Section: Daihatsu
Written By: Peter Nunn
November 6th, 2007 11:23 AM
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The countdown has begun for 2007-2008 Japan Car of the Year and so far it’s all going pretty much as expected.
JCOTY is Japan’s most prestigious gong and jurors start out by picking their “10 Best” from a big list of eligible cars.
You probably won’t be too surprised to learn that that 10 Best list includes cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Honda Fit (Jazz), Mazda Demio (Mazda2), and Nissan’s V36 Skyline sedan and coupe (the Japanese speaking cousins to America’s Infiniti G35/G37).
(Click through to learn the rest of the JCOTY finalists.)
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Written By: Peter Nunn
November 5th, 2007 10:45 AM
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The Japanese business press is buzzing about increased collaboration between Toyota, Daihatsu, and Subaru.
Subaru already gets a compact from Toyota/Daihatsu to sell in Europe as the new Subaru Justy. Toyota and Subaru are building cars together in the US and will collaborate on hybrid technology.
(Click through to read more about this interesting collaboration.)
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Written By: Seyth Miersma
October 24th, 2007 6:46 AM
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Doors up, lifted, and ready for the mud; Daihatsu’s Mud Master-C was in full force in Tokyo today.
Wearing the same interior jewelry we’ve come to expect from the first images, a pair of mountain bikes, the Mud Master is a new kind of lifestyle vehicle. Its excellent ground clearance and light weight are even more evident in person, where the Daihatsu’s tiny stature is hard to miss.
Have a gander at some live Mud Master-C images, while we try to convince the Daihatsu brass to take a little side trip for some trail riding and performance testing outside of the city.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch live and stock gallery’s of Mud Master-C images.)
Written By: Seyth Miersma
October 19th, 2007 2:45 PM
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The Daihatsu Tanto has become one of the mainstays of the Japanese microcar segment. The tall and boxy car is indicative of both the specialty of the Daihatsu brand, and of the seemingly insatiable Japanese appetite for tiny cars.
Tanto shows up fresh for this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, where it will feature a first-in-class pillarless power-sliding door, providing one-touch access to the passenger compartment. Daihatsu has also built this iteration of the car to be wider and roomier, within reason, of course, with a “family-friendly atmosphere” that will reportedly include a wood-grain floor. Could Daihatsu be jumping on a hot wooden floor trend?
Don’t miss all the action from the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show when WINDING ROAD starts live coverage next week.
+ Edmunds Inside Line: 2007 Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Daihatsu Tanto
Written By: Seyth Miersma
October 12th, 2007 11:51 AM
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This Mud Master Concept from the fertile minds at Daihatsu is an intriguing blend of tiny panel van, and monster SUV, a sure-fire winner for the halls of the Tokyo Motor Show.
The Daihatsu concept uses the old-school recipe of compact dimensions and lightweight to achieve off-road competency. Portal axles use a system of gears between the axleshaft and the wheel hub to efficiently transfer power when the going gets, well, muddy, and increase ground clearance.
(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a gallery of Mud Master-C images or on the jump to read more about the Daihatsu concept van.)
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Written By: Chris Paukert
September 12th, 2007 12:06 PM
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Almost lost in Frankfurt’s international shuffle was the unveiling of Daihatsu’s OFC-1 ‘Prototyp,’ a diminutive little roadster that we’d love to see plying North American roads.
The cute Japanese convertible from the Toyota division isn’t a conventional drophead, as it actually makes use of a three-piece retractable glass canopy that incorporates a liquid crystal sunshade that lets in light on top-up days. Its 17-inch wheels go some way toward making the car look larger than it is, and we like its general proportions. Some of the details, like the taillamps, we could do without, but on the whole, it’s an attractive little front-driver.
Powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder (rated at 63 horsepower) matched to a seven-speed paddle-shift CVT, the two-place OFC-1 is a runabout that looks ready for city duty, though U.S. highways would probably be a stretch.
Still, we’ve got a weakness for JDM kei-class convertibles like the Honda Beat and Suzuki Cappuccino, and we’d give a lot to see them finally make it across the ocean. Perhaps if Roger Penske’s Smart gambit succeeds, we’ll see more diminutive offerings like this hitting America’s roads.
What do you think… are cars like the OFC-1 too small for American consumers, or are they an untapped niche waiting to be realized? Have your say in ‘Comments.’
(Click on the thumbnails below for high-res galleries of both live and stock images)
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