Daihatsu HyFun Concept has broken covers at the 2019 GIIAS (Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show). It is one of the interesting concepts showcased at the archipelago where hybrid and electric vehicles dominate the show. Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) has introduced the HyFun Concept as a symbol of the brand’s exploration in the MPV segment with hybrid powertrain.
Endorsed to be based on the ‘Funtastic Generation’, Daihatsu HyFun Concept has attracted the show-goers and media with hybrid technology residing under the bonnet. It sits on a brand new architecture dubbed the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Platform) and is said to reduce the production time and bring faster product output with greater comfort and safety.
Along with the hybrid system, there are several highlights to the HyFun Concept including Artificial Intelligence technology as well as security-based Active Safety Autonomous Braking, Facial Recognition, and Automatic High Beam. The presence of blue lighting strips in the front fascia emphasises the existence of a hybrid system.
With a crossover-ish silhouette, it has front and rear sliding doors while the interior is largely a conceptual study with a lounge-like seating arrangement in dual-tone white and black theme. The speculation surrounding the arrival of the Daihatsu brand to India has come and gone for several years.
If it turns out to be true, Daihatsu could act as a low-cost brand of Toyota in a similar fashion to Datsun for Nissan. Currently, Toyota is concentrating on developing new products and introducing rebadged models under the partnership with Suzuki for domestic as well as global markets like Europe and Africa.
Toyota’s first rebadged product called Glanza based on Maruti Suzuki Baleno is already up and running. Moreover, the OEM supply of Ertiga to Toyota for India was also confirmed. Drawing upon Suzuki’s expertise in developing vehicles domestically, the joint development of a Toyota C-segment MPV and OEM supply to Suzuki are also on the cards possibly in the next two to three years.
The C-MPV could be slotted below the Innova Crysta and it got us thinking that the Japanese auto major could derive styling or technology influence from the Daihatsu HyFun Concept.
The DNGA platform could enable shorter lead time for product development and during the production phase. It could be of much help in bringing up the C-segment Toyota MPV and we will have to wait and see if this comes into reality or not.
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