Daihatsu Ayla EV concept is a battery-powered Toyota Wigo

Not too long ago, Toyota surprised everyone at the 2022 Indonesia International Motor Show when they revealed the Innova EV concept. While it may not be a production vehicle (yet), the fact that Toyota actually made a working concept of the popular MPV showed just how serious Toyota is about actually making more zero-emissions vehicles.

Fast forward to this year’s Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), and Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu has also revealed an EV concept of its own. It’s the Daihatsu Ayla EV, and it’s essentially the EV version of the Toyota Wigo we have in the Philippines.

That’s right, Daihatsu just made a battery-powered version of its popular hatchback and it looks promising. Since it doesn’t have an engine under the hood, the automaker was able to make the five-door have a cleaner and more dynamic-looking front fascia. It gets a sleek front bumper with faux side intakes along with a simpler-looking grille.

Even the rear of the Ayla EV was given a makeover as it now comes with a new set of LED taillights, along with a charging port that replaces the gas cap on the regular Ayla/Wigo. And instead of having side mirrors, the EV comes with side cameras not only provide a clearer picture but also improve the hatchback’s aerodynamics. Rounding up the exterior changes are the larger alloy wheels and the closed-out rear doors which give the EV a sporty three-door look.

As mentioned earlier, it no longer has a three-cylinder engine under the hood. Instead, it has a 60kW (82 PS) electric motor that is paired to a 32kWh battery pack. In order to compensate for the extra weight of the battery and electric powertrain, Daihatsu said they upgraded the suspension and chassis. Estimated cruising range and performance figures were not revealed for the Ayla EV concept, however.

There’s no word if Daihatsu will actually build a production version of the Ayla EV in the not-so-distant future. But with electrification continuing to make waves in the global market, perhaps Daihatsu is already in the process of making one, with the concept serving as a testbed of sorts. This could also mean that the Toyota Wigo might get an EV version.

For now, we can only imagine just how popular a Toyota Wigo EV could become in case the automaker actually decides to make it a reality.