Perodua Kancil – a modern take by Theophilus Chin

Perodua Kancil – a modern take by Theophilus Chin

The Perodua Kancil turned 25 last August, and it arrived on the scene as Malaysia’s most affordable new car when it was launched in 1994. It reached 500,000 units in its second generation, with the milestone car being produced in April 2003. What would a present-day version look like?

Rendering whiz Theophilus Chin has offered his take on this. Given the Kancil’s Daihatsu Mira origins, Theo’s rendition retains the kei car proportions albeit with more simplified shutlines and creases compared to the current Daihatsu, particularly around the front end. In a tip of the hat to the original, the present-day rendition also sports a bee-sting antenna at the front of its roof.

At the back, the slight curvature of the C-pillar is somewhat reminiscent of the first-generation Myvi/Daihatsu Sirion, though here the digital rendition of the smaller car also depicts a simplified set of tail lights which are set lower down and interface with the rear bumper. Similarly, its design in profile is also simplfied, where the Kancil rendition does away with the creases along the lower door sections.

The simplified bodywork is in keeping with the Kancil’s budget-conscious roots, and its rolling stock is comprised of steel wheels with plastic covers, says Theo. That said, the modern-day Kancil has been imagined here to be slightly heavier at 900 kg when compared to the original, as the artist imagines the new car to wear thicker sheet metal along with added safety features such as airbags, ABS and stability control.

Perodua Kancil – a modern take by Theophilus Chin

Theo also rendered a version of the Kancil in base-spec trim

This figure would in fact make it heavier than the Axia, despite measuring marginally smaller on most dimensions – the new Kancil is rendered to be 3,540 mm long with a 2,420 mm wheelbase, 1,641 mm wide and 1,489 mm tall; this compares to the Axia which is 3,640 mm long with a 2,455 mm wheelbase, 1,620 mm wide (the rendered Kancil is 21 mm wider on this count) and 1,510 mm tall.

Its styling also makes for an interesting counterpoint to the entry-level Perodua of today, the Axia, which takes on a bolder, more angular approach to its exterior styling, while Theo’s rendition maintains much of the original’s friendly ‘face’ and a more minimalist set of lines throughout.

The rendering maestro has also made a ‘driving school-spec’ base model, replete with unpainted mirror covers and bumpers, and which Theo says will have wind-up windows, manually-adjusted mirrors, no power steering and no central locking. Should this come to light, might this entry-level variant dip under the RM25,000 mark in today’s money?

The Kancil was succeeded by the Viva which arrived on the scene in 2007, though it remained on sale for a further two years as a more affordable option. The two continued on Perodua’s model line-up until the Kancil bowed out in July 2009, with the nameplate reaching a tally of 722,223 units, and the Axia made its debut in 2014. What do you think of Theo’s idea for a modern-day Kancil, dear readers?

First Perodua Kancil

500,000th Perodua Kancil

2017 Perodua Axia SE facelift

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Dylan Ch'ng on May 19, 2020 at 4:39 pm

    unfortunately something like this is not profitable in 2020.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 4
    • Teh halia on May 19, 2020 at 10:17 pm

      Thank you for your beautiful render Theophillus Chin! The Perodua Kancil is a Game Changer during that era. If Perodua can resurrect the Kancil, I believe it will become a Game Changer again

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 5
  • Rosman on May 19, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    Slot under the laris bestseller Perodua Axia,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • They should have kept the kancil nameplate rather than axia

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 0
    • Roti John Loo on May 19, 2020 at 8:01 pm

      Ya, furthermore the Axia nameplate sounds like total shit (read as A Xai), but anyhow both still a Game Over cars with ridiculous pricing (previous Kancil sold at RM35k, and A Xai sold at nearly RM45k with crap bodyshell).

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • History Bender on May 20, 2020 at 1:43 am

      Perodua are ashamed of their animalistic history.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • M & B on May 19, 2020 at 5:06 pm

    Viva bodyside. Well I love to drive Viva!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Jeremy on May 19, 2020 at 5:17 pm

    Goody! A new rehash for me to blow up into smithereens. Watch for my latest episode once I get my hand on one.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • if Perodua is going to make a new Kancil, it better have the same dimensions as the previous one. It’s compactness is what defines its existence. super small and super light. very easy to park and navigate tight spots.

    -proud Kancil 660ex owner

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
    • And that is why it will never happen.
      Every year, safety standards are increasing. Every car getting bigger and fatter to be more safe. Just look at the Axia (+ around 130kg).

      The original Kancil is already in Mini Cooper legendary status.
      You won’t find another car with such simple packaging like it anymore.
      Keep your Kancil and drive it happy. Peace.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  • Truth on May 19, 2020 at 6:32 pm

    a perodua? what a shame

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 15
  • Fiat Multipla Designer on May 19, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    I like the design. In a world full of hideous looking big grilles, mean looking headlamps, full of fake vents and unnecessary body kinks, this honest design is a peace of mind to look at.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Recko on May 19, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    Reminds me of Kelisa

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Manual Swift Sporter on May 20, 2020 at 10:31 am

    I feel that this would have been better as a successor to the Kelisa than the Kancil. The Kancil was produced as a means to liberate the masses through cheaper transport, and I think the Axia is doing that well. This car should posit as a left field option for those wanting something just a bit different, maybe better handling, dinkier dimensions and more upmarket engines (electrified?), kinda like what I think the Kelisa was meant to be.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • johnnas on May 20, 2020 at 11:42 am

    This is actually nice.
    I might actually consider one IF Perodua would make an excat one.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • anonymous_c on May 20, 2020 at 12:25 pm

    modern kelisa should be better

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Mariam on May 22, 2020 at 9:27 am

    I love my kancil 850 2001 version.its sooo compact n easy to park anywhere . I keep it as my antique car.difficult to get spare parts though .It should return in the market especially when the economy is not getting better for the next few yrs .i m waiting to see the next version

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • If this kancil is electric car than this is game changer in 2020

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • With the Chery QQ coming in new EV form as Chery QQ Ice Cream, it would be interesting to see a new Kancil EV along the same line as an affordable no frills EV ala Wuling mini EV, Chery QQ Ice Cream, and Baojun Kiwi etc

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • NUR MUHAMMAD BIN ABDULLAH on Dec 29, 2023 at 7:54 am

    Hye I admired the above new Perodua Kancil and I welcomed it. But the market for Axia will fall but Perodua can do like this MYVI produce for 1.5CC, AXIA for 1.3CC, and this new Perodua Kacil 2024 for 1000CC in both variant Auto and Manual and the price around RM 24,000 for Auto with basic accessories such as spot rims, radio alarm locking with AI functions and full loans anyone can apply especially pensioners. and Manual RM 22,000 . Please, the government allows Malaysia to buy cars at cheap rate because they are made in Malaysia. This is my point of view. Do you guys support me. Thanx.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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