Autoincar.com revealed that a MPV version of the Toyota Passo / Daihatsu Sirion will be introduced in Japan by December 2008, under the name Passo Sette / Daihatsu Sirion Ruminous.
Of course this could also point some hints to the long awaited 2009 MPV from Perodua, Daihatsu's outpost in Malaysia. Perodua currently assembles a localised variant of the Passo / Sirion for the Malaysian market under the Perodua MyVi badge (different headlamps instrument cluster, dashboard and center console area). It also exports the same car under the Daihatsu Sirion badge to Astra Daihatsu Motor for the Indonesian market. Previously it was speculated the 2009 MPV would be based on the next generation Toyota Sienta, but as more information is revealed, it looks like the Passo Sette / Sirion Ruminous is a more likely candidate. Unless somebody from Perodua is able to tip us off, this is just speculation. Based on what little that I can gather, the project is known internally as MPC Space.
Preliminary information (based on some hopeless Japanese translation) suggests only the Daihatsu version will be sold with a 7-seater configuration while the Toyota model will be a 5-seater (third row seats could still be optional) as budget 7-seater mini MPVs have very limited market potential in Japan's aging general population, with the lowest birth rate in the world. The Japanese do like boxy designs though.
Specifications include a 1.5-liter powerplant (3SZ-VE) producing 80kW (109PS) power and 141Nm of torque mated to a 4-speed automatic. Engine output jumps from the standard K3-VE engine 1.3-liter Passo / Sirion / MyVi by 16Kw and 25Nm for power and torque respectively.
Like many Japanese domestic market compact cars, full time 4WD is optional for Japanese buyers. Buyers around ASEAN market should be familiar with the 3SZ-VE powerplant as this is already used in the Toyota Avanza / Daihatsu Xenia and Toyota Rush / Daihatsu Terios. And in case you are wondering, no this is not the same unit powering the Vios; that's an alloy block while this is a cast iron block.
Dimension wise, the Passo Sette / Sirion Ruminous is longer by around 430mm to 445mm compared to the standard Passo/Sirion/MyVi. Every source I came across lists the length as 4180-4195mm while wheelbase is quoted as one figure; 2750mm. I am not sure what does this mean other than the additional length behind the wheelbase is for the 7-seater version (which is still odd as the wheelbase is maintained!). Height is taller by 70mm while width is wider by 30mm. Vehicle weight (methodology unknown) is rated to be between 1,170 - 1,250 kg, versus the Passo / Sirion / MyVi circa 950 kg kerb weight, depending on specs.
Fuel economy is rated to be at 15.6km/l under the Japanese 10/15 driving mode cycle.
Should it ever reach ASEAN region markets by the end of 2009, it will face off with the Honda Freed, another small-car based MPV also speculated to be introduced by 2009. And of course, the Proton MPV for Malaysian markets.
Honda Freed.
Proton MPV. More spyshots at terato.com
If the Passo Sette / Sirion Ruminous is localised (read: specs downgrade) for ASEAN markets, it will be Daihatsu's third MPV for the region after the Xenia (Avanza) and Gran Max. It could be fourth if you choose to consider the 4x2 7-seater Rush/Terios as a MPV. The predecessor of the Gran Max, the Zebra was previously manufactured by Perodua as the Rusa, but it was discontinued due to poor sales.
Related link
Passo Sette and Sirion Luminas launched
More pictures of Perodua MPV
Proton MPV, March 2009
Honda Freed
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