Manufacturer Perodua Class City car Related | Production 2001-2007 Body style 5-door hatchback | |
 | ||
Engine 847 cc ED-DE DOHC I3
989 cc EJ-DE DOHC I3 | ||
The Perodua Kelisa is a city car from Malaysian automaker Perodua. It was launched in 2001 as the successor to the Perodua Kancil. The Kelisa was sold alongside the older Kancil, and both were eventually replaced by the Perodua Viva in 2007.
Contents
History
The Kelisa was, in all its releases, based on a fifth generation Daihatsu Mira (L700), and is named after the arowana fish native to Malaysia (ikan kelisa). The Kelisa was made available in two iterations: The first, which debuted in 2001, was intended to bear similarities to the 1999 Perodua Kancil at the front, including the headlights and grille; the second iteration, introduced in 2003, was given a minor facelift to feature modified and lower profile bumpers, and a grille that extended wider to reach the headlights. The second iteration would go on to replace the original Kelisa outright in the Perodua lineup.
Performance and equipment
The Kelisa range includes three models: the entry level EX, the GXi and the automatic EZi (originally branded as EX, GX and EZ.) It has a maximum speed of 97 mph (156 km/h). The Kelisa has a three-cylinder 989 cc petrol DOHC 12-valve engine with electronic fuel injection system. A smaller three-cylinder 847 cc petrol engine is also available. In February 2007, selected Kelisa models also came with built-in Bluetooth technology.
Special and limited editions
The Kelisa was released in several editions. A limited-edition Kelisa, based on the original variant, prominently sports two-toned colored paintwork and minor interior modifications. Later, the interior of the second Kelisa was given a few modifications and the exterior a modern Metallic Pearl Jade finish—a light double metallic colour—which Perodua marketed under the name Kelisa Imago.
United Kingdom
As Perodua has sold its vehicles in the United Kingdom since 1997, the Kelisa was introduced into the country in 2002 as a replacement to the Nippa, a rebadged Kancil. Like its predecessor, the Kelisa was the cheapest new car on sale in the United Kingdom, starting at under £5,000.
In media
In the second series of Top Gear, James May drove the Kelisa and was generally impressed with the car, even likening it to the original Mini.
However, in Jeremy Clarkson's 2005 DVD "Heaven and Hell," Clarkson bought a Perodua Kelisa EX and destroyed it by blowing it up immediately after purchasing it in an effort to highlight aesthetic frustrations with the design. In 2007, Clarkson described it as the worst in the world: "Its name was like a disease and suggested it was built in jungles by people who wear leaves for shoes." His comments drew criticism from the Malaysian government, a representative of which countered by stating that no complaints had been received from any UK customers.