12 Days Of Christmas - Suprise, Suprise - Car Launches We're Looking Towards In 2021

Christmas usually means that the end of the year is near, so what will the next year bring for car buyers?

Just like that, we are at the dawn of the new year, and this Christmas is a bit more special as vaccines are being approved around the world which will hopefully end the nightmare we have all had to live through.  

2021 brings new hope and new cars, and hopefully, we can enjoy the roads more next year and also see the end to this unprecedented pandemic.

The first quarter of 2021 should see the introduction of some exciting new cars. There's something for everyone. There's a torquey hybrid for those who feel the need for speed, there should be an affordable local SUV for those who think the Proton X50 is too expensive and there should be some R3 variants from Proton for those who need a bit more pizzaz from their local cars.

Perodua D55L

It's been said that the Perodua D55L will debut in March. We're seeing more and more pictures of the Perodua D55L test mule around the Klang Valley which can only mean that the arrival of the Perodua SUV will probably be around the first quarter. We suppose the only reason they have not launched it yet is to give them some breathing space and to let the buzz of the Proton X50 pass, because all good things come to those who wait.

Perodua is an efficient and perfectionist car manufacturer so they are probably taking their time to get the package absolutely right. Of course, we’re aware that the D55L, which would be based on the Daihatsu Rocky, isn’t exactly in the same league as the much-hyped Proton or its competitors such as the Honda HR-V and Mistubishi ASX. However, its size does put them in contention nonetheless. Being a Perodua, though, expect their offering to be very value-oriented, perhaps even easily undercutting the X50 by over RM20,000.

Nissan Kicks

We know that Nissan has got their hands full at the moment with the new Almera Turbo but we're pretty sure somewhere in that company, a team of strategists is working hard on the Nissan Kicks. 

The Nissan Kicks compact crossover will further intensify the battle of the compact SUVs, giving the Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 a run for their money thanks to its good looks and impressive fuel economy. If that doesn't entice you maybe a hybrid version will.

The 2020 Nissan Kicks E-Power comes with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, coupled to a CVT automatic and an electric motor producing 129 hp and 260 Nm of torque. Nissan sources say the Kicks has an average fuel consumption of 23.4 kpl and CO2 level of 100g/km. To recharge the batteries, the 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 79hp works exclusively as a generator. Will Nissan be brave enough to bring in the Hybrid is the burgeoning question?

Proton R3

According to reliable sources, Proton was supposed to introduce R3 variants for the Iriz, Persona and X70 this year.

With the commotion that is the X50, they have delayed this release and understandably so. Before anyone gets too excited, the R3 variants will only give the Proton models cosmetic upgrades but then again, R3 cars have always been the best looking cars to come out of Proton. Maybe we could also hope for some R3 suspension tuning but that would be a long shot. Please Proton, please, include some suspension upgrades. 

Honda City Hatchback

The next-generation Honda Jazz will not be sold in any South-East Asian markets because of the ASEAN trade bloc (current Jazz is made in Japan) - instead, we will probably be getting the newly launched 2021 Honda City hatchback which is manufactured in Thailand.

Unveiled in Thailand last month, the Honda City hatchback follows the same formula of the Toyota Vios/Yaris concept. It's bigger than the current generation Honda Jazz as well as the incoming Jazz

The recently unveiled car for the Thai market comes with a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine which has an output of 122 PS and 173 Nm of torque. It's mated to a continuously variable transmission but a six-speed manual option is also available.

A naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, and 1.5-litre hybrid could also possibly be on the cards for different markets, and since the Malaysian Honda City sedan comes with those two engines, we'll probably get those too when it comes.

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