The Perodua Ativa* Has Gone Rally Racing In Japan!

D-Sport Racing Team competes in rallies across Japan in aspecially-prepared Daihatsu Rocky (Perodua Ativa)!
(Image: Car Watch)

Yes, what you see here folks, is effectively the Perodua Ativa, or more accurately its Daihatsu Rocky twin, that’s built to go rally racing!

The rally car pictured here is the creation of Daihatsu’s motorsports and tuning division called D-Sport Racing Team. Though renowned for their racing efforts using the sporty Daihatsu Copen kei-class sports coupe instead, this Rocky rally car seems to be the latest addition next to which.

D-Sport Racing Team competes with the Rocky in the Open-E category of the TGR Rally Challenge 2023 series.
(Image: Car Watch)

In fact, D-Sport Racing Team’s Daihatsu Rocky rally racer competes in the Open-E category of the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Rally Challenge 2023 series – a sanctioned entry-level rally championship in Japan.

The rules for this class dictates that the cars competing have zero engine performance modifications. The latter fact does mean this Daihatsu-badged Ativa twin rallies across special stages with just the 98 HP and 140 NM outputs served up by the stock 1.0-litre 1KR-VE 3-cyl turbo heart.

The 1.0-litre 1KR-VE 3-cyl turbo remains stock and unmodified, so it still puts out just 98 HP and 140 NM.
(Image: Car Watch)

This rally-prepared version of the Rocky is based on the model's X grade variant, which comes equipped with
an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup. (Image: Car Watch).

Also, from the images we managed to source, it seems the stock D-CVT automatic transmission is retained in this rally-spec racer. What we can confirm though is the addition of all-wheel-drive (AWD) as this rally racer was built using the X grade variant of the Rocky which comes primed said driveline.

Stock powertrain aside, there are some notable and key modifications to note too. Some mods primed are driven by safety regulations, like the complete roll cage on board, full race bucket seats with six-point harnesses up front, as well as the addition of a data-logger, amongst many.

Full-blown roll cage, full race bucket seats, as well as 6-point racing harnesses are added, as dictated by competition safety regulations. (Image: Car Watch)

Also fitted for competition use is this data-logger. (Image: Car Watch)

Some of the more interesting modifications can be seen in the suspension. Here, D-Sport Racing Team have opted to prime this Rocky rally car with its proprietary D-Sport X-Spec springs, resulting in this Rocky’s 15 to 20 MM ride height increase over its stock figures (1,620 MM).

This perhaps allowed this Rocky to house a set of 15-inch OZ Racing rally wheels shod in Advan A036 rally tyres. Other notable bits include an aluminium scuff plate under the front bumper, as well as a both a tank guard and diff guard covers added to this car’s underside.

Advan A036 rally tyres (left) plus D-Sport X-Spec sprints (right) are key parts that enable this Rocky to go rally racing, especially the latter which lifts the ride height up by 15 to 20 MM. (Image: Car Watch)

Fittingly, this rally-prepared rocky rolls on 15-inch OZ Racing wheels. (Image: Car Watch)

Though not the quickest entrant in its field, this Daihatsu Rocky rally racer does stand out as one of the more interesting ones. It is, after all, the only crossover SUV to compete in this field that also features specially prepared Toyota GT86 coupe and Aqua (Prius c) hatch, and the Daihatsu Copen kei-class roadster.

D-Sport Racing Team traversing through a rally stage with their rally-racing Rocky. (Image: D-Sport Facebook)

While the Daihatsu Rocky (and by virtue, the Perodua Ativa) may seem like an unexpected choice to go rallying with, D-Sport Racing Team has perhaps shown a rather sporty side of the Rocky/Ativa that most wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

Crucially, the effort also perfectly reflects upon the Daihatsu brand’s renowned heritage for rally racing. The marque famously placed fifth overall in the gruelling 1993 Safari Rally, behind the all-dominating ST185 Toyota Celica Turbo that took up the other four positions ahead – plus the overall win.

Not too long ago, Perodua was a dominant force in the Malaysian Rally Championship.
(Image: p2rally.blogspot.com)

Perodua dominated with specially-built rally cars based on its production models like the Kancil, Kelisa (left), Viva, as well as the MyVi (right). (Image: p2rally.blogspot.com)

Closer to home, even Perodua got into the spirit of rally racing back in the day. In fact, the national carmaker ran a full-blown works team led by the late great Garry Chua that dominated the Malaysian Rally Championship. Said effort even spawned rally racing versions of the Kancil, Kelisa, Viva, as well as the MyVi.

Evidently, should Perodua decide to reboot its rally racing efforts, its counterparts from D-Sport Racing Team have somewhat proven that the ever popular and highly successful Ativa crossover may not be a bad place to start with indeed!