Perodua Kelisa

Perodua Kelisa
Overview
Manufacturer	Perodua
Production	2001–2007
Body and chassis
Class	City car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Related	Daihatsu Mira
Powertrain
Engine	847 cc ED-DE DOHC I3 989 cc EJ-DE DOHC I3
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,345 mm (92.3 in)
Length	3,490 mm (137.4 in)
Width	1,490 mm (58.7 in)
Height	1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight	771 to 806 kg (1,700 to 1,777 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Perodua Kancil
Successor	Perodua Viva

The Perodua Kelisa is a city car from Malaysian automaker Perodua. It was launched in 2001 as the successor to the Perodua Kancil. The Kelisa was sold alongside the older Kancil, and both were eventually replaced by the Perodua Viva in 2007.

History

The Kelisa was, in all its releases, based on a fifth generation Daihatsu Mira (L700), and is named after the arowana fish native to Malaysia (ikan kelisa).

As Perodua has sold its vehicles in the United Kingdom since 1997, the Kelisa was introduced into the country in 2002 as a replacement to the Nippa, a rebadged Kancil.^[1] Like its predecessor, the Kelisa was the cheapest new car on sale in the United Kingdom, starting at under £5,000.^[2]

The Perodua Kelisa launched with three variants: EX, GX and EZ.^[3] When the facelift launched in 2003, the models remained the same: EX, GX and EZ. A limited edition Kelisa, based on the original variant, prominently sports two toned colored paintwork and minor interior modifications.

On 21 October 2003, Perodua launched the facelift to the Perodua Kelisa. differed from the pre facelift model with a new front honeycomb grille, a new lower front bumper with amber front turn signal lights, a new lower rear bumper with reflector, a newside protector moulding, a new rear wiper, a center position roof antenna, new meter panel, new design sports rims for the EX model and new design wheel caps for the GX model.

It was available in five colors: Kristal White, Sparkling Silver, Millenia Gold and Gemilang Blue.^[4] Throughout Spring 2004, Perodua replaced the EX variant with the 850 EX variant and rebranded the GX to 1000 GX and EX to 1000 EX.Other changes different gear ratios for the manual transmissions and overall dimensions/size.^[5][6]

Between August and November 2004, Perodua launched the Kelisa SE (Special Edition). It was available with both manual (GXS) and automatic (EZS) transmissions.^[7][8]

In 2006, Perodua launched the Kelisa Imago. It was available with both manual (GXQ) and automatic (EZQ) transmissions.

The changes compared to the other Kelisa variants included a silver painted center cluster (including astray), leather seats with "imago" embroidery, leather wrapped steering wheel, clear side and front turn signals, sporty spoiler, chrome door handles & door lock and a modern Metallic Pearl Jade finish — a light double metallic color.^[9]

In February 2007, selected Kelisa models also came with built in Bluetooth technology.^[10]

List of Models

Colors^[12][13][14]

Specifications^[15][16]

In media

Perodua Kelisa (rear)

In the second series of Top Gear, James May drove the Kelisa and was generally impressed with the car, even likening it to the original Mini. However, in Jeremy Clarkson's 2005 DVD Heaven and Hell, Clarkson bought a Perodua Kelisa EX and destroyed it by blowing it up immediately after purchasing it, in an effort to highlight aesthetic frustrations with the design.^[17][18]

In April 2007, Clarkson described it as the worst in the world: "Its name was like a disease and suggested it was built in jungles by people who wear leaves for shoes."^[17] His comments drew criticism from the Malaysian Government, a representative of which countered by stating that no complaints had been received from any customers in the United Kingdom.^[17]

References