Daihatsu Move/Subaru Stella (LA150/160) - 2018 minor change

Now on its 2018 model year, the Daihatsu Move and its Subaru Stella counterpart have been given a much-needed facelift, more than enough to introduce the latest upgrade to the Smart Assist system that promises to be its most groundbreaking feat yet for such kei cars while retaining its kei car personality that fits well to the Japanese youth.

2018 Daihatsu Move

2018 Daihatsu Move Custom

2018 Subaru Stella and 2018 Subaru Stella Custom

So, what's new on the outside? On a regular Move or Stella, the front now comes with a new horizontally-shaped grille that now packs some style compared to the pre-facelifted model as well as its new bumper design and some new alloys, not to mentioned a slightly revised rear view. On the Custom variants, that shouty N BOX Custom-esque grille has been replaced with a much simpler design which is a throwback to the previous model's 2013 facelift from five years ago while the foglamps are now almost shaped like an exclamation point just to give a spot-on stance worthy to be a headturner. Also, the rear lamps are now revamped as well as its new and rakishly sharp alloy wheel design. On the inside, you can expect a revised instrumental panel as well as an enlarged 8-inch monitor display on the dashboard for range-topping variants.

2018 Daihatsu Move interior

2018 Daihatsu Move Custom interior

2018 Subaru Stella interior

2018 Subaru Stella Custom interior

Like the pre-facelifted models, they still come with the same 660cc 3-cylinder engine with fuel-efficient measures, CVT, and its "D monocoque" body structure that promises up to 31.0km/L while turbocharged models (Custom only) can get up to 27.4km/L. For 4WD variants, fuel efficiency is 27.6km/L while Custom-exclusive turbocharged variants can get up to 25.6km/L.

Now it's time to get through the heart of the facelifted Move/Stella and that is the brand new "Smart Assist III" and for this upgrade, it uses the world's smallest stereo camera and working in tandem with the sonar sensor, detection on leading vehicles as well as pedestrians have been improved sharply and it's been given Collision Warning Function and Collision Avoidance Support Brake function. Apart from that, the updated Move/Stella comes with Lane Departure Warning system, false start suppression control, forward vehicle start notice function, and auto high beam. There are other safety tech offered in this kei car but lest we leave it for those who want to try it.

Prices start at around 1,112,400 Yen for normal versions while Custom versions, hold on a second. Says here that for the Move Custom starts at 1,371,600 Yen while the Stella Custom, meanwhile, starts at 1,490,400 Yen. That sounds odd for pricing but who cares...

Photo: Subaru/Daihatsu

Subaru Stella (LA150F/LA160F)

2015 Subaru Stella Custom

2015 Subaru Stella

Coinciding with the launch of the brand new Daihatsu Move, it seems that Subaru is following suit as well as they borrowed their recently-launched Daihatsu Move for their new Stella kei car and here it is now.

The new Stella, which is a Daihatsu Move borrowed by Subaru, features a more rigid body work, more technological features, and a more fuel-efficient engine that is almost a top-of-class for this magnitude. Like the new Move, the brand-new Stella, in normal and Custom variants, is now 10mm higher than the previous model while retaining its 3,395mm in length, 1,475mm of width, and 2,455mm of wheelbase.

Like the new Daihatsu Move, the new Subaru Stella features a lightweight high-rigidity body structure, which features a more high-rigid body structure and an reinforced underbody, improved suspension system, and a power mode-switching steering switch that allows drivers to change the control of the engine and CVT at the touch of a button.

2015 Subaru Stella interior

2015 Subaru Stella Custom interior

The new models come with the updated version of their KF-VE 660cc 3-cylinder DOHC engine which has an improved fuel economy of 31.0km/L while turbocharged models (Custom only) can get up to 27.4km/L. Yes. This is the same thing you'd expect from the recently-launched Daihatsu Move and with those numbers, it's maybe more than the Mitsubishi eK Wagon rival but a little less than its chief rival, the Suzuki Wagon R with S-ENE-CHARGE.

Lastly for now, the new Stella, like the new Move (yes, you get the idea), features an updated Smart Assist feature (as an optional extra) where, for the first time, not only it detects forward objects but also objects from behind and triggers a beeping noise that you're approaching to a near-collision situation and brings this car to an automatic halt.

