Paul Tan's Automotive News » Daihatsu

Daihatsu Copen says farewell, after a decade-long run

Anthony Lim — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:08:07 +0000

Daihatsu is set to end production of its Copen in August, bringing a 10-year run to a close. The Copen, which made its debut in 2002 and won a Good Design Award that same year, is currently the only convertible minicar in the Japanese market; the likes of Honda and Suzuki ended production of their own mini convertibles years ago.

In its current guise, specs for the 660 cc roadster include output figures of 64 PS at 6,000 rpm and 110 Nm at 3,200 rpm, with five-speed manual and four-speed auto transmission options available.

According to reports, the company said it was pulling the plug on the open-top offering because of poor sales in recent times. Sales in Japan hit a peak in 2003, with 11,000 cars sold, but the car never really caught on. By 2011, only 2,000 vehicles were shifted, and total production volume has only been around 56,000 units.

The company is saying goodbye to the Copen with a 10th-anniversary special edition version later this year, of which it aims to sell 500 units of – the variant is set to feature commemorative scuff plates and leather seats, among other kit.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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

Danny Tan — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:01:41 +0000

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?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu Mira e:S launched in Japan – 30km/l on this one

Anthony Lim — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 05:06:21 +0000

Daihatsu has thrown its latest Kei car contender into the fray, with the introduction of the Mira e:S in Japan. The minicar, which reinterpretates the three-door e:S Concept of two years ago into a five-door form, is available in both two- and four-wheel drive guise domestically, with four level variants (G, X, L and D) for the former and two (Gf and Xf) for the latter.

All versions wear the same KF transverse three-cylinder twin-cam 658 cc mill, offering 52 PS at 6,800 rpm and 60 Nm at 5,200 rpm, mated to a CVT transmission. The company is touting the car’s fuel economy as its biggest selling point – claimed figures for the 2WD version on the new JC08 mode test cycle is a healthy 30km per litre (and on the older 10-15 mode, 32 km per litre), close to hybrid territory.

Features on the 730 kg vehicle (790 kg for the 4WD versions), which is 60 kg lighter than the old Mira, include a pre-stop idle reduction system, and all the models wear 14-inch wheels and 155/65 profile rubbers; there are optional Sporty and Premium interior/exterior dress-up packs available for the car, as well as what is tagged an “earth colour interior.”

Domestically, Daihatsu is ambitiously aiming at moving 10,000 units of the Mira e:S per month in the first year, according to reports, and says that it will apply the technology used for the e:S to other models and vehicles produced overseas, including that in Indonesia, which was where the Daihatsu A-Concept was introduced in July, at the IIMS.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Next generation Perodua Viva wishful thinking rendering based on 2011 Daihatsu A-Concept

Paul Tan — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:06:54 +0000

Remember the lime green Daihatsu A-Concept that was showcased at the Indonesia International Motor Show earlier this year?

It was a concept car developed with the involvement of Indonesians with the technical support of Daihatsu Japan. They were pretty vague about what segment the A-Concept was competing in though – it looked a little bigger than a typical A-segment car, but it had a lower roofline than a typical JDM B-segment tall hatchback like the Myvi – shaped more like a Fiesta or Mazda 2.

Imagine if the Daihatsu A-Concept was toned down for production and given a Perodua badge for sale in Malaysia – that’s what Theophilus Chin sought to achieve with his latest image manipulation project.

The A-Concept was given production side mirrors, a rear wiper, door handles, mud guards, a more production-looking rear light cluster, a hatch-mounted number plate holder (as with all Perodua cars), body colored roof and A pillars, and a revised front to carry a look similar to the new Myvi’s face. It’s colour was also given the popular bluish grey Perodua paint.

What do you think – do you like it?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu Sirion launched at IIMS – it’s a Perodua Myvi!

Danny Tan — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 08:51:44 +0000

PT Astra Daihatsu Motor has launched its latest model at the Indonesian International Motor Show (IIMS) 2011 with with plenty of song and dance (not Bollywood, but Party Rock Anthem!). Readers of this website would have already known that the Sirion is a rebadged 2011 Perodua Myvi, and that the car is built in Malaysia and exported to Indonesia – we caught a trailer of Daihatsu badged Myvis heading to a port in June.

Now that we’ve seen and touched it in the metal, we can confirm that the Sirion is identical to the Myvi save for Daihatsu badges on the front, rear and steering wheel, which is a basic looking three-spoke unit (I prefer Perodua’s wheel). There’s also a “VVT-i” badge at the rear, which is DVVT for us, although the new Myvi doesn’t have badges for that.

