37th Tokyo Motor Show: Daihatsu Debuts

Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd is exhibiting ten prototype cars and eight production models as well as spotlighting the full array of its lead engineering advances at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show, from Saturday, October 25 to Wednesday, November 5 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture.

Based on our slogan "We make it COMPACT" to an exhibition theme "Wonderful Small vehicles -the future form", Daihatsu reveals the small car's rich possibilities across four facets of our day to day lives, Fun, Eco, City & Life, to show us the shape of the small cars' future.

Some of the show's prototype car highlights will be the D-BONE, a open-top sports 4WD vehicle with fun of driving; the UFE-II, a hybrid shooting for ultimate fuel economy, developed to less CO2 and gas emissions; the ai, a next generation commuter car; and the XL-C, an elegant and stylish sedan model.

1. D-BONE (Dynamic - BONE) An open-top sports 4WD that puts all the thrills of a dune buggy into a minivehicle. This Daihatsu rude boy matches wild with the exhilarating freedom of a sports car. — the rugged styling of a skeleton body — a rigorous design simplicity of circles and lines is set off by abundant use of metallic surface texture, giving the interior a rugged and bright feel.

2. UFE-II (Ultra Fuel Economy) Daihatsu's engineers have pushed the eco-saving promise of the UFE shown at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show to maturity. The UFE-II is a four-seat hybrid minivehicle with an engine plus two motor system that achieves the world's highest fuel economy rate, 60 km/l (Japan 10-15 mode emission standard, Daihatsu in-house test data). — Its ultra-lightweight aluminum and resin body weighs in at just 570 Kg.of vehicle weight. Using aero-simulation Daihatsu engineers achieved this compact 4-seater down to the lowest aerodynamic drag coefficient of any car, anywhere: 0.19*1, a new world record*2! — Equipped with a hybrid system bringing together the newly developed Atkinson 660cc direct fuel injection petrol engine with two motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery. — The car's futuristic feel is emphasized by an utterly aerodynamic body styling, highlighted by a cut-tail teardrop silhouette, gull-wing doors and sophisticated lamp design. — In the cabin, switches are integrated into a central control panel and steer-by-wire is a standard fixture. A sense of operability and functionality dominates this techno-cockpit. — *1 2001 UFE Cd = 0.25 — *2 as of Oct. 2003

3. ai (Attractive & Intelligent) Building on the compact's inherent economy and resource conservation, Daihatsu re-conceived the city commuter car as a stylish and minimum sized 2 + 2 commuter that is more convenient, easier to use, more comfortable and more environment friendly. — Even with sub-compact exterior measurements of 2,650 mm(L) x 1,475 mm(W) x 1,550 mm(H), the front seats sit two adults comfortably, while the rear seats provide ample space for two children or can be converted into a cargo space. — With a minimum turning radius of 3.4 m and equipped with a sliding door on the passenger side, the ai opens a new dimension in city driving convenience. — Drawn in modern clean lines, the exterior expresses a cheerful, clear-cut style. The interior's functional forms create a simple and casual cabin space. — Four different engines are prepared for meeting the demand of regional characteristics and uses: a 660 cc 3-cylinder petrol engine; a newly developed 660 cc 2-cylinder, 2-cycle diesel engine; an Atkinson 660 cc 3-cylinder inline, direct fuel injection petrol engine; or a hybrid power train using an Atkinson direct fuel injection petrol engine plus a hybrid unit that realizes a fuel economy of 45.0 km/l (Japan 10-15 emission standard, Daihatsu in-house test data).

4. XL-C (Excellent Compact) Though rationalization must be at the heart of every minivehicle, the XL-C stands out as a stylish and elegant small sedan that doesn't give an inch on either quality or the generosity of its cabin space. — The exterior is styled in elegant lines and rich surfaces. In the cabin, the seats are in genuine leather while the interior is all rich contours underwritten by the application of an ellipse motif. The overall effect is both one of casualness and quality.

5. Tanto (Italian word meaning "plenty") A new kind of wagon with an innovative front engine-front drive solution that should give renewed worth to the small car as a family vehicle. — With an interior space 2,000 mm in length and 1,330 mm in height, the Tanto hauls a revolutionary depth of cabin room, big enough for the kids to walk in. The floor was made flat so people can get in and out easily. — Between the wagon's ultra short nose and big cabin, the exterior design inspires a feeling of futuristic design, while within, the simple clean design of the interior makes you feel at home. — The "Tanto turbo", a sporty version fitted with an aerodynamic bumper and equipped with 660cc twin-cam, 3-cylinder 12 valve turbo engine renowned for its full torque, petrol economy and clean performance, is also exhibited.

Also on show: the "E3 concept" (Easy Enter and Exit concept) multi-purpose vehicle; the MOVE FCV-K-2, a fuel cell minivehicle in Public Road Testing since February 2003; the Mira Selfmatic, a vehicle designed for the physically challenged who live independently; and the Copen SARD SPECIAL, a car that premiered in a demonstration run at the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship.

2003-10-18 Please quote Autoindex.org if You use this news article!