Solved: Wendax 664 - Karenjy Iraka

[Wendax]

My blue car for the day.

For one point, please respond and identify this car.

[Wendax]

up

[cmetisse]

Karenjy ! The only car produced (?) in Madagascar, between 1985 and 1993. It seems that some investors are trying to put it back on production...

[Otto Puzzell]

Front page featured!

http://www.autopuzzles.com

[Wendax]

Karenjy ! The only car produced (?) in Madagascar, between 1985 and 1993. It seems that some investors are trying to put it back on production...

Yes, but there were several Karenjy models. Locked for you to find out which one it is.

[Wendax]

Front page featured!

http://www.autopuzzles.com

[cmetisse]

I have it as the Mazana, the saloon version.

It has a rear engine, Renault 18 diesel type, that drives the rear wheels or the fourth (non-permanent 4WD). Gasoline engines are available, sourced from the Renault Express.

There is a small pick-up, the Faoka, but it seems that its engine is fitted in front instead.
All the range has a fiberglass body.

The small "factory" of Fianarantsoa has been reopened since 2009, with unfinished cars stockpiled inside. So the new owners has chosen to sell these, after a well-deserved rehabilitation.
It was studied first by l'Institut Malgache de l'Innovation.

Finally, the new owners are even thinking of future versions, with up-to-date engines.

[Wendax]

We had the Karenjy Mazana and Faoka before:
http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=3771.0
http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?topic=17570.0

According to my information, the Mazana was 4x4 only. The 4x2 version had a different name. That's the one I'm looking for.

[cmetisse]

Karenjy Iraka !

The name of the company that owns the brand is Soatao.

Talking about Karenjy, I've just read that the Faoka is indeed FWD, with a gasoline 1.1 Renault Express, and use a ladder-type chassis that was built for the Jejo (a word that mean 'coquett' in malagasy !), a stillborn prototype of a local small car, looking a bit like a Visa...

Another fascinating story ! 

[Wendax]

Congratulations, Iraka is the name I was looking for.

One more point for you.

[Otto Puzzell]

So ends the shortest-duration front-page exposure in AutoPuzzles history. 

[Wendax]

 

Where else would you need more obscure cars than a locally built minivan from Madagascar to stay unsolved for a while? That's what I like about AutoPuzzles.