Post by ah-long on Dec 9, 2005 12:25:48 GMT 8
When Hypertune came down to Johor Bharu for an exclusive coverage of Mutiara Motor’s sensational R-34 Skyline, there was something else in-store for us. Something special, a sensation on a smaller scale. We were told that it’s a pretty yellow Kancil which had undergone some pretty outrageous ‘facelift’. We were also told that the ‘artery’, the internals of the car were extensively made-up. Engine transplant, shockers, brakes, sound system, interior, the whole works. So we prepared ourselves for it and when it finally arrived, our eyes nearly popped-out of it’s sockets.
Our first impression or make that our first reaction the moment we saw the car was a definite ‘gasp’ . The striking yellow paintjob was one thing and that front end, a front end unlike anything I’ve ever seen on a Kancil before was the reason for all the ‘gasping’. But the whole new look is not entirely new though since Daihatsu Mira have been sporting the look for quite sometime in the land of the rising sun. But this particular Kancil is a first of it’s kind and the only one of it’s kind. Some kind of bragging rights for the owner.
That unique front end, unique for a Kancil anyway, was taken from the Mira L300S Opti Classic. I’d describe it as a wolf in a sheep’s clothing with a wolf-ish demeanor. The semi-circle front grille gives the ‘little’ Kancil a sinister look. But a fresh new outlook for the car that would give Kancil’s designer something to think about. Wearing a 14” Evolution ‘Stich’ rims with 165/60-14 K-Grip Bridgestones, the Banana yellow Kancil is a definite head-turner. And it can snap your neck when it’s on full throttle for hidden beneath it’s hood lies a potent L502 turbo engine.
The 660 cc Twin-cam, 16 valve 4-cylinder block has an RHF 3 ball-bearing turbocharger along with an intercooler taken from the L502. Air is filtered by an HKS Power Flow kit while spent gases exits via a Kimex custom 2 inch pipe with Kimex center box connected to an imported FGK Fujitsubo twin muffler. The gearbox is a 4-speed automatic, nothing inside was changed. The L502 transplant covers almost everything including the shockers and the brakes. A set of Kimex sport springs were matted to the L502 dampers while the brakes wears Endless brake pads.
Inside, leather seats and a full set of door panels were taken from the Opti Classic. The L502 ‘legacy’ is complete with it’s dashboard replacing the Kancil original. The sound system’s ain’t too shabby either. Pioneer Mira TRXX Player plus TRXX speakers ensures the owner and the passengers are well entertained, in case it got stuck in a traffic jam or something.
But hey! This Opti Classic Kancil’s ability to grab attention can create a bumper-to-bumper crawl on it’s own. I mean, imagine yourself driving. A quick glance at the rear view mirror and all of a sudden there it is. A mean yellow Kancil hounding you with that unique snout partially visible. Trying to get a better look at the car, you’d be peeking at all three mirrors that you’ve got. And before you realize it…Bang!!! You’ve shoved your car underneath the in front of you. Or imagine another scenario and another and another, there are dozens of circumstances or situations I can think of. Well, all due credit to the guys who build it- AL Motorsport, IZ Automobile and Caroz (M) Sdn. Bhd. All three of them have worked together to create a true Kancil masterpiece. And definitely pleased the very proud and happy owner.