Of the three variants we have in Malaysia (Standard, Premium, Elegance), PT Astra chose the mid-spec Premium, which has standard features such as Optitron MID, Bluetooth, USB and MP3 functions, power retractable wing mirrors and 14in alloys, among other kit.

According to Perodua MD Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh, who looked relax blending in with the crowd instead of being on stage, PT Astra is looking at importing the top spec Elegance model at a later stage. For now, it’s the Premium with a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual. It was revealed that PT Astra is targeting sales of 500 units per month – not much, but still much more than the 100 units or so per month rate of the previous Sirion, which was also from Perodua. The majority seller will be the manual variant.

Priced at 139,500,000 to 150,500,000 rupiah (RM48,715 to RM52,556), the Sirion is costlier than basic versions of the Xenia, which is Daihatsu’s version of the 7-seat Toyota Avanza. This ties in with the relatively small 500 units per month and the more “premium positioning” of the Sirion in Indonesia.

The Sirion is also being launched in various locations throughout Indonesia today. Live gallery from IIMS after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu planning 2 cylinder direct injection turbo engine

Paul Tan — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 07:50:12 +0000

Daihatsu displayed a cut-through model of its upcoming 2 cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine enclosed in a glass case at the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show, which is the “second stage” in its green technology road map.

The first stage is its eco-idle technology, which includes an i-EGR system to reduce emissions and enhance combustion, and a eco-IDLE system which turns the engine on and of automatically to help save fuel during heavy traffic conditions.

According to Daihatsu, the first stage has already been implemented in existing cars like the latest generation Daihatsu Move, and the car that it is expected to launch in September 2011 will also have it. The third stage involves replacing the combustion engine with a fuel cell, which is quite suitable for the kind of city cars Daihatsu makes.

Daihatsu does not reveal much about the two cylinder turbocharged direct injection engine except that it will have a low displacement and will be 30% more fuel efficient than existing Daihatsu engines.

But clues to the specs of this engine can be found in something Perodua managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid last year at the KLIMS 2010. He revealed the target specs for the engine to be 660cc in displacement – 330cc per cylinder, producing 63 horsepower at 4,500rpm and 100Nm of torque from 1,500rpm up to 4,000rpm.

These small 660cc turbocharged engines are really not unusual at all to Daihatsu or pretty much anyone else who participates in the JDM K-Car market. Daihatsu currently has a 658cc engine making 64 PS at 6,400rpm and 92Nm at 4,000rpm. Even Honda who has not toyed with turbocharged engines much in its world cars has a 660cc i-DSI turbo with 64hp and 93Nm in Japan.

But there’s quite a difference between the existing 660cc turbo engines in Japan and this upcoming Daihatsu engine. For one, the JDM engines are all 3 cylinder engines, while this new engine is a 2 cylinder. And if Datuk Aminar Rashid’s quoted specs come true, the planned 2 cylinder will also makes its peak power and torque at much earlier RPMs – 4,500rpm and 1,500rpm compared to the existing breed which only produce its peak power and torque at 6,400rpm and 4,000rpm respectively.

Look after the jump for photos we snapped of the cut-through two cylinder model.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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VIDEO: A 360 degree look at the Daihatsu A-Concept

Paul Tan — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:24:34 +0000

It’s the first public day of the 2011 Indonesia International Motor Show, and the first thing we did when we got here was take a high resolution video of the Daihatsu A-Concept on display at the Daihatsu exhibition. Enjoy a closer look at the A-Concept in motion.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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IIMS: Daihatsu A-Concept – by Indonesia, for the world

Paul Tan — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:45:02 +0000

Daihatsu has unveiled its latest concept car at the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show – the Daihatsu A-Concept, which includes the involvement of Indonesians with the support of Daihatsu Japan.

After learning the name of the concept car from the scale model we photographed and featured earlier today, we had initially thought that the letter A in the name meant an A-segment vehicle. While this could still be (or not be) the fact, the official explanation for the letter A is that it represents the first letter in the alphabet and thus signifies the start of a new life for Indonesian society.

According to PT Astra Daihatsu Motor president Sudirman MR, there are currently a group of personnel from his company transferred to Japan for the purpose of knowledge transfer, covering various fields from car design down to production.

And there’s also the fact that Sudirman MR has been recently appointed to the board of directors of Daihatsu Motor Company, firmly cementing Indonesia’s importance in Daihatsu’s plans for the future. Indonesia is being used as the launch (and possibly production) hub for this car, much like India was the center for the concept and production of the Suzuki A-Star/Alto.

