Report: All-new Toyota Rush to ditch RWD for front-wheel drive

MANILA: The small MPV lineup from Toyota has seen a significant transformation in recent years. Body-on-frame design and rear-wheel drive have been abandoned in favor of unibody and front-wheel drive platforms for the Avanza and Veloz, respectively. These two models received a makeover that arguably increased their spaciousness and comfort.

Since the Avanza and Veloz are switching platforms, the Rush is the only remaining "typical" small MPV/crossover model. Now, the model still has rear-wheel drive and a ladder frame chassis similar to a truck, but if a story from Indonesia is accurate, that could soon alter.

The report asserts that the upcoming Rush might take the Avanza and Raize's example. The article also says that the switch to a front-drive platform might occur in a few years for the Rush, which is also known as the Daihatsu Terios. The Daihatsu New Global Architecture platform is the most likely option for the Rush's chassis in the upcoming generation. If so, the all-new Rush will resemble the Raize and the redesigned Vios more closely.

There are no specifics at this moment, but given Toyota's new strategy for its compact seven-seaters, it may not come as much of a surprise. It is interesting to note that Toyota just registered the name "Raize Space" as a trademark at the WIPO IP Portal. This leads to speculations that Rush will no longer exist. The current-generation Rush will remain in production for a little while longer, the article claims.

Photos from Toyota Motor Philippines

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