GIIAS 2025

BYD Atto 1 launched in Indonesia as brand’s cheapest EV – renamed Seagull fr RM51k; up to 380 km NEDC

In BYD, Cars, International News / By Gerard Lye / 24 July 2025 9:51 am / 0 comment

The BYD Atto 1, which is essentially a renamed Seagull, has made its launch debut in Indonesia at this year’s Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show. Available in two variants, the Atto 1 range starts with the Standard Range Dynamic that is priced at just 195 million rupiah (about RM51k).

This base variant comes with BYD’s Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with an energy capacity of 30.08 kWh, which provides up to 300 km of range following the NEDC standard. Meanwhile, the second variant is the Long Range Premium at 235 million rupiah (RM61k) that offers up to 380 km thanks to an increased battery capacity of 38.88 kWh.

In terms of charging, the Atto 1 supports an AC input of up to 6.6 kW, while DC fast charging is at a rate of either 30 kW (Dynamic) or 40 kW (Premium) – a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system is also standard. Both variants share the same front electric motor rated at 75 PS (74 hp or 55 kW) and 135 Nm of torque, enabling a 0-50 km/h time of 4.9 seconds and top speed of 130 km/h.

The Atto 1 is positioned below the Dolphin, making it BYD’s smallest electric vehicle (EV) in Indonesia at 3,925 mm long, 1,720 mm wide, 1,590 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,500 mm. For context, the Dolphin measures 4,290 mm long, 1,770 mm wide, 1,570 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm.

If ever the Atto 1/Seagull/Dolphin Mini/Dolphin Surf (the EV goes by many names) comes to Malaysia, it would occupy a footprint similar to the Perodua Myvi we have here. For context, the latter is 3,895 mm long, 1,735 mm wide, 1,515 mm tall and its wheelbase spans 2,500 mm.

Standard equipment for the Atto 1 includes 16-inch alloy wheels with 185/55 profile tyres, auto LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, keyless entry and start, NFC digital key and card support, mobile Bluetooth car key support, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, four speakers and single-zone air-conditioning.

Specific to the Premium are a steering column with manual tilt and telescopic adjustment (Dynamic only gets tilt), a powered driver’s seat (manual adjustment for the Dynamic), a wireless charging pad (none for the Dynamic) as well as one-touch up-down with anti-pinch functionality for the driver’s window.

The range-topper is also the only one with six airbags (front, side and curtain), while the base variant makes do with just four, losing out on the side airbags. Both variants get ISOFIX child seat anchors, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a rear-view camera, rear parking sensors, an electronic parking brake, passive cruise control, passive safety systems (ESC, ABS, traction control, EBD, VDC) and hill start assist. There are zero advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for the Atto 1 in Indonesia.

Buyers will be able to choose from three exterior colours, namely Sprout Green, Cosmos Black and the hue you see here called Apricity White. All of them are paired with a black and grey interior. A six-year, 150,000-km vehicle warranty is included with each purchase, along with an eight-year, 160,000-km warranty for the battery and eight-year, 150,000-km coverage for the drive unit.

2025 BYD Atto 1 Indonesian brochure; click to enlarge

With its starting price of 195 million rupiah (about RM51k), the Atto 1 is the cheapest BYD model on sale in Indonesia. Its larger sibling, the Dolphin, starts from 369 million rupiah (RM96k) and goes up to 429 million rupiah (RM111k).

As there is a RM100k minimum price cap on fully-imported (CBU) EVs in Malaysia, and the Dolphin already starts from RM100,700 on-the-road without insurance here, it’s likely that the Atto 1/Seagull/Dolphin Mini/Dolphin Surf will not be introduced here – we don’t think buyers will like the spec either.

We do get the Atto 2 (also known as the Yuan Up in China) though, which is set to be launched today. The Atto 2 is roughly the size of the Dolphin but smaller than the Atto 3, the last of which is offered in Ultra guise at RM124,500 OTR without insurance.

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GIIAS 2025: Toyota Urban Cruiser EV in Indonesia – FWD and AWD, up to 400 km range fr 61 kWh battery

In Cars, International News, Toyota / By Mick Chan / 23 July 2025 5:26 pm / 2 comments

The Toyota Urban Cruiser is now shown at the 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), and Toyota’s compact EV twin to the Suzuki eVitara will compete in the compact electric SUV stakes with the likes of the Volvo EX40 (née XC40 Recharge), Peugeot e-3008, Hyundai Kona and MINI Aceman.

