Daihatsu took near to everybody by way of marvel closing week on the 2023 Japan Mobility Display the place it unveiled a conceptual Copen. No longer the cute front-wheel-drive kei automobile we have recognized since 2002 when the primary technology was once unveiled however a miles better automobile with rear-wheel power. Shifting clear of its kei automobile origins additionally intended the engineers got the liberty to put in an engine better than the 658cc utilized by the present manufacturing style.

Output was once no longer disclosed, however with a 1.3-liter engine underneath the hood, one can safely suppose it had extra grunt than the puny 0.6-liter turbo engine generating 63 hp and 68 lb-ft within the kei automobile. Further energy is a need bearing in mind the Imaginative and prescient Copen is 151 inches lengthy and 66.7 inches huge, subsequently making it about 18 inches longer and just about 9 inches wider than the JDM-spec kei automobile. It is nonetheless smaller than the Mazda MX-5 Miata however no longer by way of a lot.

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However why did Daihatsu make a decision to make its pint-sized sporty automobile considerably better? Japan’s Perfect Automotive mag requested this query to the individual in command of the improvement group, and the solution they were given was once somewhat fascinating: “The theory in the back of the Copen was once that if it have been to be a full-fledged sports activities automobile, clear of a mild automobile, call for would build up, together with the opportunity of export. That is it.”

In different phrases, a larger Copen with a extra robust engine and rear-wheel power would make it extra interesting in comparison to exporting the present kei automobile. Lest we fail to remember Daihatsu is a completely owned Toyota subsidiary, so it would not be all that onerous to promote the style out of doors of Japan. Perfect Automotive even speculates it might turn out to be a Toyota-badged coupe with a hard and fast roof to fit under the GR86 however it is wishful pondering at this level.

On 2nd idea, in all probability that is not such an outlandish concept bearing in mind Toyota’s personal S-FR thought from 2015 was once additionally a petite sports activities automobile. Pictured under, it was once 157.1 inches lengthy and had the very same 66.7-inch width because the Imaginative and prescient Idea. It had a 1.5-liter fuel engine with 130 hp routed to the rear wheels by the use of a six-speed handbook. Unfortunately, Daihatsu’s new thought has handiest two pedals.

We’re going to have to attend and notice how this performs out however the time is ticking for the present Copen allowing for it’s been round since 2014. It is the closing of the performance-oriented kei vehicles, following the loss of life of the Honda S660 closing yr.