If you happen to live in southeast Asia with a lot of people and their stuff to transport through tight streets, this may very well be the vehicle you’ll need. It’s called the Daihatsu Sigra, and it’s just been introduced in Indonesia.
Though smaller than most minivans, the Sigra still packs room for seven into its compact frame. Power comes from 1.0- and 1.2-liter versions of Toyota’s NR-series four-cylinder that also powers models like the Yaris and iQ. That ought to put it in direct competition with the Datsun Go+, introduced by rival automaker Nissan in Indonesia three years ago. Daihatsu is owned by Toyota and similarly serves as the Japanese automaker’s small-car budget brand.
Taking its name from the Sanskrit for “quick reaction,” the Sigra will be built in Indonesia through a joint venture between Daihatsu and Astra International. The Indonesian conglomerate has forged similar relationships with Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu and Honda, among others.
The small minivan is built to comply with the country’s Low Cost Green Car regulations, which means it has to be priced below 85,000,000 Indonesian Rupiah – or about $6,500 by current conversion rates. It also has to get around 50 miles to the gallon, and be made of at least 60 percent domestic parts.
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