Small, but perfectly formed

By ALASTAIR SLOANE, motoring editor

The soft-top Daihatsu Copen, one of a new wave of sporty turbocharged models aimed at changing public perception of the brand, came about because of a loophole in Japan's Kei, or light car class.

The small Kei cars have nothing to do with Japan's minimalist traditions. The class exists to take advantage of the country's tax laws.

For starters, they don't cost as much to register as bigger cars, but they have to fit into special-sized parking spaces and their engines can be no larger than 660cc.

Most Kei cars are almost Noddy-like toys, certainly parked alongside New Zealand's most popular sedan, the Holden Commodore. But there is nothing in the Kei rules banning turbocharging, so tiny sports cars like the Daihatsu Copen have become something of a domestic Japanese speciality.

The Copen is the second Kei car to officially be sold in New Zealand. The first was the Suzuki Capuccino, back in the 1990s. The Honda Beat arrived here, too, but as a used import. There have been others.

The new convertible Copen (compact/open, get it?) went on sale the other day, priced at $29,990. Optional heated leather seats cost an extra $2000.

It will be sold under the Daihatsu sign at Toyota dealerships, like every Daihatsu has since Toyota New Zealand took over responsibility for the brand in May 2002.

In Japan, Daihatsu is part of the Toyota group. Its financial results and market share are tied in with those of Toyota.

The same happens here, although the arrangement has been criticised by rival carmakers.

Ford New Zealand says it doesn't include Mazda sales in its figures, although Mazda is part of the Ford group.

It's a messy area, with so many brands now in the hands of a few.

Last year, Daihatsu sold 1328 vehicles in New Zealand, 15 units fewer than the 1343 record in 1998. The 1328 were included in market leader Toyota's 18,479 units overall.

Daihatsu was the 14th-largest vehicle here in 2003, selling only three vehicles fewer than Peugeot and 50 vehicles more than Suzuki.

The carmaker is one of Japan's oldest industrial names. It began business in 1907 and from 1930 - six years before Toyota produced its first car - it built small three-wheeled vehicles.

The origins of the name Daihatsu are thus: In Japanese, "hatsudoki" means engine or motor and "dai" is a character in Japanese writing used to spell Osaka, where Daihatsu is based. Daihatsu is an abbreviation of "the motor manufacturer from Osaka."

The Copen weighs 830kg and is hand-built by a team of 100 technicians at a special factory called the Expert Centre. Only 1200 are made each year.

The two-seater coupe with its distinctive teardrop styling has a power-operated retractable hardtop roof that opens in about 20 seconds and automatically packs itself into the boot area.

The intercooled turbocharged 660cc four-cylinder engine produces 50kW (67 bhp) of power at 6000 rpm and 100Nm of torque at 3200 rpm and drives the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

It rides on 15-inch alloy wheels with low profile tyres. Toyota says that the car's low centre of gravity means that the suspension provides precise, responsive handling.

Safety features include dual front airbags, and anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. There are twin chrome bars behind the seats for rollover protection, in case a careless driver turns the little car on its ear.

Interior features include power windows, electric mirrors, air-conditioning, engine immobiliser, sports-type seats, metallic accents and a metal-ball gear lever. The audio system has a single in-dash CD player with MP3-format capability.

The model is available in six exterior colours and comes standard with black fabric. The optional leather seats are available in red or tan.

The Copen was first unveiled as a concept at the 1999 Tokyo motor show. In 2002, it was awarded the 2002 Good Design Gold Prize by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organisation. It was one of only 14 products selected for the prestigious prize from 900 entries.

Last year, Daihatsu beefed up a Copen for the Tokyo motor show. The car stood out for its oversized rear wing, but was what was under the bonnet was more interesting.

Engineers had shoehorned in a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo engine from the Daihatsu YRV, which generates (104kW (140 bhp) and 177Nm of torque.

The project was labelled the Copen SARD, after the Japanese performance parts maker SARD, a race car builder for Toyota.

The show car's handling was revised and it was fitted with Brembo brakes at the front, Potenza tyres and stiffer springs.

A Daihatsu spokesman at the show said a four-wheel-drive version of the Copen could be on the cards.

"We plan to use the YRV's four-wheel-drive system, but the complex underpinnings are the hurdle right now."