All-New 2021 Perodua Alza Coming In December?

It would seem, Perodua’s longest-serving model – the Alza – at long last will see a major refresh in 2021. The new model, internally codenamed D27A could see a formal market introduction as early as Q4 2021. So what do we know so far about the 2021 Perodua Alza?

A major vendor of parts for Perodua, Sapura Industrial Berhad (SIB) spilled the beans in an annual company report, stating that the company has been awarded the contract to supply the “Case Differential Assembly” for the D27A from Akashi Kikai – the company responsible for supplying the transmission for Perodua.

Current Perodua Alza has been around since 2009 but remains popular due to great pricing and lack of competition.

The statement also reads that the company is already midway through the development phase of the parts that will go into the D27A, which are expected to go into production in Dec 2021.

Of course, there is much uncertainty given the situation of the pandemic in the country, but barring major delays in the supply chains, the latest generation of Malaysia's favourite mini-MPV should be with us in just over six months. In addition, with Perodua's accurate and yet conservative timelines when it comes to developing and introducing their cars, we can be assured that those timelines won't stray too far.

However, besides SIB’s statement and a few spyshots of test mules Perodua is reportedly running, not much is known about the technical specification of the final product. We can assume that it will be based on the Daihatsu DNGA platform (like the Ativa) – as it’s the company’s latest front-wheel-drive platform – which can be adapted to different body styles and models given its modular nature and the high degree of parts commonization.

We can also be assured that it will offer Perodua’s latest ASA 3.0 advanced driver assistance features, like the Ativa.

A good indication of what the Alza could look like, or borrow some design cues from is the Daihatsu DN-Multisix concept from 2017. Unveiled at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2017, the DN-Multisix, is as the name implies, a six-seater MPV powered by a 1.5-litre engine (at least in the concept) which featured a rather futuristic design language incorporating angular lines and a large glasshouse from front to back. Sleek LED headlamps and taillamps added a nice premium touch alongside.

The DN-Multisix featured a very futuristic interior as well, with end-to-end screens on the dashboard, and a centre console with touchscreen controls more akin to a luxury EV than a budget MPV. Though the interior will largely change in the production model it inspires, it does offer some visual clues into the overall occupant space that the six-seater offers.

The DN-Multisix was shown alongside the DN-Trec compact SUV concept which later went on to inspire the Perodua Ativa, Daihatsu Rocky and Toyota Raize trio – therefore we can surmise that the DN-Multisix is more than just a design exercise for publicity. Separately, Indonesian site Autonetmagz also reported in 2020, that the upcoming third-generation Toyota Avanza (and as an extension the Daihatsu Xenia also sold in Indonesia) will be introduced as front-wheel-drive MPVs as the parent company hopes to streamline its market offerings across the region.

Therefore, in much the same way as the Ativa/Raize and Rocky, the DNGA-based MPV could form the basis for the new Alza as well as Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia (in Indonesia). However, only time will tell if all this comes to pass, as Autonetmagz also reported that the new Avanza/Xenia was due out in December 2020, which never came to pass.

The biggest question, for now at least would be what lies under the hood of the new Alza – will Perodua offer a naturally-aspirated engine or will they go the route of forced induction like the Perodua Ativa considering the large investments made to improve their production resources and competencies? Time will tell.

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