Tokyo 2019: The Unnamed Daihatsu That Could Be The Next Perodua SUV

The biggest star of this year’s Tokyo Motor Show as far as the Malaysian market is concerned, was without a doubt – the 2020 Honda Jazz.

Besides the new Honda Jazz, most models that made their global debut were either concepts, or cars that were highly unlikely to make it here.

So, as we were walking around the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre, taking pictures of all the unveilings, one particular vehicle at the Daihatsu stand caught the attention of the press, especially those from Malaysia.

While the IcoIco, TsumuTsumu, WaiWai, and WakuWaku Concepts took centre stage at Daihatsu booth, an unnamed, compact SUV which looked like a production-ready, larger, jacked-up, version of the Myvi, was also there, hiding at a corner.

After some digging, we came to learn that it is actually the next generation Daihatsu Rocky, which could just be Perodua’s next SUV which the brand has been developing currently.

Measuring 3,995 mm long, 1,695 mm wide, 1,620 mm tall, with a 2,525 mm wheelbase, the Rocky is 100 mm longer, 105 mm taller, and 40 mm narrower than the Myvi. The wheelbase length is 25 mm longer than the Myvi’s. As for the weight, the SUV weighs 30kg less than the Myvi.

It is not only the size that is very similar, but also the design of the SUV’s rear which is almost identical to the Myvi’s.

Powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, the new Daihatsu Rocky, which is underpinned by the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, makes 98 PS and 140 Nm of maximum torque. Paired to the engine is a CVT transmission which sends power exclusively to the front wheels.  

In terms of features, the vehicle which we’re looking at here comes with LED headlights with DRLs, auto start stop, parking sensors, heated seats, a 360-degree camera, voice command, 17-inch wheels, a two-tone exterior paint job, a large touch-screen infotainment system, as well as a rugged bodykit.

According to some of our friends who went to cover the Tokyo Motor Show with Perodua themselves, the company didn’t say “yes” when they were asked if this model is headed to Malaysia. At the same time, it is said that Perodua didn’t deny it as well.

In fact, we were told that the folks at Perodua gave enough hints to make the Malaysian entourage believe that the new Rocky could be heading to Malaysia as a Perodua.

While nothing is confirmed for now, the unnamed vehicle we are looking at here could just be the D55L we’ve been talking about for some time, so do watch this space for more updates in the near future.