Asia Rocsta

The Asia Rocsta is a sport utility vehicle from South Korea with strong ajar to the Jeep CJ -7 optics.

History

Since March 1990, the Rocsta 102, thus producing the official name, in the Korean Gwangju. Asia Motors, a 100 percent subsidiary of Kia Motors, mainly produces military and commercial vehicles and belongs since 1976 to the Kia Group.

Here was also the KM 410, a lightweight multi-purpose all-terrain vehicle for the Korean army, which was manufactured, among other things with old dies of Jeep M38A, so the similarity is explained by the Jeep. From the base of the KM 410 of the civil Rocsta 102 was developed. In addition to some technical changes (for example, the use of 1.8 liter Mazda engine instead of the 2.0 Kia engines and gearboxes with longer, roadworthy translations) got the Rocsta right steel doors instead of the Jeep typical door openings, as well as many plastic parts in the interior ( for example dashboard ) and to the body ( fender flares, side skirts ).

Import and market

1991 Rocsta was first imported to Europe. First, to Italy, from 1993 to Holland and to England. Chance he was also brought over free importers to Germany.

Since 1994, the Rocsta was also officially imported into the Federal Republic. Due to the increased engagement of the manufacturer Kia on the German market and the galloping at this time SUV boom, has been introduced to Rocsta the subsidiary Asia Motors along with it.

Apparently they believed themselves not to the great success with the technologically obsolete Rocsta, because this was advertised from the beginning as a pure niche car, marketed and distributed. So the Rocsta was only available in certain Kia sales bases, but was still offered by free traders.

1994 on the introduction, the purchase price was DM 24.990, - for the cheapest model with soft top and a petrol engine. Thus, the Rocsta cost DM 180, - more than a Suzuki Samurai. The other end of the price scale marked the diesel with the DX equipment, with DM 29,990 - was on the list. For comparison, a Mahindra CJ 340/540 ( with 2.1 liter diesel engine) then cost between DM 23,490, - and DM 25,990, - a Jeep Wrangler ( 2.5 liter 4 cylinder) DM 35.410, -. Later Rocsta models (from about Year 97) originate mostly from the free import, mainly from Holland or Italy. However, models that were destined for the Australian market, found their way to Germany.

Although the Rocsta played no major role in the German market, he was being his fan base.

Engines and equipment

Both offered engines (petrol and diesel ) come from the Mazda - shelf. The gasoline engine is the 1.8 liter engine (F8 ) from the old Mazda 626 and provides with catalyst and an electronically controlled carburetor 78 hp from 1.8 liters.

The 2.2 liter naturally aspirated diesel engine magma (R2 ) comes from the Mazda E2000 bus or van. The power is 61 hp.

Besides the standard version, there was a "DX" features, which included power steering, a tilt steering wheel, tachometer, clock, center console, as well as alloy wheels with tires in size 235 /75 R 15.

In 1998, under the model designation Kia Rocsta again a larger batch offered in 1.8-liter petrol models with air conditioning and closed hardtop.