Daihatsu Rocky

This article is about the Japanese market Rocky/Feroza. For the unrelated export model Rocky/Feroza, see Daihatsu Rugger.

Daihatsu Rocky (F300)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daihatsu
Also called	Daihatsu Feroza (Europe/Australia) Daihatsu Sportrak (UK)
Production	1989–2002
Body and chassis
Class	Mini SUV
Body style	3-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L HD-E/HD-C I4
Power output	55–77 kW (74–103 hp; 75–105 PS)
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,175 mm (85.6 in)
Length	3,765–3,845 mm (148.2–151.4 in)
Width	1,580–1,740 mm (62.2–68.5 in)
Height	1,720–1,725 mm (67.7–67.9 in)
Chronology
Successor	Daihatsu Terios

The Daihatsu Rocky (Japanese: ダイハツ・ロッキー, Daihatsu Rokkī) is a mini SUV that was manufactured by Japanese automaker Daihatsu between 1989 and 2002.

Name

It is known as the Daihatsu "Lovibond" Rocky in Japan. In Europe and Australia, the Rocky is known as the Daihatsu Feroza (Japanese: ダイハツ・フェローザ, Daihatsu Ferōza), as the name "Rocky" was used for the larger 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 (usually called Taft there). The 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 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.

Design

The Feroza is powered by a 1.6 L HD-E/HD-C SOHC 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engine shared with the Applause. This is linked via a manual or Aisin automatic 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 55–77 kW (74–103 hp; 75–105 PS) in Japan. It was available with a three-door body style only, and was one of the first mini SUVs introduced by Japanese manufacturers during the 1980s. The export model had a detuned version of the more powerful engine, with 70 kW (94 hp; 95 PS). As the Rocky, this was one of two models, alongside the Charade, sold in the United States during Daihatsu's brief presence in that market.

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 70 / 77 kW (94 / 103 hp; 95 / 105 PS) engine remaining in the lineup. The Rocky/Feroza was partially replaced in 1998 by the Terios.

The F300 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 20 kW (27 hp; 27 PS) electrical motor could propel the Rocky up to 90 km/h (56 mph) and gave a 200 km (124 mi) range at a steady speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). The four-wheel drive system remained, allowing it to climb a 21 percent slope.

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  1990 Daihatsu Feroza 1.6 EL-II (F300; pre-facelift, Iceland)

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  1992–1993 Daihatsu Feroza SE hardtop (F300GD; facelift, Australia)

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  1997 Daihatsu Feroza Limited hardtop (F300B; facelift, Australia)

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  Daihatsu Rocky (Japan)

Bertone Freeclimber II

Bertone Freeclimber II Blue Lagoon

Italian manufacturer Bertone built a variation of the Rocky/Feroza powered by a 1.6-liter BMW M40 engine, with 73.5 kW (99 hp; 100 PS), 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.