Microcars- economy vehicles powered by engines of 800cc or less- first hit the roads in Pakistan almost a decade ago. However, it was only recently that demand for such cars has increased substantially – primarily due to the prevailing CNG shortage and increasing fuel costs. The most popular popular micro car in Pakistan is the ‘Kei Car’. These car offers fuel economy (because they weight less than 900 kilogram mes; for context, sedans usually weigh over 2,000 kilogrammes), spacious interior and eye-catching designs. Due to their size, Kei cars are easy to manoeuvre and can be squeezed into the narrowest of parking spaces.
Most Kei car engines are hooked to a CVT (continuously variable transmission) system, which maximise fuel efficiency, which is especially important when driving at low speeds. Typically, the mileage of a Kei car is 20 kilometres per litre. Kei car options available in Pakistan include:
* Daihatsu Mira (price range: Rs 9.5-1,300,000)
* Daihatsu Move (Price range: Rs 900,000-1,300,000)
* Honda Life (Price range: Rs 900,000-1,200,000)
* Mitsubishi EK Wagon (Price range: Rs 850,000-1,200,000)
*Nissan Moco (Price range: Rs 850,000-1,100,000)
* Suzuki Wagon R (Price range: Rs 950,000-1,300,000)
The benefits of Kei Cars are not restricted to increased mileage and lower price tags. With Anti-lock Barking System (ABS), multiple airbags and engine immobilisers, these cars rank high on the safety quotient in case of sudden barking and accidents.
By paying a little extra , you can have add-ons, including Xenon headlights, a smart key system, push button ignition, climate monitoring , stability controls, as well as idling stop technology, which reduces fuel consumption by turning the engine on and off automatically.
By Mohammad Ali Khwaja