GT5 Transcripts/Daihatsu Mira TR-XX Avanzato R


 * The Daihatsu Mira was sold as the Cuore outside Japan.

In 1994, the power competition between K-cars had reached its peak. Daihatsu's answer to Suzuki's best seller Alto, was the Mira TR-XX Avanzato. The Avanzato was a sports grade that was added to the previous Mira in 1991, and the Avanzato R is a stoic model with additional features that improve its driving performance.

Japan's bubble economy had already collapsed by this time, but the car market was still full of high-end customers. Although the new Avanzato was a 659 cc K-car, it differentiated itself with the Alto Works, by equipping an engine that was like a full size car; with an inline-4, DOHC 16 valve turbo. The Avanzato R also had a maximum torque of 73.7 ft-lb, and was the first K-car to have over 70 ft-lb torque output.

Even the transmission was given a luxurious choice of a full 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. The rear suspension had a toe-control arm for the first time in a K-car, and combined with the standard LSD, it was capable of extremely sharp cornering. In the FF model, it was also equipped with disc brakes in the rear.

The speed of the Avanzato R was apparent on winding roads. 1st, 2nd, and even 3rd gear would rev up immediately, and aside from very severe tight corners, it was possible to clear most corners in 4th gear. Though with this much performance, the engine cooling was pushed to its very limits, and after a hard run it required a cool down period.

Interestingly, in the month after the sale of the Avanzato R, the rival Alto Works also underwent a full model change. This was a fun era when High power K-cars competed neck and neck to be the best.