Malaysia - Budget car Perodua Axia (name confirmed) takes aim at the Hyundai i10

The Perodua Axia is expected to launch in Malaysia this month in three variants.

The Perodua Axia, a rebadged Daihatsu Ayla for the Malaysian market, has been captured without any camouflage by Funtasticko's reader Mr. Eric. The latest spyshots confirm the car's name is indeed Axia.

To be positioned below the Myvi hatchback, the entry level Axia distinguishes itself from the Indonesia-spec Ayla but means of a revised front and rear fascias and a significantly new interior.

Going by the spy images, the Axia would be available in three variants - G, SE and Advance. While the base G and SE variants don the same front fascia, the top-end Advance boasts of a more aggressive front end design complete with projector headlamps, and a sporty rear bumper.

The Axia is reported to adopt the Ayla's 1.0-litre three-cylinder all-aluminium petrol engine. The motor generates 66 PS (65 bhp) and 87 Nm of torque and is mated either to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox.

The Axia will be manufactured at Perodua's second unit which is coming up at Rawang, Malaysia.

Competitors: Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Beat (Spark)

Launch Date: August 2014

[Source: Funtasticko]