Daihatsu CUV Concept previews EcoSport rival from Daihatsu/Toyota

24/09/2013 - 08:58 Daihatsu Shrawan Raja

You may know that Toyota sells a compact SUV in other parts of Asia under the name 'Rush'. The previous generation of the EcoSport-sized vehicle is also available in India as the Premier Rio.

Daihatsu CUV Concept — Is it just us or do the headlamps and grille come off the Ford EcoSport?

Daihatsu and Toyota badge engineer the urban crossover as the Terios and the Rush in markets such as Indonesia to get double the coverage. If this strategy is applicable to the next generation model, then what you are see here is a concept that previews the next generation Toyota Rush, a strong India probable.

Daihatsu CUV Concept side view — In profile, the proportions are that of a B segment hatchback. The rear windshield is sharply raked, thereby shrinking the greenhouse.

Making its world debut at IIMS 2013, the Daihatsu CUV Concept has a sleek front end, coupe-style roofline and a squat stance. Measuring under four meters long, the show car was an outcast with 18-inch rims.

The small rear suicide doors open up to a pillarless four-seat cabin featuring a sunroof. The rear gets a split tailgate that nicely complements the concept's “lifestyle crossover” image.

Daihatsu CUV Concept rear three quarters — The CUV Concept may not literally translate into the production Terios/Rush but design cues like the centrally mounted exhaust and arc-type stopligths can make it to the production car.

In addition to the CUV Concept, Daihatsu presented seven concepts at the IIMS this year, showing how Indonesia is the center of their operational radar. Daihatsu sells 70% of its global production to the archipelago, some of which are engineered at a fully-equipped R&D center in Jakarta.