Home - Automobile Reviews - Japanese Microcar-Maker Daihatsu Launches Two Tiny Concepts in Frankfurt
Japanese Microcar-Maker Daihatsu Launches Two Tiny Concepts in Frankfurt
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Compact SUV is Stylish while Little Roadster Displays the Future of HEV Technology To North Americans, Daihatsu is little more than a vague memory from a time when the economy was open to Japanese microcars. A brief sales stint from the 80s and 90s has left us with memorabilia from more optimistic times. All that currently remains from that early sales trickle in the United States are leftover Suzuki Samurai-esque Rocky SUVs and the tiny if not forgotten Charade microcar. After its withdrawal from the North American market, the brand concentrated on Europe and Asia, updating and upgrading its lineup. Perceived as a purveyor of Kei-cars for the European market, it found its niche supplying tiny SUVs, sports cars and city roamers, although it was tough going. A major stake purchase by Japanese giant Toyota ensured Daihatsus survival, although the result of such most likely means the offbeat
Just the same, for this years Frankfurt Motor Show Daihatsus stand will be filled with new models, but, two concepts that will be making their world debut are most interesting. Microcar fans should be in for a treat, as the company will be displaying its new D-Compact 4X4 Concept, a junior-sized sport utility vehicle, and the HSV Concept, a lightweight hybrid sports car. The D-Compact Concept is something that most have been expecting for some time now. The brands smallest off-roader, the Terios is now one of the older models in the lineup, and is in serious need of updating or replacing. Compared to the narrow and rather slab-sided Terios, the D-Compact
values of producing nimble and agile vehicles that adapt to inner-city environments, the D-Compact is smaller than the average SUV. Its poweAs Daihatsu has not given up on its corered by a compact, all-new 1.5-liter engine that is able to give it decent acceleration and reasonable cruising speeds. As with most new Daihatsu engines, this 1.5-liter unit should excel above the average by providing very low carbon dioxide emissions. More likely to draw crowds to the stand is the HVS Concept, Daihatsus latest environmentally friendly sports roadster. From a strict visual standpoint, the HVS takes on a similar role to the current Copen roadster, the worlds smallest folding hardtop convertible. The HVS is a much more dramatic vehicle; from the first preliminary sketch, it has BMW-style flamed surfaces, boldly flared wheel arches and short overhangs.  More likely to draw crowds to the stand is the HVS Concept, Daihatsus latest environmentally friendly sports roadster. (Photo: Daihatsu) | | ||||||
While the heart might be moved by the exterior, its whats underneath that really counts. The HVS uses the same 1.5-liter gasoline engine as found in the D-Compact, but mates it to a new hybrid-electric system turning the HVS into an all-wheel drive machine. Using individual motors for each rear wheel and an intelligent drive-control mechanism, the car is able to use its electric hybrid components to provide exceptional stability during high-speed maneuvering.
Daihatsu claims the new HVS sports car concept is capable of providing the performance and acceleration of a car equipped with a 2.0-liter engine, but with fuel consumption and emissions bettering that of a car equipped with a 1.0-liter powerplant.
While Daihatsu probably wont return to the North American market due to Toyotas ever-expanding range of economical cars and the Scion lineup in the United States, elsewhere in the world this microcar manufacturer is showing that it has its fingertips on the pulse of todays technology. Hopefully Daihatsu and Toyota will consider introducing the new kind of hybrid technology established with the HSV in future North American-bound vehicles.
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