The new Daihatsu Materia Turbo is now available in South Africa. If you want to get your hands on one, however, you're going to have to hurry because only 40 units are currently available.
Power in the 1,5-litre turbo-charged Materia is 110 kW at 5 750 r/min and peak torque is 190 N.m at 4 800 r/min. According to Daihatsu, 90 per cent of the maximum torque is available from as low as 2 000r/min. Mated with a five-speed manual transmission, Daihatsu claims the Materia Turbo sprints to 100km/h from zero in 8,9 seconds - with a top speed limited to 200km/h. Daihatsu claims that as a result of the oil and water-cooled ISK turbo set to run at a conservative 0.4 bar boost, the engine life is prolonged and turbo lag is minimal
The Materia Turbo comes standard with tinted windows and a bonnet air intake. In terms of safety, this model is equipped with driver, side and passenger airbags in addition to ABS with EBD and brake assist. The suspension set-up consists of lightweight components, and the ride height has been dropped by 30 mm to sit at 120 mm.
Optional extras include a Momo steering wheel, a 1 000W amplifier to supplement the standard six-speaker MP3-compatable audio system, a limited slip differential, and a choice of alloys - five-spoke wheels, or a carbon black with red pinstripe 12-spoke set.
The Daihatsu Materia Turbo is priced at R219 000 and comes with a three-year 100 000 km warranty.
Car looks good, I've always liked it, a bit Star Wars in the looks department. A bit like a storm troopers helmet
