ABS, EBD, BA, GOA body
Max Power: 109hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 141Nm@4200rpm
Price: RM76,090
Toyota Vios 1.5J
Engine/Transmission/Features:
1 NZ-FE, 4-cylinder in-line, 16-valve,
DOHC with VVT-i, 1497cc/5-speed
manual/ABS, EBD, BA, GOA body
Max Power: 109hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 141Nm@4200rpm
Price: RM71,990
Toyota Yaris 1.5S
Engine/Transmission/Features:
DOHC, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, VVT-i,
1497cc/4-speed automatic with super-
ECT and gated shifter/reverse sensor,
Optitron meter, audio control steering
switch, ABS, EBD, BA, high-mounted
stop lamp (LED), dual SRS airbags
Max Power: 109hp@6000rpm
Max Torque: 141Nm@4200rpm
Price: RM107,591
Toyota Prius
Engine/Transmission/Features:
2ZR-FXE, in-line, 4-cylinder, 16-valve
DOHC with VVT-i, 1798cc/electrically
controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission(CVT)/windshield,
window & rear glass with green
tinted, uv-cut, anti-theft system
smart entry and start system, multi
information display, reverse sensor,
drive mode switch (power-ECO-EV),
VSC, TRC, ABS, EBD, BA, airbags
Max Torque: 142Nm@4000rpm
Price: RM175,000
VOLKSWAGEN
Volkswagen Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd
03-22959808
www.volkswagen.com.my
Volkswagen New Beetle 2.0
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder petrol, 1984cc/6-speed
automatic with tiptronic/ABS,
airbags, park pilot, electronic vehicle
immobilization
Max Power: 115hp@5400rpm
Max Torque: 172Nm@3200rpm
Price: RM156,888
Volkswagen New Beetle 1.6
Engine/Transmission/Features:
4-cylinder petrol, 1595cc/6-speed
automatic with tiptronic/ABS, airbags
Max Power: 102hp@5600rpm
Max Torque: 148Nm@3800rpm
Price: RM139,888
New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010 COMPACT/FAMILY car guide PAGE 19
PAGE 20 New SUNDAY TIMES MAY 30, 2010 COMPACT/FAMILY car guide

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