Exterior of New Perodua Myvi 2011
While the general profile of the car remains similar to the first-generation model (there’s no mistaking that the new car is a Myvi at first glance, after all), a number of styling cues have come about to offer a more refined and sharper-looking shape with this one, which tips the scale at 950 kg up to 985 kg, depending on variant and version.
Dimensions-wise, the 2011 Myvi has the same width as the old car, as well as the same track (front 1,455 mm, rear 1,465 mm) and wheelbase length (2,440 mm), but is shorter and slightly lower. Width remains the same at 1,665 mm, while the 3,690 mm length makes the new Myvi shorter by 60 mm compared to the old one (3,750 mm).
While this might suggest a reduction in cabin space, the interior length of the new car is actually up by 15 mm. Strangely enough, the length of the Elegance variant is listed at 3,765 mm, a good 75 mm more than the other two variants (presumably, this added acreage is the result of plastic bits). The height of the new car is 1,545 mm, just 5 mm lower than the older Myvi, the reduction coming about from a revised roof line.
At the front, the bonnet has been revised, offering a more prominent slope to enhance visual styling, and the front also features improved pedestrian collision safety aspects, in compliance with EC market requirements.
The visual effect is aided by a downward scoop that accentuates the new halogen-based projector headlamps the car wears. The new headlamps not only enhance the looks, but offer increased light coverage area and improved night visibility.
New to the Myvi is a front bumper lower lip, which the company tags as an “air spat,” to improve the aerodynamics and is also undoubtedly aimed at helping dress up the car further. Elsewhere, the new Myvi’s wheel arches have been reworked to offer the car a more muscular stance, and the front bumper design features a wide horizontal line to further bolster the presence of the car.
From the side, the car has more prominent character lines on the side panels to beef things up, and for the Premium and Elegance versions, the door centre pillar panels have been blacked out to add more dynamism to the side profile.
At the back, the tailgate now has more curves going about it, and visually doesn’t look so flat viewed from dead-on centre. In line with the changes, the rear lamps are a sleeker looking LED combination design.
Another new feature is air vents located on the new rear bumper, located under the reflectors. It’s not just for flash – the cut-outs are there to ease pressure build-up on the rear bumper to reduce flapping, something that’s visibly evident on the outgoing Myvi.
The use of UV protected glass is retained for the car; Perodua says this helps cut out UV rays by 91% compared to normal green glass and helps prevent the deterioration of cabin material. Granted, many are going to paste on a window tint film anyway, but it’s nice to know that it’s there.
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