[Auto Blog]Malaysian automaker Naza unveils Sutera supermini

[News Bot]

Filed under: Economy, Hatchbacks, Lotus

Last week, Malaysian automaker Naza unveiled their new Sutera, a well-equipped bargain basement supermini
that's a veritable 'We Are the World' on four wheels. Sutera employs a 65-horsepower 1.1-liter DOHC 16-valve engine
from Daihatsu (Japan), boasts a shape penned by Pininfarina (Italy) and features NVH tuning and final suspension
fiddling by Lotus Engineering (England). This is a rather ambitious move for the Naza , which has previously dealt
largely in rebadged Kias. Exterior styling is standard
supermini fare, albeit with a good bit of flare in the triangular details-- the rear brake/turn signal lamps dominate
both the rear and side aspects, and the three-pointed door pulls are an unusual element. The most unusual/controversial
design element, however, would be the front turn signals, which are located at the base of the windshield (near the base
of the A-pillars). Wheels are of the 14" alloy variety, and they definitely look smallish, but should be a good bet
for keeping replacement costs down for the tires.

Inside the five door, standard equipment includes power steering, dual airbags, power windows/locks/mirrors, 60/40
split fold rear seats, underseat storage and an MP3-compatible CD stereo. Gauges are of the love/hate center console
capping variety, which should enable easier RHD/LHD configurations. As Naza expects to assemble about 30,000 Suteras a
year, with plans to sell them everywhere from Malaysia to Malta, Cyprus, India, Brunei, Pakistan, Singapore, South
Africa, and interestingly, the United Kingdom.

Learn more about the Sutera by checking out Naza's site href="http://www.nazacorp.com/fshowroom.htm">here.

[sources: Naza, Channel4 UK]

 

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