Toyota-Daihatsu Rocky Compact SUV (Hyundai Venue Rival) Unveiled
Toyota’s affordable brand, Daihatsu has revealed the production-spec Rocky compact SUV at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. Toyota will also sell this compact SUV as the Toyota Rise in some international markets. The Daihatsu Rocky compact SUV is basically the production version of the DN Trec concept, which was unveiled in Tokyo in 2017.
Retaining the DN Trec Concept silhouette, the production-spec Daihatsu Rocky gets slightly revised styling. Upfront is a large hexagonal grille, flanked by wraparound headlamps with chrome bits and LED inserts. Triangular inserts for the stylish fog lamps, which are placed at each corner. The fog lamp housings also come with LED daytime running lamps.
The Daihatsu Rocky rides on chunky-looking 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. On sides, the compact SUV has body cladding running along the sides. The cladding can be seen on the wheel arches as well as on the lower side to gives it a butch SUV look. At the back, the SUV gets horizontally placed wraparound tail-lamps with LED inserts that are connected by thick chrome bar. There is a floating D-pillar, which is similar to that of the larger Toyota Fortuner. It features a tall bumper, featuring thick cladding and unique contrast-black inserts. The tailgate design is simple and the license plate is mounted on the bumper.
Inside the cabin, the Daihatsu Rocky comes fitted with stylish dashboard design in a single-tone grey shade. Subtle faux brushed-aluminium treatment is available on the AC vents and steering wheel. It gets a freestanding 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. There is a trapezoidal AC vents and climate control buttons are positioned below the touchscreen. The SUV gets a 3-spoke steering wheel with controls for Bluetooth telphony, audio and cruise control.
In terms of proportions, the Daihatsu Rocky is 3,995mm in length, 1,695mm in height, 1,620mm in width, and has a wheelbase of 2,525mm. Based on Toyota’s flexible DNGA platform, the SUV weighs 980kg. This platform is basically the low-cost version of the advanced TNGA modular architecture.
The Daihatsu Rocky SUV is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, 12-valve turbocharged petrol engine. Paired to a CVT gearbox, this engine produces 98bhp of power at 6,000rpm and a peak torque of 140.2Nm between 2,400-4,000rpm. At the time of launch, the SUV will be offered in FWD and 4WD layouts.
If launched in India, the Toyota Rise based on the Daihatsu Rocky will challenge the likes of the Mahindra XUV300, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue and the Maruti Vitara Brezza. The segment will also witness the arrival of Kia QYi compact SUV, Renault and Nissan sub-4 meter SUVs and the unnamed Honda Amaze based SUV.
