The NST-Malaysian Automotive Institute Autoshow 2015 was held over the last weekend. The main purpose of this show was to crown the NST/CBT/MAI's cars of the year 2015. So there were lots of participation from car manufacturers and authorised distributors. Aside from the usual cars displayed, these were the highlights of the show as well as cars that are slightly different and worth mentioning simply because they are new and/or haven't been launched yet.
1. The Proton Pick-up Truck Concept (above) -
This is here because this is the first time I am viewing this truck. Nice chunky styling and you can see that it is based on the Proton EXORA SUV. It keeps the A pillar and B pillar with a new front end and a truck flatbed at the rear. It still keeps within the Exora's chassis dimensions, hence the short flat bed at the back but if it can fit a pair of bicycles I think this short style is okay. Don't think this would be a challenge to something like the Ford Ranger or an Isuzu as this is smaller than those.. But with these sort of looks, this small pick-up could be a niche market success for Proton. If priced right this truck can succeed. It has looks, some practicality and since its based on something proven like the Exora, should be able to generate sales volume for Proton. I mean, look at it. It does look good!!!!! Niche market Proton.....do remember this and work on it.
2. Great Wall Haval H2 -
I sat inside the white one below and got the guy from Great Wall Malaysia to start up this Honda HRV sized competitor. The 1.5liter turbocharged engine with 147hp/210nm torque via a 6 speed automatic transmission (normal torque convertor type) is smooth at idle and there is no harsh noise intrusions in the cabin. But this was at the autoshow. No driving experience yet. But it looks promising with the exception to its weight - 1450kg means that it weighs closer to a Honda CRV (1500kg) rather than the smaller HRV (1200-1300kg) but do note that it actually has a wheelbase that is closer to the CRV than the HRV. So it is slightly larger.
The cabin is well equipped and the plastics used seem to be a mix of soft touch plastics on the dashboard to plasticky quality on the center console. I suppose it is a mix that is acceptable at this price (even the HRV gets away with hard plastics). Equipment levels will be high. Like the small Havel M4 which is being sold with every equipment a car company can throw inside at the price offered. This has a sunroof too. The only thing I find lacking is the steering is not telescopic and only adjustable for height (up and down). Sitting position is very SUV, and like the Haval M4, I would like the steering wheel to be higher up or the seat lower by at least two inches for it to be proper. Of course, 'Proper' here means a seating position that allows attacking corners, not going to the shopping mall or for school runs. And it is a SUV.
The styling is nice. I think it is distinctive. The styling is a little retro modern, especially with the two tone paint. The white one also looks pretty good. It looks better in the flesh than in the photos. That front grille may seem a little too large but it isn't. The car looks fresh and somewhat European in execution. The people at Great Wall are good at adding elements from other cars and making it their own. This looks like their own design instead of something which is from the front of a Range Rover, the side from a Toyota and the rear of a Volkswagen. This is their own design in my opinion. And a successful one at that. Now at least Great Wall Malaysia has more cars to sell than just the Haval M4 mini SUV.
This should go on sale sometime mid 2016 at the earliest. 300 or so units will be imported (CBU) with local CKD assembly following after that. The targeted price for CKD cars would be between RM85,000-RM95,000. This puts it below the Honda HRV and other small SUVs like the new Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-3 (which you will see below), CX-5 and also the Mitsubishi ASX. It is also slightly larger than the HRV and is actually more C segment SUV than a B segment SUV in terms of size, which is why I am also comparing it with the CX-5.
3. Mazda CX-3 -
The baby Mazda SUV based on the Mazda 2. Looks like a shrunken CX5. This is a good thing as the CX-5 is a good looking small SUV. So now we have an even smaller SUV that looks like it. It should come in at around RM120,000 or thereabouts. I did not ask much about this car but it is due to be launched in December 2015. ExPect it to use the 2.0liter SKYACTIV engine that is already in use in the CX-5 and the Mazda 3,6. There is a 1.3liter turbocharged engine in Japan. But I doubt this would be launched here as since the 2.0liter engine is used here, the economics of scale (spare parts, maintenance etc) would make it the logical choice for BERMAZ (Malaysian distributor of Mazda).
4. C.A.M. Caravan -
CAM or China Auto Manufacturers has launched their caravan. RM207,000+. Not cheap or affordable for those who usually do this lifestyle stuff. Based on something called the CAM PLUTUS pick up truck, it has a 2.8 litre turbodiesel engine paired to a manual transmission. Safety features nclude ABS with EBD, anti-glare rear view camera and rear reverse sensor (which I think is a must on something with no window at the back to see anything.
This is a brave thing by CAM Malaysia. It costs over RM200K, which means that people who like camping, fishing, outdoorsy stuff, travelling to places may not be able to afford it. Usually the people who do outdoorsy stuff usually go around in old Mistubishi Pajeros or Toyota Land Cruisers, bought second hand. I also do not see Malaysians doing the European thing by crossing borders and taking extra long summer trips to various countries. I have yet to see Malaysians doing trips to Laos, Cambodia, Northern Thailand except for my superbike riding friends. This pioneering effort by CAM must be observed closely.
And if you are those that follow TOPGEAR, do remember that following a caravan up a windy road to a mountainside resort is extremely painful. It isn't advisable to speed whilst driving one. Imagine saucepans, plates and glassware flying all over the place if you belt it like crazy. So they go slow. So imagine getting stuck behind one going up and down Cameron Highlands. It would be like the UK during summer. Aiyoh!
5. HRH Sultan of Selangor's vintage car collection -
This was a superb show of his Jaguar XKs and his Peking to Paris car and some other cars used in regional long distance runs too. The old Ford V8 and a vintage MG J2 you see below are beautiful in their own way. A glimpse into the past of motoring. Something to savour.
