New YRV Turbo 130 To Be Torque Of The Show

Daihatsu’s YRV Turbo 130 makes its UK debut at the 2002 British International Motor Show, boasting some enviable power and torque figures.

Expected to go on sale in the spring of 2003, this pocket-rocket has already received wide acclaim from the UK’s key regional motoring press, some of whom had the chance to evaluate a test car earlier this year.

Many commented on the smoothness of the turbocharged 1.3 litre DVVT twin-cam engine, which delivers 129PS at 6,400 rpm and 125 lb ft of torque at just 2,800 rpm, and all in a car with a kerb weight of just 980 kg.

Prices for the sporty five-door YRV will be made public closer to its on-sale date, along with its full specification and performance data. Equipment levels will include: ‘Tiptronic’-style gear change, ABS, air-conditioning, passenger airbag, and a radio/CD player.

When prices are announced, Daihatsu is confident that the YRV Turbo 130 will offer an outstanding package in terms of all-round performance, practicality and equipment.

For example, based on performance alone, even the bigger engined £13,750 five-door 1.8 litre 16 valve MG ZR + 120 gives away more than 10 bhp and nearly 10 lb ft torque to the 1298 cc YRV. Furthermore, Daihatsu is confident that when the Turbo 130 goes on sale it will cost significantly less than the MG.

The Green Performance Machine

While the Turbo 130 will offer spirited performance, it produces just 165 g/km of CO2, better than most cars of similar performance and in spite of its standard automatic transmission.

For drivers wanting more involvement, the YRV Turbo’s four-speed electronic automatic transmission features Daihatsu’s ‘Steershift’ ‘Tiptronic’-style steering wheel-mounted gear change buttons for ‘manual’ changes.

Stylish, Sporty and Safe

In terms of styling, it will be available in yellow, red and the show car’s silver. The bonnet air scoop added for practical cooling purposes also gives it purposeful looks and 15 ins spoked-alloy wheels shod with 175 x 55 tyres connect the whole package to the road.

On the inside, like in all YRVs, the rear seats are set 75 mm higher than the front, to give back seat passengers a better all-round view. Furthermore, its rear seat can slide up to 150 mm to give greater legroom or boot space according to needs.

Passive safety was a prime concern when Daihatsu developed the YRV, which first went on sale in the UK in 2001. And the Turbo 130 model features the same engine and transmission layout, which slides under the floorpan in severe collisions.