© JAMES TAYLOR
Editor: Land Rover Enthusiast Magazine

Background

'Asia' was a relatively new name in the European 4x4 market, although the South Korean company behind it has been building light four-wheel drives for many years, not least for the South Korean military. Since 1976, Asia Motors (of Seoul) has actually belonged to Kia Motors, and both companies have enjoyed links with the Japanese Mazda concern.

It was Mazda which designed the Rocsta's 1.8-litre petrol engine, a power-plant available in the 626 saloon until 1992. It was Mazda, too, which was responsible for the 2.2-litre diesel alternative. However, these powerplants were perhaps the newest elements of the vehicle. It is, in fact, a civilian derivative of the Korean Army's standard 1/4-ton light utility, itself derived from the Jeep CJ-5 which was last built in 1983.

Nevertheless, Asia Motors turned the age of the basic design to good advantage. Its appearance appealed to the fashion for 'retro' styling which also underpinned the success of Mahindra's Jeep-derived models and to some extent of the Jeep Wrangler itself. A few gaudy side-stripes made their contribution to the vehicle's fashionable appeal, and the economical four-cylinder engines provided adequate performance without the fuel-guzzling tendencies of the big sixes and V8s associated with authentic Jeeps. However, the least said about the Rocsta name (try reading it as 'rock star') the better; no doubt it sounds enormously chic in non-English-speaking countries, but it tends to make British buyers cringe.

The Asia Rocsta entered production during 1990, but was not announced for the British market until 1993, examples not becoming available through the showrooms until early the following year. The first 12 months of sales saw fewer than 600 examples sold, so this is not a common 4x4 in Britain. Nevertheless, it does appeal to a niche market. The Rocsta can be bought in either hardtop or soft-top configuration, and there is also a van derivative of the hardtop for the commercial market.

Character summary

The Rocsta has a quite distinctive character as an 'image' vehicle for younger buyers. Some of its elements - the side-stripes, the fake windscreen hinges -are purely designed for the sake of appearances yet equipment levels are quite basic in order to keep the showroom price down. Similarly, the vehicle's compact dimensions make it only just big enough for four people, and with four up there is very little luggage space available behind the seats.

Strictly speaking, this is a 4x4 for young singles and young couples who do not need much carrying space and are more concerned with image than practicality. This category of buyer is forgiving about the length of time necessary to erect the complicated soft-top; buyers with families would soon find such design weaknesses an irritation.

Nevertheless, build quality overall is good, and the GRP hardtop fits well.

Performance summary

The Rocsta is rather like a traditional Jeep or an early Land Rover to drive: it is noisy and draughty, with a ride which only young people will tolerate for long periods. However, the controls feel much more modern, with a light clutch and a gearchange which is smooth if a little sloppy. The petrol engine is the one to go for if the vehicle is going to be used mainly on the road. The diesel has better low-down torque for off-road use; on the road, however, despite a fair degree of refinement and a reasonably responsive nature, it offers less performance than the petrol alternative for no improvement in fuel economy.

The unassisted steering feels vague and has little self-centering action, and the turning circle is large for a vehicle of this size. There is plenty of understeer in corners, and the back end can be unsettled on bumpy bends. Even on dead straight roads, the Rocsta's leaf-spring suspension promotes plenty of pitch and wallow. Worth knowing is that very early vehicles had eight-leaf springs which gave a very rough ride indeed; the importers quickly changed these for four-leaf springs with an additional helper leaf, and these did improve the ride considerably.

Off the road, the short wheelbase and short overhangs both front and rear allow the Rocsta to give quite a good account of itself. However, axle travel is limited (as with most leaf-sprung vehicles) and the heavily-damped steering can make it difficult for the driver to determine what the front wheels are doing. The plastic mouldings along the lower edges of the body are also vulnerable to damage.

Reliability, weaknesses, spares

The Rocsta has not been available in Britain for long enough to make a balanced judgment about its reliability. However, initial indications are good, and there appear to be no major problems with spare parts availability.

Resale values

It is too early yet to assess resale values accurately. Nevertheless, early indications are favourable.