U100 Tacuma

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.