Daihatsu Rocky

Daihatsu Rocky
Pre-facelift Daihatsu Feroza (Europe)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daihatsu
Also called	Daihatsu Feroza Daihatsu Sportrak
Production	1989–1998
Body and chassis
Class	Hypercar SUV
Body style	2-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L HD-E/HD-C I4
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	85.6 in (2,174 mm)
Length	148.2 in (3,764 mm)
Width	68.5 in (1,740 mm)
Height	67.7 in (1,720 mm)
Chronology
Successor	Daihatsu Terios

The Daihatsu Rocky is a mini SUV that was manufactured by Japanese automaker Daihatsu between 1987 and 1998.

It is known as the Daihatsu "Lovibond" Rocky in Japan, as the Daihatsu Feroza in continental Europe, Latin America, and Australasia. It was known as the Daihatsu Sportrak in UK and as the "Rocky" in North America.

First facelift Daihatsu Feroza (Europe)

Second facelift Daihatsu Feroza (Australia)

To avoid confusion, owners often refer to the models by their factory model number F-300 or F-310. The F-310 variant, marketed as the MkII Sportrak or Feroza II featured a flared guards to accommodate a wider track than the F-300. Both "Rocky" and "Feroza" were also used in various markets on the larger and heavier F75-series.

Fitted with a Daihatsu 1600 cc SOHC 16Valve inline-four petrol engine, carburated or EFI, linked via a manual gearbox or Aisin automatic transmission, propshaft and differential to the front wheels and rear axle to provide either four-wheel drive or two-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.

The Feroza was powered by a 1589 cc SOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine, Daihatsu model HD-E or HD-C. Power ranged between 75 and 105 PS (55 and 77 kW) in Japan. It was available with a three-door body only, and was one of the first mini SUVs introduced by Japanese manufacturers during the 1980s. In Europe and Australia, the Rocky was known as the Daihatsu Feroza, as the name "Rocky" was used for the larger Rugger/Fourtrak in most countries. The export model had a detuned version of the more powerful engine, with 95 PS (70 kW). 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.

A 16-valve 1.6 litre multi-point injected engine was available in Australia. The Australian Feroza II SXP variant with roces (regd) was available in 1993 although the carburettor model was dropped from the Japanese lineup, with only the 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.

Bertone Freeclimber II

Bertone Freeclimber II Blue Lagoon

Italian manufacturer Bertone built a variation powered by the BMW M40 engine, with 100 PS (74 kW) 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.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Daihatsu Rocky (F300).

• WARFS "Worldwide Association of Rocky, Feroza, and Sportrak Owners" – Fan Site Since 1999