Daihatsu Mebius

Now, two years ago, Toyota launched a new addition to the Prius lineup, called the Prius α, and it's a brand new hybrid MPV which we refer to it as a Prius with a bigger boot which is ideal for those who want to go out camping. Now, it seems that Daihatsu decided to borrow one of theirs for their new model which will replace the slow selling Boon Luminas, which was disappeared from the lineup a couple of months ago.

2014 Daihatsu Mebius

2014 Daihatsu Mebius

It's called the Mebius and this is what happens when Daihatsu asks Toyota to have one of their Prius α models and replace the Toyota badges with some Daihatsu badges on it, the same case happened to the Toyota Camry when Daihatsu borrows one of theirs for the Altis model.

Just like the Toyota Prius α, the Mebius is a hybrid MPV which is an ideal eco-car for those who are out on a holiday, especially the oncoming Golden Week in Japan as well. Unlike the Toyota Prius α, which comes in 5-seater and 7-seater variants, the Daihatsu Mebius is available ONLY in 5-seater configurations because they don't think it would be profitable to have a 7-seater model because it's too small on the third row. So, long story short, the Mebius is available only in 5-seater.

2014 Daihatsu Mebius interior

Like the Toyota Prius α, the Mebius does come with  the same 2ZR-FXE hybrid engine from the third-generation Prius, providing a standardized 99PS/5,200 rpm of power output and 142Nm/4,000rpm of torque output. When both the electric motor and the engine on mobile, power output churns out a total of 136PS of power. Because ECO is the focus for this car, the fuel economy of the Mebius accumulates 26.2km/L on JC08 mode standards.

Available colors are Super White II, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Black, Red Mica Metallic, Clear Stream Metallic, and Dark Blue Mica.

Prices start at 2,350,000 up to 2,800,000 Japanese Yen and it's covered under Japan's ECO CAR GENZEI system, which makes it great value.

Photo: Daihatsu