This car may very well be a preview for the upcoming affordable and economical car capable of 30km/l that Daihatsu plans to launch. Or it may be not, but from the way the car was presented, this is something that Daihatsu really wants to put into production.

We are guessing that Daihatsu Japan will be introducing the next generation Mira this September, since it has already been five years since the current generation was launched (end 2006). Daihatsu is likely to style the new JDM Mira according to quirky Japanese tastes, but perhaps the design of this A-Concept will be used to create an ASEAN/world version of the car, just like how there is a separate JDM Passo/Boon design for Japan and a Myvi/Sirion design for Malaysia and Indonesia.

Look after the jump for a full photo gallery of the A-Concept.

GALLERY: Daihatsu A-Concept

GALLERY: Daihatsu A-Concept Live at 2011 IIMS

GALLERY: Daihatsu A-Concept Clay Model

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu to launch car capable of 30km/l in September 2011

Paul Tan — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:51:52 +0000

Daihatsu e:S Concept – previewed in 2009

Daihatsu has revealed that it will be launching an affordable and fuel efficient car as near as September 2011, which is just a few months away. The new car will be Daihatsu’s most fuel efficient car as well as its most affordable car, helping save you money in terms of both purchase cost and running cost. The entry price to purchase will be as low as 800,000 yen (RM30,400) and the car is claimed to have a fuel economy of 30 km per litre – which is one of the highest fuel economy claims for a non-hybrid vehicle so far.

Daihatsu’s 30 km/l mileage claim (on the JC08 mode) is achieved through a set of technologies and processes that Daihatsu collectively calls “e:S Technology”, or Energy Saving Technology. We first heard the term e:S when Daihatsu displayed a very small concept car called the e:S Concept (shown above) at a past Tokyo motorshow.

e:S mainly tackles three areas to produce an increased fuel economy – the powertrain, the vehicle construction, and energy management. Basically, you optimize the source of the power, what the source needs to move, as well as how efficiently the vehicle uses the power produced.

In terms of powertrain improvements, Daihatsu has upped the engine’s compression ratio to 11.3:1 from 10.8:1. They’ve also used new improved injectors that can spray smaller particles for better combustion. There’s also a new “i-EGR” system which uses EGR to reduce pumping losses. There are a host of 11 other improvements which improve general efficiency such as a reduction in chain tension by cutting the chain width, a tension reduction in the piston rings and modification of the oil seal. And finally, there’s an electronic throttle body made of a lightweight resin.

The engine is mated with a CVT transmission that has also received design modifications to improve efficiency. There are a total of 8 improvements which include the use of a high efficiency oil pump and lowering the CVT control pressure. The gear ratio has also been optimised to lower engine load. The CVT works hand in hand with the input from the electronic throttle to optimize the gear ratio for the best fuel economy.

In terms of vehicle construction improvement, Daihatsu says they have identified ways to achieve a weight reduction of 60 kg – in comparison to a Daihatsu Mira 2WD with CVT transmission. This comparison leads me to believe this vehicle may in fact be the preview for a future Daihatsu Mira (eventually Perodua Viva hopefully?).

Daihatsu A Concept – previews 30km/l car styling?

Lightening of the chassis alone contributes to 30 kg, or half of the total weight shaved, thanks to revision to the layout of frame components, the redesign of many components to be a straight in form as possible to reduce the need for reinforcements, and a more effective layout of high tensile steel plates.

The other 30 kg in weight savings have been achieved via redesigning the way the interior parts are made, such as reducing the thickness of the instrument panel and door trims. The CVT transmission’s idle reduction unit has also gone on a diet – using thinner walls for the CVT case, an aluminum oil pump cover and an aluminum planetary carrier, and the introduction of an integrated molding for the secondary sensing gear and the piston.

As with any vehicle with eco ambitions, e:S Technology also employs tyres with low rolling resistance. The entire body is also designed to be more aerodynamic via CAE simulation and wind tunnel testing. The layout of the openings in the bumper and air cleaner ducts have been optimised and the air flow pattern has been improved for better thermal management.

The car’s alternator intelligently boosts power generation during vehicle slowdown – the battery has also been modified to more efficiently handle the increased input during drive situations where the alternator decides it’s a good time to use engine braking time to recharge the battery. The alternator works the other way as well – it cuts power generation by decoupling its clutch during normal operation and acceleration, helping free the engine from the alternator’s parasitic drag.

