Eco-Friendly through Desert and Asphalt Jungle
Eco-friendly over hill and dale: That’s the motto under which fahrmitgas.de presents the Daihatsu Terios DESERT MOUSE concept car.
The Desert Mouse is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a rated power output of 105 hp / 77 kW. When operated on autogas, the engine’s CO2 emissions are reduced by some ten percent for especially eco-friendly driving.
The five-door 4x4 SUV is also a true eye catcher: The small off-roader sets itself apart with a desert camouflage paintjob and with matte-black front brush guards and running boards from Cobra Technology & Lifestyle as well as with auxiliary headlamps in the front and on the roof.
Pedigreed BF Goodrich all-terrain tires in size 225/75 R 16 mounted on size 7Jx16 wheels give the DESERT MOUSE optimal traction on loose ground. For a spectacular look the wheels are moved out from the hub dramatically using H&R wheel spacers.
The DESERT MOUSE lives up to its name in the interior as well. Included in the unique features are custom-tailored camouflage-design seat covers and an iPod Touch with integrated GPS navigation system and a number of selected apps that among other things can also direct the driver to the nearest autogas filling station.
The Daihatsu Terios DESERT MOUSE concept car is ready for production as a special model if the public response warrants it. Numerous components such as the autogas system, the add-on body parts and the wheels are already available in the Daihatsu accessories program.
The Terios is one of the most intriguing compact SUVs on the market. The conversion to autogas operation, custom-developed by fahrmitgas.de for the 105-hp / 77-kW 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, makes the Daihatsu one of the most eco-friendly vehicles in its class. Autogas burns cleaner than gasoline and consequently the fahrmitgas.de system lowers CO2 emissions by some ten percent, making the autogas option the perfect choice for the Daihatsu Terios DESERT MOUSE concept car.
The autogas conversion is already available from fahrmitgas.de and allows dual-fuel operation of the Terios on autogas and gasoline. The five-door SUV can be operated on cheap LPG autogas (currently about 0.62 Euro per liter, prices may vary from country) or on premium gasoline at more than twice the cost. Drivers can switch between operating modes at the push of a button in the cockpit.
The advantages of the autogas conversion are apparent, not the least of which are cost savings of more than 50 percent at the pump depending on the price of gasoline.
To make this possible fahrmitgas.de has developed a high-end system with sequential injection that supplies each cylinder with autogas individually. The conversion also includes electronic precision engine controls and an electronic metering device for the innovative fahrmitgas.de P1000 autogas additive. It is the first product of its kind proven to protect intake and outlet valves. It provides optimal valve protection and reliably prevents engine failure.
The most conspicuous feature of the autogas system in the Terios is the safety tank. The tank is made from 3.5-millimeter thick steel and is designed to look like a spare wheel. It is mounted vertically in the trunk and has a capacity of 46 liters. Together with the unmodified 50-liter production fuel tank it gives the car an operating range of some 900 kilometers. In the DESERT MOUSE concept car the tank is fitted with a desert-camouflage-patterned fabric cover.
The dual sport rear muffler from the Daihatsu program gives the eco-friendly engine a sportier exhaust note.
On the outside the DESERT MOUSE sports a desert camouflage look. For optimal reflection of the sun the base color is a matte-white 3D film broken up by beige, ochre and brown camouflage elements.
Off-road specialist Cobra Technology & Lifestyle has created black-coated versions of its stainless-steel components to contrast with the overall appearance. These components are available in high-gloss stainless-steel versions for the normal Terios in the official accessories program. The elastically mounted front brush guard has a tube diameter of 60 millimeters and meets the latest EG guidelines for pedestrian protection.
A stainless-steel bumper grate from Cobra Technology & Lifestyle gives the SUV an even more striking face. Stainless-steel sill guards protect the rocker panels against damage during rough off-road missions and facilitate entering and exiting the vehicle with integrated steps.
The DESERT MOUSE concept also includes enormous all-terrain tires. BF Goodrich provides the perfect rubber in form of the All Terrain T/A tire in size 225/75 R 16. Its bold tread design looks spectacular and guarantees optimal traction on loose ground. The tires are mounted on size 7Jx16 alloy wheels, which like the matte-black fender flares stem from the Daihatsu accessories program. For trips far away from civilization an identical wheel with identical tire is mounted on the liftgate.
For further improved off-road capabilities the car’s track is also widened. Aluminum spacers, custom-developed by H&R for the DESERT MOUSE concept car, widen the track by 30 millimeters in the front and by 50 millimeters on the rear axle. They also give the small SUV a more mature appearance.
Further features that make the small 4x4 fit for trips around the great big world are four auxiliary headlamps mounted on the brush guard and on the roof.
The desert camouflage theme also dominates the interior of the DESERT MOUSE concept car based on the Daihatsu Terios. Custom-tailored seat covers with desert camouflage design lend both front seats and the rear bench a true feeling of adventure.
The DESERT MOUSE equipment also includes an iPod Touch with integrated GPS navigation system and various selected apps that among other things can lead the way to the nearest autogas filling station. A head-up display projects the speedometer readings onto the windshield in front of the driver.
The Daihatsu Terios DESERT MOUSE concept car serves as a vehicle study. A similar special model might be offered in the future. Numerous components such as the autogas system, the add-on body parts and the wheels are already available for all current Terios models.