Measuring 4,285 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,640 mm tall, with a 2,700 mm wheelbase, the dimensions of the Urban Cruiser EV make it smaller than the bZ4X, though larger than the Yaris Cross.

Its shared underpinnings with the eVitara means the same powertrains for the Urban Cruiser, which are a single 144 PS/189 Nm motor driving the front wheels drawing from a 49 kWh battery, a 174 PS/189 Nm single-motor FWD with a 61 kWh battery, and a 184 PS/300 Nm dual-motor AWD setup including a 65 PS rear-axle motor, also drawing from a 61 kWh battery.

According to Indonesian news site Detik Oto, the Urban Cruiser EV gets up to 400 km of range from the 61 kWh single-motor FWD variant, or 300 km of range from the base 48 kWh single-motor FWD variant, while the 61 kWh, dual-motor AWD variant is capable of 350 km of range. According to earlier details for the Urban Cruiser in the UK, fast charging can be done at up to 150 kW.

Wearing the “Hammerhead” face as seen on the latest Camry, the Urban Cruiser gets plastic cladding around its wheelarches and lower body section for that rugged off-roader look. Wheels range from 18 to 19 inches in diameter and feature aero covers, while its compact dimensions contribute to its turning radius of 5.2 metres.

Its wheelbase that is 140 mm longer than that of the Yaris Cross liberates more cabin space in the Urban Cruiser, and the rear seats with 40:20:40 split-folding can slide fore and aft to yield either more luggage capacity, or more second-row legroom for interior space that is claimed to be “on par with much larger, D-segment SUVs.”

Inside, the cabin is equipped with 12-colour ambient lighting, a 360-degree camera suite, and a display pairing comprised of a 10.1-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch driver’s instrument panel. For smartphone connectivity, the Urban Cruiser EV gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Here, the display vehicle photographed here uses a black, brown and grey interior scheme on a leather and fabric combination of upholstery.

In Indonesia, the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV is accompanied by the bZ4X that was facelifted in March this year. Pricing, however, has yet to be officially revealed for the Urban Cruiser EV in the republic. What do you think of this EV?

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2025 Mitsubishi Destinator launched in Indonesia – from RM105k; 3-row SUV with 1.5T, ADAS; CR-V size

In Cars, International News, Mitsubishi / By Gerard Lye / 23 July 2025 4:47 pm / 10 comments
Following its global reveal a few days ago, the Mitsubishi Destinator is now making its launch debut at this year’s Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). First previewed by 2024’s DST Concept, the Destinator is a three-row SUV that will not only be sold in markets in the ASEAN region, but also those in South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East as well as Africa.

In Indonesia where it is going on sale first, the Destinator is offered in three variants, including the base GLS that is priced at 385 million rupiah (about RM100k), the mid-range Exceed at 405 million rupiah (RM105k) and the range-topping Ultimate at 465 million rupiah (RM121k). All three are powered by a 4B40 1.5 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine making 163 PS (161 hp or 120 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm, with drive sent to the front wheels via a CVT.

Also standard are all-round ventilated brake discs, a 45-litre fuel tank, front MacPherson struts, a rear torsion beam, Active Yaw Control (AYC) and 18-inch wheels, the last of which are either in a monotone (GLS and Exceed) or two-tone (Ultimate) finish. Five selectable drive modes (Normal, Wet, Gravel, Tarmac and Mud) are available from the Exceed onwards.

In terms of dimensions, the Destinator measures 4,680 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, 1,780 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,815 mm. That puts it in the ballpark of the Honda CR-V that is 4,691 mm long, 1,866 mm wide and 1,681 mm tall, although the CR-V’s wheelbase of 2,701 mm is comparably less. Here’s a list of other models – some also with three-row seating – and their dimensions (Indonesia market specifications) if you need further context:

Mitsubishi Xforce
- Length: 4,390 mm
- Width: 1,810 mm
- Height: 1,660 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,650 mm
Mitsubishi Xpander
- Length: 4,595 mm
- Width: 1,750 mm
- Height: 1,730-1,750 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,775 mm
Mitsubishi Xpander Cross
- Length: 4,595 mm
- Width: 1,790 mm
- Height: 1,750 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,775 mm
Toyota Avanza
- Length: 4,395 mm
- Width: 1,730 mm
- Height: 1,665-1,700 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,750 mm
Toyota Kijang Innova
- Length: 4,735 mm
- Width: 1,830 mm
- Height: 1,795 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,750 mm
Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix
- Length: 4,755 mm
- Width: 1,850 mm
- Height: 1,795 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,850 mm
Toyota Rush
- Length: 4,435 mm
- Width: 1,695 mm
- Height: 1,705 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,685 mm
Perodua Aruz
- Length: 4,435 mm
- Width: 1,695 mm
- Height: 1,740 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,685 mm
Mitsubishi also provided information relevant to those who intend to bring their Destinator to face challenging terrain, including a ground clearance of 214 mm (244 mm without the car’s under cover), an approach angle of 21 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.8 degrees, a departure angle of 25.5 degrees and minimum turning radius of 5.4 metres.

As for how the SUV looks, the Destinator clearly draws inspiration from the Xforce, most notably with its Dynamic Shield face. However, the acrylic grille has a more distinctive look with its honeycomb-patterned upper and lower row of vertical slats.

Said grille is visually connected to the stacked headlamps, which are accompanied by T-shaped daytime running lights that have dashed light strips beside the main headlamp cluster. Elsewhere, the lower intake gets a thick, hexagonal-shaped surround incorporating the fog lamps – this comes in different finishes depending on the chosen trim level.

For that visual pop, sculpted creases over the wheel arches and bottom sections of the doors can be found along the sides along with black cladding. There are also blacked-out pillars, with the C-pillars in particular getting a decorative slotted piece.

The rear showcases Mitsubishi’s Hexaguard Horizon concept, a hexagonal motif said to be inspired by the spare tyres on the back of the legendary Pajero. This highlights the Destinator’s rugged SUV capability, while the T-shaped taillights mimic the look of the front lights to emphasise the vehicle’s width.

Inside, the dashboard design is similar to what we find in the Xforce, with a sizeable “frame” for the sunken eight-inch digital instrument cluster (or analogue unit with a 4.2-inch multi-info display) and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (alternative is an eight-inch unit).

The air vents as well as the digital screen for the air-conditioning system (automatic dual-zone or manual single-zone) and accompanying controls on the centre stack also appear to be taken from the smaller SUV. Meanwhile, the centre console is made unique with more gloss black real estate and a taller gear lever, but the positioning of the controls (electronic parking brake on the left, drive mode on the right, engine start button in the upper right) is familiar.

The seven seats are configured in a 2-3-2 layout, with the second row being a 40:20:40 split-folding bench that has an armrest and cupholders in the middle ‘20’ bit. Higher-end variants come with tray tables behind the front seatbacks, and a 50:50 split-folding bench in the third row is standard across the range.
Available equipment for the Destinator include fabric or synthetic leather seat upholstery, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, four or six speakers and Mitsubishi Connect telematics.

Only the Ultimate gets a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision mitigation (with AEB), adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning with lane change assist, automatic high beam and rear cross traffic alert.

The range-topper is the only one with automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, a multi-view reverse camera and six airbags. Buyers can also pay more for a hands-free powered tailgate, a powered driver’s seat and eight-speaker Yamaha sound system. The rest of the range makes do with passive cruise control (Exceed only), a normal reverse camera and four airbags. Buyers can choose from Jet Black Mica, Quartz White Pearl, Blade Silver Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic and Lunar Blue.

Click to enlarge

With a price range of between 385 million rupiah (RM100k) and 465 million rupiah (RM121k), the Destinator is more expensive than the Xpander Cross in Indonesia that goes for between 338 million and 364.2 million rupiah (RM88k and RM94k). It is significantly costlier than the regular Xpander, which starts from 270.1 million rupiah (RM70k) and tops out at 337.8 million rupiah (RM88k).

Curiously, the smaller Xforce has a higher starting price than its bigger brother at 388 million rupiah (RM101k), although it tops out at 429.35 million rupiah (RM111k). Mind you, the Xforce is a pure five-seater and comes with a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine making 105 PS (103 hp) and 141 Nm, paired with a CVT driving the front wheels.

