The launch of the all-new Nautica sports utility vehicle (SUV) represents more than another model for PERODUA, but like its name, symbolizes the top-selling national car company’s foray into brand new territory.

“To ensure PERODUA remain competitive in the future, we are undergoing a rebranding exercise to further enhance the Perodua brand. Our brand vision, Fresh Thinking To Move Malaysia, means employing the best people, processes, and technology to build a world of value in our compact cars,” said the company’s Managing Director Datuk Syed Syed Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar.

“PERODUA has been at the forefront in redefining the compact car market. Compact cars (which as been PERODUA’s strong forte) are more than just basic transportation, they are now filled with value-added features that make them more desirable and fun to drive. Besides compacts, through our“Fresh Thinking” we are also looking at products that meet the demands and needs of today’s contemporary society.”

Syed Hafiz said 2008 is a significant year for PERODUA as it marks the company’s15th year as a car manufacturer.

“…Our strength has been built on making car ownership possible for over 1.3 million of our customers.”

At RM89,900, the pricing structure is also new territory for PERODUA.

“We are striving to reach a point where people buy a Perodua not because it is the cheapest available or the fact that it is a national car, but because they actually want to and trust our brand. We may be No. 1 in sales currently but that does not necessarily mean we are No. 1 in the hearts of our customers. This is what we hope to achieve.”

The Nautica was developed on the concept of offering style, performance and an appealing overall packaging to cater to customers who lead an exciting urban lifestyle.

While it is a full-time 4WD (with centre differential lock) and quite capable of conquering medium rough terrain, the Nautica is more aptly described as an urban compact SUV. Again, the name Nautica, PERODUA believe, conjures images of adventure, luxury and coupled with the ability to experience unlimited boundries.

PERODUA has set a modest target of selling just 200 units per month.

EXTERIOR
Exterior styling clearly conveys that it is an evolution of the Kembara,although the vehicle – by virtue of it being fully imported - was never intended as a replacement for what was essentially the first Malaysian compact 4WD.

Keeping up with the current trend, the Nautica has a significantly more muscular build with its wide and bold wheel arches, wide 16” inch wheels, strong front appearance and wider rear bumper design. It comes with projector style quad headlamps and built-in fog lights on the front bumper.

It is also standard fitted with a roof rail for easy attachment of a luggage carrier and a covered spare tyre at the rear.

In terms of colour, the Nautica is only available in Medallion Grey or Majestic Black, not precisely adventurous choices synonymous with exciting lifestyles but nevertheless supports its seling-point of being sophisticated.

INTERIOR
The emphasis was on stylish spaciousness and this has been very well conveyed in the Nautica. It has a wide couple distance and generous legroom to sit 5 comfortably.

The emphasis was on stylish spaciousness and this has been very well conveyed in the Nautica. It has a wide couple distance and generous legroom to sit 5 comfortably.

A two-tone silver and black cabin combination reaffirms that sophisticated and urban image, while the overall design of the instrument panel or dashboard denotes the vehicle’s sporty personality. The centre cluster sports large control knobs with push type switches for both convenience and practicality.

As a compact SUV, the Nautica demonstrates plenty of versatility in terms of its seating configuration and luggage compartment. In normal mode, it carries 5 passengers comfortably with an additional storage space of 380 litres. For greater storage needs or to fit larger objects, owners have the choice of a 60:40 split configuration or completely fold the rear seats flat enough to accommodate a 26” inch bicycle.

Ample storage area is also available in the form of a glove compartment, a sunglasses holder, seat back pockets, cup holder compartment, movable ashtray, a utility box on the driver side, front and rear door pockets big enough to keep a water bottle in place and an underdeck box under the left and right rear seats for tools.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE
You must first accept the fact that you’re not looking at an SUV the likes of a Honda CRV, a Toyota Harrier what more a Porsche Cayenne. These three models don’t exactly fall into the Nautica’s product segment but they are nevertheless so popular that any mention of an SUV conjures these images.

For a 1.5-litre, the Nautica drives pretty decent as an urban-use SUV but 80kW or power and 141Nm of torque is clearly undermined by its 1200kg weight and the fact that it is a fulltime 4WD.

Genting Highlands, although picturesque, did not precisely reaffirm the Nautica’s true personality and excitement as an urban SUV during a media test drive session. Climbed up the steep and winding road it did, but it is on flatland and city driving conditions that allow you to enjoy and appreciate the vehicle even more as a practical urban driver.

CONCLUSION
The Nautica is a great urban runner, value for money in terms of overall packaging, has a high degree of comfort and is above all stylish. At RM89,900, you must first accept the fact that this is not a replacement for the Kembara – and it was never intended to be - but an entirely new model offering by PERODUA.