Daihatsu says this new car will be the world’s first vehicle equipped with a CVT transmission that has “pre-stop idle reduction”. What it basically does it to take the automatic start-stop feature that has been making its way into many cars a step further – now the engine is shut off even while coasting to a stop. The engine will shut off when vehicle speed reduces to 7 km/h or less. Naturally for any automatic transmission to work with the engine off, modifications has to be made – so the CVT now uses an oil pump that is not driven by the motor.

The new Daihatsu A Concept set be unveiling this evening might just showcase how this new compact car due for a September 2011 launch will look like. We certainly hope these technologies will eventually trickle down for usage in Perodua cars.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu A Concept scale model – is this the new 30km/l concept car for IIMS?

Paul Tan — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 04:56:26 +0000

As we mentioned yesterday, Daihatsu’s latest concept compact car is due for unveiling at the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show today, but the press conference is only scheduled for 5pm today so the car is still covered up.

However, we found this little scale model tucked away in some corner of exhibition – model called the “A Concept” that we’ve yet to see before. This should be the car that Daihatsu will be unveiling later today.

Look after the jump for the rest of the pix of the scale model.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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LIVE from Jakarta: Daihatsu to give small car concept a world debut tomorrow, watch this space for updates!

Danny Tan — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:26:04 +0000

Click to enlarge

Greetings from Jakarta, where we will bring you live coverage from the 2011 Indonesian International Motor Show (IIMS). The press day is tomorrow, one day before the gates are open to the public, but in the process of collecting our press cards this afternoon, we stumbled on what should be the star of the show – a world debut concept car by Daihatsu.

This small car brand is big in Indonesia, and it will have three main exhibits at IIMS. One is the launch of the new Sirion, which readers of this blog will know is a new Perodua Myvi with Daihatsu badges. The Toyota controlled brand will also preview its upcoming tech that focuses on fuel efficiency, appropriate for a maker of affordable small cars. The other big news is this concept car, which we snapped under wraps.

Click to enlarge

You know all about the new Myvi already, so let’s jump to the other stuff. Last week, Daihatsu announced its “e:S Technology” (Energy Saving Technology) initiatives, which comprise improvements to the powertrain, chassis and energy management systems. For engines, maximising combustion efficiency is the goal, and things like upping compression ratio (from 10.8 to 11.3) and creating a finer spray for the fuel particles are talked about.

An i-EGR system and reducing mechanical losses are also in the plan. For transmissions, Daihatsu has an improved CVT gearbox. Coupled with measures such as “pre-stop idle reduction” (shuts off engine below 7 km/h) and regenerative braking, e:S Technology is aiming for 40% better fuel efficiency in a new model due to be released in September this year. The target is 30 km/l in the JC08 mode and a starting price of below 800,000 yen (RM30,400).

Click to enlarge

We’re not sure if the model with all this e:S goodness will be the production version of tomorrow’s world debut concept. What we know about the concept car is what we see so far, which is a nose that has hints of Volkswagen’s iROC concept (Paris 2008, previewed the Scirocco). It’s a five-door hatch, with wheels pushed to the extreme corners of the car for almost zero overhang. It appears larger than a Perodua Viva and Suzuki Alto, with a long wheelbase and a relatively low roofline.

The profile has a rising shoulder line that works hand-in-hand with a glass area that narrows on the way back. To view it fully naked, watch this space!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Gallery Recap: 2010 Toyota Passo and Daihatsu Boon

Paul Tan — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:01:16 +0000

Just two hours more until we’ll be able to reveal to you the full details of the new 2011 Perodua Myvi. We got a preview of the car late last month and the embargo will be lifted at 9PM tonight, where we’ll legally get the clearance to publish all we know of the car so far.

We’re in the midst of putting on the final touches of our full story, that includes the full technical details on the car, hi-res pictures inside and out, and some brief driving impressions of the new compact hatchback.

As you all know, the first generation Perodua Myvi that was launched in 2005 had Japanese siblings named the Toyota Passo and the Daihatsu Boon. It later even got a Subaru badge and was launched as the Subaru Justy.

That Japanese-badged car eventually got replaced with the car you see here in this post, with its design shifted from something rather unisex to a very feminine design. The new 2011 Perodua Myvi remains unisex in its outlook.

Look after the jump to check out the 2010 Toyota Passo and Daihatsu Boon, something to refresh your memory while you wait for the unveiling at 9PM.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu to open R&D centre in Indonesia

Anthony Lim — Tue, 31 May 2011 02:03:18 +0000

Following on Daihatsu’s plans to make Indonesia a base for its business expansion, the automaker has announced that it will establish a research and development centre on the site of its new plant being built in the country.

The Nikkei again reports that the R&D facility will be set up after the factory is ready for operation at the end of next year. Daihatsu says it will gradually transfer over from Japan certain design functions for new vehicles as well as redesigned models produced locally. Some of the subsidiary’s 70 developers have begun training in Japan ahead of this.

Local subsidiary PT Astra Daihatsu Motor has just begun work on the plant, located on the outskirts of Jakarta on an 800,000 sq. m site. The plant will have an output capacity of 100,000 units a year, and is slated to build small cars for the local market as well as for export. It will also contain a test course.

No surprise that Daihatsu is focusing very much on Indonesia – the country is now the automaker’s largest overseas manufacturing base, and its annual production capacity has bumped up to 330,000 units this month in the country, up from 280,000.

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Daihatsu to intensify focus on Indonesia as part of growth

Anthony Lim — Thu, 26 May 2011 08:39:34 +0000

Daihatsu is set to make Indonesia an integral part of its business expansion globally, according to a report in the Nikkei. The Japanese small car specialist, which posted a record 103.4 billion yen operating profit for the fiscal year ending March, is already very much a leading marque in Indonesia, but is looking at the country to provide a springboard for further growth elsewhere.

Away from its domestic market, Indonesia is Daihatsu’s largest overseas production and sales base, and the country also serves as its export hub to emerging markets. In 2010, the company’s Indonesian arm posted an operating profit of 33.8 billion yen, effectively triple the 11.3 billion yen it earned in 2009. This figure is good enough to account for 30% of its overall total operating profit, something not to be sneezed at.

In all, it sold 123,400 vehicles in the country last year, up 48% from 2009, adding up to an overall market share of 15.5%. Daihatsu’s parent, Toyota, has around 40% of Indonesia’s vehicle market share, and combined the brands have well over half of the share of the Indonesian market.

Now, Daihatsu is set – with the help of Toyota – to increase production in the country. It is set to spend around 20 billion yen to build a new factory, beginning in August, in the suburbs of Jakarta – when the plant is ready in 2013, it will offer an annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles, adding to the company’s existing annual capacity of 280,000 cars there.

The new factory is expected to assemble a low-price compact of around a 1.0 litre engine displacement for the Indonesian market. The company says the vehicle will be the cheapest compact ever made by the Toyota group and will also be supplied to Toyota for sale under a different model name. Besides domestic sales, it plans to export the model to other Southeast Asean markets and elsewhere in a bid to expand its presence in Asia.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu invests RM746 million in new Indonesian factory

Paul Tan — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 14:08:34 +0000

Toyota and Daihatsu are working on a low cost car to build in Indonesia for the Indonesian market as well as the ASEAN region. According to reports, the car will be smaller than the low cost Vios-like Toyota Etios that Toyota launched in India recently, which leads me to believe it’s likely to be a hatchback. The car will be priced the equivalent of 800,000 to 900,000 yen in Indonesia, which translates to about RM29,800 to RM33,600.

To support this new vehicle, Daihatsu will invest as much as 20 billion yen (RM746 million) in Indonesia (not including land acquisition) to build a new factory with a 100,000 car annual output, of which about 70,000 will be used by Toyota.

The factory will boost Daihatsu’s current manufacturing capacity from 330,000 units a year to 430,000 units a year. It will have an initial capacity of 50,000 units a year. It will be located in the Kawasan Industry Suryacipta in Karawang Timur, Jawa Barat. Expected to be ready in end 2012, the new factory will handle stamping, welding, painting and assembly.

Things are definitely changing for Indonesia. Daihatsu and Toyota used to build only cars like the Avanza and the Innova for the Indonesia market. There is a Daihatsu Sirion currently sold in Indonesia but it actually uses our Perodua Myvi’s styling and is built in Malaysia by Perodua and imported into Indonesia. Deals like this might just end with Daihatsu having additional capacity for monocoque low cost cars.

Everyone over here is curious as to what this new low cost car might be, especially what kind of car and bodystyle. Word is that it will be based on a new minicar Daihatsu will launch in Japan in summertime this year with a targeted claimed fuel economy of 30km per litre. The Daihatsu e:S Concept (shown above) comes to mind, but it could also just be a Indonesian-ised Perodua Viva.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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2nd generation Daihatsu Boon gallery

Paul Tan — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:01:56 +0000

Here’s some shots of the Daihatsu version of the new 2nd generation Toyota Passo. If you want to know more about what’s changed with the 2nd generation car, you can head on to the story about the Toyota Passo version. The platform is most likely similiar to the 1st generation but there are new Dual VVT-i engines. Look after the jump for the gallery of the Daihatsu-badged car. Perodua’s version will come soon I suppose!

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Tokyo Live 2009: Daihatsu e:S Concept

Paul Tan — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:22:43 +0000

Looking at photos are one thing but seeing a concept car in real life is another. The Daihatsu e:S manages to look compact but somehow not excessively cheap at the same time, so you feel like if you bought one, it’s purely because you do not need anything bigger – just two seats and a small boot behind your front seats. The e:S has some really small rear seats though making it somewhat like a 2+2, but you’re better off using that space as a boot instead.

To give you an idea, the e:S Concept’s 2,175mm wheelbase is actually even shorter than the now-”extinct” Kancil’s 2,280mm wheelbase. It’s based on an existing platform but had its wheelbase shortened so it should mean the development cost for a production car would not be excessively high.

Weight loss techniques such as slim and lightweight seats and light materials give the e:S a total weight of 700 kg. As a result, its 660cc engine with auto-start stop can take it as far as 30km on a litre of fuel under the Japan 10-15 drive mode.

Look after the jump for a live photo gallery of the e:S.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Toyota and Daihatsu developing new ‘emerging market’ compact car

Paul Tan — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:41:59 +0000

Nikkei reports that Toyota and Daihatsu are working on a new small car that can be sold for less than US$11,000 (RM37,268) in emerging economies like India and Brazil. I’m really not sure what the big fuss is considering we have the baseline Perodua Viva BX sold here for RM25,300, but perhaps this new car will be something bigger yet cheaper. The cheapest Perodua Myvi here is the 1.0 litre SR at RM38,924.10.

This new car will be designed for developing country export markets. Right now, Toyota’s Daihatsu-sourced compact cars have been mostly export versions of its Japanese market cars with more Westernised names. For example, the Japanese market Daihatsu Coo is called the Materia in some other markets.

Toyota’s new president Akio Toyoda’s vision is for Toyota to start tailor-making products for individual regions rather than just offering the same vehicle line-up across the world market. This goes the other direction compared to the World Car projects that other automakers are embarking on. GM’s American Cobalt and Korean Optra are basically in the same segment and have been replaced by a single model – the Cruze.

But if Toyota can tailor-make different products for cheap, they may do better in terms of sales. I have a feeling making small cars for developing countries and selling them at the same price as their existing Japan market small cars have more to do with boosting profit margins rather than anything else, as customers in those regions do not really expect the kind of refinement that JDM customers do.

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This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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More Daihatsu K-Car Concepts for Tokyo 2009

Paul Tan — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:01:17 +0000

Want a cheap “landaulet”? Get a Daihatsu Basket Concept when it goes into production. Right now it’s just a concept little lifestyle “K-truck” with a removable soft top over the rear seats. There’s even a little boot deck behind the rear seats for tools and stuff in case the Basket is used to carry stuff, like another tool commonly used by people with the same name, the common basket.

And then we also have this fridge on wheels that’s called the Daihatsu DecaDeca. There is no B-pillar and both the front and rear doors swing outwards towards the front and rear of the van respectively. And like most K-vehicles in Japan, it is powered by a 660cc engine. And it’s nice that both the DecaDeca and the Basket do have a certain family resemblance about them.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Tokyo 2009: Daihatsu e:S compact car

Paul Tan — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:43:46 +0000

This is the new Daihatsu e:S. It weighs just 700kg and is powered by a 660cc engine, typical of K-cars in Japan. The car looks like it’s in the same class as the Ford Ka and it uses a current Daihatsu production platform but with its wheelbase shortened to 2,175mm. That’s even shorter than the Viva’s 2,390mm. The light weight and the fuel efficient engine with features such as Idling Stop System results in an estimated fuel efficiency of 30km per litre under the Japan 10-15 test! In case you were wondering what the name meant – e:S stands for ‘eco and smart’.

Four larger photos available after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu wants you to have a nice warm cup of…

Paul Tan — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:27:32 +0000

Daihatsu has launched yet another body variation of the Mira in Japan, this time called the Mira Cocoa, joining the Mira and the Mira Custom in the K-car range.

In Daihatsu’s own words, the use of the name Cocoa was chosen because the car intends to give the driver and passengers that comfortable and relaxed feeling of drinking a hot cup of cocoa on a cold day.

The Mira Cocoa measures 1,530mm in height, 1,930mm long and 1,345mm wide. Only one engine option is available in Japan – the 660cc KF-VE with DVVT variable valve timing, producing 58 PS at 7,200rpm and 65Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. There are two different transmissions available – a 4-speed auto or a CVT transmission, with the latter being more fuel efficient.

For the 2WD car, the CVT can provide up to 23.5 km per litre on the Japan 10-15 test cycle while the 4-speeder can only do 19.4km per litre. 4WD versions can do 20km and 18.6km per litre respectively for the CVT and 4-speed cars.

Daihatsu is shouting about the funky new rear view mirror that they’re using in the Mira Cocoa, claiming its the first of its kind installed in a vehicle in Japan. It integrates a back view monitor into the rear view mirror, which is also equipped with an auto anti-glare function. Now I wonder why there’s no mention of aerodynamics values…

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This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu Luxio MPV launched in Indonesia

Paul Tan — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 07:50:19 +0000

Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd has launched the new Daihatsu Luxio in Indonesia. While the Toyota Passo Sette/Daihatsu Boon Luminas could be considered a baby Wish of sorts, the Luxio is a baby Alphard, and unlike the Passo Sette offers dual sliding rear doors. This vehicle used to go by the “Daihatu Stylo” codename while still under development, but later the Luxio name was picked and finalised.

Under the hood is the often-used 3SZ-VE 1.5 litre DOHC VVT-i cast-iron block engine producing 109 PS at 6,000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4,400rpm, available with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. While offering similiar power outputs to the 1NZ-FE in the Vios, does not have the NZ-series engine’s aluminium block. The Luxio uses a MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a 5-link rigid axle at the rear. The body is said to be built on a monocoque chassis. It is 4,165mm long, 1,665mm wide, 1,915mm tall, has 180mm ground clearance and a turning circle of 5.2 meters.

If you feel you’ve seen this before I don’t blame you. It is essentially a Daihatsu Gran Max converted to a more passenger-friendly equipment level and design, squarely targeted to those who prefer sliding doors and cannot afford a real Alphard. That way it can plug the gaps in the product offering of the Boon Luminas.

Astra Daihatsu Motor targets sales of 1,000 units a month at a price tag of between 136 to 165 million rupiah, which is approximately between RM42k to RM51k for 4 spec levels ranging from the D, M, X, and X automatic.

If you were in the market for a Perodua MPV, would you rather they base it on the Passo Sette/Boon Luminas or this new Luxio? Look after the jump for more pix of the Luxio.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Subaru Justy: Rebadged Daihatsu Sirion/Perodua Myvi gets racy upgrades!

Harvinder Sidhu — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:20:50 +0000

Subaru has revealed a newly improved Justy 1.0R which is basically a re-badged version of the Daihatsu Sirion which is known in Malaysia as the Perodua Myvi.

This newly “improved” version, designated as the Justy 1.0 Twin Cam Special Edition carries a limited production run of 100 units only, with 50 finished in Black Mica and another 50 in Shinning Red.

With a base price of £9,995 which is about £700 more than the standard 1.0R, the Twin Cam Special Edition is powered by the same 68HP 3 cylinder engine found in the 1.0R, and is treated to a rear roof spoiler, twin exhaust system, over roof ‘viper stripes’ and side decals, leather and alloy gear knob and rear privacy glass.

As standard, just like the 1.0R model, it features ABS with EBD, radio/CD player with AUX input, four electric windows and remote central-locking. There are also driver, passenger, front side and curtain airbags. Potential buyers can also opt for 15-inch Monza R alloy wheels wrapped with Toyo 185/55R15 tires for an extra £ 600.

Just the Myvi we have back at home, it is also one of the cheapest vehicles to run in Europe with a 64.2 miles to the gallon fuel consumption figure based on the Extra Urban Cycle and an annual £ 35 Road Fund License fee. Subaru also further revealed that “The new Justy 1.0 Twin Cam now offers even more, and offers a racy alternative for the younger, and the young-at-heart, motorist”.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Toyota Passo Sette 7-seater MPV: full details!

Paul Tan — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:04:10 +0000

Toyota’s latest compact 7-seater MPV has been unveiled in Japan on Christmas day, so let’s check out the full details of the new compact people carrier that will make its way onto Malaysian shores sometime in the second half of 2009 as the new Perodua MPV.