Outside the Mitsubishi family, the Destinator is comparable in terms of price to the Toyota Kijang Innova that starts from 389.1 million rupiah (RM101k). The Mitsubishi SUV’s starting price is more than both the Avanza and Rush – under 300 million rupiah (RM78k) – although it is nearly half that of Honda CR-V that starts from 759 million rupiah (RM197k). Are you hoping for the Destinator to come to Malaysia? Given the pricing in Indonesia, do you think the brand’s new three-row SUV will be competitive in our market?
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Aletra L8 at GIIAS – “Exora EV” is a rebadged Geely Jiaji/Livan 8 with 163 PS, 540 km range, fr RM127k

In Cars, Geely, International News / By Jonathan Lee / 23 July 2025 4:37 pm / 1 comment

Remember when Proton promised an Exora replacement based on the Geely Jiaji MPV way back when? Those have fallen by the wayside as the Malaysian market moved wholesale towards SUVs, but over in Indonesia there’s another “national car” company that has repurposed the Chinese people mover.

Meet Aletra, a joint venture between bus distributor PT Sinar Armada Globalindo (SAG) and Livan Automotive (it even uses the same diamond-shaped logo as the latter), itself a partnership between Lifan and Geely. Its new L8, launched in November, is thus based on the Livan 8 (née Maple 80V), which takes the Jiaji underpinnings and swaps out the petrol and plug-in hybrid options for a full electric powertrain.

Powering the car is a single front motor producing 163 PS (120 kW) and 240 Nm of torque – figures that are slightly higher than the Chinese-market version. So equipped, the car is able to get from zero to 100 km/h in 10.7 seconds on its way to an electronically-limited top speed of 160 km/h.

Juicing the motor is a 65.74 kWh “short blade” lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a range of up to 540 km on China’s incredibly lenient CLTC cycle; expect a real-world range closer to 400 km. This is the long-range version originally sold at the L8s; the base model with its 50.4 kWh pack and 431 km of CLTC range has already been discontinued, apparently. No details on charging, but the battery should take around the same 40 minutes to DC fast charge from 30 to 80% as China’s slightly larger 68.03 kWh unit.

On the outside, the L8 remains resolutely a Jiaji-based vehicle, with its sleek roofline, sharp headlights, prominent front haunches and D-pillar window line kink all remaining identical to the original 2019 car. The big change is up front, where the Geely’s grille has been replaced by a blank shield-shaped surface and a centre-mounted charging port door. Separate indicators and a simple downturned air intake sit below.

At the rear, the L8 adopts the facelifted Jiaji‘s full-width taillights with undulating graphics, along with its vertical reflectors and revised rear valance. The wheels measure 18 inches in diameter and feature a two-tone turbine-style design similar (but not identical) to the Proton eMas 7 Prime’s rollers. At the ongoing Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), Aletra is showcasing a new “Aero Line” bodykit with a black front bumper shroud and spoiler, along with side and rear skirts.

Inside, the L8 has obviously been converted to right-hand drive, meaning this really is the “Exora EV” that might have been. The Jiaji’s basic dashboard architecture remains, with a layered design topped by a seven-inch digital instrument display and a “floating” 12.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The centre console has been redesigned, however, featuring the trademark dual smartphone holders (the left one incorporates a Qi wireless charger) found in almost every Chinese car these days, along with a stubby electronic gear lever, twin cupholders and faux wood trim. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is identical to what you’d find in a Proton, and you can even spot the residual DNA in the round divot on the airbag boss, usually housing the Malaysian carmaker’s tiger-head roundel.

Unlike what the brochure suggests, the L8 has a 2-3-3 seating configuration, making this an eight-seater MPV. The rearmost seats are split 50:50 (including the centre headrest), and even with all seats up, Aletra is promising 459 litres of boot space. Safety is one area where the L8 is lacking, with only four airbags and no driver assists to speak of.

Aletra makes up for this by offering a six-year/100,000 km warranty and an eight-year/150,000 km warranty for the drive unit and battery (the latter’s mileage limit is 500,000 km), along with a free AC wallbox charger, a three-year/60,000 km free service package and one year of free roadside assistance.

The L8 is priced at 488,000,000 rupiah (RM126,500), which is actually slightly higher than what the L8s cost last year. What do you think – would you have liked it if Proton brought the Livan 8 to Malaysia as an Exora-replacing eMas model? Sound off in the comments after the jump. Oh, and to keep the fantasy going, Livan also has the Livan 9, an electric X90 that essentially uses the Riddara RD6‘s running gear.

