# Perodua Kelisa

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.

## History

The Kelisa was, in all its releases, based on a fifth-generation Daihatsu Mira (L700) and some hints of the Nissan Micra (K11), and is named after the arowana fish native to Malaysia (ikan kelisa).
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 2002, the Kelisa Limited Edition was launched distinguable by a two-tone paintwork, leather seats and leather wrapped steering wheel.
The Perodua Kelisa launched with three variants: EX, GX and EZ. When the facelift launched in 2003, the models remained the same: EX, GX and EZ. A limited edition Kelisa, based on the original variant, prominently sports two toned colored paintwork and minor interior modifications.
On 21 October 2003, Perodua launched the facelift to the Perodua Kelisa. differed from the pre-facelift model with a new front honeycomb grille, a new lower front bumper with amber front turn signal lights, a new lower rear bumper with reflector, a newside protector moulding, a new rear wiper, a center position roof antenna, new meter panel, new design sports rims for the EX model and new design wheel caps for the GX model. Pre-facelift models used 13" wheels while the facelift model used 14" wheels.
It was available in four colors: Kristal White, Sparkling Silver, Millenia Gold and Gemilang Blue. Throughout Spring 2004, Perodua replaced the EX variant with the 850 EX variant and rebranded the GX to 1000 GX and EX to 1000 EX.Other changes different gear ratios for the manual transmissions and overall dimensions/size.
The Limited Edition returned in 2004.
Between August and November 2004, Perodua launched the Kelisa SE (Special Edition). It was available with both manual (GXS) and automatic (EZS) transmissions. These special edition Kelisa's featured clear lens for the front and side fender mounted turn signals, front seats with fixed headrest, painted center cluster, leather wrapped steering wheel and a bodykit consisting of a rear spoiler, side, front and rear skirts.
In 2006, Perodua launched the Kelisa Imago. It was available with both manual (GXQ) and automatic (EZQ) transmissions. The changes compared to the other Kelisa variants included a silver painted center cluster (including astray), leather seats with "imago" embroidery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, clear side and front turn signals, sporty spoiler, chrome door handles & door lock and a modern Metallic Pearl Jade finish — a light double metallic color.
The SE and Imago editions used the same alloy wheel designs as the regular EZ variant and do note that non-SE and Imago Kelisa's had yellow lenses for the front and side fender-mounted turn signals.
In February 2007, selected Kelisa models also came with built in Bluetooth technology.

## List of models
### Malaysia

Throughout the Kelisa's production run, various models were known under various other model names. However, these other names were mainly only used in marketing (price lists, brochures, stickers on the boot and more) as the vehicles actually registration paper would contain the actual model name.
| Year | Model | Also known as | Successor | Transmission |
| 2001–2004 | EX | - | 850 EX | Manual |
| 2001–2007 | GX | GZ 1000 GX GXi Standard (M/T) | - | Manual |
| 2001–2007 | EZ | 1000 EZ EZi Standard (A/T) | - | Automatic |
| 2004–2007 | 850 EX | 850cc (M/T) | - | Manual |
| 2004–2007 | GXS | SE Special Edition | - | Manual |
| 2004–2007 | EZS | SE Special Edition | - | Automatic |
| 2002, 2004-2005 | GXL | Limited Edition | - | Manual |
| 2002, 2004-2005 | EZL | Limited Edition | - | Automatic |
| 2006–2007 | GXQ | Imago | - | Manual |
| 2006–2007 | EZQ | Imago | - | Automatic |
* 2003–2007 Perodua Kelisa EZ Facelift (front)
* 2003–2007 Perodua Kelisa EZ Facelift (rear)
* 2003–2007 Perodua Kelisa EX Facelift (front)
* 2003–2007 Perodua Kelisa EX Facelift (rear)

## Colors

| Type | Color name | Color code | Variants |
| Metallic | Pearl Jade | G47 | Imago (GXQ & EZQ) |
| Metallic | Mocca Silver | S05 | GX, EZ |
| Metallic | Millennia Gold | T06 | GX, EZ |
| Solid | Ivory White | W09 | EX, GX, EZ |
| Metallic | Glittering Silver | S28 | EX, GX, EZ |
| Metallic | Gemilang Bllue | B42 | GX, EZ |
| | Kenari Yellow | | Limited Edition (GXL & EZL) |
| | Royal Blue | | Limited Edition (GXL & EZL) |
| Metallic | Sparkling Silver | S01 | EX, GX, EZ & Limited Edition (GXL & EZL) |
| Solid | Kristal White | W14 | 850EX, GX, EZ |
| Metallic | Ozzy Orange | R53 | SE (GXS & EZS) |
| | Ebony Black | | SE (GXS & EZS) |
References:

## Specifications

Comparison of specifications (Malaysia models) :
| Model | Model | Model | EX | GX | EZ | 850 EX | 1000 GX | 1000 EZ |
| Date | Date | Date | 2001–2004 | 2001–2004 | 2001–2004 | 2004–2007 | 2004–2007 | 2004–2007 |
| Overall Length (mm) | Overall Length (mm) | Overall Length (mm) | 3480 | 3480 | 3480 | 3490 | 3490 | 3490 |
| Overall Width (mm) | Overall Width (mm) | Overall Width (mm) | 1490 | 1490 | 1490 | 1490 | 1490 | 1490 |
| Overall Height (mm) | Overall Height (mm) | Overall Height (mm) | 1425 | 1425 | 1425 | 1425 | 1430 | 1430 |
| Interior Length (mm) | Interior Length (mm) | Interior Length (mm) | 1720 | 1720 | 1720 | 1720 | 1720 | 1720 |
| Interior Width (mm) | Interior Width (mm) | Interior Width (mm) | 1220 | 1220 | 1220 | 1220 | 1220 | 1220 |
| Interior Height (mm) | Interior Height (mm) | Interior Height (mm) | 1170 | 1170 | 1170 | 1170 | 1170 | 1170 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | Wheelbase (mm) | Wheelbase (mm) | 2360 | 2360 | 2360 | 2360 | 2360 | 2360 |
| Track | Front (mm) | Front (mm) | 1300 | 1300 | 1300 | 1300 | 1300 | 1300 |
| Track | Rear (mm) | Rear (mm) | 1260 | 1260 | 1260 | 1260 | 1260 | 1260 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | Ground Clearance (mm) | Ground Clearance (mm) | 165 | 165 | 165 | | | |
| Kerb weight (kg) | Kerb weight (kg) | Kerb weight (kg) | 775 | 790 | 795 | 771 | 801 | 806 |
| Seating capacity | Seating capacity | Seating capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Minimum turning radius | Tyre (m) | Tyre (m) | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.3 | ? | ? | ? |
| Minimum turning radius | Body (m) | Body (m) | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | ? | ? | ? |
| Minimum turning radius | Tyre - M | Tyre - M | ? | ? | ? | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Engine model | Engine model | Engine model | EJ - DE | EJ - DE | EJ - DE | ED - DE | | |
| Engine type | Engine type | Engine type | Water-cooled, 4 cycle, in-line 3-cylinder | Water-cooled, 4 cycle, in-line 3-cylinder | Water-cooled, 4 cycle, in-line 3-cylinder | Water-cooled, 4 cycle, in-line, transverse engine | Water-cooled, 4 cycle, in-line, transverse engine | Water-cooled, 4 cycle, in-line, transverse engine |
| Valve mechanism | Valve mechanism | Valve mechanism | DOHC | DOHC | DOHC | DOHC-4 valve per cylinder | DOHC-4 valve per cylinder | DOHC-4 valve per cylinder |
| Total displacement | Total displacement | Total displacement | 989 | 989 | 989 | 847 | 989 | 989 |
| Bore x stroke (mm) | Bore x stroke (mm) | Bore x stroke (mm) | 72 x 81 | 72 x 81 | 72 x 81 | 66.6 x 81 | 72 x 81 | 72 x 81 |
| Compression | Compression | Compression | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Maximum output | Maximum output | Maximum output | 40.5 kW / 5200 rpm | 40.5 kW / 5200 rpm | 40.5 kW / 5200 rpm | 36.7 kW / 5200 rpm | 40.5 kW / 5200 rpm | 40.5 kW / 5200 rpm |
| Maximum torque | Maximum torque | Maximum torque | 88.3 Nm / 3600 rpm | 88.3 Nm / 3600 rpm | 88.3 Nm / 3600 rpm | 74.4 Nm / 4000 rpm | 88.3 Nm / 3600 rpm | 88.3 Nm / 3600 rpm |
| Fuel system | Fuel system | Fuel system | EFI | EFI | EFI | EFI | EFI | EFI |
| Fuel tank capacity (liter) | Fuel tank capacity (liter) | Fuel tank capacity (liter) | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Clutch | Clutch | Clutch | Single dry plate with diaphragm spring and mechanical actuation | Single dry plate with diaphragm spring and mechanical actuation | N/A | Single dry plate with diaphragm spring and mechanical actuation | Single dry plate with diaphragm spring and mechanical actuation | N/A |
