While Chery may have not have enjoyed a good brand perception 20 years ago, they have improved and now have the numbers to support R&D to develop their own technologies and invest in the most advanced manufacturing techniques to attain excellent quality.
Chery recently launched the Omoda 5 and the Tiggo 8 Pro and we were taken away by the pricing! For this article we will focus on the Omoda 5. It aims to compete with cars like the Honda HR-V and Proton X50 in the lucrative B-segment crossover market.
The Omoda 5 comes in two variants: The Omoda 5 C (comfort) and the Omoda 5 H (honor).
The Omoda 5 measures at 4400 mm in length, 1830 mm in width and 1588 mm in height and is capable of seating 5. It is built on the Modern T1X Platform. All variants include split LED headlights and 18-inch black alloy turbine wheels.
The B-segment SUV market in Malaysia gets another contender soon with the addition of the Hyundai Creta later this month. The model, which has been part of the Hyundai range for developing and emerging markets, was first introduced in 2014.
It is now in its second generation which was launched in China (as the iX25) in 2019 and in ASEAN (Indonesia) early last year.
A year ago, Honda displayed the SUV RS Concept as a preview of a new compact SUV model to come. It was clear that the carmaker had seen the growth of the compact SUV segment with the entry of models like the Toyota Raize/Daihatsu Rocky and in Malaysia, the Perodua equivalent known as the Ativa. It wanted a slice of that market and has developed its first small SUV for the ASEAN market.
The model, known as the WR-V, has now made its global debut in Jakarta, Indonesia, which will also be the production hub. Measuring 4060 mm in overall length and 1780 mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2485 mm, the WR-V is positioned below the HR-V. It is shorter than the BR-V but has slightly more width to make up.
The motor vehicle market in India is a highly competitive one and while there are a number of domestic brands, foreign brands also put up a strong fight for share. And the market volume is large enough to justify investing in developing country-specific models.
For Renault, India has been an attractive market which has been growing since it entered in 2005 and it has adapted models to the local market like the Duster as well as introduced original products such as Kwid and Triber.
Soon, another India-specific product will be introduced by the French carmaker and to give a preview, it has presented a showcar known as the Kiger. As would be expected, it is a SUV, the type of vehicle which is in hot demand today all over the world.
Eye-catching little SUV
The Kiger, which is under 4 metres in length, was created from the cooperation between Renault’s French and Indian design divisions. It has been given an adventurous look which blends well with the urban jungle as well as the natural jungle.
At first glance, the Kiger stands out with its sculpted bonnet, slender windscreen and a semi-floating roof with a roof rack. On both sides, the tapered mirrors have been designed like airplane wings. At the rear, the trailing edge is topped by a spoiler that is functional and also adds a sporty touch.
The lower section is more muscular and stockier, sitting on four 19-inch wheels framed by large square arches that give strength to the exterior styling. The 210-mm ground clearance with reinforced lower flaps and prominent shoulders will prove useful on rough terrain or bad roads.
The sporty side is accentuated by the dual centrally located exhaust tailpipes and the honeycomb patterns distributed around the vehicle.
For the showcar, double-stage LED spotlights, similar to those that appeared on the New Kwid last year, and green turn signals are fitted. At the rear, the double ‘C’ headlights signal Kiger’s place under the Renault brand and form a light signature that prefigures that of the production model.
‘Aurora Borealis’ colour
The showcar is finished in a green ‘Aurora Borealis’ colour which changes according to the light and the angle from which it is observed. It is adorned with ‘mysterious’ blue and purple reflections that make the car as intriguing as well as seductive.
Fluorescent touches highlight certain aluminium elements such as door handles, bumper inserts, strapping with inlaid decoration, logo contours and brake calipers.
“The creative association of French and Indian designers was the best way to meet the needs and expectations of a clientele increasingly fond of style, dynamism and novelty. As with the Triber, we are once again demonstrating our ability to innovate, by offering a new model with a dual personality, both urban and outdoor,” said Laurens van den Acker, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Design of Groupe Renault, confirming that the Kiger will become a production model.
Following on from the recent launch of the new 4th generation Toyota Harrier, the carmaker today debuted the Yaris Cross. Originally planned to be unveiled at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show which was cancelled, the Yaris Cross will have its sales launch in Japan during the fourth quarter of this year and in Europe by the middle of 2021.
With ‘Cross’ as part of its name, the image which Toyota wants this Yaris variant to have is clear – a more rugged SUV off-roader (though not for serious stuff, of course). Standing taller the Yaris with the requisite extra ground clearance (+30 mm), it sits on the TNGA platform (GA-B) for compact models. The wheelbase of 2560 mm is the same as the hatchback but is 240 mm longer at 4.18 metres, 20 mm wider and 90 mm higher.
The overall exterior styling follows the Yaris but has influence from the RAV4 too, along with the new Harrier. SUV-type elements like dark cladding on the sides and squared-off wheelarches are given emphasis so the Yaris Cross fits right into the Toyota range of SUVs.
For the exterior colour, designers at Toyota’s European studio (which was involved in the development) wanted to express ‘an active and high-quality image’ that target customers would really appreciate.
Looking at future colour trends, they saw a growing tendency for gold and other precious metals, but there was also a desire for something a bit more natural and urban. Adding a subtle hint of green to the gold direction, whilst also desaturating the colour to emphasise the metal-like appearance, gave a fresh urban yet active appeal. The final result is a colour called Brass Gold which is seen on the car in all the images.
Two powertrain options
Depending on the market, two powertrain options will be available – a 1.5-litre Dynamic Force petrol engine or a hybrid with a similar engine. Toyota’s hybrid system is already in its fourth generation since being introduced in the late 1990s.