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i2C is Indonesia’s next national car – ‘indigenous car’ previewed at GIIAS 2025 by Italdesign SUV clay model

In Cars, International News / By Danny Tan / 23 July 2025 4:32 pm / 1 comment

Here’s a surprise from the 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) – a new national car for Indonesia. Now, I’m not sure if the locals care so much about a ‘national car’ than we do in Malaysia, and the term has of late been used quite liberally (by Polytron and Aletra), but here’s another one, and it’s called i2C.

i2C stands for Indigenous Indonesia Car and the company behind it is PT Teknologi Militer Indonesia (TMI). As its name suggests, TMI deals with military equipment.

According to the company’s ‘about us’ description on its website, TMI is a “strategic platform for acquisition of innovative technologies to enhance the national defense and security sectors, also the system integrator for combat/battle management system embodying advance military technology development” and the products section lists air, land and sea defense systems.

So, why would a defense contractor dabble in passenger cars? I’m guessing that it’s somewhat like a free-for-all in Indonesia if you have a partner to supply a donor car and the right connections. Speaking of partners, local reports say that i2C’s SUV will be based on a platform of a foreign partner which identity is yet to be disclosed. Another partner is Italdesign.

The famous Italian design studio’s work is here at GIIAS 2025, tucked in a rather hidden nook of ICE BSD. When we first saw the 1:1 clay model, all four of us here exclaimed ‘Kia EV9’ for the mockup’s angular lines, Kia-style rear end and scale, which contains three rows of seats.

Next to Italdesign’s logo on the backdrop is Fincantieri, which describes itself as one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world, with over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built.

“We are a reference player for major cruise operators, the exclusive supplier for the Italian Navy, a partner of the US Navy and numerous foreign navies, and a key player in some of the most important European defence partnership programs,” the company says.

As mentioned, the donor car remains a mystery, but it’s most likely to be a Chinese company, as i2C quotes a CLTC range of 617 km from an 83.4 kWh NMC battery. There’s a single rear-mounted motor pushing out 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque (identical figures to the BYD Atto 3), which pushes the big SUV from 0-100 km/h in an estimated 9.1 seconds. Top speed is 200 km/h. As for charging, i2C quotes max rates of 150 kW DC and 11 kW AC.

Anyway, two other national cars from Indonesia were recently announced – Aletra L8 and Polytron G3. The Aletra is a rebadged Livan Maple 80V L, which is essentially a Geely Jiaji EV, while the Polytron is a Skyworth EV6 SUV. Just like how Skyworth is known as a ‘TV maker’, Polytron sells electronics and home appliances ranging from rice cookers to fridges. TVs too, of course.

What do you think of the i2C’s design?

GALLERY: i2C concept at GIIAS 2025

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Honda Super EV Concept shown at GIIAS 2025, hinting that the region will get the A-segment electric hatch?

In Cars, Honda, International News / By Anthony Lim / 23 July 2025 3:31 pm / 1 comment

Fresh off its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this month, the Honda Super EV Concept has now made its first regional appearance at the 2025 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS 2025).

The study’s showing at the event hints that the production version of the electric A-segment hatch, when it eventually comes, will have a broader application base than its predecessor, the Honda e, which was discontinued in 2023.

Unlike the latter, which was only designated for sale in Japan and Europe, the automaker may be looking at having the Super EV Concept working the field at the other end of the full-sized 0 Series models beyond the limited markets covered by its progenitor.

The compact car is a bit blockier in shape compared to the ultra-cute e, but is appealing in its own way. The GIIAS show car still wears the exterior camo from its debut, but the live gallery does provide a better view of the cues incorporated into the design, from the round headlights approach in the vein of the e to the forward-mounted charging ports, as indicated by the flaps on the front panel. There’s no view of the interior, unfortunately.

A teaser subsequent to the Super EV’s appearance, that of the N-One e:, may have provided the indicator of the production version’s name, at least for the domestic market. While the image showing that car displayed a narrower typical kei car form, the version that will be sold overseas could feature bodywork alterations – borrowing cues from the Super EV – to lend it sportier appeal.

Aside from saying that the Super EV will deliver an “uplifting, heart-pounding driving experience,” the automaker hasn’t provided any tech details about the car, which suggests that the new car will continue to employ a motor driving the rear axle like the Honda e.

Output, at least for the global market version, is expected to be above the usual JDM kei car convention, and likely be close to the e’s two available configurations – 100 kW (136 PS) and 113 kW (154 PS), with maximum torque rated at 315 Nm – when that was sold.

