Photo: DAIHATSU
GAIKINDO — Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. welcomed a group of journalists from Indonesia to attend a special technical review session about the Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid.
The session was delivered comprehensively by one of Daihatsu’s Chief Engineers at Daihatsu Motor Headquarters, Osaka (Japan), on October 28, 2025.
Chief Engineer of the Product Planning Division of Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., Hiroyuki Tokura, explained the development philosophy behind the Daihatsu Rocky e-Smart Hybrid. This model was independently developed by Daihatsu and was first launched in Japan in November 2021. The meaning of “e-Smart” in Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid — “e” represents electrification and “smart” represents efficiency — also conveys the idea of intelligence, expressing a high-quality yet affordable hybrid vehicle.
“The Daihatsu Rocky e-SMART Hybrid is fully driven by an electric motor, and the gasoline engine functions as a generator to charge the battery.” said Hiroyuki Tokura.
“As a result, this car provides a driving sensation similar to an electric vehicle without the need for charging.”
The Rocky Hybrid operates differently from other hybrid systems. In a series-parallel hybrid system, the engine functions both as a power generator and as a drive unit. Meanwhile, in a parallel hybrid system, the electric motor serves as an assisting drive unit.
In the Daihatsu Rocky Hybrid, which adopts a series system, the engine is exclusively designed to generate power for the electric motor. This system features a compact design and offers excellent performance and fuel efficiency at low to medium speeds. Therefore, the series system is particularly suitable for compact vehicles driven in urban environments.
Daihatsu also explained three key technological components in the Rocky’s Series Hybrid system that contribute to achieving optimal fuel efficiency — the engine, the transaxle system, and the battery.
This vehicle uses a 1.2-liter WA-VEX three-cylinder engine specially designed for hybrid use, capable of reaching a thermal efficiency of up to 40 percent.
This contributes significantly to improving the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
The transaxle system has a lighter and more compact design, equipped with two parallel motors functioning as the power generator and drive motor.
It also achieves a turning radius of five meters, offering excellent maneuverability when driving through city streets and narrow roads.
The Rocky Hybrid is equipped with a high-energy-density lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 4.3 ampere-hour (Ah) while maintaining a compact size. The battery is positioned under the rear seats, allowing the cabin and luggage space to remain spacious. The Rocky Hybrid battery also has an energy capacity of 0.74 kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is six times larger than other vehicles in its class. It is even comparable to medium-size hybrid sport utility vehicles (SUVs) currently available on the market.
The Rocky Hybrid offers various advantages, such as responsive initial acceleration and powerful performance when pressing the gas pedal. The smart pedal feature makes driving more convenient by allowing speed control using only the accelerator pedal. This system is suitable for any driving condition while optimizing battery regeneration and assisting with braking deceleration on downhill roads.
The driving sensation similar to an electric vehicle also provides a quieter ride. In addition, improved multilayer sound insulation in several parts of the vehicle — such as the dashboard, engine hood, rear fenders, and other areas — enhances cabin comfort for in-vehicle communication.
By optimizing its dedicated hybrid engine, the Rocky Hybrid achieves top-level fuel efficiency of 28.0 kilometers per liter (km/L), meeting Japan’s 2030 fuel efficiency standards.
The Daihatsu Rocky in Japan is available in two variants — X-HEV and G-HEV — with prices starting from 2.2 million yen. This makes it the most affordable compact hybrid SUV option in Japan. The hybrid variant of the Daihatsu Rocky also accounts for 60 percent of total Rocky sales in Japan. This trend reflects the growing public interest in vehicles that offer excellent fuel efficiency, environmental friendliness, and daily driving comfort.
The Daihatsu Rocky e-Smart Hybrid was also showcased in Indonesia at the GIIAS automotive exhibition in July 2025. The launch of this model marks the debut of Daihatsu’s first hybrid vehicle in Indonesia. It continues to receive a positive response from Indonesian consumers to this day.
Through its e-SMART HYBRID technology innovation, Daihatsu reinforces its commitment to delivering efficient and eco-friendly vehicles that meet customer needs.
This spirit remains the foundation for Daihatsu in providing sustainable mobility solutions for the future. (*)
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