Return of the Japanese SoftRoaders

[Spas]

Yet another "Spastic Automotive Insight"!

 

Of course we all know the popularity of 4WDs or off-roaders who can't actually go, well, off-road. They're more suitably named Soft-Roaders.

 

We've got some new versions of soft-road veterans, and some newcomers - all joining in for a piece of the pie. Yum. Here we go.

 

The 2006 Toyota Rav4

 

 

The Mazda CX-7 (in picture is the concept, but the production car will look the same)

 

 

The 2006 Daihatsu D-Compact

 

 

Write up

 

2006 Toyota Rav4:

This is Toyota's 3rd gen Rav4. Very popular in singapore, will and probably sell very well. Think the specs offered will be the same as the current model. So no surprises here.

 

 

The Mazda CX-7:

Well the one in the picture's the Mazda MX Crossport, but the Mazda CX-7 will no doubt look the same as the one in the picture. It looks really sporty, and for a reason. It's Mazda's first attempt at the "part sportscar, part 4WD, part chio-looks" market. It's gonna leave most other soft-roaders in the dust with its V6 engine. Think this one will be a hot seller in singapore, IF (and that's a big "if") they can keep the price reasonable.

 

 

The 2006 Daihatsu D-Compact

It's Toyota's attempt at getting at young drivers or small families. Perhaps that's why it looks a lot like the current Rav4. Think buyers of the current 3-door Rav4 will get the D-Compact. Entry level specs should be a 1.3litre or 1.5litre. But judging from the way the Daihatsu brand is perceived here, Borneo could be getting Toyota to badge it as a Toyota instead of a Daihatsu. Don't know, but im pretty damn sure you'll see it on our roads next year.

 

 

The end. Gotta run. Got meeting.