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Testing the hype

Is the new(ish) Allion/Premio worth it?
This week on Shift, we look at two of the best selling cars in Dhaka city; two models which started pouring into our city about ten years ago and continue to outsell everything else in the market today. There are countless number of them all over, and you know plenty of people who has got one. My family has had a 2002 Allion as a daily driver for seven years, which was then replaced last year with a 2010 model. Its driven daily and used as a proper family car.
The Allion and Premio were introduced to spiritually succeed Toyota's long line of Carinas and Coronas. Now in its second generation after 2007, both the cars received visual facelifts with redesigned front and rear lights, a new front grille on the Premio and a redesigned front bumper on the Allion. They've made them a lot more modern and economical over the years with features like keyless entry, CVT transmission, electronic steering assist and plenty of things here and there. There is not much to talk about in terms of what's under the hood, they're a pair of identical twins in different costumes, sharing almost all mechanical components with the Corolla including the 1500cc Inzfe engine.
The interior is exactly the same
between the two. Available in either black or beige (the latter a premium feature), the interior has a more minimalist approach than its predecessors. The dash and panels are dressed in faux leather and fake wood that still looks and feels nice.
Surprisingly, everything looks like it was actually designed and not cut-pasted. The buttons feel better built and everything is well put together. The factory HDD playback unit is a rare option, but all the cars come with quite good speakers. Steering
controls and reverse camera became more or less standard over the years, bumper sensors are extremely rare and sunroofs were never a factory option. Leg space is excellent throughout
and there are more cupholders and storage boxes than you'll ever need. The rear seats can be reclined to a decent angle, or folded forward to form a flat storage space that goes through to the trunk.
Take it to one of the many post-apocalyptic roads of our city and the car will still feel reasonably comfortable and relaxed. The suspension is slightly firmer yet smoother at the same time, absorbing bumps and tackling potholes brilliantly. Ground clearance is good for Dhaka's roads. The cars drive similar to anything else in its class, while the electronic steering assist and CVT transmission results in noticeable changes compared to their predecessors. It is structurally more rigid and a lot lighter, hence, faster and more efficient. Instead of gears, CVT incorporates two pairs of cones and a steel belt to change ratios. The results, 8-13 kilometres per litre of fuel in the city and over 16 on the highway if you know how to drive it right. It is seamless but utterly boring to some, since obviously it doesn't shift, in the conventional sense of the word. Should you be feeling a bit frisky, pop the gear in "S" and the transmission will keep the engine at peak power as you put your foot down to get you to the top end of your speedometer as fast as possible. While it does reach the other end at 180, you won't have fun at it. There's not much room for complaint either since you're in a grocery-getting 1500cc econobox to start with.
Much like everything else they make, the cars share one major flaw with the rest in Toyota's lineup. The lack of any soul. They're great cars, but there's no sense of fun driving them. Their predecessors, the Carina, came with a GT variant that had a high revving 4AGE motor and sporty bits all over, while the current pair only receives plastic body kits and chrome garnishes as purchasable upgrades. However, should you be in the market for a car of their class, Toyota's reputation for resale value, reliability and cheap maintenance should put the pair at the top of your shortlist. With the Premio usually priced slightly higher than its equivalent Allion, the current price of the cars (2008 onwards) stand between 24 to 34 lacs depending on year, options and grade.
C Aadnan Zaman J