The new Subaru Stella starts at 1,134,000 Japanese Yen while the Custom version starts at 1,404,000 Yen.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries

2013 Subaru Stella

2013 Subaru Stella

In response to Daihatsu released the facelifted 2013 Move lineup complete with improved e:S technology that propelled them to 29kmpl of fuel economy based on JC08 Mode standards and a new safety system called "Smart Assist" which also comes with an auto-braking feature similar to Volvo's and Subaru's, it seems that here comes an "emergency facelift" for the Subaru Stella twin, therefore, all the technology and the impressive fuel saver gizmo applied on the 2013 Move are bolted in the Subaru Stella compact kei car, which is essentially a rebadged Daihatsu Move when it was launched in May 2011.

Although, the Stella and its Stella Custom stablemate has a very different face than the 2013 Daihatsu Move, it still comes with the newly improved e:S Technology with CVT Thermo Controller that helps get their fuel economy up to 29kmpl and also the SMART ASSIST system that comes with the auto-stop feature that can automatically brake the car in a near-collision scenario.

Sales start at January 2013 across Japan.

URL: http://www.subaru.jp/stella/stella/

TNP30

2012 Subaru Stella Custom

2012 Daihatsu Move Custom

Concerned after being overtaken by the 2012 Mazda Demio 13-SKYACTIV because of its 30.0km/L fuel economy based on Japan's 10-15 Mode Test Cycle, all Daihatsu Move and Subaru Stella models will get an improved improved idling stop system that provides 27.0km/L based on Japan's JC08 Mode Test Cycle, which is 30.0km/L in 10-15 Mode test cycle! In JC08 terms, this is fuel efficient than the Mazda Demio SKYACTIV's! Could we call both of them, TNP30?

Scoop:

1) http://autoc-one.jp/news/892585/

2) http://autoc-one.jp/news/892472/

See the difference - 2012 Daihatsu Move Custom RS vs. 2011 Move Custom RS

2011 Daihatsu Move Custom RS

2012 Daihatsu Move Custom RS

This is much more fun to spot the difference but not now. For the 2012 Daihatsu Move Custom RS, the difference can be seen on the alloy wheels. Although, we do kinda miss the good alloy wheel design from the 2011 Move Custom RS because it looks nice. Now the new alloy wheels for the 2012 Daihatsu Move Custom RS kinda reminds me of those from the 2012 Subaru Stella Custom R Limited S but the alloy wheel design looks redundant and misleading.

The good news is that the 2012 Move Custom RS's fuel economy has just increased slightly. Previously the 2011 Move Custom RS 2WD's fuel economy weighs in 22.0km/L but now, the 2012 Move Custom RS 2WD's fuel economy gained an additional 0.5km/L, making it eligible for Japan's "Eco Car Genzei" system.

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/804742/

Stella Custom RS

2012 Subaru Stella Custom RS

Due to demand that Subaru fans want to have the turbo version of the 2012 Subaru Stella (based on the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move), Fuji Heavy Industries released the much awaited 2012 Subaru Stella Custom RS loaded with a turbocharged 660cc engine! The 2012 Subaru Stella Custom RS's turbo engine produces 64PS/6400rpm of power, 9.4kg-m/4000rpm of torque, and fuel economy of 22.5km/L (10-15 Mode) in Custom RS 2WD variants.

It features 15-inch Aluminium Wheels, LED illumination projector HID headlamp with autolight, side turn lamp, roof spoiler, keyless access and push start, luminescent meter with blue ECO signal. side skirts, MOMO steering wheel, disc brakes, SRS airbags, and nanoe diffuser.

The 2012 Subaru Stella Custom RS is available in FF and 4WD drive-train and suggested retail price starts at 1.49 Million Yen (856,000 Philippine Pesos estimate).

Two new colors are added on the 2012 Stella such as Silky Maroon Crystal Metallic and Urban Night Blue Crystal Metallic (available in Custom variants).

Scoop: http://release.nikkei.co.jp/detail.cfm?relID=287659&lindID=4

Ninety-Nine's Subaru Stella Advert is their next best thing since Junichi Okada and Norikazu Endo

I always remember the good old TNP27 Japanese commercial for the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move starring famous actor Norikazu Endo and V6 member Junichi Okada. This commercial answers the most complicating question about the new Daihatsu Move, "what is TNP27?"

That is the toughest question only you can answer if you own one.

Now, with the arrival of the new Subaru Stella, which is based from the Daihatsu TNP27 Move, comedian duo Ninety-Nine does TNP27, knowing how does the new Stella's Idle Stop and Go function work.

Yes indeed that Ninety-Nine's Subaru Stella commercial is their next best thing for Norikazu Endo and V6's Junichi Okada's Daihatsu TNP27 Move commercial. Try them and you'll decide.

