Daihatsu, everyone's seventh-favorite Japanese automaker, is making big waves at the Indonesian Motor Show this year. Typically writing a sentence like that one would preclude such news to follow from, well, being newsworthy here in the U.S., but we've always been such fans of Daihatsu's cheeky Copen convertible Kei car that we couldn't resist reporting on the model's spiritual successor.

Called D-R, this sprightly concept droptop is obviously heavily reminiscent of the Copen, though more modern, with an oversized front fascia, Audi-style aluminum windshield frame and a leather-lavished interior that has a zero-percent chance of making it to production. It's also 100-percent more endearing than the similarly sized D-X Concept that was shown at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

We're told that the D-R showcar has replaceable resin body panels – fit to be switched out when the conceptual owner requires a freshened visage. Inside, a central touchscreen does most of the heavy lifting in terms of driver controls, while an LCD screen has taken the place of a traditional instrument binnacle.

The fully functional D-R concept is powered by a 600cc turbocharged two-cylinder engine. Get all of the Daihatsu details from the company's official press release.

UFC and AYLA to Be Exhibited at 20th Indonesia International Motor Show

P.T. Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM), a subsidiary of DAIHATSU MOTOR CO., LTD. (Daihatsu) in Indonesia, plans to exhibit four concept cars, including the UFC, which will be shown for the first time anywhere in the world, and AYLA, which is set to reach the market, along with a range of new technologies at the 20th Indonesia International Motor Show to be held from Thursday September 20 to Sunday September 30, 2012 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

For this year's Indonesia International Motor Show, Daihatsu has adopted the slogan "Daihatsu is Best Friend of Life," and will demonstrate Daihatsu's corporate group attitude of offering vehicles suitable for Indonesian life using fuel-efficient, eco-friendly, and affordable technologies for compact cars.

UFC is a concept car that ADM took the lead in developing, using Daihatsu's expertise in compact cars, which has been honed through manufacturing mini vehicles. ADM has carefully studied customers' needs in Indonesia and has achieved a compact body, stylish design, and large interior space. The seats can be arranged in different ways and the car has slide doors. The ADM is surprisingly convenient and can be used in a range of living conditions in Indonesia. It conforms to the theme of the exhibition: "Best Friend of Life."

D-R and D-X express surprise and amusement stemming from completely different styles on the same chassis. D-R is stylish and elegant, while D-X is tough and aggressive. A resin-based body whose parts are interchangeable allows owners to enjoy two different styles. The car has a two-cylinder engine with direct-injection turbo. With this engine, Daihatsu has pursued conventional technology and struck a balance between the joy of driving and fuel efficiency. The vehicle offers a driving experience with that sense of oneness between driver and vehicle that only a compact car can provide, as well as a new form for a sports car.

FC Show CASE, developed as a zero-emission, next-generation mobility solution, employs a next-generation unit equipped with liquid fuel cells that contain no precious metals. With this offering, Daihatsu suggests new possibilities for a compact car as a zero-emission vehicle that leads the way to a secure and free energy future.

ADM will exhibit five units of the AYLA, soon to reach the market, including two vehicles with
special colors.

There are titan rivalries – 911 vs GT-R, Ferrari vs Lamborghini, Viper vs 'Vette – and there are smaller ones. But the smaller ones can be just as fierce. Like the rivalry between the Daihatsu Copen and Honda Beat.

Both were Kei roadsters built by major Japanese automakers with tiny form factors and even tinier engines. And while their production runs didn't overlap, they straddled the turn of the millennium close enough that they bred close comparison.

Neither are still in production at this point, but that could be about to change. Honda is presenting the S660 concept at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, and the latest reports indicate that Daihatsu is planning a Copen revival of its own. The company has, after all, showcased a couple of concepts hinting at the prospect over the past few years since the Copen's cancellation.

Whether the new Copen would strictly comply with Kei car regulations that limit both size and engine capacity, or grow beyond that class remains to be seen. As does the question of its export, but considering Daihatsu is more or less a division of Toyota these days, we could see room in the Scion lineup for a baby FR-S. Couldn't you?

To rival modern Honda Beat

A recent report says Daihatsu plans on bringing back to life the Copen in the near future.

A couple of days ago we saw Honda’s S660 concept which serves as a preview for a modern Beat due in Japan in 2015. Now, British media is reporting Daihatsu plans to resurrect the Copen and thus recreate the Beat vs. Copen comparisons even though the production years of the two models never collided. Daihatsu did show a D-R Concept at last year’s Indonesian Motor Show which could indicate the production model’s styling approach.

While the original model was a kei car, it is not known whether its modern successor will fit this category which requires (as of October 1, 1998) vehicles be up to 3.4 meters long and 1.48 meters wide, while the engine must have a 660cc capacity and a maximum output of 64 HP (47 kW).

There are some rumors suggesting the Honda Beat will be sold outside Japan with a larger engine, leading us to believe Daihatsu could sell the model in other markets as well, such as United States where it could be badged as a Scion since Toyota has a majority stake in Daihatsu.

