History of Kelisa
The Kelisa was, in all its releases, based on a fifth generation Daihatsu Mira, 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 2002, 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. The Kelisa was popular amongst Malaysian drivers for its relatively good power-to-weight ratio, affordable price and low fuel consumption.[verification needed]
The Kelisa was released in several "special" 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.
As Perodua has sold its vehicles to the United Kingdom since 1997, the Kelisa was introduced into the country in January 2002 as a replacement to the Nippa, a rebadged Kancil.
Production and marketing of the Kelisa, along with the Kancil, was officially halted following the release of the Perodua Viva in May 2007. Due to similarities in size and vehicle model they are derived from, the Viva is intended to succeed the Kelisa and the Kancil, both of which had been in production for 6 years and 13 years, respectively.
Performance and equipment
The Kelisa range includes three models: the entry level EX, the GXi and the automatic EZi. It has a maximum speed of 97 mph (156 km/h) and can achieve about 55 miles per gallon. The Kelisa has a three-cylinder 989 cc petrol DOHC 12-valve engine (EJ-DE engine) with electronic fuel injection system. A smaller three-cylinder 847 cc petrol engine is also available. Selected Kelisa models also came with built-in Bluetooth technology.
Jeremy Clarkson controversy
As the Kelisa was marketed in the United Kingdom, Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, was among the most notable critics of the car. In the Top Gear magazine, Clarkson wrote that the name "Kelisa" sounded like a disease and was built in jungles by people who wear leaves for shoes. On the television programme he states that the Kelisa is "without doubt not just the worst car in its category, but in the world",[1] and is "unimaginative junk, with no soul, no flair and no passion." Clarkson also attempted to perform a "handling test" on a Kelisa by driving in tight circles, only proving that he was unable to stay in the seat due to the g-forces acting on the car coupled with the seat's insubstantial padding. However, two other hosts of Top Gear, James May and Richard Hammond, proclaimed their support for the car. May went as far as to liken it to the original Austin Mini 7.[citation needed]
On his 2005 video production Jeremy Clarkson: Heaven and Hell, Clarkson purchased a brand new Kelisa from the local showroom and then proceeded to damage it on the spot using a sledgehammer. The car is then suspended from a crane with a 1-ton weight attached to its front end, and blown up. In response, members of parliament for the parliament of Malaysia criticised Jeremy Clarkson in April 2007 as a person who—for the first time—had judged the Kelisa with extreme bias, further disputing that no complaints were received by Kelisa owners in the United Kingdom and describing Clarkson's comments as attempts to boost sales of the Top Gear magazine.[1]
