Baby Boom As Perodua Ups Game

The all-new model from Perodua is a big improvement in terms of styling on the current cars from the Malaysian brand. But don't be surprised.

Auto Express Car Reviews

04th May 2005

The supermini has been developed with Toyota and Daihatsu, and shares its underpinnings with the new Yaris and Sirion. This week's magazine spy shots reveal several neat exterior touches, such as indicator repeaters in the door mirrors, as well as modern projector-style headlamps.

And if you like the design, the car promises to be a huge leap forward in quality, too. We have learned there's an attractive integrated radio fitted to the centre of the dash, rather than an ugly aftermarket unit. Unlike in the Sirion, the Perodua's instrument binnacle appears to be mounted in conventional style on the facia, rather than fixed to the steering column.

An insider at the firm's UK importer said: "We know we're getting the new model, but nothing has been officially confirmed. We're really excited about Perodua's future development." Expect the car to go on sale at the end of this year or early in 2006, with a single engine available. That's likely to be revealed nearer the launch.

Perodua's two other models, the ageing Kelisa and Kenari, will continue to be sold for the forseeable future.