GIIAS 2015: Perodua To Introduce Dual VVT-i Engines In 2016

A new generation of 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre petrol Dual VVT-i engines from Toyota will be fitted in a new Perodua model in mid-2016, announced Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show earlier today.

This will be the same engine that has already debuted in the new Toyota Avanza and its identical twin in Indonesia – Daihatsu Xenia (below).

The 1.3-litre 1NR-VE engine currently powers the new Toyota Avanza and Daihatsu Xenia. A larger 1.5-litre 2NR-VE engine is exclusive to the Toyota Avanza.

Both engines are produced by Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) - the distributor of Daihatsu vehicles in Indonesia - at the company’s new engine plant in Karawang. ADM also produces the Avanza under consignment for Toyota, and exports them to Malaysia.

The Avanza and Xenia are co-developed by Toyota and its compact car subsidiary Daihatsu, with the latter takes the lead in the project.

Daihatsu describes the pair of new engines as "next generation engines for ASEAN," adding that it will be launched in Indonesia and Malaysia.

In a statement released to the media earlier today, Daihatsu said, “Technologies will be developed for many different applications, and will also be incorporated in the vehicles of Perodua, a local joint venture in Malaysia. In Malaysia, the new engines will be manufactured at a new engine company that will commence operation in mid-2016.”  

Currently, Perodua's 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre engine - the K3-VE and 3SZ-VE engine respectively - uses intake valve-only DVVT valvetrain (Perodua doesn't call it VVT-i because VVT-i is a trademark of Toyota). 

What could this new Perodua model be?

A production version of the FX Concept to replace the shortlived Nautica? A Myvi Sedan?