MOST WANTED NATIONAL CAR

These are the most wanted cars by all students around Malaysia.



Proton Saga

The Proton Saga is the first car produced by Malaysian auto manufacturer Proton, based on the 1983 Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore. It first debuted in September 1985. The first Proton Saga that rolled off the production line was presented to the Malaysian National Museum as a symbol of the beginning of the Malaysian automotive industry. Since then, the Proton Saga and its variants contributed to most of Proton's sales and revenues. The Saga variants are also popular among taxi drivers and operator who need cars with good fuel economy and low maintenance costs.

On 5 March 2007, Proton had launced the 50th Merdeka Anniversary Promotion in Malaysia, where the announced new price of the Proton Saga is now RM26,999. The promotion was made as a support to Malaysia's 50th Merdeka Day and also to thank Proton's customers for their support since Proton Saga was first launched.




PROTON WIRA


The Wira was introduced in 1993 as a 4-door saloon and was based on the 1992 Mitsubishi Lancer design, but the styling was slightly modified to distinguish it from the Lancer.

Modifications include headlights from the 1992 Mitsubishi Colt, tail lights from the 1987 Mitsubishi Galant hatchback, bumpers from the Mitsubishi Mirage and a different dashboard. The frontal design continues the styling first shown on the Proton Iswara with a fluted bonnet that tapers towards the Proton badge on the grill.

The Mitsubishi 4G15 1.5-litre 12-valve engine used in the Iswara and its predecessor the Saga was carried over unchanged. The Mitsubishi 4G92 112ps 1.6L 16-valve SOHC engine with multi-point fuel injection was introduced together with an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

In 1994, a 5-door hatchback version was introduced. Initially it was badged as the Wira Aeroback, like the 5-door Saga hatchback, though later the Aeroback name was dropped.

In the same year, exports to the United Kingdom began where it was marketed as the Persona. As with the Saga, all export models used multi-point fuel injection to comply with the Euro I emissions standards. The multi-point injection versions were badged as MPi, although this was only used on the engine, and never on the trim levels (unlike 1.5 MPi GLS in the previous car, the Saga, the trim levels were simply 1.5 GLS etc.)

A minor facelift was introduced in 1995 with a new grill and slimmer tail lights with clear indicators.

In 1995, the Mitsubishi 4G13 1.3-litre 12-valve engine also used in the Saga was introduced for the Wira. This was followed in 1996 by the 133bhp 1.8L 16-valve DOHC engine with multi-point fuel injection. At the same time, a 2.0-litre diesel-powered variant was also offered but was later phased out in later years because there was a lack of interest.


PERODUA KANCIL








The Kancil was Perodua's first car after its founding in 1993. It is a small five-door hatchback vehicle on a monocoque framework that could seat five people.

The Kancil and its predecessors are actually a modified Daihatsu Mira through badge engineering. Badge engineering is prevalent in Malaysia's automotive industry since it began in 1985 with carmaker Proton. Subsequent Kancils were only rejuvenated cosmetically as Perodua maintained the monocoque structure and tweaked with its engines.

The little car became an instant success in Malaysia. The Kancil is popular with beginner drivers and is commonly used in Malaysian driving schools. It is also bought for its fuel efficiency and surprising interior space considering its size. In December 1995, Perodua produced its 50,000th Kancil. By January 1997, 100,000 Kancils had been manufactured, and by 1999 250,000 had been built.

In 1999, the Kancil was given a slight facelift consisting of body-coloured side mouldings, new grille and reprofiled front bumper with larger indicators.

In 2003, the Kancil received a more extensive facelift. It now has round headlights, modified taillights, and new front and rear bumpers. Its interior features a flushed dashboard with the combination instrumentation panel placed in the middle like the Toyota Yaris. However, it is still mechanically identical to its predecessor, except for the EZi automatic transmission option which is given a fuel-injected powerplant.

The Perodua Kancil is set to be replaced with a new model based on the new Daihatsu Mira in 2007. There have been sightings of the car being tested on Malaysian roads.



PERODUA KELISSA




The Perodua Kelisa is a compact car based on a 5th generation Daihatsu Mira/Cuore, and manufactured by Perodua. The "Kelisa" is named after the Arowana fish native to Malaysia. It has a maximum speed of 88 mph and can achieve about 55 miles per gallon. The car has a three-cylinder 989cc petrol DOHC four-valve engine (EJ-DE engine)with electronic fuel injection system, it also comes with another variant that comes with a three-cylinder 847cc petrol engine with lower specifications.

This car is popular amongst Malaysian drivers for its relatively good power-to-weight ratio, affordable price and low fuel consumption. It was first introduced in August 2000. The limited-edition Kelisa, which is a two-toned colored variant of the standard Kelisa sports minor interior trim.

Manufactured in Malaysia, Perodua vehicles were launched in the UK in 1997 and the Kelisa has been around since January 2002 when it replaced the Nippa. The Kelisa range includes three models the entry level EX, the GXi and the automatic EZi.

In April 2007 Top Gear television presenter Jeremy Clarkson was criticized by the parliament of Malaysia for repeatedly insulting the Kelisa and its manufacturer. Clarkson also destroyed a Kelisa for a DVD, and that segment can be found on YouTube.