Sales of the small, moderately powered vehicles, referred to as "city cars", have skyrocketed in the past few months.

Since the Honda Jazz was launched in March 2004, for example, more than 31,000 of these compact cars have hit the streets. Other city cars include the Chevrolet Spark, KIA Picanto, Suzuki Karimun and Hyundai Atoz, with sales in this year's first quarter reaching a combined total of about 2,200 units.

The trend has prompted PT Hyundai Mobil Indonesia to launch a more powerful city car without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

The new Atoz 1.1. -- dubbed the new city devil -- was launched on June 16 at Ancol, North Jakarta.

The car has a 12-valve 1,100cc engine under its hood equipped with a Multi Point Injection System and Knock Sensor. The engine -- said to be environmentally friendly due to its low emission -- results in maximum output of 63 horse power at 5,500 revs per minute (rpm) and maximum torque 96 Newton meter at 2,800 rpm. Such power is more than sufficient for the streets of the capital.

Fuel-wise, the old 1,000cc Atoz proved its fuel efficiency during a Java Tour event last March, when it was demonstrated that an Atoz consumes a liter of gasoline every 21.88 kilometers.

Although there has been no test conducted on the new Atoz, Hyundai claims the new variant is more efficient than its predecessor.

In terms of exterior, the new Atoz is similar to the old version with slight changes to its headlamps, grille and front bumper.

Due to its character as a city car, the interior of the new Atoz is designed to be multifunctional, with the rear seats folding back for more cargo room.

As safety remains car owners' main concern, the new Atoz is equipped with Hyundai Advanced Integrated Safety Technology (HAIST), the features of which include side beam impacts on all four doors, subframe and crample zone on the front side, as well as safety belts.

Aimed at young people, the new Atoz is offered in six colors: ebony black, hip-hop red, bright blue mica, new sky silver, apple green and berry metallic.

The new Atoz -- available in manual transmission for the time being -- is offered at Rp 97 million (US$10,104) while the automatic transmission, to be launched later this year, will carry a price tag of Rp 109.75 million.

-- Primastuti Handayani