Kio Rio Sedan, the B-Segment competition heats up

The B-segment sedan competition has just heated up, with the launching of the Kia Rio Sedan, with a single variant, selling at just RM73k.  At this price, one could not even get close to any of the competitors' variant, and a straight comparison could only be done with the closest specifications of them all.  Doing a quick chart could show that the Rio Sedan is now the best value for money B-Segment car on the market.  The only drawback is the 1.4-litre engine which is of the lowest displacement here, but with respectable power when compete with other 1.5-litre units.

	Rio	City S+	Vios E	Almera  V	M2
Length (mm)	4370	4400	4410	4425	4320
Width (mm)	1719	1695	1700	1695	1695
Height (mm)	1455	1477	1475	1500	1495
Wheelbase (mm)	2570	2600	2550	2600	2570
Airbag	6	2	2	2	2
Traction Control	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
Engine	1.4	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Power (ps/Nm)	109/137	120/145	109/141	102/139	114/148
Gearbox (Speed)	4	CVT	4	4	6
Trunk Size (ltr)	389	536	506	490	410
Price (RM)	73k	82k	79k	77k	88k

Looking at the safety department, the Rio wins all, with 6-airbag and traction control which could only be found in the highest range of Honda City V, and that also need additional RM13k from the low low price of the Rio.  To lowest down the cost, the Rio uses bulb-type daytime running light instead of LED.  Back in 2011, where the Rio is only available in hatchback form, the car already earned its 5-star Euro NCAP rating, thus, we shall expect this sedan version to have good result as well, maybe at least 4-star Euro NCAP hopefully.  To score full 5-star now, the car need to be equipped with autonomous braking technology and it has nil.  Other than Honda City, which has a 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating, the Vios and Almera scored 4-star.  The Mazda 2 is a niche here, with the highest price, has non been tested.  Even the hatchback tested by Euro NCAP would not apply to any Mazda 2 models here as it only has 2-airbag, which is outright terrible!

Engine remains the same 1.4-litre from the Rio hatchback, where some owners felt it is slightly underpower.  But as a B-segment car, it shall survive trip to Genting, though a bit sluggish.  

Although the Rio sedan loses the automatic aircon control from the hatchback, the AV headunit is quite decent, with 800Mb internal storage and bluetooth support.  AV control is available from the steering wheel mounted buttons for driver convenience. Interior space is acceptable, though the City, Vios and Almera all excel in this.  Build quality is solid and the sedan does not look like a hatchback with an attached boot at all.  It is well designed with different bumper at the front, and a nice taillight. 

At the end of the day, a Kia is still a Kia.  Even with amazing pricing, we might not see it flooding our roads, as used car market price is still low, and the aftersales quality is still questionable.  However, with 5-year warranty, it could mean hassle free for that period.  It will do wonder if Naza throws in few years of free maintenance to make it more attractive!

By the way, the Rio Hatchback looks fabulous in Red, but the sedan looks better in other colours.  4 colour are available, White, Silver, Deep Blue and Red.  White is smart and handsome!

The Toyota Harrier is back, but trend might be out!

The used-to-be popular Toyota Harrier is making its way back into parallel importer showroom or showground this year trying to make a come back.  The new model which was launched in Japan in December 2013 and available in 2014, is now more than 1 year old, thus allowing AP holders to bring it in, since one could not bring in any car that is less than a year old.  But believe it or not, some car dealers are declaring 2015 Harrier as 2014, so that they could sell an almost brand new car instead of used reconditioned unit.  Looking at some units around some dealers where mileage is less than 50km, with the leather seat in all new and smell new condition (some even still has the seat wrapped in manufacturing plastic), it really could be a 2015 car.  Common among AP holders to declare newer car as older unit to ensure their get-to-market is faster and older model car as newer unit to ask for better price from buyer.  By the way, do you also know that the Harrier has dark windows at the back, which will not pass JPJ/Puspakom inspection!  Worry not, in this Bolehland, you can rent some windows, replace them, send for testing and registration, then re-fix the dark windows.  The next round you "kena saman", repeat the same thing again!

The latest Harrier is an all new design on its own, without any re-badge exercise from the Lexus RX.  Most units available here are equipeed with a 2-litre 2ZR-FAE engine, mated to 7-speed CVT, which is capable of 149hp/193Nm of power.  Nothing new, nothing fantastic about the Harrier, but the build quality is excellent.  When it was built in Japan, the quality remains top notch.

Selling around RM200k, the mid-size SUV could be a good choice for many buyers that do not want the usual local assembled models which is plain boring to us, such as the CRV, X-Trail, or even those from Kia.  The Harrier wins all in all aspects, especially the modern design.  However, is the SUV market still alive?  The trend now is the B-Segment SUV, small and compact, for the younger generation.  Of course, Toyota has always do well with the uncle generation, thus the Harrier could be hot for them.  The Alphard/Vellfire/Estima is plain bulky and people carrier without style!  Even the first generation was asking for around RM160k-180k before, thus with RM200k a pop, the new Harrier could find many new homes on our shore.  Those boxy people carrier trend is on its wway out as well.

Being a Toyota means easy maintenance and reliable, thus even getting a parallel import unit is not a big concern.  Any Tom Dick and Harry foreman should be able to service the car and keep it in tip top condition.  The question now is being re-emphasized whether the third generation Harrier will make it big, or will be a niche player in the market?  Niche, I would answer!  There are just too many other choices of car in the market nowadays, but for a RM200k SUV, with some splash of luxuries, the Toyota Harrier could still be a winner.

No, you can't get one from UMW Toyota.  So if you like to have one, look for it from our roadside used car dealers.  If you prefer cleaner and aircon showroom, head to Naza World then.

