The wraps have been pulled off the Daihatsu FX Concept at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) – this dinky little crossover could prove a serious threat to the Honda HR-V’s dominance in the region.
It certainly won’t challenge the H brand in terms of size or interior space, however – at 3,800 mm long, 1,690 mm wide and 1,580 mm tall, it’s a massive 495 mm shorter, 80 mm narrower and 25 mm lower; its 2,455 mm wheelbase is also 155 mm shorter. Think of it, then, as a car that straddles the A- (Renault Kwid) and B-segment (HR-V, Ford EcoSport, Renault Captur) crossover markets.
We can’t fault the modern, attractive styling, though. At the front, the mask-like graphic integrates the LED headlights, slim upper grille and a full-width chrome bar, under which sits a gaping trapezoidal lower grille, jutting chin spoilers, LED daytime running lights and a stylish silver skid plate.
Lines on the bonnet flow into the gloss black wing mirrors, while the windscreen wraps around to meet the side glass – it’s all a bit Suzuki Swift. Down in the rockers, a kink where the body-coloured bits meet the black plastic mouldings is echoed in the Perodua Axia-like upwards flick in the window line.
Round the back, shapely LED tail lights are connected via another chrome bar, while a second skid plate in the bumper is flanked by twin vertical exhaust exits. Vents aft of the wheel arches – reminiscent of the “Air Breather” vents on recent BMWs – give the car a more aerodynamically-efficient look.
Inside, you’ll find a bright, futuristic interior with a dual-tier instrument binnacle – which looks to have been cribbed off an FD or FB Honda Civic – behind an in-vogue flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel.
To the left sits a large interactive display and a central spar that runs down to the narrow transmission tunnel housing the gearlever, a row of buttons and an electric paring brake. A panoramic glass roof adds to the sense of airiness.
Technical details are scarce, with mention only given to the 1.2 litre engine and front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout (like the Terios/Toyota Rush). The latter is interesting to say the least – will the production version of this be built on a ladder frame, like the Toyota Avanza and Rush?
And as this is a Daihatsu, it could have links to Perodua, which made us wonder. Could this show car presage a spiritual successor to the Kembara and Nautica? What do you think, dear readers – would you like to see the production Daihatsu FX on our roads?
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A hr-v fighter from perodua would be a big seller for the marque, even more in my opinion than the planned sedan.
It could potentially be a bread and butter model to replace the elderly myvi in terms of sales.
A price of around 50-60k would surely make it a hit.
What a trash compared to our Proton. Our Proton is 100x better than this sushi. thank you to our stable country and economy and for giving us a good local car.
Whether you are trolling or not, Proton is forgotten.
It will be a wise decision if perodua wants to revive kembara…using this concept as base model
What Daihatsu FX? This is a Nissan X-Trail!!
No where near X-Trail, X-Trail is ugly.
Wow, really need to test this out. When will arrive Malaysia?
so many toyota hints laying here..
Rear lights copt Lexus RX, interior copy Civic FD or FB, Front lights a bit like new X-Trials’
Kembara’s lil bro, Jinbara
Inb4…………Shut and and take my money :lol:
Looks like a Mini X-trail to me
Perodua gonna rebadge it and sells billion !
You got no wrong with daihatsu/perodua.. Still good RV compare to Proton/Kia/Hyundai/Chevrolet
it’s evoque malaysia version…not copy directly like CHINA…if you can see the headlamp design and rear diffuser…body profile merely evoque.ALZA replacement…since MPV segment popularity is decreasing
Come on, don’t make another ladder chassised model based on the Avanza. Look forward, make it a modern SUV, front-drive like the HRV
Sam.. Sam…
P2 will have a winner if they can land it here as the Kembara or Jinbara as another reader put it.. It sure is fresh and I think they need a dose of the pretty stick after seeing the base Axia and Myvi. The base Myvi with the toned down exterior looks so cliched on the road. I don’t recognise it half the time because I think subconsciously I think I am trying to look away.
Keep up the good work Azlan Othman, I love the way the Iriz looks (except foor the rear lights) and was a big fan of the retro hexagonal motive rear lights and the dipped windowline on the Savvy.
Apart from Honda, Daihatsu is among the few carmakers who can optimize interior space of a car that is small in footprint. This should create a new segment of its own. A rear wheel drive layout is so unusual for Daihatsu, renown for its fuel efficient econobox.
But then the Jazz-rival, the Sirion (new Myvi??) is yet to be replaced.
Seem daihatsu will release their 1.2 turbodiesel….200nm at 1500rpm up to 4000rpm…