GearUp Archives

All-new Perodua Ativa SUV launched with three variants, priced from RM61,500

*Visit www.bhpetrol.com.my for more information.*

Perodua tonight launched the all-new Ativa compact SUV which can be regarded as the spiritual successor of the Kembara, its first SUV sold from the late 1990s till the mid-2000s. While the Ativa (taken from the Portuguese word for ‘active’) is adapted from a Daihatsu model, as the Kembara was, the involvement of Perodua in the development of this new model was far greater. In fact, a team of 54 Malaysian engineers went to Japan in 2018 to be part of the development team for the new model being developed by Daihatsu which would also be shared with Toyota.

*The Kembara – Perodua’s first SUV which was sold between 1998 and 2006.*

This is significant because it meant that the requirements of Malaysian customers would also be considered in the overall design, whereas for the Kembara before, the model was already completed and then Perodua only adapted it cosmetically. The Ativa is the result of the first truly smart partnership between Perodua and its technical and technology partner and shareholder, Daihatsu.

Another difference is that the Ativa has a higher level of localisation than the Kembara, which has helped bring costs down. In fact, at 95%, it has the highest local content rate for any Perodua model right at the time of launch.

*Prices shown exclude insurance and 10% sales tax (until June 30, 2021).*

“The Perodua Ativa’s competitive pricing was made possible by its 95% localisation rate. Even the engine and transmission are locally manufactured,” Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad said, adding that it is also the first model under the Perodua Smart Build blueprint.

According to Dato’ Zainal, the Ativa brings Perodua’s collaboration with Daihatsu to a new level and allows Perodua and its suppliers to commonise components and processes for maximum cost efficiency. “This close collaboration allowed us to include the Malaysian automotive ecosystem in the development of this model, and the suppliers rose to the challenge and were able to reduce their costs,” he added.

As a result, Perodua has been able to push the prices down a bit more and the actual retail prices are lower than the estimated range of RM62,500 to RM73,400 announced earlier. The three variants will be priced between RM61,500 to RM72,000 (excluding insurance premiums in Peninsular Malaysia, with full exemption of sales tax until June 30, 2021).

“We have so far received some 5,000 bookings for the Perodua Ativa since we began collecting orders on February 19. We thank the public very much for their support. Deliveries will begin tomorrow (March 4), and we aim to deliver an average of 3,000 units a month,” said Dato’ Zainal.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW PERODUA ATIVA

First turbocharged model
The Ativa’s powertrain has a number of firsts for the brand. One is the 1-litre 3-cylinder engine (1KR-VE) has turbocharging and direct fuel injection, delivering a maximum output of 98 ps/140 Nm, with strong torque coming in at the lower range. Considering that the kerb weight is 1,035 kgs, thanks to weight-saving measures, the performance should be zippy even with a full load.

The Ativa is also the first model to use a Continuously Variable Transmission (D-CVT) which has 7 ‘virtual speeds’ (manual transmission is not available). With the efficient engine and CVT, the claimed fuel consumption is 18.9 kms/litre, which qualifies the model as an Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) in Malaysia.

*The Ativa’s 1-litre turbocharged engine and 7-speed D-CVT (right).*

DNGA Platform
The Ativa shares the same platform used for the Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize, the models from the same joint development program that Perodua participated in. This platform is referred to as DNGA or Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) that encompasses not just the platform but also many other structural aspects of the vehicle. It is a highly rigid platform for enhanced handling, stability and comfort. With DNGA, the structure is optimized and high tensile steel is used in many areas to save weight without losing strength.

Dimensions of the Ativa
The Ativa has compact dimensions that position it below the Aruz. Its overall length is 4065 mm while the overall width is 1710 mm and it stands 1635 mm tall. The wheelbase is 2525 mm and unlike the Aruz, there are only two rows of seats in the cabin. There are two storage modes for the cargo area which give 303 or 369 litres of space and as with most SUVs, the rear backrests can be folded down individually to expand the floor length for longer items.

