Daihatsu's striking new Terios 4x4 sport utility makes its debut at 'The 76th Geneva International Motor Show' heralding an exciting new direction for the Japanese compact car specialist.
On sale in the UK in early May, the totally new Terios follows on from last year's new Sirion in offering a strong European flavour to its styling, packaging and dynamics.
As a result, Daihatsu aims to boost European sales from the 32,000 of 2003 to 80,000 in 2008.
And so confident is parent company, Toyota, of the new Terios's appeal that it plans to sell 1,500 per month of its version in Japan, badged 'Rush'.
The home-market Daihatsu equivalent is named 'Be-go' with a monthly goal of 500 units.
Meanwhile, Daihatsu's UK sales rose by more than 71 per cent in January - the seventh consecutive month of growth. Traditionally its best seller, Daihatsu expects the new Terios to regain this position although there are already worldwide supply constraints due to its success in Japan.
The new Terios UK line-up will comprise the Terios 1.5 S available in Black Mica only at £12,995 on-the-road, the higher-spec 1.5 SX at £14,295 OTR - expected to be the best-seller - and the 1.5 SE automatic at £14,995 OTR.
The latter two models are offered in Black Mica, Blue Mica, Grey Metallic, Silver Metallic or Red.
Dynamic Design, Convincing Credentials
Arguably the most stylish small 4x4 on the market, the totally new Terios has a dynamic, fun-to-drive appearance with strong off-road styling cues yet short front and rear overhangs, a long wheelbase and especially wide tracks and body width.
Its roomy, four-door, five-seat body succeeds in being compact yet practical, avoiding the bulk, high fuel consumption and negative image of some 4x4s.
Designed to appeal to young families and older people seeking the traditional 4x4 qualities of visibility, bad-weather traction and versatility, the new Terios also offers small car running costs and manoeuvrability.
Its turning circle is a tight 9.8 metres (kerb-to-kerb) for the S and SE and a still hatchback-like 10 metres for the bigger-tyred SX, while the SX body length is between that of the new Renault Clio and larger Megane.
Compared to the previous model, the new Terios 1.5 SX is 230 mm longer at 4,075 mm and a significant 190 mm wider at 1,745 mm. It is 45 mm higher but purely because of its standard roof rails. The entry-level 'S' model - which lacks roof rails - is actually 5 mm lower than before.
Greatly boosting the new Terios's tough, stable stance are front and rear tracks measuring 1,450 and 1,480 mm respectively - a massive 145 and 170 mm greater than before. Meanwhile, the wheelbase - at 2,580 mm - grows by 180 mm.
Complementing this are especially large 16 ins wheels for all models with either 215/65R tyres for the entry-level Terios 1.5 S manual and higher-spec SE automatic or beefy 235/60R tyres for the manual SX. |
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