Why the new 2012 Subaru Stella Custom doesn't come with the RS variant

2012 Subaru Stella Custom

Aw, too bad for those Scooby fans waiting for it. When the 2012 Subaru Stella (based on the 5th generation Daihatsu Move that was launched since December 2010) was launched yesterday, in May 24, 2011, they were offered in both the normal Stella for simple customers and the Stella Custom for hardcore customers.

However, there is a sudden twist on the 2012 Subaru Stella Custom. As I observed, Fuji Heavy Industries didn't offer the turbocharged RS variant, which is offered from the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move Custom.

2011 Daihatsu Move Custom

Why did they made such an unfair decision. This is just like when Nissan didn't offer the "Pure Drive" idling stop variant for their recently launched 3rd generation Nissan Moco, which its original stablemate, the third generation Suzuki MR Wagon has the idling stop function.

Is this some kind of a "we're only giving them what they want" scenario? Come on Fuji Heavy Industries, you sourced the new Stella via Daihatsu, why you didn't ask them for a turbocharged Stella Custom RS variant? Are you giving them what they want?

You know what, never mind. I might have to reconsider my thoughts before buying the latest TNP27 Stella and Stella Custom.

What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts.

Second Generation Subaru Stella (LA100F/LA110F)

2012 Subaru Stella and
2012 Subaru Stella Custom

The Subaru Stella is back and today, the latest Subaru Stella is now based on the Daihatsu TNP27 Move, as part of making the Subaru Kei Car line-up all based from Daihatsu models under the agreement between Toyota Group and Fuji Heavy Industries for the "Toyobaru FT-86" project, so on, so forth.

The normal Subaru Stella was actually based on the Daihatsu Move (LA100S) and only the side lights have changed from the color orange to white. The new Stella Custom, on the other hand, is highly based on the latest Daihatsu Move Custom but the front received some minor changes to make it more like a Subaru than a Daihatsu, even when both the new Stella and the new Stella Custom were built from Daihatsu!

Unlike the Move Custom, which offers a turbo variant, the Stella Custom does not have a turbo engine, which makes it a huge mistake why the new Stella Custom did not offer such a crazy engine. Both the new Stella and the new Stella Custom are equipped with Daihatsu's KF 3-cylinder 660cc DOHC DVVT engine that produces a power output of 52PS/7200rpm, torque output of 6.1kg・m/4000rpm, and it comes with the CVT for optimized fuel economy. One special surprise for the both of them is the new Idle Stop and Go function that automatically shuts off the engine when stationary. With the Idle Stop and Go equipped, the new Stella series' fuel efficiency are guaranteed to be TNP27, that is 27km/L. No wonder they keep the promise to be Subaru's very own TNP27.

The new Stella comes in six colors such as Pearl White III, Bright Silver Metallic, Black Mica Metallic, Champagne Gold Metallic II, Light Rose Mica Metallic, and Fine Blue Mica Metallic. The new Stella Custom, on the other hand, offers five colors such as Pearl White III, Bright Silver Metallic, Black Mica Metallic, Sparkling Orange Crystal Metallic, and Fine Blue Mica Metallic.

My Comment:
Sourced from Daihatsu, the new Subaru Stella and new Stella Custom are now labeled to be TNP27 because both of them will receive the new Idling Stop function that automatically shuts off the engine when stationary. The idling stop function is Subaru's first but don't even think about it because Daihatsu made this technology on the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move. It's the six-star cluster meets TNP27 technology because this is the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move photoshopped as the new Subaru Stella. Find out how good really is when you are taking a test drive with the new TNP27 Stella! If you want to experience it first hand, why not arrange a test drive at your nearest Subaru dealers across Japan?

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Next generation Subaru Stella leaked via leaflet! Will be based on Daihatsu's TNP27 Move!

Leaked leaflet of 2012 Subaru Stella

So, Fuji Heavy Industries stop making their own kei cars, making the current Stella the last of its kind but the Stella name lives on as an OEM of Daihatsu's TNP27 Move!

A certain Minkara blogger showed a leaflet obtain from a Subaru dealer, stating that the next generation Subaru Stella is the Pleiades' version of TNP27 Move. Class-leading fuel efficiency, possible idling stop feature, and two flavors (standard and Custom), this could be what the next Stella would look like.

According to the leaflet, sales of the TNP27 Stella commence this late May 2011.

Source: Minkara