Daihatsu CUV Concept hints at the next Terios/Rush

Daihatsu_CUV Concept_ 001

The Daihatsu CUV Concept is the eighth and last of the Japanese small car specialist’s new unveilings at the Indonesian International Motor Show 2013. It joins the DR-Estate coupe, UFC-2 MPV, NC-Y and NC-Z small car pair and the Ayla GT, Luxury and X-Track concept vehicles at the Daihatsu stand, which is certainly the standout star of the entire show.

It’s clear to see that the Indonesian market is high on the company’s radar, it pulling out all the stops at the nation’s premiere car event. Why wouldn’t it? Indonesia contributes to over 70% of Daihatsu’s total production volume outside its home market in Japan, coming out of a dedicated R&D and manufacturing centre on the outskirts of Jakarta.

Making its world debut at IIMS 2013, the CUV Concept points at the future of Daihatsu’s small crossover offerings. It’s already being touted as a thinly-veiled preview of the next-generation Terios, which some may know as the model that spawned the Perodua Kembara and later, the Nautica. In Malaysia, a stretched version of the mini SUV is marketed as the Toyota Rush.

Daihatsu_CUV Concept_ 005

In concept form, the Crossover Utility Vehicle has a bold appearance with a sleek front end, coupe-like roofline and a squat, planted-to-the-floor stance that’s not unlike the Range Rover Evoque’s. It’s a small car that’s under four metres long, and the shiny wheels – as huge as they appear – are only 18-inch items. That’s tiny in show car terms.

The short rear doors are hinged at the rear (suicide doors), and open up to a fancy four-seat interior. There’s no B-pillar in sight to promote the cabin’s sense of space, as well as to improve ingress and egress. The rear opening features a split tailgate – a design input added in to supplant the intended “lifestyle crossover” image.

In Indonesia, it created quite a buzz; the country being a huge MPV and SUV-led market. We haven’t had an affordable small SUV here in Malaysia for a long time now after the demise of the Perodua Kembara, and the Nautica that replaced it was priced out of contention for the masses. Could this be the vehicle to answer the our wishes?

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • will it be become next OVERPRICED nautica?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • komarad on Sep 23, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    perodua Kembara incoming….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • FWD?! oH!! NO!!!

    http://s4.paultan.org/image/2013/09/Daihatsu_CUV-Concept_-019.jpg

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • No news bout mazda cx-5 diesel begin assemble at kulim plant n exported to thai?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 12
  • policeman on Sep 23, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    Before anybody asks, no this won’t be the next Perodua anything.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Concept-wise, the sillhoute is pretty nice.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Denaihati on Sep 23, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Futuristic interior make this car look very different

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Perodua on Sep 23, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    I will definitely get this if the price is below RM90k in Malaysia. Please bring in 1.6Li 4WD variant!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • farghmee on Sep 23, 2013 at 4:59 pm

    nice!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Bob_B78 on Sep 23, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Does anybody noticed it look like Ironman?
    If it was painted red and gold, it would like Ironman’s face from the front.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kelvin on Sep 23, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    So last century…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Simon Hoh on Sep 24, 2013 at 2:53 am

    Mother of god! That rear is bloody awful. Exhaust looks like its from a rocket ship. Does it shoot flames?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Nelson on Nov 06, 2013 at 7:35 am

    Hope Daihatsu keeps the rear wheel drive layout. Also Im pretty sad if they place the spare tire inside; it means less space inside.
    Having the rear door split in 2 parts it will add more production costs.
    Hope the headlights were bigger.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • matlabo on Nov 20, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    Looks alike kimchi design nowdays japanese sushi begin to copy the korean

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Jebonr on Feb 07, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    That’s a replacement for Terios? Wow! I don’t think Terios name will suit this. It’s too soft for a Terios.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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