Advanced safety features
Since the 3rd generation of the Myvi, Perodua has been introducing progressively more advanced safety systems in its models. Many of these are integrated as the Advanced Safety Assist (ASA) system which helps the driver avoid accidents. For the Ativa, the system has reached the third generation which works at higher speeds (up to 120 km/h for vehicles, up to 60 km/h for pedestrians), and can now detect 2-wheeled vehicles as well as function at night.

ASA 3.0 consists of Pre-Collision Warning and Automatic Braking, Front Departure Alert, and Pedal Misoperation Control. ASA uses a camera at the top of the windscreen to monitor the road ahead and assess conditions. In the event of a collision, the driver will first be warned and if no action is taken to reduced speed or brake, the brakes will activate automatically. This would certainly avoid an expensive repair job or even if the collision cannot be avoided (due to the road surface conditions), the pro-active braking would have reduced the speed and effects of the impact.

Front Departure Alert will remind the driver that the car in front has moved off, while the Pedal Misoperation Control can prevent the car from accidentally being driven into a wall due to pressing on the accelerator pedal inadvertently (it does happen). Additionally, complementing ASA are Lane Departure Warning and Prevention.

The top AV variant gets additional systems which give semi-autonomous (Level 2) capabilities to the Ativa while driving. These are Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Control and Blind Spot Warning. You would have heard of these systems which are found in cars costing more than the Ativa, and it’s impressive that Perodua can offer them as well – even if in the most expensive variant only.

*The Adaptive High Beam (red car) can adjust the areas of illumination to avoid blinding oncoming drivers while still maximising coverage.*

Even more amazing is the standard provision of an Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) system for the upper two variants. ADB allows better illumination of the road ahead but can also selectively dim certain areas where there are oncoming cars so as not to dazzle the drivers. It’s intelligent technology and even cars a few price classes higher do not have such technology.

For the lowest-priced variant, there is still the convenience of an Auto High Beam which means that the driver does not have to keep switching between high and low beams. Whenever the headlights of a vehicle are detected, the high beams will automatically be switched to low beams, reverting when there is no longer a vehicle approaching. Imagine if all companies in Malaysia were like Perodua and provided this as standard, night driving would be less tiring without the glare of strong headlights.

Incidentally, all variants have LED headlights which usually have a longer service life. They are also equipped with a follow-me-home function that keeps them on for a while after the car is locked. This provides illumination of the ground ahead for peace of mind.

The top two variants also get a reverse camera but the Ativa AV gets Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) as well. Again, this is a feature that has yet to be found in models of this price class. RCTA uses the rear sensors to monitor the situation on either side as the vehicle is reversing out of a parking bay. The driver might not be able to see due to adjacent cars blocking the view, but if the sensors pick up approaching vehicles, an alert will be sounded so that an accident can be avoided.

Besides the A.S.A. and active safety systems, the Ativa also comes with a very comprehensive list of other safety items – standard for all variants. These include 6 airbags (4 at the sides), Vehicle Stability Control, ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Assist and Hillhold Assist. ISOFIX points are, of course, provided since parents must now have put small children in childseats. ISOFIX-compatible childseats are convenient to install and stay securely in place.

Infotainment and connectivity
These days, every model has to have a capable infotainment system with good connectivity to provide the driver with more useful features as well as connect to smartphones. The top two variants come with a 9-inch LCD touchscreen with a bright and spacious display. There is also Smart Link (for Android devices) and Voice Recognition that allows active voice commands for certain functions.

Storage and convenience features
The interior designers have made sure that everyone in the cabin has spaces to keep their stuff and there are also USB ports that can provide power to recharge devices. Some clever ideas for storage spaces – a slot by the side of the gearlever housing, and slide-out cupholders in front of the vents on either side of the dashboard (good for keeping drinks cool!).

All variants have Smart Entry and Start/Stop System which does not require using a key or even pressing on the remote (but it has to be in the pocket or handbag). The doors can be unlocked by touching an electrostatic button on the door handle, and the engine can be started or stopped with the press of a button.

Instrumentation
While the Ativa X comes with a conventional instrument panel, the Ativa H and AV have a customisable display to change how the information is presented to the driver. The speed is always shown as a digital display while the fuel level is a bar graph. However, the tachometer can be configured in one of four graphic styles. Additionally, there is also a Reminder Display which will flash reminders on special days.

GearUp accessories
As with every Perodua model currently on sale, there is also a range of specially developed accessories to go with the adventurous looks. The items include a bodykit, front and rear seat upholstery, luggage tray, bumper protectors, luggage net, high quality coil mats and even an insulation kit for the bonnet. Prices range from RM80 to RM2,500 (in Peninsular Malaysia).

*The GearUp accessories include a bonnet insulator kit which has pads that can be inserted in cavities in the bonnet panel. These pads can absorb engine noises to give a quieter ride.*

There are also many other general accessories, all of which have been evaluated by Perodua so you can be sure they are of high quality, Furthermore, for the GearUp accessories that have to be installed, these are by Perodua’s own installers so the job will be professionally done. And the cost of all the extras can be included in the total loan for the vehicle if you specify them at the time of the purchase. That means the extra cost is also repaid over a number of years… something which no accessory shop would be give you.

To locate a showroom to view, test-drive or buy the new Perodua Ativa, visit www.perodua.com.my.

‘Perodua Smart Build’ launched as carmaker’s first sustainable blueprint

2020 Perodua Bezza raises the safety benchmark in its segment

If you follow the history of Perodua, you will find that it had humble beginnings with a relatively small volume catering for the bottom end of the market, the entry-level segment. Proton had already been selling cars and dominating the market for 8 years and Perodua was like a ‘little brother’ selling low-priced minicars. Yet 27 years later, we see Perodua as the nation’s No.1 brand and although it still serves the entry-level segment, it is edging upwards with the newer products.

The success story of Perodua highlights the value of patience and a willingness to learn, rather than rushing forward before being fully prepared. Perodua has had a good teacher in Daihatsu, its partner, and formed a working culture that is a blend of Malaysian and Japanese which could well be the best of both worlds.

One of the important lessons Perodua has had is planning. They do a tremendous amount of market study before committing to a new model because once they do, they have to be able to do so at high volumes. They are no longer a small player and in order to maintain their high efficiency and productivity which enables them to keep their prices attractive, they need big numbers.

This has been the case with every model and with the Bezza, their first sedan, selling some 184,000 units over the past 3 years is certainly impressive. The Bezza’s appeal to a broad spectrum of the market has generated the big numbers and in the past couple of years, e-hailing operators (like those with Grab) have also found it to be an ideal car for their business, boosting the numbers.

What is not highlighted enough about the Bezza is that this sedan design is a truly Malaysian creation. There is no equivalent in the Daihatsu range and when Perodua wanted to do it, they were basically on their own. There was no commitment by Daihatsu to take the model for Indonesia as it does with the Myvi which it sells as the Daihatsu Sirion there.

That the Bezza has done so well has generated a lot of money for funding development of the updated 2020 version which is officially launched today. And as with every model it has developed, Perodua has paid a lot of attention to the feedback from customers and addressed issues to make the car better. For instance, the rear seat backrest angle was not comfortable and they have adjusted this to eliminate that complaint. The suspension settings have been revised to improve ride comfort and handling as well.

What’s new
On the outside, the 2020 Bezza is almost immediately identifiable with its facelift. It’s a bolder look with sharp LED headlamps that are standard for all four variants. The new look is complemented by the angular and reprofiled front bumper which has a large lower intake grille and imposing styling elements. Additional sportiness comes from two-tone side skirts, also standard across the range, with a restyled rear bumper

If you’re still not satisfied with the new looks and want more sportiness, you don’t have to go to an accessory shop to get the parts. Perodua has already prepared a bodykit in its GearUp accessory range specially for the Bezza. The RM2,000 cost for the bodykit can be included in the H-P loan so you pay for it over a number of years… a deal which an accessory shop would never be able to offer.

Perodua Bezza GearUp — *2020 Bezza with GearUp bodykit*

The Bezza 1.3-litre variants now have an exclusive colour – Garnet Red – which is one of two new colours, the other being Granite Grey. These join the four existing shades – Ivory White, Glittering Silver, Ocean Blue and Sugar Brown.

The cabin remains pretty much the same with enhancements largely for the 1.3-litre variants. The meters are now illuminated in white and keyless entry/start is now also provided. Keyless entry and pushbutton starting was something available only in more expensive models not so long ago and now it has come down to the Bezza segment, showing how fast Perodua has been able to bring costs down (working with its suppliers).

Focus on safety
But the focus of the improvements has been in safety, something which Perodua’s market surveys show keeps becoming more and more important to buyers. Reading about tragic accidents has probably made people think more about how safe their car must be and while Peroduas are small cars, they can still be safe to travel in by having driver assistance systems.

This is where Perodua’s Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 (ASA 2.0) system comes in and it is available in the Bezza AV, making it the most affordable sedan in Malaysia (under RM50,000 before including insurance) with such a feature. ASA 2.0 comprises Pedestrian Detection (up to 50 km/h), Pre-Collision Warning (up to 100 km/h), Pre-Collision Braking (up to 80 km/h), Front Departure Alert and Pedal Misoperation Control, all of which work together to mitigate collisions.

The Bezza X also get Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and traction control now, again showing that as soon as costs come down, Perodua will include a safety system in the variant. VSC and traction control were available only with the Bezza AV before. Incidentally, the AV variant also gets a reverse camera now while all variants get power-adjustable side mirrors and reverse sensors.

With the improvements, the 2020 Bezza will certainly keep finding more new customers and by the end of this month, Perodua expects to deliver 5,600 units. Thereafter, the monthly sales target for the model is 4,000 units, on average.

Visit www.perodua.com.my to know more about the new Bezza and where you can test-drive one.

Perodua Bezza selling like boba tea in Sri Lanka

Bigger attendance expected at this year’s MYPerodua Nation carnival on September 20 – 22

The nation’s premier Perodua event – MYPerodua Nation – will be on from September 20 – 22 at the Setia City Oval Lawn in Setia Alam, Selangor, and Malaysia’s No. 1 carmaker expects some 25,000 people to attend – the biggest ever for the event.

“Following successful events in Shah Alam in 2017 and Sungai Petani in 2018, MYPerodua Nation 2019 promises an exciting and fun-filled weekend for all like never before,” said Perodua President & CEO, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Ahmad.

Special deals for new cars and accessories
“With attractive offers on new vehicles, including special deals for e-hailing operators, students and graduates, plus aftersales offers on selected GearUp bodykits and packages, lubricants, parts and accessories, there simply isn’t a better time or place to be or become a Perodua customer than at MYPerodua Nation 2019!” he added. Perodua’s financial and insurance partners will also be there to facilitate the purchase process for the vehicles.

For customers’ benefit, Perodua’s entire value chain will be there, including Perodua Total Protect Plus, Perodua Pre-Owned Vehicles, GearUp accessories and merchandise, parts, Perodua Genuine Oil and the UFirst loyalty programme – all in one place.

Getting closer to customers
“MYPerodua Nation gives us an opportunity to get closer to our customers, learn more about their ever-changing needs and wants, and find out how we can best satisfy them. We are looking forward to doing a lot of on-ground engagement with the public over the 3-day event,” Dato’ Zainal said.

Perodua A.S.A. — *Visitors will be able to experience Perodua’s A.S.A. driver assistance system which can automatically brake the car if the driver does not take action when a collision is likely.*

Visitors can also make service appointments, inspect their vehicles with Tweckbot, test-drive the latest models, experience Advanced Safety Assist (ASA), take a trip through Perodua’s 26-year history at the Perodua Journey booth, and take part in fun competitions. Kids – who could one day also be Perodua’s customers – can enjoy the bungee trampoline, clay model colouring, virtual reality racing and drift tricycle activities.