The biggest change should be with battery capacity and range, with the 35.5 kWh pack and 220 km range of the e expected to improve, with anywhere between 300 to 400 km of WLTP travel for the latter being likely, which is a quantum leap for what remains very much a city car.

More details on Honda’s little electric tyke should come about later this year, but its appearance in Indonesia is a welcome sign that it may well make its way to this region when the time comes.

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2025 Suzuki Fronx on display at GIIAS – Rocky/Ativa rival; Indonesia CKD; from RM67k; mild hybrid, ADAS

In Cars, International News, Suzuki / By Gerard Lye / 23 July 2025 3:15 pm / 3 comments

The Suzuki Fronx was launched in Indonesia last month and is currently on display at this year’s Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), so here’s a live gallery of the compact SUV that competes against models like the Honda WR-V, Daihatsu Rocky (sister model to the Perodua Ativa and Toyota Raize) and Nissan Magnite there.

First revealed in India back in 2023, the Fronx, which has a related sibling in the form of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor, is also sold in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) markets as well as in Japan and South Africa. It is a sub-4m SUV that measures 3,995 mm long, 1,765 mm wide, 1,550 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,520 mm. Its compact size enables a minimum turning radius of just 4.8 metres.

For the Indonesian market, the SUV is priced between 259 million and 321.9 million rupiah (about RM67k and RM84k), with three trim levels (GL, GX and SGX) to choose from. There are also two powertrains available, including mild hybrid option that is offered for the GX and SGX.

Cars with the mild hybrid powertrain come with an K15C 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine rated at 101 PS (99 hp or 74 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 135 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. The mild hybrid components include a 12-volt lithium-ion battery and integrated starter generator (ISG) which provides torque assist and idle start-stop functionality.

The mild hybrid engine sends drive to the front wheels via a five-speed manual (optional for the GX only) or six-speed automatic (available for both the GX and SGX) transmission. As for the GL, it only comes with a non-mild hybrid setup featuring a K15B 1.5 litre NA inline-four petrol unit. This offers slightly higher outputs of 105 PS (103 hp or 77 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm at 4,400 rpm, with transmission options being a five-speed manual and four-speed automatic.

A 37-litre fuel tank is standard for both powertrains, as are 195/60 profile tyres, front MacPherson struts, a rear torsion beam, front ventilated brake discs and rear drum brakes.

In terms of equipment, the GL comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, reflector LED headlamps, LED positioning lamps, bulb-type taillights, a urethane multi-function steering wheel, fabric seat upholstery, manual air-conditioning (with rear vents), a seven-inch Display Audio head unit, four speakers, six airbags, rear parking sensors, ESP, a rear-view camera and hill start assist.

Stepping up to the GX adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 4.2-inch multi-info instrument cluster display, a larger nine-inch Display Audio, cruise control, automatic air-conditioning, paddle shifters (6AT only) as well as two tweeters for a total of six speakers.

Click to enlarge

The SGX improves upon the GX by adding front and rear underbody spoilers, door visors and the option of a two-tone exterior finish. The range-topper also comes standard with LED taillights, synthetic leather seat upholstery and a wireless phone charger.

Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, vehicle swaying warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, high beam assist, a head-up display and Suzuki’s collision-mitigating brake (AEB) system called Dual Sensor Brake Support II (DSBS II) are reserved for the SGX.

The Fronx is locally assembled (CKD) in Indonesia at the automaker’s plant in Cikarang, which also makes the Ertiga and XL7. Cool Black, Pearl Snow White and Metallic Magma Grey are available colours for the GL, while the GX gets an additional Savanna Ivory option. For the SGX, there’s only one monotone option – Cool Black – with Ice Grayish Blue, Pearl Snow White and Savanna Ivory all paired with a black roof for a two-tone look.

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Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid launched in Indonesia – ADM beats Perodua to market, CBU Japan, 27.8 km/l FC

In Cars, Daihatsu, Local News / By Danny Tan / 23 July 2025 2:46 pm / 2 comments

The Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid has been launched in Indonesia. This ‘Ativa Hybrid’ is Astra Daihatsu Motor’s first electrified model, which means that ADM has beaten its Malaysian sibling Perodua to be the first to market a hybrid car. However, according to local reports, the Rocky Hybrid is a CBU import from Japan, unlike the locally produced petrol-powered Rocky.

