Launching the New Daihatsu Terios few weeks ago, PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM PT) as the car manufacturers Toyota, explains that there are many changes in the body of this small SUV. "Although the exterior shape and the engine keep using the old version, but there are some improvements we are doing," said Amelia Tjandra, Director of Marketing for ADM.
Changes made Daihatsu's new limited facelift and minor change. Refresher starts from the grille, this time horizontally layered patterned ornaments. Then, the bumper is curved upward. Subsequent design changes earlier alloy wheels 5-spoke into a multi-spoke. Stoplamp nodes selected in lieu of a transparent red taillights before. While the rear bumper is not flashy and is still equipped with reflectors.
Entry into the cabin, looks change of colors and motifs. Center cluster, especially the AC grid, made as visible line between right and left level. Details of other changes, the instrument panel, gear lever, seat adjuster, audio controls, center console box, and the composition of the third-row seat to 50:50. In addition, the second row seat lever lever system of one-time folding motion.
Upon a change of that, PT ADM invited journalists to drive the country experience in Jogjakarta. Itineraries is packaged in three different locations. Start the urban atmosphere of Yogyakarta, Beach Parang Kusumo, to Ground (winding path on the slopes of Mount Merapi). On that occasion, we tested two variants Terios, TX and TX AT MT.
When behind the wheel Terios TX, either manual or automatic versions, the most striking change was in the round of a lightweight wheel. This relates to the replacement of hydraulic power steering device becomes version EPS (electronic power steering).
Technically, this feature is more practical ketibang hydraulic versions. Because, when the engine life and the steering is not, then no energy is taken from the engine or battery. The converse of the hydraulic system, in which the pump is connected directly to the machine. That is, when the engine life, hydraulic power steering pump fixed spins, although the steering wheel is not driven.
Mild effects increasingly felt the steering wheel when parking or maneuvering a car in solid lines in the urban crawl. Aided tread wheels smaller than his brother, Toyota Rush (235/60/16R vs. 215/65/16R), 7-seater MPV is capable of moving swiftly.
Unfortunately, so steering is too light, while speeding in lin-winding boundary, the moment the steering wheel feels "floating". The new steering accuracy was improved when a car drove over 140 kph. It is formulated by the ADM in order to move the steering wheel is not too sensitive to the impact on the car simply changes direction.
Installation of EPS also have an effect on the lightness of the engine's performance. If Terios Old "panting" to reach 120 kph, this time it was not found at last Terios. Only, characteristics of action-lerator pedal is not too responsive. So, stepped on the pedal slowly and gradually.
Version of the manual presents a reasonably good performance. Helped by the arrangement of gear, this car feels quite nimble than the automatic version. For me, the automatic model more suitable for a relaxing trip. Therefore, the responsiveness of kick-down is not too biting.
Daihatsu also fairly smart to change the angle of the shock absorber mounting point and the circuit pegasnya. As a result, the suspension damping is quite tender. Unfortunately, a plus is not until the third-row seat. In addition, leg room and head room in this position is also not very comfortable for average-bodied person.