- The Daihatsu Materia specification is exceptionally high and includes: power steering, ABS with EBD, driver, passenger and side airbags, air-conditioning, remote central-locking, height-adjustable driver's seat, sliding and reclining split rear seat, alloy, wheels, rear privacy glass, front fog lamps and a radio/CD player with six speakers. -
2008 DAIHATSU Materia
In fact, the boxy yet wide and squat design theme with flared wheelarches and minimum overhangs has created a cult-following in Japan - and now the United States - with several manufacturers struggling to keep up with consumer demand.
Key competitors in the UK and Europe are the similar-sized but move conservatively-styled Renault Modus and Vauxhall/Opel Meriva. All are compact and versatile with a high-command driving position that especially appeals to women.
However, the Materia's owners are expected to include style-conscious young families seeking a distinctive yet practical design plus older couples who appreciate the Materia's low running costs, manoeuvrability and easy access thanks to wide-opening and deep doors.
The Daihatsu Materia specification is exceptionally high and includes: power steering, ABS with EBD, driver, passenger and side airbags, air-conditioning, remote central-locking, height-adjustable driver's seat, sliding and reclining split rear seat, alloy, wheels, rear privacy glass, front fog lamps and a radio/CD player with six speakers.
Powered by a lively 103.3 PS 1.5 litre petrol engine, the Daihatsu Materia is both economical at 46.3 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle (manual) and 45.6 mpg (automatic) and offers a 100-plus mph top speed. This leaves plenty in reserve for comfortable long-distance motorway travel...
Designed to appeal to young families and older people seeking the traditional 4x4 qualities of visibility, bad-weather traction and versatility, the Daihatsu Terios also offers small car running costs and manoeuvrability...
The dramatic show car previews a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe that is destined to add appeal and excitement to the Toyota brand post 2012.
As the concept car illustrates, the production model is the spiritual successor to Toyota's sports-car heritage that features names such as Supra and MR2.
Its named is derived from the AE-86 Corolla - a small, light-weight, rear-wheel drive coupe from the 1980s that has achieved cult status.
Toyota's aim is to bring a new level of excitement to Toyota showrooms and customers, connecting with younger drivers and promoting the fun of sports-car driving.
The Toyota FT-86G is the second concept revealed by Toyota in the past year that points to a next-generation production sports coupe.
It has gained tweaks to performance and styling that make it sleeker and more aggressive than the Toyota FT-86 concept shown at 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
The "G" suffix signifies a sports conversion that has stretched the original by 30mm, widened it by 20mm and lowered it by 30mm (4190mm × 1780mm × 1230mm).
Sharper looks come from a totally redesigned front end that incorporates a larger air intake with visible intercooler, as well as a vented bonnet.
At the rear, a large carbon-fibre wing, diffuser and oversized twin exhausts contribute to the edgier styling.
The Toyota FT-86G Sports Concept sits on low-profile Bridgestone 19-inch rubber - 245/40 at the front and 275/35 at the rear, while Recaro sports seats complete the "G" conversion of the dynamic four-seater.
The concept retains classic sports-car underpinnings with a front-mounted 2.0-litre engine - now boosted with a turbo - driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.
Toyota's plan to return to the sports-car market is in response to the edict by global president Akio Toyoda for the company to re-connect with younger buyers by producing fun-to-drive models.
"It is often said that young people today have drifted away from cars, but I feel it may not be the customers who have drifted from cars but us, the manufacturers," Mr Toyoda said. "I believe it is the mission of auto makers to provide the fundamental excitement of automobiles to customers, regardless of the era."
Japanese car photos, TOYOTA FT-86G Sports Concept