Zainal flags off the convoy at Perodua’s Kuching 1 Branch. – Photos by Tan Siong Wei
EVER wonder how it feels to travel to distant lands by driving cross-country – or just to see other parts of Sarawak like the adventurous solo traveller who posted his memorable experience on social media?
Venturing into the boondocks through the nooks and crannies off the beaten path may sound interesting but how do you go about preparing for it?
Taking a stage bus may be economical but you will miss out on discovering the interesting spots as the journey follows a set itinerary.
And as tempting as driving to discover new and interesting places may sound, it’s important to make sure your car is up to the task. Buying a new car might serve the purpose provided it’s the right car for the job.
Convoy members stop over at the Ngu Chung Beng dealership.
Enter the latest Perodua model Aruz, the seven-seater sports utility vehicle (SUV), which performs well up to par on both regular and challenging roads. It’s economical as well – 15.6km per litre and with a 45-litre fuel tank capacity, it translates to about 700km topped up.
The seven seats can be adjusted to suit the owner’s preference and thanks to the six airbags and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) being standardised across the range, plus Advanced Safety Assist 2.0 on the AV variant, the Perodua Aruz has a maximum five-star Asean NCAP safety rating.
This is great news for us in East Malaysia as the population is quite scattered and petrol stations are located quite far away and apart, once you leave the city or town areas.
The debut of Aruz in January marked the national carmaker’s return to the SUV segment with two variants – 1.5X and 1.5 Advance (AV) – which costs above RM70,000.
Only one engine option is available for both Aruz variants – a 2NR-VE 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol unit that develops 101hp at 6,000rpm, and 133 Nm of torque at 4,200rpm.
Equipped with Dual VVT-i and Eco Idle (auto start-stop), the Energy Efficient Vehicle (EEV) engine is the same as the latest Myvi and Toyota Rush.
The Aruz at Similajau Nature Park.
Trans-Borneo Convoy
To prove the Aruz’s suitability for driving inter-state, Perodua organised the Perodua Aruz Trans-Borneo Convoy – from Kuching to Tawau, a 1,500km drive from one end to the other end of Borneo, stopping by the major towns and cities en route.
Among the participants in the Sarawak leg were members of the media, including thesundaypost.
The convoy took off from Kuching on March 16 after the flag-off by Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad at Perodua’s Kuching 1 Branch.
The over-20-car convoy was led Fadhullah Juhari, executive of Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Sales Planning Department, and included six Perodua Aruz and two sweeper cars, fronted by a marshal car. Each car had a designated driver.
On the first day, the convoy planned to stop over in Sibu after starting out from Kuching to Sri Aman. The road was quite challenging as the Pan Borneo Highway is still under construction with more lanes being added. There are many uneven spots, potholes, and diversions.
The Aruz took the trying conditions well in stride with its higher ground clearance and great suspension, making the bumps and bounces a whole lot more bearable.
The Aruz’s 220mm ground clearance gives it great all-round visibility and the ability to traverse semi-rough terrain and small floods with ease. Its body-on-frame construction also makes it durable and capable of handling loads.
Aruz seat cover options include black with red stitching.
Close-up look
Along the way, the convoy made several stops at more populated areas such as Lachau to give the locals a close-up look at the Aruz.
Such an opportunity is rare as rural dwellers seldom get to see new car models, especially with car dealerships located far from where they live. Perodua staff were on hand to explain the various features and specifications and pass on goodie bags.
Aruz accessories include a cargo blind.
There were also stops for photo and video shoots, showcasing the Aruz’s prowess and documenting the trip.
Quirky roadside sights ranged from signs like ‘Beware of Buffalo Crossing’ to the one showing two bumps – probably to indicate a bumpy road ahead, or to the more imaginative, a two-hump camel.
Due to the hot spell, some of the hillsides were scorched with dry twigs and grass catching fire, burning parched shrubs and leaving the area blackened and bare. Some places were still smouldering with smoke and ashes seen rising from the ground.
A great feature of the Aruz is the USB plug at the side of the driver’s seat.
The convoy stopped at the various Perodua branches and dealerships to meet the staff from the other areas and share the latest information.
Despite the long drive, participants, seated in the middle rows, were able to charge their mobile phones with a USB port, located at the side of the driver’s seat towards the middle of the car, hence eliminating the need to bring along a long charging cable.
The other stopovers included Ngu Chung Beng, Paragon Street Mall, Bintulu Development Authority, Pasar Tamu Bintulu, Farley Mall Bintulu, and Similajau National Park – plus a corporate social responsibility visit to Rumah Clement Bayang, Bintulu.
A longhouse dancer performs the traditional ngajat at Rumah Clement Bayang.
Super long ngajat
At the longhouse, guests were treated to a super long ngajat as the longhouse has 20 bilik.
To ensure every family had a chance to participate, the cultural dance was performed from one end to the other of the longhouse.
Rumah Clement Bayang is a modern longhouse built with cement walls. Guests were served the traditional tuak at the decorated entrance.
Perodua gave the around 100 longhouse residents about RM3,000 worth of rice, chocolate malt beverages, cooking oil, and first aid kits.
En route to Miri, the convoy stopped by Tim’s Seaside Hideout where the participants took a break to catch some sea breezes and limber up after being cooped up during the long drive.
This location was chosen to also project the distinct features of the Aruz in a variety of scenery. Besides, the caressing whiffs from the sea coupled with the swaying coconut leaves provided a most welcomed respite for the convoy members.
As the convoy reached its final destination on the Sarawak side of the border, there is no doubt the Aruz proved its worth as a vehicle of choice for inter-state travel. It’s not only comfortable but also safe to ride in.
For the Sabah leg, the convoy departed from Miri, passing through Brunei, Kota Kinabalu and Kundasang to arrive in Tawau on March 22.
A Perodua staff member attends to an interested member of the public.
GearUp accessories
For a bit of a personal touch, Perodua has introduced five new GearUp accessories for the Aruz this month. All GearUp accessories can be factored into the hire purchase of new Perodua vehicles and are supported by a six-month warranty.
This means new car owners can pick their accessories during the purchase without forking out the required amount on the spot as this will be included in the car loan.
The extras include front and rear skirts with red accents, retractable cargo blinds, seat covers with red stitching, centre armrests with storage consoles, door visors, chrome scuff plates, rear bumper protectors, luggage trays, coil mats, door comforts, hood insulators and utility packages with prices starting from RM80.