Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. plans to present its completely redesigned second-generation
2007 Daihatsu Terios mini-SUV at the Geneva 2006 Motor Show.
According to the company, the first generation Daihatsu Terios which is based on a slightly modified Daihatsu Charade platform and is also known as the Toyota Cami, sells from about 12,000 to 18,000 units a year on the foreign markets. It's not that bad, considering that during its eight years of production the mini-SUV was sold in excess of 300 thousand units.
The secret is simple: the Terios has virtually no competitors in its niche except for the ugly yet potent Suzuki Jimny. No wonder that Daihatsu decided to extend the Terios' life-span and accomplished its complete redesign, not just a face-lift.
The new Terios will come with a more powerful high-output, high-torque1.5-liter engine, and a full-time four-wheel drive system with a mechanical, center-locking differential.
The new car's got a longer wheelbase of 2580mm making the compact SUV much roomier than the Jimny that only sports a wheelbase of mere 2250mm. Nevertheless, the car is compact enough to have a minimum turning circle of only 9.8m, which is only 2 meters longer than that of the tiny Smart ForTwo.
The car will also be available as a seven-seater model. It will be powered by a 1.5-liter DVVT engine with a maximum power output of 103hp and a peak torque of 140Nm available at 4400rpm. Although its seven passengers will have to live in a really tight premises, they will enjoy a dual-zone air conditioning and an audio system with six speakers.
More info later.
See also: Cadillac to Release the Escalade Hybrid SUV