Vespa: Not just a scooter, a way of life

The tagline "Not just a scooter, a way of life" of Vespa could be the best, as after more than half a century in business, it is still so refreshing, defining the global standard for the cute little two-wheeler, where other motorcycle manufacturers have been copying the design.  However, when it is not a Vespa, it will not feel like one.  The colurful and wide ranging models available from Naza Premira, starting from RM11k to RM42k, really open up the market from the young to the classic collectors.  But looking at how most 2-wheeler were being abused on our road, it is still a head-turning sight to see one on the road, belonging to owner that could provide the Vespa with tender loving care.

The LXV 150 (RM12k), has the best classic look, with a separate headlight mounted in front of the speedometer.  The young and brilliant colours of the Vespa will definitely make the owner smile.  If I were to have a motorcycle license, I would pay cash for one of this, which is good for some short commute to the neighbourhood mamak or 7-Eleven.

Except for the GTS 300 model which has an 278cc (15.8kW/22.3Nm) engine, the rest that are available here are of 154.8cc (8.7kW/12Nm) and 150cc (8.7kW/12Nm) engine models.  And of course, as a scooter, the Vespa uses automatic dry clutch.  With so little power, the Vespa is not mean for any race track, and forget about seeing them at any of the mat rempit gathering.  It is mean to be enjoyed, doing some weekend cruises along some quiet kampung road.  It just could not keep up with any other kapchai that try to roar and tear down the city roads.

So, what's holding me back on getting one?  I really need to get my butt to a driving school, and start to take up some lesson for the scooter.  Before then, the scooter need to sit in the showroom or my dream!

The mass market Renault Clio, GT Line

 

Most are still wondering whether TC Euro could make its history in promoting Renault here in Malaysia, when it dropped the best selling Kangoo from its list of model, then switched its focus to Renault Sport models, with price ranges that is so far fetch from the normal consumers.  It then started adding a few other mass market models such as the Koleos, which did not prove to be the solution, as well as the Fluence, where consumer will prefer getting the original Nissan Slyphy instead.  Recently, the Captur was launched, with lukewarm reception, but still hard to beat the ever popular Honda HR-V in the same segment.  Now, finally a tame version of the Clio GT Line, makes its appearance in joining the tough fight against the VW Polo, Peugeot 208, Citroen DS3 and Mazda 2.

The Clio GT Line uses the similar 1.2-litre turbocharged engine and 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox as found in the Captur, which is capable of 118hp/190Nm of power.  GeTrag dry-clutch again, thus could sound scary to some potential customers.  The comfort that the owner will get is the 5-year warranty that comes with the car...thereafter...hopefully it will continue to serve well.  As a French car, the moment the registration card has someone name printed on it, the value could have drop so much that most owner will have to give all the tender loving care to ensure it will serve for a lifetime!

The Clio is a small car, with a small engine, and it is not going to be a lightning speed machine, thus drum brake is fitted to the rear, where the front has the usual disc.  Not a big concern nor deal breaker.  To make more space in the trunk, the spare wheel is fitted to the bottom of the car, instead of inside the trunk.  17" Michelin Premacy as standard, so it will be a comfortable ride.  While test driving this car, there is noticeable body roll, but anyhow, this is not a speed demon.  The seat is comfortable, but does not hold the driver like the RS edition.  If it were to have semi bucket seat, it could be fun to drive...just need to keep reminding oneself, the 1.2-litre launching speed is slow.  The Clio GT Line is just another hatch, but not of the hot type, though it does look good.  On the safety department, it is equipped with 4-airbag where the seat-airbag is huge to provide protection to the head and chest, but nothing for the rear passengers.  As tested by Euro NCAP in 2012, it achieved a 5-star rating still.

No surprise to the interior if you has seen the Captur of the Clio RS, as it is similar in the design, with slight differences in the audio setup.  Meter cluster is the common digital speedo, analog RPM meters setup.  No paddle shifter in the Clio GT Line, which is a letdown.  ECO mode is available for the environment hero.  Keyless entry and start are standard, but the thick key card is a hassle to carry.  Most will prefer a proper remote fob instead.  Looking closely to the door speaker, it has a vented bass reflex system, as if the owner going to pump up the volume so much to start loosening the door card panel.  Soft plastic material on the dash is a welcome here, but let's hope it will last in out hot humid weather.

At RM118k (without insurance), the Renault Clio GT Line could be a nice hatch to own if speed is not your priority and second-hand value is not any concern.  If you are the conservative type, maybe the cheaper Peugeot 208 (RM86k) will suffice if all you want is a continental hatch.  For the adventurous, maybe the Citroen DS3 (RM114k).  For those in favour of a German, the VW Polo (RM90k) is the best choice here as it has a very simple engine and gearbox (not the TSI model).  For those that want the best resale value, there is only one choice, which is the Mazda 2(RM86k).  Oh, by the way, if you love the CLIO GT Line in FLAME RED colour, there could be an additional RM3k to the price, but you could easily get TC Euro to absorb that cost.  The Flame Red is a special colour for the Clio RS200, where the Malta Blue is the signature colour for the Clio GT Line.

	Clio	208	DS3	Polo	M2
Length (mm)	4062	3962	3948	3970	4060
Width (mm)	1732	1739	1715	1682	1695
Height (mm)	1448	1460	1483	1453	1470
Wheelbase (mm)	2589	2538	2464	2456	2570
Airbag	4	6	6	2	2
Engine	1.2	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.5
Power (hp/Nm)	118/190	120/160	120/160	103/153	114/148
Gearbox (Speed)	6	4	4	6	6