| Transmission | Type | Type | Forward 5-speed manual, all synchromesh | Forward 5-speed manual, all synchromesh | Forward 4-speed full automatic | 5 M/T | 5 M/T | 4 A/T |
| Transmission | Gear ratios | 1 | 3.417 | 3.417 | 2.731 | 3.417 | 3.181 | 2.730 |
| Transmission | Gear ratios | 2 | 1.947 | 1.947 | 1.526 | 1.947 | 2.842 | 1.526 |
| Transmission | Gear ratios | 3 | 1.250 | 1.250 | 1.000 | 1.250 | 1.250 | 1.000 |
| Transmission | Gear ratios | 4 | 0.865 | 0.865 | 0.696 | 0.917 | 0.916 | 0.696 |
| Transmission | Gear ratios | 5 | 0.707 | 0.707 | N/A | 0.750 | 0.750 | N/A |
| Transmission | Reverse | Reverse | 3.143 | 3.143 | 2.290 | 3.143 | 3.142 | 2.290 |
| Transmission | Final gear ratio | Final gear ratio | 3.938 | 3.938 | 4.439 | 4.643 | 4.266 | 4.439 |
| Steering type | Steering type | Steering type | Manual | Power steering | Power steering | Rack and pinion | Rack and pinion | Rack and pinion |
| Main brakes | Front | Front | Disc brakes with booster | Disc brakes with booster | Disc brakes with booster | Disc | Disc | Disc |
| Main brakes | Rear | Rear | Drums (leading & trailing) | Drums (leading & trailing) | Drums (leading & trailing) | Drums (leading & trailing) | Drums (leading & trailing) | Drums (leading & trailing) |
| Parking brake | Parking brake | Parking brake | Mechanically operating on rear wheels | Mechanically operating on rear wheels | Mechanically operating on rear wheels | Mechanically operating on rear wheels | Mechanically operating on rear wheels | Mechanically operating on rear wheels |
| Suspension | Front | Front | MacPherson strut with coil spring | MacPherson strut with coil spring | MacPherson strut with coil spring | MacPherson strut with coil spring | MacPherson strut with coil spring | MacPherson strut with coil spring |
| Suspension | Rear | Rear | 3 link suspension | 3 link suspension | 3 link suspension | 3 link suspension | 3 link suspension | 3 link suspension |
| Tyres | Tyres | Tyres | 155/65R13 | 165/60R13 | 165/60R13 | 155/65R13 | 165/60R13 | 165/60R13 |
Comparing the GX and EZ variants (regardless of pre-facelift or facelift), the EZ variant had in addition to the GX variant an air ionizer, electrically adjustable side mirrors, as well as some form of hands free technology for phones coupled with a phone holder.
While the seat fabric was shared between pre-facelift GX and EZ variants, post-facelift GX and EZ variants each had unique fabric upholstery with unique fabric patterns.

## 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 April 2007, Clarkson described it as the worst in the world, stating in an article "Its name was like a disease" and suggesting 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 customers in the United Kingdom.
In 2023, the YouTube channel Mighty Car Mods used a Kelisa as a base car to enter the 2023 K car GLOBAL 24-hour endurance race at the Sepang International Circuit. The race features kei cars in various categories, and Mighty Car Mods fitted the Kelisa with parts from an Australian Daihatsu Cuore which they brought in two luggage bags.

## Sales

| Year | Malaysia |
| 2001 | 10,753 |
| 2002 | 37,099 |
| 2003 | 30,902 |
| 2004 | 30,577 |
| 2005 | 26,771 |
| 2006 | 23,619 |
| 2007 | 6,755 |
| 2008 | 76 |

## Awards and accolades

* ASEAN Auto Car Awards 2003/2004 (Compact Car category)
* NST - MasterCard Compact Car of the Year 2003
* NST Car of the Year 2002.
References: