Perodua MYVI - Malaysian Modification

I've seen and heard of many strange things in all my years. You know that our highways are no stranger to being the final resting place for many dead mammals and reptiles, but have you ever seen a fish? Yes, a fish. I once saw a tilapia on the side of the road on the way to work; if I were in a comic strip there'd be "WTF" written all over my face.

Then a week after my encounter with the dead tilapia on Jalan Kuching, the boss tells me over a cigarette that he saw a monkeyummm "doing the Lambada" with a dog on his way in. Hrrmmm. It would be cool to see what a dog and monkey cross breed would look like.

But even that couldn't prepare me for what I was about to encounter with the pink Myvi being featured here: smiley face tyre valve caps. I bet the girls would LOVE these.

Another strange thing is that I'm writing this feature about an undeniably feminine looking car, Slipknot is going full blast on my headphones. (Can't have heavy metal blasting on the speakers at the office now, can we?) Heavy metal and a pink car just do not go together. Not at all.

When I first laid eyes on this Myvi from Redzone Motorsports, I was shocked. I was told it was a pink car, but I was not expecting a shade of pink as shocking as this. I'm not saying that I don't like the car, oh no, far from it. This is one of the best looking Myvis I've seen so far.

(The rest of the article can be found in Hypertune Vol. 59)
Text: Mark
Photos: Kenny Yeoh

Perodua Myvi 1.3(A) Specification

Engine K3-VE, 1.3 litre, DVVT, 4-cylinder, Redline air filter, SQV NA air compressor, Hurricane cold air intake, D1 VSD 16 volt boost up unit, D1 grounding cables and volt stabilizer, titanium and carbon exhaust muffler
Transmission Stock 4-speed automatic
Electronics Pivot Turbo Timer, 60mm black faced vacuum, RPM, and voltage gauges

Proton Savvy - Malaysian Moods.

"Size does not matter. It's how you move it. It's how it follows your moves".

The demands of average drivers compared to those who are more serious are expectedly different. At a pure business standpoint, volume will always take precedence over niche demands to rake in the profits, if not for statistical benefits. Comparisons of Proton's Savvy to Perodua's Myvi have been going on for quite a while with each camp throwing their points on the table. Debate is still on though at a lesser degree and i still can't believe people are wasting time with the issue. Of course the Savvy wins hands down!

In one of my correspondences with a Hypertune reader, he described the other car “is for aunties” and he was right. What's not to love about Savvy's brilliant handling? The engine might be a little too lightweight for most drivers liking but that's what the rigid chassis is for, max out the engine speed and take a corner like a roadrunner possessed. The Campro engine just makes the sure the driver won't too easily overpower the car itself, sort of like a built-in safety mechanism.

Unfortunately, the same Campro engine, or any Campro engine for that matter is practically impossible to tune. Average Sunway tuners might be interested to try but they are probably too busy fixing bolt-ons and finding more space to store their carbon fiber. So i guess it all depends on R3 then, which in a way prompted for a feature on this ride.

Not to say that its' powerplant has been tinkered with but also bear in mind that the motorsports division is known to keep a tight-lip on their R&D efforts, especially when the public is not asking. In an interview i had with them published some issues back, they are indeed looking at ways to wring more performance from the Neo. Let's not forget about their Gen.2s in rally and track cars too.

This car actually belongs to R3's media manager, Amin and does prove a point that it does not take much to turn the standard Savvy to a groovy Savvy. Their in-house bodykit is an instant and effective method in bringing out the true character of the car. The Zerokit body appendages makes the profile lower while at the same time accentuates the flared wheel arches tellingly. What i love most about it is the front part with a forward pointing lower lip that gives the 'plouging ahead' term a whole new meaning. A Zerokitted Savvy should really be featured in the coming 'Transformers' movie but probably my suggestion to the production house came in a little too late.

Proton Savvy Specs:

Engine: Standard 1.2 kiter, 4-cylinder 16-valve D4F

Performance: Maximum Power: 74 hp (55 kW) / 5,500 rpm

Maximum Torque: 105 Nm / 4,250 rpm

Fuel System: Multi-point fuel injection

Suspension : Front: MacPherson strut coil spring & stabilizer bar

Rear: Torsion beam axle

Brakes: Front: 13" ventilated disc Rear: Drum

Tires : Yokohama AVS Sport 195/45/15

Alloys : Enkei RS Class M

Car of the Year 2009: Insignia wins by one point

In the very closest of contests, the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia emerged victorious as Car of the Year 2009 with 321 points against the 320 for the Ford Fiesta. The Volkswagen Golf took third place with 223 points.(See the Voting Grid)

OPEL/VAUXHALL INSIGNIA

The Insignia is the first Opel to win in 22 years but General Motors’ European company has been runner-up four times – and in 2007 the Opel Corsa lost by just two points to the Ford S-Max. Ford has won the award five times but this is the second occasion it has lost by one point.

This year’s narrow victory emphasizes the high level of this year’s competition, which has 37 initial candidates and seven finalists. Of the 59 car of the Year jurors representing 23 European countries, 20 gave the Insignia top points, while 19 put the Fiesta in first place.

Opel has defined Insignia design as artistry with German precision: premium values at an affordable price. Many Jury members appreciated the looks and visual quality of this model but the new C/D car from Russelsheim is much more than style. Active and passive safety, comfort and a wide array of efficient engines characterize this model. The richness of equipment can be increased with sophisticated options such as the ‘Opel Eye’, that reads road signals, FlexRide suspension and nine-mode Adaptive Forward Lighting.

Technical data of 2009 car of the year:
Body: 4/5-door saloons, Sports Tourer wagon
Size: 4.83 X 1.86 X 1.50 m.
Front and four wheel drive
Petrol engines: 1.6 to 2.8 V6 Turbo (115 - 280 hp)
Diesel engines: 2.0 Turbo (110 - 190 hp)