While there are plenty of 6-footers around the office, that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy a little Japanese sportscar here or there. This one isn't ready yet, it's just a concept, but we're excited because it's a new generation of a car already familiar to us, the Daihatsu Kopen.
This sexy little concept is headed to the 43rd edition of the Tokyo Motor Show where it will be shown on November 20th. Even though it looks as sexy as a Toyobaru, kei car regulations restrict it to a series 3-cylinder DOHC 0.66 liter turbo engine with restricted power. Despite only being to offer 64 hp, the Kopan tries to look like a sexy roadster, with a set of sharp alloy wheels, twin chrome exhaust and metallic paint. The interior is also quite cool, though we don't think carbon fiber trim, a digital cluster and alcantara leather steering wheel and dash will be available on a production kei car.
The cool thing is that Daihatsu has also developed a sort of crossover version with plastic body panels. But both modes have very diminutive proportions: 3395×1475×1275mm. Should we ever see the Kopen in Europe again? Not likely, not if Toyota wants to be taken seriously, but it's still a splendid little effort from the Japanese maker.
The cool thing is that Daihatsu has also developed a sort of crossover version with plastic body panels. But both modes have very diminutive proportions: 3395×1475×1275mm. Should we ever see the Kopen in Europe again? Not likely, not if Toyota wants to be taken seriously, but it's still a splendid little effort from the Japanese maker.