The Daihatsu Rocky is an automobile nameplate used by Daihatsu for their lineup of SUVs. The nameplate was originally used as a ladder frame-based mini SUV that was sold in Japan and some international markets between 1989 and 2002. It was gradually replaced by the introduction of Terios in 1997. Beginning in 2019, the Rocky nameplate returned to Japan as a subcompact crossover SUV that replaces the Be‣go and is also rebadged and sold under Toyota brand as the Toyota Raize.
Name
For the F300 model, it is known as the Daihatsu "Lovibond" Rocky in Japan. In Europe and Australia, the F300 series Rocky is known as the Daihatsu Feroza, as the name "Rocky" was used for the larger F70 series Rugger/Fourtrak in most countries. The "Feroza" name is also used in Latin America and Asia. In Indonesia, the "Feroza" name was used for the petrol-engined rear-wheel drive version of the Rugger. The F300 series Rocky was marketed as the Daihatsu Sportrak in the UK. To avoid confusion, owners often refer to the models by their factory model number F300 or F310. The F310 variant, marketed as the "MkII Sportrak" or "Feroza II" featured a flared guards to accommodate a wider track than the F300 model. The F310 variant was released in 1992, before the later facelift. It had widened suspension, including differentials and rear leaf springs. The body was kept the same, except for the wider fender flares and the concealed rear wheel arches, covered by these flares. After this facelift, both the F300 and F310 variations were kept, with differing trim levels and interior design. This is most notable on the materials, colour and pattern of the seats.
The Rocky is powered by a 1.6 L HD-C/HD-ESOHC16-valvefour-cylinderpetrol engine shared with the Applause. This is linked via a manual or Aisinautomatic transmission, propshaft and differential to the front wheels and rear axle to provide either four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive depending on the driver requirement. 2WD, 4WD Low and 4WD High are selected using a selector next to the gear stick in the cabin. Full-time 4WD with lockable inter-axle differential version were available, but without a low gear in transfer case. Power ranged between in Japan. It was available with a three-door bodystyle only, and was one of the first mini SUVs introduced by Japanese manufacturers during the 1980s. The Rocky was one of two models, alongside the Charade, to be sold in the United States during Daihatsu's brief presence in that market. In Europe, Latin America, Australia and most Asian markets the F300 model was sold as the Daihatsu Feroza. "Feroza" is a made-up name, a combination of "ferocious" and the name "Rosa". The export models were usually fitted with a detuned version of the more powerful fuel injected engine, with at 5,700 rpm. There was also a carburetted version in export trim, producing at 6000 rpm. The multi-point fuel-injected engine was available in Australia. The Australian Feroza II SXP variant was available in 1993 although the carburetted model was dropped from the Japanese lineup, with only the engine remaining in the lineup. The Rocky/Feroza was gradually replaced in 1998 by the J100 series Terios. The F300 series Rocky/Feroza underwent some very minor facelifts during its production, mostly limited to different grilles with early cars having a chromed unit. The taillights were mounted in the bodywork, but some cars had blinds in these spaces and instead carried their taillights in an enlarged rear bumper. This was due to legislation introduced in some markets regarding the rear pivot door. In 1990 an electrically powered version called the "Rocky EV" was developed together with the Kansai Electric Power Company, who also purchased 26 of them. Its electrical motor could propel the Rocky up to and gave a range at a steady speed of. The four-wheel drive system remained, allowing it to climb a 21 percent slope.
Italian manufacturer Bertone built a variation of the Rocky/Feroza powered by a 1.6-liter BMW M40 engine, with, called the Bertone Freeclimber II. There was also a version called "Blue Lagoon", after a perfume by Nicolas de Barry. The Freeclimber was popular in France and Italy in particular, as it was unaffected by the quotas imposed on Japanese imports.
The Rocky nameplate returned to Japan in 2019 as the replacement for the Be‣go. It was unveiled at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show on 23 October 2019 under "New Compact SUV" name and went on sale in Japan on 5 November 2019. The design was previewed by the 2017 DN Trec concept. It is based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture platform. Its development was led by Daihatsu chief engineer Nobuhiko Ono. The A200 series Rocky is also rebadged and sold by Toyota as the Raize which replaced the J200 series Rush. The Raize is differentiated from the Rocky by its front fascia. Both the A200 series Rocky and Raize are only available in Japan. The A200 series Rocky is powered by a turbocharged 996 cc 1KR-VETinline-threepetrol engine that produces and of torque. The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission. In Japan, the Rocky is offered in L, X, G and Premium trim levels, while the Raize is offered in X, X"S", G and Z trim levels. Each trim level has a four-wheel drive option.
