By Steve & Tamami Laser
Today the new Toyota Pixis Mega “minivehicle” (also known as a Kei car) has gone on sale in Japan. Except for the badge on the grille, it’s identical to the Daihatsu Wake.
Here’s a photo of the new Toyota Pixis Mega G SA (2WD) in the brilliant hue of Tonico Orange Metallic topped with a Pearl White roof. Product sharing is not new, especially in Japan where major Kei car makers Daihatsu, Suzuki and Mitsubishi share their vehicles with other brands.
The new Pixis Mega follows other Daihatsu models sold by Toyota called Pixis Space, Pixis van and truck, and Pixis Epoch. Since Toyota owns controlling interest in Daihatsu, this is just the latest chapter in a lengthy history of cooperation.
Both sides of the van feature one-touch electric sliding doors. There’s a storage space beneath the rear floor with a capacity of approximately 90 liters (16 liters on 4WD models). This extends the total cargo height to a maximum of 1,485 mm, meaning that large objects can be loaded upright without folding down the rear seats.
Toyota says that despite the vehicle’s height, stability is enhanced through the use of stiffer suspension with larger shocks and stabilizers. Optimized sheet thickness for the roof panel and plastic construction for the back door and front fenders have lightened the vehicle and lowered its center of gravity. Aerodynamic fins, which improve stability at high speeds, are included as standard on door mirrors and rear combination lamps.
Like the Wake, Pixis Mega is powered by a 660 cc normally aspirated or turbocharged engine with eco-IDLE, an idle-stop system designed to conserve fuel.
Pixis Mega is built at the Oita (Nakatsu) plant by Daihatsu Motor Kyushu.
News source and photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp. and Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd. Features and specifications apply to models sold in Japan and are subject to change without notice.
Story (commentary) © 2015 CarNichiWa.com