Asia Rocsta

Kia
Rocsta
Production period:	1990-1999
Class :	Off-road vehicle
Body versions :	Cabriolet
Engines:	Otto engine : 1.8 liters (57 kW) Diesel engine : 2.2 liters (45 kW)
Length:	3580-4190 mm
Width:	1690 mm
Height:	1820-1850 mm
Wheelbase :	2130-2730 mm
Empty weight :	1220-1280 kg
successor	Kia Retona

Rear view

The Asia Rocsta is an off-road vehicle from South Korea with a look that is heavily based on the Jeep CJ-7 .

history

The Rocsta 102 , its official name, has been produced in Gwangju , Korea , since March 1990 . Asia Motors , a 100 percent subsidiary of Kia Motors , mainly produces military and commercial vehicles and has been part of the Kia Group since 1976.

This is also where the KM 410 was created , a lightweight multi-purpose off-road vehicle for the Korean army, which was manufactured using old pressing tools from the Jeep M38A, which explains the similarity to the Jeep. The civil Rocsta 102 was developed from the basis of the KM 410. In addition to some technical changes (for example the use of 1.8-liter Mazda engines instead of the 2.0-liter Kia engines and transmissions with longer, road-going gear ratios), the Rocsta got real steel doors instead of the typical Jeep door cutouts, as well as many plastic parts in the interior (for example dashboard) and on the body (fender flares, side skirts).

Import and market

In 1991 the Rocsta was first imported to Europe. First to Italy, from 1993 to Holland and England. Occasionally it was brought to Germany through independent importers.

Since 1994 the Rocsta has also been officially imported into the Federal Republic. Due to the increased involvement of the manufacturer Kia in the German market and the boom of the off-road vehicle galloping at the time, the Rocsta from the subsidiary Asia Motors was introduced at the same time.

Apparently they did not believe in the great success of the technically outdated Rocsta, because this was advertised, marketed and sold as a pure niche car from the start. The Rocsta was only available at certain Kia sales outlets, but was still offered by independent dealers.

In 1994, when it was launched, the purchase price was DM 24,990.00 for the cheapest model with soft top and petrol engine. The Rocsta cost DM 180, - more than a Suzuki Samurai . The other end of the price range was marked by the diesel with the DX equipment, which was on the list at DM 29,990. For comparison: a Mahindra CJ 340/540 (with 2.1-liter diesel engine) cost between DM 23,490 and DM 25,990 at that time, a Jeep Wrangler (with 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine) DM 35,410.00. Later Rocsta models (from around year 97) mostly come from free imports, mainly from Holland or Italy. But models that were intended for the Australian market also found their way to Germany.

Although the Rocsta did not play a major role in the German market, it still found its fan base.

Engines and equipment

Both engines offered (petrol and diesel) come from the Mazda shelf. The petrol engine is the 1.8 liter (F8) engine from the old Mazda 626 and, with a catalytic converter and electronically controlled carburetor, produces 78 hp from a 1.8 liter displacement.

The 2.2 liter Magma suction diesel engine (R2) comes from the Mazda E2000 bus or transporter. The power is 61 hp.

In addition to the standard version, there was a "DX" equipment, which included power steering, a height-adjustable steering wheel, tachometer, time clock, center console and alloy wheels with 235/75 R 15 tires.

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

Web links

Commons : Asia Rocsta  - collection of images, videos and audio files