The Yaris and Yaris Cross are the first models to use Toyota’s latest 1.5 hybrid system, developed directly from the larger 2.0 and 2.5-litre powertrains used by recent new models such as the Corolla, C-HR, RAV4 and Camry. This features a new 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, precision-engineered to reduce friction and mechanical losses and optimise combustion speed.
The engine’s thermal efficiency is rated at 40%, greater than comparable diesel engines and ensures strong fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. Total system output from the hybrid system is 116 ps and special attention has been given to power delivery to deliver responsiveness.
All-wheel drive available
Most manufacturers have been opting for just front-wheel drive for compact SUVs but Toyota offers its intelligent all-wheel drive system (AWD-i) as well, which should give it an extra selling point in the very competitive segment.
AWD-i is said to provide extra stability and traction in everyday driving, in poor conditions and on low-grip surfaces. An electric system, it is more compact and weighs less than mechanical AWD units. The system directs drive torque to the rear axle when pulling away and when accelerating. In normal driving, the Yaris Cross operates with FWD but when low-grip conditions are detected, AWD drive is engaged automatically.
As this is just an unveiling, Toyota has given limited information on the new model. It will be produced in Japan as well as Europe. In terms of positioning, it will take its place below the C-HR as the brand’s first B-segment SUV.
Kia has unveiled the 2018 Rio at the New York Autoshow and the new B-segment car aims to build upon the success of its predecessor. Featuring an all-new design, the new car is aimed at consumers wanting decent fuel efficiency, new tech and advanced safety features in a reasonably priced cheerful car.
A collaborative design effort between three of the automaker’s teams – European, US and Korean design houses, the new Rio has crisper lines and smoother surfaces lending to a more sporty look compared to its predecessor. Taking centre stage is the latest tiger-nose grille and newly designed headlights that stretch toward the fenders. Unlike the previous car, the fog lamp surrounds have been moved outwards and the a lower window line around the cabin have increased visibility somewhat.
The new Rio Sedan is considerably larger than the outgoing one, measuring 4,383mm long and sporting a wheelbase of 2,581mm. The hatchback is 4,064mm long but both variants feature more upright A-pillars than the cars they replace. The all-new platform uses high strength steel for increased durability, safety and torsional stiffness while reducing weight. Through the use of body sealing and bonding adhesives throughout the body construction, Kia says that overall noise, vibration and harshness have been reduced.
The overall silhouette looks simple yet functional with a lower and wider stance providing for a more sporty outlook. The rear, features shorter overhangs and thinner tail lights. The car is fitted with 15-inch wheels but when ordered in EX trim, it features more sporty alloy ones. The entire range comes with redesigned suspension geometry while utilizing a fully-independent MacPherson Strut front and torsion beam rear axle.
Inside, the cabin has been reworked and as such is more more spacious, has an improved instrument panel and fitted with better quality materials. The contours of the dashboard is said to mimic that of the car’s exterior. The centre console has a bi-level tray which provides enough space to store portable devices such as a smartphone and tablets.
Thanks to the larger dimensions, the cabin is more spacious than before which gives rise to better head, leg and shoulder room for occupants. The front seats have been redesigned and as such offer better comfort without compromising on leg space for the rear passenger. The boot space is 388 liters for the Sedan and 493 liters for the hatchback variant.
As for tech, the car has Bluetooth hands-free functionality, a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio and a rear-view camera system. The EX trim car gets a seven-inch floating touchscreen interface, UVO3 voice recognition infotainment system and smartphone integration through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
This new Rio has the same 1.6-litre GDI engine as its predecessor that puts out 130bhp and 161Nm of torque. The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, which are available for both sedan and hatchback variants.
On the safety front the car features six airbags, side-impact door beams, Electronic Stability Control, a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)4.
No word yet on when the new Rio will make it into our market but that shouldn’t take long considering the popularity of Kia models in Malaysia.
Honda Malaysia has achieved another milestone with its Honda City. The company is celebrating the sale of its 250,000th City, a feat worthy of recognition. The Japanese automaker’s B-Segment sedan has accounted for a significant chunk of its yearly sales and market share.
Starting with the second generation City, which was launched in 2001, Honda Malaysia managed to shift about 61,000 cars overall. When the third generation car came along, sales numbers increased to more than 84,000 cars sold. Then, with the introduction of the current 4th gen vehicle, which the company claims is its most success model of the lot, captured 33% of the B-segment market share in 2014 but rose to 39% toward the end of 2016.
As of now, the automaker claims that it has managed to sell 100,000 cars of the 4th gen City since 2014. What might bolster the sales figures even further, is the addition of the face-lifted car which has received about 2,500 bookings so far. The most popular of car colours for the City are the Taffeta White and Modern Steel Metallic colours.
Speaking of the sales achievements, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Katsuto Hayashi said, “We express our sincere heartfelt thank you and appreciation to all 250,000 City customers. Customer support and feedback have pushed us to set the benchmark for B-segment cars in each generation. Their support and belief in the Honda brand have enabled our models to achieve segment leadership positions including the City which is the B-segment leader.”
Tan Kian Hui was the lucky buyer who bought the 250,000th City and to congratulate him on his purchase, Honda awarded him RM1,000 worth of vouchers, a full set of Honda merchandise and Honda Genuine Accessories consisting of Modulo package, Urban package and Utility package worth RM5,300.
He is one of 25 customers who will received the RM1,000 worth of service vouchers with the remaining 24 being notified through the Honda Malaysia Facebook page. Apart from the vouchers, there are multiple sales campaigns that are being run concurrently by Honda which include “Best Deals Promotion”, Best Time to Get Best Protection” and “The Digital Treasure Hunt Wall Contest”. Visit the company’s website to no more about these or other deals that are currently on offer.
