The new Perodua Aruz could be sold in Japan as Daihatsu's developing a 3-row, 7-seater take on the Rocky / Raize
Dinesh · May 23, 2023 07:42 PM
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It appears that the new Perodua Aruz will be based on a stretched version of the Toyota Raize / Daihatsu Rocky that’s also sold here as the Perodua Ativa.
If scoop site Spyder7 is anything to go by, Daihatsu is currently developing a 3-row, 7-seater take on the Rocky that would eventually become the new Perodua Aruz. It states that stretched Raize will be dubbed the “Raize Space,” seeing that the name has already been patented back in 2022.
The current Ativa sold here is based on the Rocky / Raize twins that are 5-seaters and ride on the “DNGA” (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform.
Of course, the Raize Space will be underpinned by the new DNGA as well. Dimensions will see it extended to 4,295 mm in length, which is still shorter than the current one at 4.435 mm. Width is expected to be 1,700 mm. against the current 1,695 mm and the height will come in at 1,680 mm (1,740 mm current one). In all, it makes for a comfortable 7-seater.
From a design perspective, it’s likely the Raize Space will get a dedicated design language inspired by current Toyota cues such as the L-shaped headlights as seen on the new Prius.
One thing is for certain, a window design in the rear for all-around visibility, even in the third row.
The side character lines will be raised and elongated for a proportionate silhouette while the rear overhang will be sharp for maximum interior room at the back of the cabin.
Motivation should come from the engine shared with the Rocky. That’ll see the 1.2-liter inline-3 petrol engine mated to an electric motor that Daihatsu’s dubbed the “e-SMART HYBRID” system. You can only get this powertrain in the lease-only Ativa Hybrid in Malaysia.
For now, Spyder7 didn’t state if a pure petrol version will be available or it’ll be exclusively a hybrid. However, it’s possible that the Aruz version sold here would get a pure petrol powertrain for costs purposes.
“Better late than never.” Some despise it, others begrudgingly agree with it but he swears by it… much to the chagrin of everyone around him. That unfortunately stems from all of his project cars not running most of the time, which in turn is testament to his questionable decision-making skills in life. A culmination of many wrongs fortunately making a right; much like his project cars on the rare occasions they run, he’s still trying to figure out if another project car is the way to go.