S. Korean Daewoo to launch Nexia<\/p>\n
By Russell Williamson<\/p>\n
DAEWOO will be the third South Korean manufacturer to enter
\nthe increasingly crowded small passenger sedan market when the
\nNexia goes on sale late this year.<\/p>\n
Competing against its compatriots, in the form of Bimantara's
\nnew Cakra and the Timor car -- which is effectively a Kia Sephia
\n-- the Nexia is likely to be aiming for price as its major
\nselling factor.<\/p>\n
In order to generate some interest in the vehicle prior to its
\nrelease, PT Starsauto Dinamika, the local assembler and
\ndistributor for Daewoo, will be displaying the four-door Nexia
\nsedan alongside its existing product, the Espero, at the Jakarta
\nAuto Expo.<\/p>\n
The Nexia is based on the 1980's Opel Kadett and it probably
\nsays a lot for that car that it is still able to compete
\neffectively in its class on the world market today.<\/p>\n
It was initially offered with a basic single overhead cam
\n1500cc engine for export markets around the world but last year,
\na front and rear restyle and the addition of a twin-cam engine
\nbrought the car into the 1990s and gave it the ability to compete
\non more even terms.<\/p>\n
It is not yet clear which engine will power the Indonesian
\nNexia's as many markets offer both with the SOHC unit, used in
\nentry level vehicles, and the DOHC sophistication in the higher-
\nspecced cars.<\/p>\n
Adding a new, deep-breathing, high-technology cylinder head
\nhas given the Nexia more power (66kW compared to 55kW) and torque
\n(137Nm compared to 127Nm) than the single-camshaft variant.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the extra punch comes without recourse to extra
\nrpm -- in fact the twin-cam's 66kW comes at just 4800rpm, which
\nis 600rpm less than that required by the single-cam engine to
\nproduce its 55kW. The higher torque figure, does, however,
\nrequire a small rpm increase, from 3200rpm to 3400rpm.<\/p>\n
So, forget what the multi-valve head implies: it is not your
\nhigh-revving, top-of-the-tacho power plant. The extra urge is
\nreadily available, within a useful segment of the operating
\nrange.<\/p>\n
In overseas markets the inclusion of a driver's side air bag
\nbrings the Daewoo into line with most of its competition while
\nantilock brakes, available only on top of the line cars, is also
\na welcome addition.<\/p>\n
The feel-good exterior styling is let down by the interior,
\nwhich appears to be put together from an available-parts bin and
\nis cheap both visually and physically.<\/p>\n
The seats feel firm and unyielding but there is more room
\ninside than would normally be anticipated in this class. The
\ninclusion of a height-adjuster on the driver's seat compensates
\nfor the fixed-height steering column, which is set perhaps a
\nlittle too high for some drivers.<\/p>\n
Luggage space is excellent, and a surefire attraction to the
\nDaewoo.<\/p>\n
Even in the top of the range model, where the suggestion is
\nmade that this Daewoo is no longer quite your bottom-of-the-
\nmarket, cheap and cheerful conveyance, the Nexia doesn't quite
\nachieve the quality levels of its opposition.<\/p>\n
Carpet and trim fit contrasted with the accurate attention to
\ndetail evident in its Japanese competition -- or even the new
\nBimantara Cakra.<\/p>\n
The Phillips sound system does produce good sound, although it
\nuses fussy, difficult, touch controls rather than ergonomic
\nrotating knobs.<\/p>\n
Driving the Nexia, two aspects were brought immediately stand
\nout: the more powerful engine does indeed lift performance, but
\nat the expense of a little smoothness and quietness, and the
\nstandard-issue Kumho tires are not the most tenacious when it
\ncomes to road grip.<\/p>\n
The Nexia could be induced into tire-squealing antics without
\nreally trying and felt a little uncomfortable in wet conditions
\nas well.<\/p>\n
The multi-valve 1.5-liter, with its tendency to deliver good
\nlow-speed torque, handles the four-speed automatic gearbox well,
\nbut does not have the sound and feel of an engine that likes to
\ntake a deep breath and plunge upwards into the high-rpm band.<\/p>\n
It is neither quiet nor smooth, although it would possibly
\nfeel better with the five-speed manual transmission.<\/p>\n
In the end, the Nexia feels exactly what it is: a smart-
\nlooking car that is bigger than its anticipated price-equivalent
\nopposition and consequently, more spacious and useful but still a
\nsmoothed-over, old design that has not benefited from the
\ntechnology advances evident in most other small cars.<\/p>\n
In addition to this preview, Daewoo will have on display its
\ncurrent Espero mid sized 2000cc sedan and a small 800cc micro
\ncar, Tico.<\/p>",
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