PERODUA'S new 2023 Axia is now open for booking and you've probably realised a standard variant is missing from the available line-up.
For those unaware, the Manual transmission (MT) model will only be introduced after Hari Raya sometime at the end April or in May.
Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad said the car will come fitted with some decent features but will only reveal more details during its official unveiling.
He also assures everyone, not only driving schools, can order it if they are interested.
Additionally, Zainal has said Perodua will be introducing more hybrid powertrain models from this year onwards given the overwhelmingly positive response to the Ativa Hybrid.
Currently only 300 import (CBU) units of the Ativa Hybrid (more fittingly a rebadged Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid) are available as part of Perodua's subscription plan.
Details are equally scarce at present though it's more likely we'd see hybrid variants of existing Perodua models being introduced alongside internal combustion engine (ICE) models, instead of a new independent standalone model. Regardless, Perodua plans to eventually have it locally built (CKD).
The same goes for the company's intention to venture into electric vehicle (EV) production though the area is seemingly more complicated than mere rebadging and porting over.
The company is looking at what it dubs as the xEV project to focus on its electric powertrain
development efforts. This includes the foundation for battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), hybrid (HEV) and hydrogen fuel cell powertrains (FCEV).
Among them is
the BEV side of things, at least for now, will require more than just research but also for local vendors that are not only keen but can also deliver to the development of a homegrown EV.
More specifically, Perodua's primary concern is with local battery development and any issues surrounding it. It is for this reason the company says it still has yet to fully invest in the movement as it bides its time until the right moment.
For now all eyes are on the company's latest entry-level 2023 Axia model which comes in four variants: G, X, SE, and AV — tentatively priced between RM38,600 and RM49,500 (without insurance and in West Malaysia).
All of them come with Vehicle Stability Control and traction control, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Hill Start Assist, and Perodua's Smart Drive Assist — which is the first for an entry level car.
All variants are also equipped with a 1-litre engine paired to a dual - mode continuously various transmission (DCVT) and comes in five colours: Granite Grey, Lava Red, Glittering Silver, Ivory White, and a new Coral Blue.
SE and AV variants come with power-mode, LED day light running lamp (DRL), solar and security film and semi-bucket type with detachable headrest.
Exclusive to the AV variant is a 7-inch TFT (Thin-Film transistor) multi-info display, a 9-inch display audio, 2-tone semi-leather seats, and six airbags.
The model is said to potentially travel up to 27.4km/l based on the new Malaysian driving cycle mode — 23.2km/l if measured by the New European Driving Cycle standard, which is above the 21.6km/l for the current Axia.