Subaru Lucra

Since December 24, Daihatsu launched the newest kei car that slots from the Tanto and the Tanto Custom kei car, known as the Tanto Exe and the Tanto Exe Custom. With the partnership between Toyota Group and Fuji Heavy Industries (also working for the "Toyobaru FT-86" projects), Subaru uncovered their own Daihatsu Tanto Exe, known as the Lucra.

When Subaru decided to stop making kei cars that dates back the Vivio, Pleo, R1, and the R2, they decided to source it out from Daihatsu, which of course a part of the Toyota Group, because of the deal that they would work together for their upcoming projects. Starting from the Toyota bB-Daihatsu Coo-based Dex, the alliance was formed between them.

Now, on the Lucra, you may recognize that this is the OEM of the Daihatsu Tanto Exe. How Subarists will find the Lucra very intriguing that why a Daihatsu-built kei car would was Subaru-badged. Despite the badging, the Lucra possesses different qualities that can also be found on the Tanto Exe:

- Two different styles to choose from; the original for cuteness and the Custom for sportiness

- Amazing seating arrangements that matches different situations

- 21.5km/L on most variants and 19.0km/L on the Lucra Custom RS variant

- Illumination accessory from the top and bottom

- Spacious interior

- Choice of audio and navigation systems available

- Available Momo steering wheel on the Lucra Custom RS variant

- Smart key entry with immobilizer

- Continuously Variable Transmission

- Anti-lock braking system

- Approved for Japan's eco car tax-break laws

My thoughts about the Lucra:

As an OEM of the Daihatsu Tanto Exe, the Lucra continues the strong bond between Toyota Group and Fuji Heavy Industries ever since the Dex, the Dias Wagon, and now the second-generation Pleo. (This is now Mira-based) With the regular, Lucra targeted for the practical customers and the Lucra Custom targeted for the hardcore kei car customers, both of these Lucras will have one giant leap for the car industry, despite its small size. Can the Lucra really replace the Stella because of their identical sizes? We are not sure, but try the Lucra and judge.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries

Daihatsu Tanto Exe

Get ready to get your hands on something new, this new kei car is best to keep ever since the Move Conte and the Mira Cocoa. The best kei car from Daihatsu is finally emerged since the car's sneak preview from the Tokyo Motor Show. With excellence is the name of the game, the big brother of Tanto, the Tanto Exe, is born.














Why the Exe sub name? Like other Daihatsu cars such as the boxy Move Conte, and the adorable Mira Cocoa, the Tanto Exe is a separate car from the Tanto series, despite having the standard or custom line-up.













Now for the basics; since this is a kei car designed for adults, there are different styles to choose from; the standard Exe designed for the simple drivers who wanted this new car reasonably, while the sporty Exe Custom is the ultimate premium lounge gifted with glitz and glamour that this is set to please style-hungry customers. What does the Exe and the Exe Custom have in common? Three answers: Tanto-like front, lack of sliding door, and the Move Conte-esque rear side.







On the inside, this kei car has many premium amenities designed for the stressful drivers everywhere. This kei car packed with pockets, lights (including the top lighting, which is similar to the Kia K7 premium sedan), adjustable seats, tilting steering wheel, air conditioning, audio system, and the ability to play MP3s with the special wire that connects to the Exe's audio system with your device. The Custom RS variant gets not just all the features, but also a sporty MOMO steering wheel.

On the spacing side, the Tanto Exe is great when you need some quality time. Choose from a long-sofa mode, front-side flat mode, half-luggage mode, or a full-luggage mode, and see how these arrangements suit your spacing qualifications.








The Daihatsu Tanto Exe and the Daihatsu Tanto Exe Custom always carry a kei car engine that provides good performance, and best power on future cruises. A natural aspiration KF-VE engine gets over 58PS of power and maintain a healthy fuel economy of 18.6km/L (4WD) to 21.5km/L (2WD), while the Tanto Exe Custom's RS variant is equipped with a turbocharged KF-DET engine delivers an improved power of 64PS with the fuel economy of 19.4km/L (4WD) to 20km/L (2WD). Most Tanto Exe types are equipped with either a 4-speed automatic transmission of CVT.

IS IT AN EXCELLENT CHOICE?
As I told earlier, the excellence theme is the best game for the Tanto Exe. With the standard Exe and the sporty Exe Custom around, this is the best Japanese small car for its excellent packaging, excellent space, excellent performance, excellent fuel economy, and an excellent last-minute addition to the Daihatsu family. How describe the look and feel of the Tanto Exe? It is simple, this is surely the best Daihatsu car ever since this kei car's Tokyo Motor Show preview. From my point of view about the Exe, it looks moderate to look at the car's exterior, while the Custom model boasts a surprisingly good look among buyers who wanted style more than just dependability. Once you are inside the Exe or the Exe Custom, be happy for this kei car's excellence. You will need it.


Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.