This is definitely the soon to be launched first ever Perodua e-SMART Hybrid.
We just spotted this white coloured Perodua Ativa on test in the heart of Petaling Jaya. As you can see, all the badges and markings have been taped over and in one glance you would think this is a standard petrol powered Perodua Ativa crossover.
Closer look and you will realize the turn signals on the top of the front fenders (which have been covered with white tape), the wheel center caps which have been covered and also the completely different front grill and bumper treatment.
This is the soon to be launched hybrid Perodua Ativa which is a reworked Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid. Let us explain, in case some of you might be confused.
Well, it is well known fact that Perodua is part of the Toyota Motor group and the engineering collaboration has delivered reliable motoring to middle and lower middle class Malaysians for decades.
Now, comes the next generation of this profitable collaboration. The first ever e-SMART hybrid powered Perodua.
Perodua launched their new crossover, the Ativa in early March 2021. This all new crossover was based on the Japanese market Daihatsu Rocky.
Please note that Daihatsu Motor is owned by Toyota and so the parent to the Ativa is a Toyota model called the Raize. Now the Toyota Raize will not be officially launched in Malaysia as it is very close sibling to the Perodua Ativa and Toyota has shares in our Perodua manufacturing in Malaysia.
Confused? Well, there are still many Malaysians show are now aware of this relationship despite the working relationship for decades.
Now, this new hybrid crossover was released by Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. In November last year. Called “e-SMART HYBRID”, its selling price in Japan ranges from 1,667,000 yen (RM61,133) to 2,318,200 yen (RM85,000).
So, having the relationship with Perodua and being fully manufactured in Malaysia under the watchful eye of big brother ‘Toyota’ we Malaysians are getting a value for money e-SMARThybrid crossover. Yes?
In japan, the Daihatsu Rocky hybrid fuel efficiency to be 20-30 percent more efficient over its petrol powered version (current Perodua Ativa).
This new e-SMARThybrid Ativa will be powered by a newly developed naturally-aspirated 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that is not connected to the wheels but is used to charge the 4.3 Ah lithium-ion battery located under the rear seats.
An electric motor with 105hp (78 kW / 106 PS) and 170Nm (125 lb-ft) of torque powers the front wheels, eliminating the need for a gearbox.
As a result, the driving experience is very close to a battery electric vehicle (BEV) despite the noise from its petrol powered engine. The driver also benefits from the Smart Pedal (S-PDL) feature which allows one-pedal drive. Toyota claims the average fuel consumption of this e-SMARThybrid is 3.57 liters/100km (65.9 mpg) measured in the WLTC cycle.
