Daihatsu Motor has published the first information about the new hybrid version of the Rocky subcompact crossover. From October 1, the Japanese can book a test drive of such a car with a dealer.
Recall that the current generation Rocky A200 has been produced since 2019 - this is a 3995 mm long crossover on a DNGA platform jointly with Toyota, created for kei cars. In the Japanese domestic market, the model is offered with a 996 cc 1KR-VET gasoline engine that develops 98 hp. power and 140 Nm of torque. It is combined with a stepless variator, the drive can be front or full. The model has a twin brother called Toyota Raize.
A hybrid version has now been announced. It will receive a 1.2-liter WA-VE three-cylinder engine and an electric motor. The company claims that the internal combustion engine is optimized for hybrids, which means it is highly likely that it works on the Atkinson cycle.
Specifications have not yet been disclosed. It is only known that the internal combustion engine will be able to provide an efficiency of up to 40%. Information about the electric motor is also kept secret. A small battery is installed near the feet of the passengers of the second row.
The non-hybrid 1.2-litre WA-VE is offered on Rocky in other countries, such as Thailand, and develops 86 hp. power and 105 Nm of torque.
Declared the ability to control acceleration and deceleration with one pedal: a similar system is used on some Nissans.
More details on the hybrid Rocky and its pricing will be available later in 2021.
The petrol Daihatsu Rocky is on sale in Japan starting at 1,705,000 yen.
Daihatsu has developed a hybrid version of the crossover Rocky
