1 Nov 2000
By CHRIS HARRIS
DAEWOO was actually the first importer to offer a Renault Scenic-style “space hatch” in late 2000, narrowly beating the French and Mazda’s Premacy.
The Tacuma was built on the J100 Nubira platform, and featured much of that small car’s front-wheel drive drivetrain.
Holden supplied the engine – a 94kW/183Nm 2.0-litre twin-cam 16-valve Family II unit – tied to a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual gearbox.
Pininfarina did the controversial styling – which gave the Daewoo a distinctive presence on the road.
But despite this – and a versatile interior featuring a plethora of seating arrangements for five as well as the ability to remove the rear seats panel van style – the Tacuma failed to find an audience in Australia.
From early ’04 a minor facelift introduced new trim, but Holden’s decision to pull the plug on Daewoo-badge cars in late ’04 sealed the forgotten Tacuma’s fate. It did deserve better.
