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Daihatsu Unveils Mira e:S Kei Car in Japan, Does 75 MPG

Kei cars are big business in Japan, as they get around the really heavy local taxes and are cheaper to run. They even make little, tiny pickup trucks and minivans on these platforms, and Toyota’s subsidiary has just released a new version of the popular Mira called the e:S.
Daihatsu Mira e:S 6 photos
Photo: Daihatsu
Daihatsu Mira e:SDaihatsu Mira e:SDaihatsu Mira e:SDaihatsu Mira e:SDaihatsu Mira e:S
The main focus of the vehicle is to get better fuel economy from the already frugal little car. The automaker has stated that it has revised all aspects of the engine, transmission and body to make them as efficient as possible.

As a result, the Mira e:S burns 40 percent less fuel than the conventional model. Power comes from a three-cylinder 650cc gasoline engine that provides an impressive (for its size) 52 horsepower at a screaming 6,800rpm and 60Nm (44 lb-ft) of peak torque at 5,200rpm.

The official economy figures fro the Japanese cycle state the car will go for 30 km on a liter of fuel (which is about 70.5 mpg US), according to the JC08 Mode test cycle, or 32 kilometers per liter (75.2mpg US) on Japan's 10-15 Mode test cycle.

The base Mira e:S is still an expensive little car, priced at JPY800,000 ($10,500 or €6,650).
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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