ASK many drivers what they think of the Perodua supermini and, if honest, they will confess they know little or nothing.

However, Perodua is not a new vehicle on the block, it is just that it has not been shouting its virtues from the roof-tops.

The Perodua Kelisa EX costs £4,999 and is the cheapest car in the country to buy and, according to CAP, the independent car price and running costs research specialists, at 14p a mile it is also the cheapest to run.

Perodua has taken another step forward providing an automatic version of the Kelisa, coded the EZi, and priced at £6,600, making it the cheapest five-door auto on the United Kingdom market. Both prices exclude road fund licence and registration fee.

Although the Kelisa EX provides value for money, the EZi automatic also represents value, offering a high level of equipment including power steering, electric front windows, central locking, electrically-adjusted door mirrors, colour matched bumpers/body mouldings, full wheel trims and metallic paintwork.

The Kelisa's lively three cylinder, twin cam engine is linked to a three-speed, fully automatic transmission which should prove lively around town as well as on the open road.

Safety features such as driver and passenger airbags, side-impact protection, seat belt pre-tensioners and rear door child safety locks, are provided, while an advanced engine immobiliser is protection against theft.

On top of this, the Kelisa comes with a comprehensive consumer package of a two year/24,000mile warranty, with one year free roadside assistance and a six- year anti-perforation guarantee.

Perodua has been expanding its network steadily over the past few months and now has 60 dealers throughout the country.

Updated: 11:16 Friday, June 13, 2003