30/11/2025

theSunday Special XV ON SUNDAY NOV 30, 2025

Malaysians should be proud of Perodua

ALFA ROMEO has made its long awaited return to Malaysia, marking more than a decade since the brand last had an official presence here. Its comeback is led by DLSB Partners Sdn Bhd under the Atlantis Motor Group, which has taken on the role of independ ent distributor and pledged to rebuild the brand’s footprint with proper nationwide support and a refreshed retail network. DLSB Partners says the decision to bring Alfa Romeo back was driven by genuine passion for the marque and a desire to restore the ownership experi ence for local enthusiasts. The relaunch is anchored by two mod els that have been central to Alfa Romeo’s global resurgence: the Giulia Veloce sports saloon and the Stelvio Veloce performance SUV. Both are representative Back with Alfa Romeo returns with the Giulia Veloce, Stelvio Veloce PERODUA announced that it was building its first electric car about three years ago. Back then, the sec ond national car maker was man dated by the government to produce a 100% Malaysian made EV. The announcement set tongues wagging, particularly because the company had to likely go at it alone. Daihatsu, Perodua’s longtime partner and shareholder, does not have any electric vehicle of its own. So, how was Perodua going to build its first EV? For years Daihatsu had provided the know-how. For the first time in the company’s 32-year history, it had to build some thing entirely on its own. The com pany’s best sellers like the Myvi, Axia and Bezza all had components from Daihatsu though Perodua did gradu

easier and cheaper route. Rebadging is fine. Many companies do it, but it lacks that pomp of a car that is 100% your own. Of course, there are bits and pieces from different suppliers, but that is completely normal. Even Tesla uses BYD batteries and the Leapmotor C10 features suspension that has been tuned by Maserati. Perodua has not only managed to create an electric car of its own but it also managed to answer one of the most pressing questions of the indus try. The question about battery lon gevity and reliability. So, if you are thinking of getting an EV, watch out for Perodua’s announcement. By the time you read this, the launch will be just around the corner.

car as the launch is just around the car, and the first round of teasers showed images of what could possi bly be the car’s name.

ally localise them by way of their designs and engineering bits. Perodua knew it had a mountain to climb, but it kept the public well

A blurred-out image of the car with QV-E clearly shown where the number plate usually sits is a clear hint of what is to come. Because of the signed agreement, I can’t tell you what the name actually is. But I can tell you that as Malaysians, we should be very proud of what Perodua has managed to achieve in

informed about its progress through cut out displays at motorshows, and kept the media engaged by sharing their progress. We waited with bated breaths what Perodua’s EV was going to be like in terms of design and of course, in terms of its capability. I have seen the car, I have driven it, and I am overjoyed,

WRITTEN BY KESHY DHILLON

such a short time. Despite the challenges, Perodua produced its first EV by itself and did not succumb to the temptation of rebadging, though that is clearly the

but that is as much as I can tell you because Perodua made members of the media sign a non-disclosure agreement. But Perodua has begun teasing the

a bang

of the brand’s standout strengths – characterful design, balanced engineer ing and sharp driving dynamics. Their international suc cess continues to gain attention, with both models recently earning top spots in the “Best Cars” awards voted by more than 94,000 automotive und sport read ers. The Giulia took the Midsize Import crown for the

The cabin blends athletic touches with everyday practicality, offering supportive leather seats, driver-oriented controls and enough room for family use and long journeys. Alfa Romeo Malaysia is also introduc ing several ownership experiences tai lored for local customers. These include La Bella Vita lifestyle events, Speed Dating track sessions that let owners explore their cars’ abilities, and Alfa Concierge, a personalised assistance serv ice for new owners. The distributor also aims to support the long-standing enthusiast community through Famiglia Alfa Romeo, a pro gramme designed for both modern and classic Alfas with certified servicing, genuine parts and dependable roadside support. As of now, Alfa Romeo has given us an estimated price of RM400,000 for both models, with official pricing to be announced in January of 2026.

cal Q2 limited-slip differential and a car bon-fibre driveshaft contribute to its lively and communicative feel, a trait that has long been synonymous with Alfa Romeo. Inside, the Giulia features a clean and crafted layout with sports seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel, metallic trims and a 12.3-inch digital display. The Stelvio Veloce takes the same spir ited approach and packages it within Alfa Romeo’s first SUV, named after the leg endary Stelvio Pass. It shares the Giulia’s 280hp engine and 8-speed automatic transmission but adds the brand’s Q4 all-wheel-drive sys tem, which shifts torque automatically based on grip and driving style. Alfa Romeo’s signature handling preci sion is evident in the Alfa Link suspen sion and lightweight chassis construction, helping the SUV deliver agility that feels far more like a sporty saloon than a tradi tional high-riding model.

Dark exterior details, 19-inch alloy wheels and red Brembo callipers empha sise its performance personality. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo charged engine producing 280hp and 400Nm, paired with an 8-speed auto matic gearbox sending drive to the rear wheels. The sedan hits 60kph in 5.7 sec onds and tops out at 240kph. A 50:50 weight balance, aluminium components, quick steering, a mechani

eighth time, while the Stelvio led the Large SUV/Off-road Import category. The Giulia Veloce carries more than five decades of Alfa Romeo sports saloon heritage, drawing from icons like the Giulia Sprint GT, Alfetta and 156. Its bodywork is shaped with clean, sculpted surfaces, finished with the brand’s distinct “Trilobo” nose and full LED Adaptive Matrix 3+3 headlamps.