FAQs to the D66B Perodua Nexis: What is it and when will it go on sale?
Eric · Feb 22, 2023 02:15 PM
0
0
Rendered image, not the real car. Image credit: Theophilus Chin
If you’ve been following social media closely, you may have came across posts claiming that Perodua will be debuting a brand-new SUV next year, called the Perodua Nexis.
Is Perodua really going to introduce such a model next year?
Let’s dive straight in.
What kind of car is the Perodua Nexis?
The short and simple answer is that the Perodua Nexis is merely a render, and not a real car.
Both the internet and netizens have a way of imagining things that aren’t real and the Perodua Nexis is just one such example.
The Nexis name, alongside Traz, were trademarked back in 2022. That said, a trademarked name doesn't necessarily point to a new model launch, it's just a pre-emptive measure to avoid other manufacturers using it, and like many car companies, Perodua would like to keep its options open when naming its next model.
There are rumours that Perodua is developing a brand-new SUV that will be positioned above the Perodua Ativa.
Thus far, we do know that said SUV is codenamed D66B, though whether it turns out to be the Nexis remains to be seen.
Also, there is a possibility that the D66B may not be sold as a Perodua.
Recall that Perodua is the regional R&D hub for Toyota and Daihatsu under an internal company called Emerging Market Compact Car Company (EMCC). EMCC works on models that are sometimes not sold as a Perodua.
One such example is the AC100 / D92A Vios. While the new B-segment sedan is developed by Perodua under EMCC, it is sold exclusively as Toyota.
In terms of dimensions, Perodua did conduct a market survey back in 2022, providing attendees with dimensions.
Daihatsu FX Concept shown, the D66B may or may not look like this
According to the survey, the SUV is said to be 4,320 mm long, 1,770 mm wide, and 1,685 mm tall. That said, the SUV’s wheelbase was not provided.
Dimension comparison
Model
D66B
Ativa
X50
Length (mm)
4,320
4,065
4,330
Width (mm)
1,770
1,710
1,800
Height (mm)
1,685
1,635
1,609
Wheelbase (mm)
N/A
2,525
2,600
This puts the new SUV closer to the Proton X50 in terms of dimensions.
When will this new model expected to be launched?
Perodua can only launch one new generation (full model change, FMC) model a year.
This year is the 2023 D74A Perodua Axia, and next year could be the next-generation Perodua Bezza, while the year after that could be the next-generation Perodua Myvi.
Judging from that possible line-up, Perodua doesn’t seem to have any window period to introduce a new SUV in the near-term, hinting that the model could be a Toyota-only model.
Started from the IT industry but somehow managed to find his way into the automotive industry. If he’s not gaming, he’s constantly tinkering with his daily/weekend car.