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YRV. It sounds like a question, but, emphatically, it's an answer.
Daihatsu has come up with yet another innovative concept - a compact sporty wagon designated YRV. And if YRV is the answer, the question is "How to make yourself the centre of attention."
Stylish and sporty, it compromises neither room nor safety, and confirms that the design brief stipulated a vehicle to be enjoyed by both driver and passengers.
The acronym badging is sure to serve two purposes. It will build the name Daihatsu rather than that of an individual model entity such as Charade. And it will convince insurance companies that the primary appeal will be fashion and fun rather than performance.
YRV is a fusion of three elements important to the youth market - visual dynamics, ergonomics and overall packaging. In a word, it's "funky".
YRV's distinctive visual qualities are accentuated by "double-wedge" window lines. Front and rear belt lines are given radical independent wedge shape treatment that emphasises the vehicle's clever blend of roomy interior and stylish compact body design. The front glass area extends onto the front section of the roof, creating a "panorama window" that contributes to the sense of spaciousness. The distinctive rear styling treatment features a hexagonal hatch with bold triangular combination lamps wrapping around the rear corners.
The standout styling isn't confined to the exterior of YRV. The rear seats are positioned higher than the front seats in an unusual "stadium layout". This feature, together with the panorama window, provides occupants with both roominess and a wide field of vision. It also assists in the "centre of attention" department.
Compact recreational vehicles do not have a glowing reputation for being practical or versatile within the cabin, but YRV's intelligent variety of seat configurations gives it the flexibility associated with a wagon. The sliding rear seats can be adjusted by up to 150mm to increase either legroom or boot space, and the rear seat bottoms can be removed to allow the seat backs to be folded down individually to a totally flat position.
YRV is bound to appeal as a fashion accessory, but it also happens to be a seriously good mode of transport with fewer compromises than anything that might be regarded as competition. Perky responsiveness has long been a trademark of Daihatsu's sportier models, and YRV is powered by a newly-developed engine regarded as the most powerful 1.3 litre engine in its class. In fact, the twin-cam, four-cylinder, 16-valve engine with DVVT (dynamic variable valve timing) has more power than some 1.5 litre engines.
It delivers maximum power of 64kW at 6000rpm and maximum torque of 120Nm at 3200 to ensure spirited performance, and continues Daihatsu's reputation for outstanding reliability and fuel economy. One of the most fuel-efficient engines in its class in Japan with consumption of just 6.1 litres per 100km (combined city/highway), it is also exceptionally clean burning and meets the latest Euro III emissions standards.
Transmission options are a robust five-speed manual transmission and a Formula 1 inspired automatic steershift transmission. The manual option combines perfectly mated gear ratios, flexible flywheel and a tailored clutch specification to enable optimum use of the power and torque produced by the new K3-VE engine. The "steershift" option allows the driver to engage in semi-automatic gear shifting via shift buttons on the steering wheel - a sporty feature unique to vehicles of this class and price category.
Parental approval is not always a plus in the youth market, but YRV's numerous state of the art safety features will be a comfort to all. Its body structure uses the "survival cell" design philosophy, offering exceptional occupant safety through a combination of passive and active safety features. Excellent absorption of collision energy is combined with immensely rigid cabin construction to help protect occupants. Dual front-mounted airbags, front seat-belt pre-tentioners with force limiter and Daihatsu's unique impact sensing safety system are standard equipment on YRV and the crash-safety design features a collision-absorbing front sub frame and front and rear crumple zones.
With a recommended retail price for the 5 speed manual of $17,990 including GST (“Steershift” automatic adds $1,800 taking the recommended retail price to $19,790), YRV is not only refreshingly different in concept and character – but extraordinary good value.
With standard equipment including: power steering, air-conditioning, power windows, electric mirrors windows, central locking, duel airbags, CD player and most importantly 5 doors Daihatsu has produced a versatile vehicle of extraordinary visual and value-added magnetism.
YRV is a sure bet to become a triumph for niche marketing and innovative design.
