Keen to be seen as more than a supplier of practical, sensible cars, Toyota Australia is importing a fascinating new model called the Rukus. Virtually a Toyota Corolla with a totally different body, the funky looking 2010 Rukus is aimed at those who want to stand out from the madding motoring mob.
Who stand out not only by driving an unusual car, but also one that just screams out to be personalised. As well as offering a big range of options itself, Toyota seems less concerned than usual in having the aftermarket guys and gals giving the vehicle a working over. Check the internet, Facebook and Twitter to get some stunning thoughts on what has been and can be done to make a Rukus that's really yours.
Defiantly square and boxy in its shape, Rukus is only one of a number of Japanese models that follow the same theme. You see them everywhere on the streets of Tokyo, but until now they have been considered too daring for Australian buyers.
A real bonus of the boxy shape is the amount of interior space provided. Aimed mainly at carrying a bunch of teens or those in their twenties, the Rukus can also swallow families and a huge amount of luggage. And the kids will think Dad is just wonderful for choosing such a car.
If the kids have reached the car-driving stage and are of large-teenage proportions they will still be able to get comfortable in the spacious back seat any time Mum or Dad refuses to let them at the steering wheel. Though the exterior is all square, boxy and edgy, Toyota's stylists have taking the opposite route in the interior, going for lots of round areas, knobs, vents, audio controls and so on.
The instruments consist of circular dials (though the speedo has a digital readout) and are set in the centre of the dashboard, not in front of the driver. Toyota is calling the model grades of the Rukus Build 1, Build 2 and Build 3. Even the Rukus Build 1 gets a decent level of equipment, with alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry and ignition and power windows and mirrors. Safety items include ABS brakes, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and six airbags.
To this the Build 2 adds leather accents in the trim, a steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, climate control and an extra three speakers in the stereo, bringing it up to nine speakers including a sub woofer. Topping off the lineup is the Rukus Build 3 with a powered moonroof.
The aforementioned Toyota Corolla platform on which the Rukus sits is also used for the Toyota RAV4, so Toyota Australia has been able to specify the big capacity 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine used in that SUV. Meaning the 1400 kilogram Rukus gets plenty of punch by way of 123 kilowatts of power and 224 Newton metres of torque. Toyota hasn't measured the zero to 100 km/h time, saying it's not really that sort of vehicle, but the couple of Rukuses (Ruki?) we briefly tested certainly felt spritely enough. We will carry out a full road test later and report on our findings.
Though Toyota is aiming the Rukus at the young urban trendies, it may be doing itself a disservice by ignoring potential older buyers. After all, those who are now on in their sixties were once in the sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll generation, and followed that up by participating in the fabled hippie era. The combination of them trying to revisit their youth, while looking for a car that’s easy for the aging joints to get in and out of may push them fair and square in the direction of the fair and square Toyota Rukus.
With a recommended price list that begins at a very reasonable $27,490 the new for 2010 Toyota Rukus looks like being a hit.
MODELS AND PRICING
Build 1: $27,490* (automatic)
Build 2: $29,990 (automatic)
Build 3: $31,790 (automatic)
*Note: these prices do not include dealer or government charges. |
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