All should feature a 660cc engine

Daihatsu has announced plans to introduce three Kopen concepts at the Tokyo AutoSalon.

Little is known about the models but all of them are based on the Kopen concept that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier this year.
The first model looks virtually production ready and has a red exterior with five-spoke alloy wheels.

The Kopen Future Included concept is a tad sportier as it adopts a front splitter, revised side skirts and a prominent rear wing. We can also see lightweight wheels and special graphics.

Last but not least, the Kopen XM1 concept has a militaristic exterior with plastic body cladding, green paint and camouflage-inspired graphics. The model also has a mesh grille, orange accents and unique alloy wheels.

The attraction of the Daihatsu stand at the Tokyo Motor Show was the Kopen. This true-false concept to removable body (yes, really) announces the return of small cabriolet from the manufacturer. So that the message goes well, Daihatsu drives the nail at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this time with three versions pretty bling bling its self.

The theme of the stand is marked on large cars: it is "Future Kopen included." Future or not, Daihatsu has not trodden. Concepts Tokyo Motor Show are recycled with the film on the bodywork and some accessories, not really a stunning result. The manufacturer is committed to designing and animation services "Kamikaze" Ukyo Katayama, former F1 driver, which then lends his fame and likeability to the Kopen.

Production model could be launched next year

Daihatsu has introduced the Kopen concept at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in Japan.

Several hours ago Honda showed us the S660 concept which serves as a preview for a kei-car destined for Japan in 2015 and now Daihatsu is doing the same thing with the Kopen RMZ concept which announces an all-new Copen set to be launched possibly as early as Q1 2014.

Power of the funky two-seater is provided by a 660cc 3-cylinder gasoline engine coupled to a CVT that packs steering wheel-mounted paddles. The vehicle is 3395mm long, 1457mm wide and 1275mm tall and as you can see has removable body panels made from resin which can be easily replaced.

Also at Daihatsu's stand at Tokyo Motor Show is a more rugged-looking version of the Kopen concept called XMZ which features body cladding. Both cars ride on 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped around in 165/50 tires and come with a folding metal roof.

About two years after Daihatsu gave us a first glimpse of its conceptual proposal for a replacement to the Copen small roadster with the funky D-X studies featuring interchangeable exterior components, the Japanese automaker is returning to the Tokyo Motor Show with the Kopen Concepts that are much closer to the production model that's rumored to be presented next year.

The styling is based on the D-X with the Kopen gaining production lights, wheels and bumpers (front and back), while the interior has also been reworked. Daihatsu is showing two versions of the Kopen, which like the previous study, was made to easily accept different body parts.

The first version is the more traditional looking RMZ (in blue and orange-copper hues), while the second one is the (green colored) ΧΜΖ with crossover styling cues via body cladding.

Both editions measure 3,395mm long, 1,475mm wide and 1,275mm tall and come with a retractable metal top. The two seaters are powered by a 0.66-liter three-cylinder unit connected to a CVT with steering wheel mounted paddles.

Has a turbocharged 660cc engine with 64 HP (47 kW)

Daihatsu has released the first teaser images of the 2015 Copen.

Previewed by a concept at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, the production model promises to be a lightweight sports car that is affordable and fun.

The exterior pictures don't reveal much but Daihatsu has confirmed the model will have a power-operated roof that can be opened in approximately 20 seconds. More interestingly, the model will have a composite body that consists of thirteen "outer plates." The plates are removable so owners can easily customize the exterior to suit their tastes.

Power will be provided by a turbocharged 660cc engine that develops 64 HP (47 kW) and 92 Nm (68 lb-ft) of torque. It can be connected to a five-speed manual or an optional "seven-speed super active" CVT.

Speaking of specifications, the Copen will utilize a D-Frame skeletal structure that is three times stiffer than the chassis used on the original model. The roadster will also have greater torsional rigidity which promises to improve the handling and ride comfort.

Since the Tokyo Motor Show last year it was clear that the return of the Daihatsu Copen was only a matter of time. The confirmation came yesterday with a preview in Tokyo announces the Japanese market Copen (with a "C" while the concept carries a "K"), in June.

The new Copen should look very closely to the concept exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show and the Tokyo Auto Salon (photos below). The standard version was camouflaged presentation yesterday, but the overall look is the same. It will be as the existing Copen, a kei equipped with a 3-cylinder turbo DVVT 660 cm3 and the choice of a CVT gearbox which ensures that it will Daihatsu set to give a sporty character with response time minimized or a manual 5-speed gearbox. The sporty character, which really was not highlighted with the previous Copen, this time is much more present and Daihatsu insists on running gear and cared for the sound of the dual exhaust outlet.



The novelty of the Copen 2014 monocoque metal frame on which are fixed body parts in plastic bolted. Daihatsu claims three times better than the current Copen rigidity and a weight of 850 kg despite the fact that she keeps a system of retractable hard top. This structure is called D-FRAME and the system of interchangeable body parts is called a tasty example of English to Japanese, DRESSFORMATION, Daihatsu and promises that it will guarantee individuality.



See you in two months for the official presentation.