Perodua President and CEO Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad has confirmed that its next all-new model – or “full-model change” (FMC) as the company calls it – will finally come with a hybrid powertrain. This was revealed during a press conference at the media preview session of the Perodua Traz.
Given the Perodua Traz’s shared roots with the hybrid-capable ASEAN-region Toyota Yaris Cross, many assumed that the B-segment crossover will be the first model (for retail) in P2’s lineup to debut its hybrid system. But according to Dato’ Sri Zainal, while there were initial plans to introduce a hybrid variant for the model, the idea was scrapped due to development delays caused by the global Daihatsu homologation scandal.
“We initially planned to introduce a hybrid for this model, but we scrapped those plans. We are still studying whether this model or future models will feature a hybrid, but it depends on market feedback,” Zainal explained.
Zainal further noted technical challenges, explaining that Daihatsu’s e-Smart hybrid powertrain is optimised for smaller A-segment vehicles. For the larger B-segment Perodua Traz, they would have had to adapt Toyota’s hybrid system, which would require direct collaboration with Toyota.
He admitted that this was not feasible for the Perodua Traz’s development, stating “because of the irregularities that Daihatsu faced, we don’t have enough time [to secure the necessary technology transfer]”.
That said, as we alluded to in the title of the post, Zainal clarified that the electrification tech will be coming very soon. “Rest assured that when we do our next model, which will get a full model change, we will include a hybrid,” adding that the system will be for A- and B-segment models.
While the bossman of Perodua did not reveal which model it will be, the next models due for a refresh in P2’s line-up are the Myvi, Bezza, and also the Ativa, which had a hybrid variant, but was only offered in limited quantities on a long-term leasing programme as part of a trial for the brand.
RELATED: 2025 Perodua Traz launched in Malaysia – Yaris Cross twin, 1.5L NA, 2 variants from RM76k
Had the timeline permitted, the hybrid variant of the Perodua Traz would have featured a series-parallel hybrid system, as per the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid in Thailand, featuring the 2NR-VEX 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine making 91 hp and 121 Nm, paired to an electric motor within the e-CVT gearbox that generates 80 hp and 141 Nm, juiced by a compact 4.3 Ah battery. A total system output of 111 hp is sent to the front wheels.
The aforementioned Perodua Ativa Hybrid, meanwhile, features Daihatsu’s series hybrid powertrain consisting of an 82 hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, acting solely as a generator for the 106 hp and 170 Nm front-mounted electric motor. Sharing the same 4.3 Ah capacity as the 2NR-VEX system, this setup achieves a fuel consumption figure of 31.3 km/L on the Malaysian Driving Cycle (MDC).
For now, the Perodua Traz will only be available as a pure petrol variant, powered by the familiar 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine that produces 106 hp and 138 Nm, paired with a D-CVT. While not as impressive as its electrified counterparts, the pure-petrol Traz still manages a respectable fuel consumption figure of 21.3 km/L (MDC). Two variants are available, priced from RM76,100 to RM82,000.
ALSO READ: Perodua QV-E’s all-new modular platform could spawn hybrid and REEV models in the future
