New Subaru Pleo Plus

2018 Subaru Pleo Plus

After Daihatsu launched the all-new and more fuel-efficient, second-generation Mira e:S, Subaru decided to borrow the latest fuel-efficient Daihatsu for a while so they can sell it at their Subaru dealerships as the all-new Pleo Plus.

Priced at 896,400 Yen, the all-new Subaru Pleo Plus like what the latest Daihatsu Mira e:S showed us, not only features a more sharp exterior design and a more basic interior space for the average driver, but also an improved 660cc engine alongside its monocoque chassis combined with fuel efficient features such as Cold i-EGR, the late closing of intake valves for load reduction on compression, dual injectors, combustion control by cylinder, CVT Thermo controller, low viscosity CVT fluid, rear differential gear for 4WD models, resin parts, and many more, resulting to 35.2kmpl of fuel efficiency based on JC08 Mode standards.

Not only this is the most fuel-efficient car in the Subaru lineup, it's also the safest because of its Smart Assist III, featuring the world's smallest stereo camera ever equipped on the production car, in addition to the false start restraining control function, Auto High Beam, corner sensors for parking purposes, SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control System, emergency stop signal, and Anti-Lock Brakes with Electronic Control Braking Force Distribution System.

As told earlier, the new Pleo Plus starts at 896,400 Yen, the most affordable Subaru available in Japan, and also the most fuel-efficient as well. We know that this is based on the all-new Daihatsu Mira e:S but for those who are too lazy to go on the Daihatsu dealership or if their nearest dealership was a Subaru's look no further.

Photo: Subaru Corporation

Daihatsu Mira e:S/Subaru Pleo Plus/Toyota Pixis Epoch minor change

If you remember back two years ago, you'll remember something about the Daihatsu Mira e:S, the world's most fuel-efficient car available only in Japan as of now. It's the compact car that introduced Japan the JC08 Mode fuel economy test cycle rather than the over-exaggerated 10-15 Mode test cycle. Fuel economy was 30km/L but month's later, its title was stripped out thanks to Suzuki with their Alto Eco that does 30.2kmpl. Two years later, it's now rosed to 33kmpl. Making it the undisputed king of fuel consumption, not this little Daihatsu. They're not pleased by this...

Now, for the 2014 model year, the Daihatsu Mira e:S has now made even more fuel friendly than ever and it's now refreshed for one goal: to take back what the Suzuki Alto Eco got from them.

The new Mira e:S comes with numerous fuel-efficient updates such as an updated i-EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) for combustion efficiency, reduced engine losses with the use of a low-friction timing chain, a revamped CVT gearbox, reduced drag with the help of its new exterior design, improved idling stop system, updated "Eco power generation control", and so much more.

All this gives the 2014 Mira e:S a fuel consumption rating of 33.4kmpl. That's right, this isn't a typo. 33.4kmpl, 10% higher than the pre-facelift and best of all, .4kmpl higher than the Suzuki Alto Eco! And those improvements can also be implemented on its other cousins like the Subaru Pleo Plus and Toyota Pixis Epoch, both of these are rebadged versions of the Mira e:S.

So, with that record-breaking fuel economy, I wonder what's going to be the response from its rival Suzuki? Let's just wait...

Subaru Pleo Plus

新世代トマールエンジン

2013 Subaru Pleo Plus

2013 Subaru Pleo Plus interior

The trend of kei car rebadging is becoming a bit too far here in Japan and the Daihatsu Mira e:S, launched last year, became a subject of rebadging. Sure, Toyota borrowed one for their new Pixis Epoch and now, in a terribly confusing way, Subaru decided to join in the fray by borrowing a Daihatsu Mira e:S and replace it with Subaru badges. What do you get in return? Something called the all new 2013 Subaru Pleo Plus! The most fuel-efficient Subaru offered and the most affordable.