Yes, the Ativa Hybrid was introduced in Malaysia back in September 2023, but the electrified SUV was available only on a subscription model – we couldn’t buy one from a showroom and the car was officially billed as an ‘electric vehicle study’ and a ‘long-term mobility as a service market study’.

It’s not often that ADM gets ahead of Perodua, but since the Ativa Hybrid study was launched three years ago, the folks in Rawang have been busy developing Perodua’s first electric vehicle. Tasked by the government to come up with an affordable EV, with a publicly announced deadline for added pressure, P2 must deliver an EV in 2025, by hook or crook.

Unlike Proton, Perodua’s technology partner Daihatsu does not have an EV donor car, so rebadging was out of the question and developing one from scratch was the only option. Considering the circumstances and limited resources, it would be understandable that other projects have been put on the back-burner. Still, it would be good if we have hybrid options in Malaysia, as not everyone wants an EV. And the Rocky is a good hybrid, a proper one with fantastic fuel economy.

Launched in its home market in November 2021, the Rocky e-Smart Hybrid is powered by a 106 PS/170 Nm electric motor (Ativa 1.0T has 98 PS/140 Nm), with a 1.2 litre WA-VEX Atkinson-cycle three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with 82 PS/105 Nm acting purely acts as a generator for the hybrid battery. The e-motor powers the wheels via an HEV transaxle, which means that this series hybrid model works somewhat like a range extender electric vehicle.

The Rocky Hybrid’s claimed fuel consumption is 3.6 litres per 100 km on the WLTP cycle, which translates to 27.8 km/l. When it launched the subscription plan, Perodua said that the Ativa Hybrid is capable of 31.3 km/l in a ‘Malaysian Driving Cycle’, which is supposed to reflect local driving conditions. In this MDC, and with the current RON 95 price, a journey from KL to Penang (358 km) can cost as low as RM23 in fuel, P2 claimed.

The Rocky Hybrid is very similar to the the Ativa from the outside, save for a Rocky-specific grille (which is narrower and has a cascading scaled insert) and more straight-cut front/rear bumpers (they look vertical from the sides), which makes overall length marginally shorter. Daihatsu uses triangular cutouts for the fog lamps while Perodua employs inverted ‘L’ shapes – the same motif is repeated on the rear bumper.

Other ‘spot the difference’ points include the lack of skid plate-style silver trim at both ends on the Rocky and the JDM car’s smaller and rounder wing mirrors. The Rocky’s passenger-side mirror adds on two small mirrors showing the kerb. Also, the Rocky’s mirror caps are body-coloured; they’re black on the Ativa, no matter which colour you choose.

The car you see here rides on single-tone 16-inch alloys, which by the way, has five lugs instead of the Ativa’s four. The Perodua gets larger rims (17-inch) and wider tyres (205/60 versus 195/60) than the Rocky Hybrid, which also makes do with eco tyres (Dunlop Enasave) and a tyre repair kit typical on hybrids. The Rocky’s tailgate is plastic – this is not unusual, but car companies typically change the hatch to metal for the Malaysian market. e-Smart hybrid badging can be found on the tailgate and front wings.

Inside the familiar cockpit, the Daihatsu features its own AC control panel (with auto function but without P2’s signature memory buttons), a blue push start button and an electronic parking brake switch with auto brake hold, which is not available in the Ativa. The hybrid also features an available Smart Pedal function for one-pedal driving (S-PDL button below the driver’s AC vent), with regeneration and “engine braking” in place of stepping on the brakes.

The car you see here is a CBU Japan unit that was imported without its home country’s touchscreen head unit, and in its place is a locally fitted unit with reverse camera. As such, the steering spokes are very bare with just the trip controls and ‘Power’ button, giving off a ‘low spec’ vibe (no ACC too). Finally, the JDM suspension is 15 mm lower than the Ativa’s.

The Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid’s price will be revealed tomorrow. Here’s hoping that hybrids are still in Perodua’s plans – if this model is too old by then, there’s the Yaris Cross, a 1.5L hybrid that’s doing very well in Thailand. This is of course the long-rumoured D66B ‘Nexis’, Toyota’s B-SUV rival to the Honda HR-V.