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DAIHATSU
YRV SPECIFICATIONS
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| Specifications
|
Manual
|
Automatic
|
|
Overall
length (mm)
|
3765
|
|
Overall
width (mm)
|
1620
|
|
Overall
height (mm)
|
1550
|
|
Wheelbase
(mm)
|
2355
|
|
Track
Front (mm)
|
1380
|
|
Track
Rear (mm)
|
1365
|
|
Minimum
road clearance (mm)
|
145
|
|
Kerb
Weight (kgs)
|
860
|
880
|
|
Seating
capacity
|
5
|
|
Minimum
turning circle (M)
|
4.4
(tyre)
|
|
|
4.8
(body)
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|
Towing
capacity
|
Braked
|
1000kg
|
|
|
Unbraked
|
350kg
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| Engine
|
|
Type
|
K3-VE,
Petrol, water-cooled, 4 cylinder, 4-cycle, 16-valves, DOHC, DVVT
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|
Total
displacement (cc)
|
1298
|
|
Bore
X stroke(mm)
|
72.0
x 79.7
|
|
Maximum
output(kW)
|
64@6000rpm
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|
Maximum
torque (Nm)
|
120@3200rpm
|
|
Compression
ratio
|
10
to 1
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| Fuel |
|
System |
Electronic
fuel injection
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| Fuel
tank capacity (ltrs) |
40
|
| Fuel
consumption |
Hwy
|
5.6l/100km
|
6.0l/100km
|
| |
City
|
6.8l/100km
|
7.2l/100km
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| Transmission |
|
Type |
Forward
5 speed all synchromesh
|
Forward
4 speed, electronic with sports shift
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| Gear
Ratios |
1st
|
3.182
|
2.731
|
| |
2nd
|
1.842
|
1.526
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| |
3rd
|
1.250
|
1.000
|
| |
4th
|
0.864
|
0.696
|
| |
5th
|
0.750
|
-
|
| |
Rev
|
3.143
|
2.290
|
| |
Final
|
4.260
|
4.260
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| Clutch
(manual Transmission) |
Dry
single plate with diaphragm with spring actuation
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| Steering
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| Type
|
Power assisted Rack & pinion
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| Brake
System |
|
Front |
Disc
brakes with booster (8")
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|
Rear |
Drum
brakes, leading & trailing
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| Parking
brake |
Mechanically
operating on rear wheels
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| Suspension
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| Suspension
- front |
MacPherson
struts with coil springs
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| Suspension
- rear |
Semi-independent
torsion axle beam with coil springs
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| Tyres |
| Type
|
165/65
R14S
|
|
Safety
Features
|
|
Drivers Side SRS Airbag
|
Std
|
|
Passengers Side SRS
Airbag
|
Std
|
|
Front Seat Belt Pretensioners
|
Std
|
|
Side Intrusion Bars
|
Std
|
|
High Mount Rear Break
Light on rear wing
|
Std
|
|
Anti - Glare rear
vision mirror
|
Std
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| Rear
Window Demister |
Std
|
| Front
Intermittent Windscreen Wipers |
Std
|
| Seat
Belt Warning Lamp (driver) |
Std
|
| Impact-sensing,
Door Lock Release with Fuel Cut-off |
Std
|
| Hazard
Switch Emergency Turn On |
Std
|
| Emergency
On-door Courtesy Lamp |
Std
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| Rear
Seatbelt - 3 Point ELR, 2 Point NR |
Std
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| Child
seat anchor points |
Std
|
| Height
adjustable Front Seatbelts |
Std
|
|
Convenience
Features
|
|
Engine Immobiliser
|
Std
|
|
Air-Conditioning
|
Option
|
|
Remove fuel lid release
|
Std
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|
Power assisted steering
|
Std
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|
Electronic windows
|
Std
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Central Locking, Including
Hatch/Tailgate Unlock
|
Std
|
|
Electronic Door Mirrors
|
Std
|
|
Exterior
Features
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| Full
14" Touring Wheel Caps |
Std
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| Front
Mudflaps |
Std
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| Rear
Mudflaps |
Std
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| Front
Centre Mount Aerial |
Std
|
| Tinted
(UV Protection) Glass |
Std
|
| Black
Door Mirrors |
Std
|
| Black
Door Handles |
Std
|
| Rear
Wiper with Washer |
Std
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| Metallic
Paint |
Option*
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|
Interior
Features
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| Tachometer |
Std
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| Height-adjustable
Front Headrests |
Std
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| Height-adjustable
Rear Headrests (2) |
Std
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| Front
Cup Holders (2) |
Std
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| Spare
Wheel Cover |
Std
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| Meter
Illumination Control |
Std
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| Interior
Room Lamp (3 Settings on/off/door) |
Std
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| Passenger
Assist Grip (1) |
Std
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| Passenger's
Side Front Seat Back Pocket |
Std
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| 3
Spoke Urethane Steering Wheel (Man) |
Std
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| 3
Spoke Steering Wheel with steer shift (Auto) |
Std
|
| Rotary
Style Heater Controls |
Std
|
| 3
Eyed Instrument Cluster |
Std
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| Ashtray |
Std
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| Cigarette
Lighter |
Std
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| Tailgate
Assist Handle |
Std
|
| Vinyl
Sunvisors with Driver's Side Business Card Holder |
Std
|
| Automatic
Transmission Indicator In Dash |
Std
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| Clock
(in audio) |
Std
|
| Audio |
| 4
Speakers |
Std
|
| Kenwood
AM/FM Radio/CD Player |
Std
|
| PIN
Code Security System |
Std
|
| Interior
Trim and Seating |
| 50/50
Split Fold Rear Seat |
Std
|
| Rear
Seat Slide |
Std
|
| Full
Cloth Jacquard Trim (black and grey/blue) |
Std
|
| Floor
Carpet |
Std
|
| Fully
Lined Boot/Luggage Area |
Std
|
| Fabric
Headrests |
Std
|
| 2
Way Manually Adjustable Front Seats |
Std
|
| Door
Trim - Plastic with Upper Section Perforation |
Std
|
| Storage |
| Front
Door Pockets |
Std
|
| Rear
Side Door Pockets |
Std
|
| Driver's
Side Under Dash Storage Tray |
Std
|
| Centre
Console Storage Box |
Std
|
| Passenger's
Side Glove Compartment (3 Compartments) |
Std
|
| Rear
Console Storage Box |
Std
|
| Passenger
Seat Back Pocket |
Std
|
|
Warranty
|
|
3 Year / 100,000Klms
|
Std
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| *
Metallic paint will cost $125 |
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