Daihatsu Terios.

2001 July, left: The limited edition Terios Aero 4x4 from Daihatsu (au). The Aero is based on the Terios SX with skirts, spoiler, alloy wheels, sun roof and sports seats. Rrp is $22,750 ($au) manual, $24,350 automatic, excluding ORC but including GST.

- 4wd.sofcom.com/Daihatsu/Daihatsu.html

2000 November: Daihatsu has revised its Terios 4x4. The main mechanical change is a new 1.3 litre `K3-VE' 16-valve dohc engine which produces 63kW at 6000rpm and 120Nm at 3200rpm. Maximum torque is now produced at lower rev's than before which is good for 4wdriving. The engine has variable valve timing and distributor-less ignition. Five speed manual and four speed automatic gearboxes are offered. The Terios has a full time four wheel drive system, with a lockable centre differential.

Standard equipment includes dual airbags, front seat belt pretensioners, air conditioning, and CD player.

Terios comes in two levels of trim - basic DX and luxury SX. SX gets rear seat head-rests, power front windows, central locking, alloy wheels, and roof rails and spoiler.

Prices: DX $18,590, SX $20,790, automatic transmission +$1,600 ($au 10/2000). Warranty: three year/ 60,000km.

1997: Daihatsu has given its rather staid four wheel drive image a jolt with a new mini 4WD, the Daihatsu Terios. The Terios has a fifteen-inch wheel right at each corner. Its 2420mm wheelbase equates to 95 inches; that is just 5 inches less than the original Range Rover but the Range Rover did have substantial overhangs. The Terios is narrow at 1555mm but it has pleasing proportions, four doors and great approach and departure angles. There are three seat-belts on the rear seat - for three kids (or good friends).

The 1.3L engine gives maximum power at a high 6100rpm and, the transmission having no low-range ratios, the Terios will be more at home on a bit of sand or a bit of snow, than rock-climbing steep 4X4 trails. 205/70 tyres give an overall diameter of about 26".

The engine and gearbox face north-south with the transfer-case and a prop' shaft taking the drive around the engine to the front differential. Front suspension is by MacPherson struts. The rear has a live-axle located by five 4 ? --> links. Coil springs are used front and rear.

The Daihatsu Terios DX costs just $17,990 but still comes with driver and passenger air-bags and electric door mirrors. For $19,990, the Terios SX has roof rails, a better stereo, front electric windows, and central locking. Air-conditioning and 4-speed automatic transmission are options for both DX and SX.

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Daihatsu Terios 1997

• station wagon, 5 seats, 4 doors, driver and passenger air-bags
• loa: 3845mm, width: 1555mm, height: 1695mm (1715 rails, 1760 spoiler)
• wheelbase: 2420mm, track: 1305mm/1310mm, grnd clearance: 185mm
• turning radius: 4.7m
• weight: 1035kg (unladen), GVM: 1500kg, towing: 400kg (unbraked)
• 1296cc, petrol, 4-cyls, efi, 4-valves/cyl, sohc
• bore: 76mm, stroke: 71.4mm, c.r.: 9.5:1
• power: 61kW at 6100rpm, torque: 105Nm at 5100rpm
• transmission: 5m/4a, single-ratio transfer-case, full-time 4WD with centre diff' lock
• suspension: indep'-coil/live-coil, brakes: disc/drum
• tyres: 205/70 R15, fuel-tank: 46L
• Released in Australia September 1997
• Warranty: 3 years / 60,000km
• Price: from $18K ($au 1997)
• The competition: Suzuki Sierra?

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