Daewoo’s city slicker

Korean-built and Italian-designed, Daewoo reckons it's on to a good little earner. ALASTAIR SLOANE reports.

The "iz" in Matiz is pronounced not like the "iz" in "showbiz" but the "eece" in "fleece." Therefore do not call the Daewoo Matiz the "Ma-tis." It is the "Ma-teece."

Daewoo wants this known, not because it is pedantic about such things, just that it reckons the little car is so good that its name is going to be on everyone's lips anyway.

Might as well get the car's name right first time, because Daewoo reckons it's fun, safe (passing new European regulations), economical and right for the times.

The Korean-built five-door Matiz is Europe's bestselling car in the "city car" segment. This is for teeny-weeny cars, those designed for an inner-city lifestyle and parking spaces hardly big enough to swing a cat in.

The category is popular in European cities, where many people live above alleys and avenues.

The Italians have especially favoured the car, partly because it was designed in Italy by the Ital Design Studio, the acclaimed Giugiaro's playpen.

High-performance specialist Tickford had a hand in the engine, before the car was developed by Daewoo's Worthing technical centre in Britain, using as benchmarks the Fiat Cinquecento and Renault Twingo.

About 140 prototypes were built and nearly two million kilometres covered before the production go-ahead was given.

Since its launch in 1998 the Matiz has won all sorts of international awards, including Best Value Small Car from the BBC's Top Gear people.

The British gong was for a car costing sterling 7145, or nearly $23,000, with standard items including power steering, central locking, driver and passenger airbags and electric front windows. Air-conditioning was an optional sterling 350, or $1100, extra.

But for the New Zealand market Daewoo has thrown in air-conditioning - and priced the car at $15,000. How can it do that, sell the same car for $9000 less than in Britain?

The British Government imposes duty on imported cars and still heavily subsidies its car industry, hence the prices. There is no duty on cars coming into New Zealand and new-car prices largely reflect market demand.

Some examples: The Rover 216Si costs $45,500 in Britain and $26,850 here. The Range Rover four-litre SE costs $142,000 there and $110,000 here. Renault's standard Scenic costs $45,400 there and $30,990 here. The Mitsubishi Makinen Evo IV costs $99,500 there and $76,000 here. The Nissan GTR Skyline costs $163,000 there and about $100,000 here.

Daewoo says the Italian influence is reflected in the lines of the Matiz, and its interior provides generous head and shoulder room. The rear seats can be folded forward for extra room.

The Matiz is powered by a three-cylinder engine, delivering 37.5kW at 5900 rpm and 68.6Nm of torque at 4600 rpm, and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Daewoo claims fuel consumption from the 35-litre plastic tank is 6.1 litres for every 100km in the city and 4.4 litres on the open road.

"We expect the Matiz to become one of the most cost-effective cars to own and operate in New Zealand," said Daewoo's chief executive, Mark Vidak.

"This will result from the combination of a low price, low fuel consumption and the savings resulting from Total Care, the company's service package."

Ride comfort and handling is said to be good for the class, thanks to independent suspension all round. Brakes are discs in the front and drums in rear.

Daewoo's Total Care package is one of its strengths, offering $2000 of free servicing for three years or 100,000km. This is separate from the three-year/100,000km manufacturer's warrant. Three years of Roadside Assist through the Automobile Association is also included.