Daihatsu has revealed a sporty rear-wheel drive roadster the scale of the Mazda MX-5, together with a trio of tiny electrical ideas.
The previous known as the Imaginative and prescient Copen Idea and can debut together with the electrical ideas at this month’s Japan Mobility Present, which runs from October 26 to November 5.
The Imaginative and prescient Copen seems to be just like the first-generation Daihatsu Copen that was offered right here from 2003 to 2005 but it surely’s fairly a bit greater, together with beneath the bonnet.
As a substitute of being a kei class automotive with a 660cc engine, the Imaginative and prescient Copen Idea packs a 1.3-litre engine of unspecified outputs.
That’s twice the scale of the engine discovered within the first- and second-generation Copen roadsters, although nonetheless smaller than the entry-level Mazda MX-5 engine, a 1.5-litre which has been discontinued right here.
Daihatsu doesn’t make be aware of what transmissions can be accessible, although an computerized shifter is clearly seen within the rendering. The outgoing mannequin is accessible with both a five-speed handbook or a repeatedly variable transmission.
The Imaginative and prescient Copen Idea measures 3835mm lengthy, 1695mm extensive and 1265mm tall on a 2415mm wheelbase.
That’s 80mm shorter, 40mm narrower and 35mm taller than a Mazda MX-5 on a 105mm shorter wheelbase.
It’s additionally 440mm longer and 220mm wider than the outgoing Copen, which is offered as each a Daihatsu and Toyota in Japan.
“This new compact sports activities convertible provides the final word in driving pleasure by combining a front-engine, rear-wheel drive structure with an inner combustion engine able to utilizing CN gas, whereas inheriting the common styling paying homage to the first-generation Copen and the electrified open/shut Lively Prime roof,” Daihatsu says in its press launch.
Regardless of the bigger dimensions, the Copen carefully resembles the cutesy first-generation mannequin and the Cero version of the second-generation line, full with spherical headlights and tail lights.
Whereas Daihatsu hasn’t launched any photographs of the Copen with its high up, each generations have used a folding steel hardtop – one thing that’s changing into more and more uncommon amongst convertibles.
The Imaginative and prescient Copen isn’t the one droptop Daihatsu plans to indicate off on the motor present.
The Osanpo is a barely higher-riding electrical convertible measuring 3395mm lengthy, 1475mm extensive and 1300mm tall on a 2440mm wheelbase – nearly equivalent dimensions to the outgoing Copen.
It has no efficiency aspirations, with Daihatsu describing it as “an expensive car to slowly benefit from the nature round you in a nice breeze, as if taking a stroll” and providing “relaxed enjoyment”.
It has additionally given it a barely larger journey top, aiding consolation. No additional specs have been launched.
Daihatsu can be utilizing the Japan Mobility Present to indicate off a brand new mini passenger EV and a mini business EV, known as the me:MO and Uniform, respectively.
The me:MO measures simply 2955mm lengthy and has been designed as a “sustainable automotive that can be utilized for a very long time in response to adjustments within the buyer’s stage of life and utilization”.
The Uniform has been previewed as each a tiny truck and a cargo van, with detachable inside and exterior elements and an exterior energy provide perform. They each measure simply 3395mm lengthy and 1475mm extensive.
The unique Copen was one of many final Daihatsus supplied in Australia, with simply 401 offered between 2003 and 2005 when the model withdrew from the native market.
Over the identical interval, Mazda offered 1766 examples of its pricier MX-5, although the Daihatsu outsold the Sensible Roadster (276 gross sales over the identical interval).