Captured
by a long-time paultan.org reader, it appears to be a test mule wearing “Axia
wagon” clothes. Look closely and it is clear that the masked car is wider and
longer than a regular Axia. The Axia mule’s
stretched dimensions (notice the much thicker C-pillars, elongated rear doors,
patch-up front fenders) point at a bigger model, while the larger wheel arches
with sizeable tyres and wheels hint at possible SUV/crossover. You’re likely
looking at the much-rumoured Perodua D55L SUV – a smaller five-seat, B-segment
cousin to the Aruz, closer in size to the original Kembara.
In Indonesia, there’s a actual “Axia wagon” in the
form of the Toyota Calya/Daihatsu Sigra, but this doesn’t look like that three-row car. The Axia clothing hints at a front-wheel-drive base, which is fitting
for a modern city-dwelling small crossover. Of course, the use of Axia-style
bodywork is to disguise possible new developments – it’s likely that the
finished model won’t look anything like this – and rumours have it that the
forthcoming model will be built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA)
base, a first for Perodua.
This being a B-segment model, Perodua is likely to
employ its four-cylinder engine range, either in 1.3 or 1.5 litre forms. The
new model could also be the basis for the debut of Perodua’s hybrid technology
– both this and the SUV-flavoured X-Concept were showcased at the KL
International Motor Show (KLIMS) 2018, so the idea may not be as far fetched as
it initially sounds.
