Scoop: Perodua Ativa to have a Subaru rebadge in Japan - To be called Subaru Rex
CY Foong · Nov 4, 2022 11:35 AM
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Subaru has been rebadging Daihatsu and Toyota models for years so this latest scoop coming from Japan shouldnât be so surprising. The donor model to the Perodua Ativa, the Toyota Raize/Daihatsu Rocky might be receiving a Subaru rebadge in Japan with a name not seen for 30 years.
Subaru's Japanese kei car line-up consists of Daihatsu rebadges
According to BestCarWeb, the Rocky/Raize would also be sold as the Subaru Rex in Japan which makes this the Star of Pleiadesâ sixth OEM (original equipment manufacturer) currently offered that is based on a Daihatsu/Toyota model.
Final-generation Subaru Rex shown
The Subaru Rex was a kei car that was sold between 1972 and 1992. Over 1.9 million units were sold across 3 generations and the Rex was also one of a few Japanese kei cars to be offered with a supercharger.
The reason for the inclusion of the Raize/Rocky/Ativa rebadge is to fill in Subaruâs entry-level SUV line-up. According to the Japanese mediaâs sources, the small SUV essentially replaces the outgoing XV 1.6-litre variants as the all-new Crosstrek only offers a 2.0-litre mild-hybrid e-Boxer unit.
Granted, the Raize/Rocky-derived Subaru Rex is said to be only available with a naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre WA-VE (88 PS/113 Nm) petrol unit with front-wheel-drive. The 4WD as well as the turbocharged 1.0-litre (98 PS/140 Nm) and 1.2-litre e-Smart hybrid (106 PS/170 Nm) variants wonât be given the blue oval badge treatment.
BestCarWebâs sources also revealed that the Rex could be offered with 3 variants and priced similar to the Raize/Rockyâs 1.2-litre counterparts which range between JPY 1,707,000 to JPY 2,039,000 (~RM 55k-65k).
The Ativa wonât be the first Perodua model to have an official Subaru ârebadgeâ though. There was also the Subaru Justy which was essentially a rebadged first-gen Daihatsu Sirion/Boon/Toyota Passo, the donor model to Malaysiaâs favourite King that needs no introduction.
Traded advertising for a career that fits his passion for cars. Enjoys spotting cars during his free time and has a soft spot for Japanese Kei cars but drives a thirsty manual sedan.
