FIRST LOOKS

Naza Kia Sdn Bhd today launched its second model – the Citra – a midsized MPV adapted from the Kia Carens. The Citra, which comes with a 2.0-litre engine, was launched by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj Badawi this afternoon. It has a retail price of RM 79,888 (with insurance), about RM14,600 cheaper than the imported Kia Carens 1.8.

According to Tan Sri Dato’ Seri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin, Managing Director of the Naza Group of Companies, development of the Citra took 12 months, during which time Malaysians worked together with Kia representatives from South Korea to adapt the model to Naza Kia’s requirements for local assembly. Like the Kia Carnival-based Naza Ria, the Carens is also assembled at the Naza Automotive Manufacturing factory in Gurun, Kedah,

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri SM Nasimuddin emphasised that the company had focussed on giving customers value for money and elaborated on the long list of standard equipment which includes dual front airbags, ABS + EBD, sunroof and leather upholstery.

Compared to the Carens, the Citra has some cosmetic changes at the front and rear ends. The radiator grille has a more triangular shape while the area just below the headlights has a black panel.

	In some countries, the Carens doesn’t have a third row of seats but the Citra has, making it a 7-seater – at the sacrifice of some cargo capacity.

The interior of the Citra has a prominent central area of the dashboard occupied by ventilation and audio controls. As would be expected of a MPV, there are numerous storage spaces around the cabin. In many countries, the Carens is described as a 6-seater with two rows of seats but the Citra has three rows of seats to make it a 7-seater… sacrificing some cargo capacity.

The powertrain comprises a 1975 cc DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Power output of the engine is 138 ps at 6000 rpm with 174.6 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. The long-stroke engine should offer fairly good low-end acceleration.

2.0-litre DOHC engine with 4-speed automatic transmission	Rear disc brakes are standard, along with ABS + EBD and dual front airbags.

The Kia Carens on which the Naza Citra is based.

For suspension, the Citra has Macpherson struts in front and a simple dual-link arrangement for the free-wheeling rear wheels. Standard wheels are 6JJx15 and around them go tyres with a size of 195/60R15.

On the safety side, the Citra could be said to be a very safe MP with airbags up front, ABS + EBD and 4-wheel disc brakes. Like all the latest cars, each door has an anti-intrusion beam inside for protection against side impacts.

Customers can order their Citra with a choice of six colours: black, red, grey, blue and two different shades of silver.