There will also be a variety of performances and special appearances by renowned artistes such as Bunkface, Aman RA, Naim Daniel and more.

New Produa Axia — *It’s no secret that there’s going to be a new Axia in the showrooms soon and orders are even being accepted. Chances are the company will use the event to showcase the new model.*

“As a People First company that has put Malaysia on wheels for over a quarter of a century, Perodua owes much of its success to the Malaysian public. MYPerodua Nation therefore is as much a celebration of the Malaysian people as it is of Perodua. We dedicate it to all of you. See you there!” said Dato’ Zainal.

Click here for other news and articles about Perodua in PISTON.MY

Visit www.perodua.com.my for information on the company’s products and services

Perodua Introduces “GearUp” Smart Bluetooth Tyre Pressure Management System Mobile App

Perodua has introduced the GearUp Smart Bluetooth TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), an innovative product that allows users to keep track of their vehicle’s tyre pressures in real time. The Perodua GearUp Smart Bluetooth TPMS is offered at an introductory price of RM385 until 30 June, after which it will be priced at RM430 (Peninsular Malaysia). As with all GearUp accessories, a 6-month warranty is offered.

“With the Perodua GearUp Smart Bluetooth TPMS, Perodua has become the first carmaker in Malaysia to introduce a mobile app-enabled tyre pressure monitoring system as an original accessory,” said Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato’ Dr Zahari Husin. “The Perodua GearUp Smart Bluetooth TPMS is locally developed and manufactured. We at Perodua take pride in championing a home-grown product and in doing so, contributing to the local automotive ecosystem,” said Dato’ Dr Zahari.

The product comprises four individual tyre sensors and an in-car smart device. The tyre sensors, which screw on to the tyre valves (in place of the valve caps) transmit information via Bluetooth to the in-car smart device. The in-car smart device has four lights representing the four tyres of the vehicle. If the pressure on any of the tyres falls below 8% of the recommended values, a beeping sound will be emitted and the corresponding lights on the in-car smart device will light up, alerting the driver to which tyres are underinflated.

“This is the second GearUp product to be released under our Road Safety Campaign initiative which was launched last October, the first being the Child Seats,” said Dato’ Dr Zahari. “Tyres are a vehicle’s only points of contact with the road. They affect braking, handling and other running parameters. As such, they are extremely crucial to a vehicle’s overall safety. With the Perodua GearUp Smart Bluetooth TPMS, users can conveniently keep an eye on their tyres to make sure they stay within the recommended pressures, thereby preserving tyre life, helping to reduce fuel consumption and ensuring the vehicle’s overall safety,” he added.

Additionally, the user can download the FOBO Tire mobile app (available for iOS 7.1 and Android 4.3 and above) and get real-time data on the vehicle’s tyre pressures and tyre temperatures via Bluetooth. The app also stores the data on the cloud for the viewing of other invited users, such as family members. For instance, a user at home can monitor the information in real time while the vehicle is being driven by a family member.

To prevent theft, the individual tyre sensors can be locked using a lock nut spanner (included). The in-car smart device has a built-in motion sensor – when it detects no motion, it can go into sleep mode to save battery. The tyre sensors are powered by coin-cell batteries while the in-car smart device is powered by two AA batteries – all batteries are included.

For the full brochure, click this: GearUp TPMS Brochure Hi-Res

Piston.my

GearUp

All-new Perodua Ativa SUV launched with three variants, priced from RM61,500

2020 Perodua Bezza raises the safety benchmark in its segment

Bigger attendance expected at this year’s MYPerodua Nation carnival on September 20 – 22

Perodua Introduces “GearUp” Smart Bluetooth Tyre Pressure Management System Mobile App

All-new Perodua Ativa SUV launched with three variants, priced from RM61,500

2020 Perodua Bezza raises the safety benchmark in its segment

Bigger attendance expected at this year’s MYPerodua Nation carnival on September 20 – 22

Perodua Introduces “GearUp” Smart Bluetooth Tyre Pressure Management System Mobile App

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