Starting at 795,000 Japanese Yen, the Pleo Plus is equipped with the special KF engine that accumulates 52PS/6800rpm of power output and 60Nm/5200rpm of torque output. It even comes with a CVT for optimized fuel economy and smooth driving. Because it's fuel economy is rated at 30.0km/L in Japan's JC08 Mode scale, it is the most fuel efficient Subaru ever offered for fuel-conscious drivers in Japan. The secret of getting a good fuel economy for this new model is because of its Eco Idle (Idle Stop and Go) system, newly developed i-EGR (ion controlled Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system (that applies the ion current combustion control, in which ions in the combustion chamber are used to identify the state of combustion, to EGR control), lighter bodywork, thermal management, and Eco power generation control (with regenerative braking functions).

I'm afraid I have no words to describe this new Pleo Plus but if you live somewhere where a Subaru dealer is nearby and if you're too lazy to get a new Mira e:S or a Toyota Pixis Epoch, consider this. End of discussion.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

It's pity that Daihatsu Mira Custom and Subaru Pleo Custom dropped their turbo variants!

2012 Daihatsu Mira Custom

2012 Subaru Pleo Custom

When Daihatsu reveals the next generation of fuel saving technology called "e:S Technology" that will soon be applied to a production version of the Daihatsu e:S concept car this Autumn 2011, there is bad news that the Daihatsu Mira Custom (and its Subaru version, the Pleo Custom) dropped their turbocharged RS variants in favor for all NA (Natural Aspiration) lineup for the 2012 Model Year.

Look closely at the specs;

1) http://www.subaru.jp/pleo/pleo/exinfo/spec1.html

2) http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/lineup/mira-mira_custom/pdf/spec.pdf

If you can see it clearly, there is no "Custom RS" on their lineup. What a shame. Wonder what if we react when both the Daihatsu Mira and the Subaru Pleo will reach its full model change soon...

Subaru Pleo Mk.II

Rewind back to the date October 1998, and if you remember the kei car which is the successor to the Subaru Vivio, known as the Pleo, then how will you explain the outdated 11-year old kei car? Because of the outdated Pleo disappeared since December, and the partnership between Fuji Heavy Industries and Toyota Group, the Pleo name was reborn. Only this time, taken from the form of the seventh-generation Daihatsu Mira (known in other countries as the Cuore or Charade), which gives the newborn kei car some taste and flair suitable for the young, fashionable Japanese women.

Along with the recently launched, Daihatsu Tanto Exe-based Lucra, the new Pleo comes in two distinctive flavors: the regular Pleo targeted for the simple female drivers and the stylish Pleo Custom with the premium taste bold women wanted. The regular Pleo boasts overall cuteness that women always wanted to purchase this car for its looks. The Pleo Custom boasts overall karen-ness (Note: Karen is beautiful in Japanese) giving the term "a kei car with the look and feel of a luxury car" and customers love to buy this Custom variant for its sporty and luxurious features.

The interior of the new Pleo boasts overall comfort and luxury that only a kei car could take this comfort for granted. With the foldable rear seats, women can take advantage of this feature for placing several shopping bags after a long, stressful shopping trip to the mall. For the peace of mind, the new Pleo has a list of features such as the reinforced body, airbags, vehicle theft immobilizer, and anti-lock braking system. When performance is an issue, the new Pleo comes with either a KF-VE engine that delivers 58PS of power and the fuel economy of 21.0-24.5km/L or the KF-DET turbo engine that triggers 64PS of power and the fuel economy of 19.0km/L. It comes with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a CVT, depending on the variant you are.

My thoughts about the Pleo:
When the original Pleo disappeared four months ago, it is not surprising that the Pleo will return, only this time, as an OEM of the Daihatsu Mira. Is it a Coincidence or just a truth? You might just figure it out when you step inside the new age Pleo, in regular and custom flavors. Try it and you will decide how the new Pleo affect its audience impact for its style, packaging, quality, and performance. With the partnership between Fuji Heavy Industries and Toyota Group, the Pleo was another one of the Subaru OEMs since the Toyota bB-Daihatsu Coo-based Dex, Atrai Wagon-based Dias Wagon, and the latest Daihatsu Tanto Exe-based Lucra.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries