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Daihatsu Materia, the Auto TARDIS

Whoever has seen "Doctor Who" knows what we are talking about. Or actually what Daihatsu talks about, as the Japanese manufacturer used this tag for their newest UK entry, the Materia mini MPV.

To get this out of the way, TARDIS stands for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space and is, as the name says, a time machine. Materia on the other hand is not. The MPV is your regular workhorse, which will not carry you through time to crisis-free times. But it will help you, thanks to its sliding/folding rear bench seat, make full use of the car's loading capacity: 619 liters.

The £10,770 Materia is powered by 1.5l 16V variable valve timing engine, delivering some 103 horsepower. It can get you to your destination with a top speed of 106 mph (170 km/hour). Fuel economy rates at 46.3 mpg (6.1l/100 km) and CO2 emissions do not exceed 169g/km.

Design wise, the Materia doesn't look at all bad. Some might say it even has a vague resemblance to a London cab, for instance. The flat-nose, flat-top bonnet and the flat tailgate will surely blend in with the surroundings. As for the interior comfort and infotainment, the Materia comes equipped with AC, central locking alarm, stereo CD player, electric windows and mirrors

In Japan, the Materia has attracted a cult following, and understandably so: practical, economical, spacious, and innovative, the Materia is a superbly stylish urban warrior that’s equally happy taking the whole family on holiday, or nipping about in the city," Paul Hegarty Daihatsu Vehicle Distribution director said.

The Materia is available for order. If you chose to get one prior to June 30, Daihatsu will even throw in a £1,000 discount. You will benefit from a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, five years’ UK roadside assistance and eight years’ anti-perforation cover.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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