Tokyo 2011: Daihatsu to debut D-X sports car concept

Tokyo 2011: Daihatsu to debut D-X sports car concept
Daihatsu will be bringing this D-X sports car concept to the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, a machine that the small car experts bills as a “proposition for a new aesthetic of sports car that exerts a one-of-a-kind presence”. They’re calling the D-X “a new kind of a sports car”, we’re thinking of a new kind of Copen!

Among the unique features of the D-X (for d-cross) is a resin-based body that allows owners to enjoy a multitude of variations, according to Daihatsu. It’s seen here with some “4X4 style” body cladding normally seen or superminis and MPVs, but rarely sports cars. We presume that the black stuff can be taken off by owners for a more conventional look, as and when they please. Not seen here, but Daihatsu says the interior is “spartan feeling”.

Under the hood is a two-cylinder engine with direct-injection and turbo, said to strike a balance between the joy of driving and fuel-efficiency. No more details, but read more on Daihatsu’s planned two-pot engine in our previous post here.

The company adds that the D-X offers a driving experience with that “sense of oneness between person and vehicle that only a compact car can provide” a line that’s not too unlike Mazda’s Jinba Ittai message for the MX-5.

A future affordable sports car for the rakyat via Perodua?

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • BeemerFreak on Nov 14, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    1 litre turbo frm the charade possible too? That would be the icing on the cake for a Daihatsu. 3 cylinder turbo.

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  • jay8393 on Nov 14, 2011 at 3:18 pm

    Looking good!

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  • PakAbu on Nov 14, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    >
    > A future affordable sports car for the rakyat via Perodua?
    >

    Perodua Viva D-X :mrgreen:

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  • yes perodua, pls do it

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    • mirul on Nov 14, 2011 at 5:42 pm

      daihatsu xkan kasi pnyer…

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      • Daihatsu kasi, Perodua pun tak nak.. Sebab two seater.. Else modify to 4 seater, Perodua only take.

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  • sekali pandang…. looks like bugatti veyron

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  • Alpha on Nov 14, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    A successor to the Daihatsu Copen??

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  • Wallstreet on Nov 14, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    This is just a cheap version of Mazda MX-5 even their ‘sense of oneness’ as Danny mentioned is a Mazda Jinba Ittai message on their cars. So those who can’t afford a MX-5, at least there is a Perodua Macam-Lima.

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  • William on Nov 14, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    Nissan impacted…LOL

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  • kington on Nov 14, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    Certainly, Daihatsu and Suzuki are Japan’s top small car companies.

    3 cylinder turbos have already existed in their line up. This should be fun, and the Copen was actually quite a nice car to drive. Easy to live with and low maintenance costs.

    Slim chances of Perodua making it, but let’s keep our finger’s crossed.

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  • policeman on Nov 14, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    I find it repulsive.

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  • Pak Abu on Nov 14, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    A future affordable sports car for the rakyat via Perodua?

    Gila apa. Mana rakyat mampu. Beli viva 660 pun terketar2 nak byr instalment. Ckp pakai otak la. Perutdua for low income. The best is sport car is Ferrari. Affordable sport car it means….. lambang org takde duit tapi berangan nak ada sport car

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