GALLERY: Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid at GIIAS 2025

GALLERY: Perodua Ativa Hybrid in Malaysia

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Chery C5 in Indonesia – Omoda 5 facelift retains “Omoda” badging, gets DCT, multilink, fr RM83k

In Cars, Chery, International News / By Jonathan Lee / 23 July 2025 2:43 pm / 1 comment

Selamat siang! We’re live at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), where the Chery C5 is making its first public debut since its launch last month. Confused? Chery has pulled the Omoda 5 out from the Omoda sub-brand and absorbed it into the main brand, leading to the new moniker.

Different nomenclature aside, the C5 is essentially the facelifted Omoda 5 that made its debut in Russia last year. The same name will be used in Australia, but whereas that market will gain new “Chery” badges as part of the rebrand, the Indonesia-market model will confusingly soldier on with “Omoda” branding, appearing prominently on the front fascia, tailgate and steering wheel airbag boss.

The facelift provides some familial resemblance to the electric Omoda E5 (recently rebadged the Chery E5 in Indonesia), sporting the same arrow-shaped LED daytime running light “eyebrows” joined by a black bar, atop which sits the aforementioned “Omoda” script.

Below this, the bumper has been significantly re-profiled, forming an X shape together with the revised grille – the latter ditching the current chrome-studded design for body-coloured squares, just like its larger sibling, the Omoda C9.

There’s also a new design for the black 18-inch wheels, along with the ditching of the original model’s divisive red highlights on the bumpers, door mirrors, rocker panels, tailgate spoiler and wheels – these have now been refinished in black.

The rest of the design remains unchanged – same full-width taillights, large tailgate spoiler and twin (fake) tailpipes. So is the interior with its full-width air vent design, widescreen display panel with twin 10.25-inch screens, touch-based air-con controls, stubby gear selector and bucket-style seats with integrated headrests with beige piping.

In Indonesia, the C5 is offered in Z and RZ variants, with standard kit that includes LED headlights and fog lights, remote engine start, auto start/stop, auto wipers, dual-zone auto air con, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Qi wireless charger, acoustic front side windows, six speakers and a reverse camera.

The RZ adds sequential indicators, an auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, a sunroof, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, an eight-speaker Sony sound system and a 360-degree camera setup. All models come with six airbags, autonomous emergency braking, evasive steering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and a front departure alert.

The sole engine option remains a 147 PS/230 Nm 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 147 PS and 230 Nm of torque. There’s no high-power GT variant this time around, but the base models gain some noteworthy upgrades from that model – the CVT has been ditched in favour of a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the much-maligned torsion beam setup has been replaced by multilink rear suspension (also shared with the E5).

Pricing starts at 319,900,000 rupiah (RM83,000) for the Z, rising up to 349,900,000 rupiah (RM90,800) for the RZ. Expect the facelift to arrive in Malaysia sooner rather than later, joining the new Tiggo Cross and the forthcoming plug-in hybrid Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8 CSH (Chery Super Hybrid).

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Honda StepWGN e:HEV open for booking in Indonesia ahead of GIIAS 2025 launch – 2.0L hybrid 7-seater MPV

In Cars, Honda, International News / By Jonathan James Tan / 18 June 2025 5:50 pm / 8 comments

It was previewed at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2024; now, a full year later, the sixth-gen Honda StepWGN e:HEV hybrid is open for booking in Indonesia ahead of a GIIAS 2025 launch. No price nor details yet; we’re sure more will be revealed as July 24 creeps closer.

Japan has Air, Spada and Spada Premium Line variants. Confusingly, the car we saw at GIIAS last year (below) was badged a Spada but wearing the Premium Line’s 17-inch multi-spoke wheels (perhaps the Premium Line badge was omitted for some reason). The car in the photo above is definitely a Spada, with those 16-inch alloys and a grille that’s bigger and flashier than the Air’s.

Anyhow, the StepWGN e:HEV gets an Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system similar to that seen on the Civic e:HEV and CR-V e:HEV. A 145 PS/175 Nm 2.0 litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine largely generates electricity for a 184 PS/315 Nm electric motor to drive the wheels, but the ICE can provide direct drive via a lock-up clutch at higher speeds for better efficiency.

It’s a very practical seven-seater – the second row can move sideways and slide fore and aft, and the third-row seats can be stowed into the floor for a flat boot. Power doors on both sides, of course, but the funky Waku Waku Gate (a tailgate with a small sideways-opening door for rear passengers to Step into the WGN) – first introduced in 2015 – is sadly no more.

Honda StepWGN e:HEV previewed at GIIAS 2024

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