Where cars are concerned, the idea of going the exotic route isn't always just limited to the expensive route. There are cheaper means to tread a different path, if being different is what you're really after, and in some cases, they offer an even rarer option than a supercar.
Alternate imports are of course the way to go about it, and while they're certainly not for everyone, the choices that come about do offer some very interesting options to consider, not always beyond one's reach.
That’s the line Naza World is on, with its highlighting of three vehicles aimed at providing an alternative option for those who don't want to go down that conventional road.
Earlier in the week, the company hosted a brief drive preview of two of the three vehicles, these being the latest Mercedes Benz CLC 180 and the UK-built Honda Civic Si hatchback.
The CLC 180, which replaces the outgoing Sports Coupé model, is essentially a reworked version of the latter, though more than 1,100 components have been modified or replaced, enough to give the makeover a "new" status.
Externally, new design cues are evident, and of the body panels, only the roof and doors survive from the old car. Among the other revisions are a steering system that has been borrowed from the SLK roadster and a revised suspension, which offers greater precision and increased ride comfort.
The car drives as you'd expect a Merc to, and comfort is pretty much the name of the game with the RM238,888 offering, though it tracks and handles quite nicely when you do push it along. Speaking of which, it doesn’t feel blisteringly fast, but what's on hand should be enough to satisfy someone who'd be in the market for a car like this.
As for the Civic Si, the five-door hatchback rolls in as a sporty option for those who think the sedan route is a bit too conservative. The cab-forward profile does well enough visually, but a lot of the flash is on the inside.
The interior is quite the trick - you get the family type dash layout, but it's more driver-centric here. A surround instrument cluster sits in front of the driver, with a push-start ignition button on the right side of the layout If you're tickled to know what life is like on the Colonial "miles per hour" of doing things, well, the Si does that with a simple switch between kmh and mph readings.
Among the items on the equipment list are leather seats, dual-zone climate control, electric power steering, ABS, EBD and Brake Assist. Fit is clean and the whole presentation is tidy, though the Si isn’t as plush as I thought it would be.
The 1.8l SOHC i-VTEC pot on this one, offering 138bhp and 174Nm, gets the car about in decent fashion, though you're either a fan of semi-automatic gearboxes or you're not. The six-speed manual auto tranny isn't all that awkward, though you still have to get used to its workings, and if can feel a bit laggy, especially if you push it.
Still, the Si goes about its business quite ably, and on the whole it's a responsive little critter, with a sharp, weighted steering and nimble feel aiding things well. The Si goes for RM155,888, with a panoramic glass roof version costing ten grand more.
The third vehicle that Naza had chosen to highlight in its new programme was also showcased during the drive session, though there was no getting behind the wheel with this one. Rare would best describe the Ford Focus RS, and Naza has brought in two examples of the hot hatch in three-door form. The display car - in the Ultimate Green hero colour, no less - had already been sold, so it looks like someone's going to be driving a rather unique vehicle on Malaysian roads soon.
The 2.5l five-cylinder turbocharged Duratec RS block, with 301bhp and 440Nm on call, gets this one to 0-100kmh in 5.9secs and to a top speed of 263kmh. Kit includes Recaro sports seats and a race-finished interior featuring carbon fibre trim, which helps underline the RS’ sport-oriented nature. This is suitably aided by the exterior, which boasts an aggressive front end with a low splitter and deep air intakes, plus a huge boot spoiler and rally-inspired diffuser in the mix.
Undoubtedly, this is the cherry pick of the highlighted trio, though it's also the costliest, at RM320,888. Nonetheless, you get a whole lot of bomb for the money, and definitely exclusivity - there’s a Frozen White example still waiting in the showroom for that other person who wants to join a very rare club of two.
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