As with alot of other Toyota compact cars, the new MPV is available under both the Toyota and Daihatsu badges as compact cars like these are pretty much mainly Daihatsu-engineered as it is their speciality.

The Toyota version is called the Toyota Passo Sette, which essentially means Passo Seven, or a 7-seater version of the Toyota Passo. Sette means seven in Italian. The Daihatsu version is called the Daihatsu Boon Luminas, where Luminas is a combination of the words roomy and luminous.

All variants of the Passo Sette and the Boon Luminas are powered by the 1.5 litre 3SZ-VE engine putting out 109 PS at 6,000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. Both front wheel drive and 4WD variants use a 4-speed auto, and the front wheel drive version is rated at 15.6km per litre under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle. There is an Eco-Drive indicator light on the dashboard to inform the driver when his driving style is economical.

As previously reported, the compact Toyota Passo Sette measures 4,180mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,620mm tall, with a long 2,750mm wheelbase to maximize the interior space which is 2,550mm long. The Boon Luminas CX with a bodykit is slightly longer at 4,195mm. Other dimensions that Toyota has provided include a 1,630mm space between the front and rear seat rows, a 150mm split seat slide for the middle row, a wide 935mm rear door opening to ease getting in and out, and a 630mm hip point for the driver to also aide ingress and egress.

Despite the car’s relatively long wheelbase its wheels are at the edges of the vehicle so it is compact and it has a 5.2m turning radius.

Toyota has provided the Toyota Passo Sette with some nice features in the interior including a rear seat entertainment system with a 7 inch widescreen monitor, a DVD player with headphone outputs, and the ability to play different media in the front and rear entertainment systems. There is an optional keyless entry and start with a key fob.

The Boon Luminas also comes standard with a “music server”, which essentially lets you rip 660 minutes of audio content from your audio CDs and store it onto the car’s on-board entertainment system so you don’t have to carry your CDs around in your car. This is also a specifiable option for the Toyota Passo Sette.

The Japanese specs offers some rather decent safety features, though in the interests of cost and maximizing profit I doubt all of them will make it onto the Perodua specifications. The Passo Sette and Boon Luminas has a total of 6 SRS airbags, vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control, Dynamic Support Headrests which reduce the risk of rear-end collision whiplash, and finally ABS brakes.

Now for the Japanese market prices. The Daihatsu Boon Luminas has higher specs so it is more expensive starting from 1,535,000 yen all the way up to 2,073,000 yen, while the lower spec Toyota Passo Sette starts from 1,490,000 yen but can be fully loaded up to a maximum price of 2,033,000 yen.

Please continue reading for a whole load of more photos and videos! It will give you a rough idea of the car to expect next year from Perodua.

GALLERY: Toyota Passo Sette

Video: Toyota Passo Sette TVC

Video: Toyota Passo Collection

Video: Toyota Passo Sette Collection – Interview #1

Video: Toyota Passo Sette Collection – Interview #2

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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New Toyota Passo Sette / Daihatsu Boon Ruminous 7-seater MPV to make Christmas 2008 debut!

Paul Tan — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:26:31 +0000

Click for enlarged image

LATEST UPDATE: Toyota Passo Sette 7-seater MPV – full details!

Toyota and Daihatsu have called for a joint press conference in Japan on Christmas day to unveil their latest 7-seater compact MPV, strongly believed to be named the Toyota Passo Sette and the Daihatsu Boon Ruminous. After the car’s public unveiling this month, it will go on sale early next year about the same time as Proton is expected to launch its MPV, which could pose a problem for Proton as potential customers in Malaysia would be able to get a preview of this new MPV that will hit Malaysian roads as a Perodua in Q3 2009, just half a year after the Proton MPV is launched.

Still, the two vehicles are not exactly in the same segment. This new Toyota/Daihatsu/Perodua MPV is smaller than the Proton MPV. However because is primarily a Daihatsu product, it inherits the Japanese K-car’s expertise in squeezing the most space into the smallest package. The engine under the hood will be the 3SZ-VE 1.5 litre that’s found in the Toyota Avanza, but installed transversely instead of longitudinally and powering the front wheels instead of the rear wheels.

Dimensions	New MPV	Sienta	Wish	Freed	Myvi F/L
Length	4180mm	4100mm	4650mm	4215mm	3750mm
Width	1695mm	1695mm	1745mm	1695mm	1665mm
Height	1620mm	1670mm	1600mm	1715mm	1550mm
Wheelbase	2750mm	2700mm	2750mm	2740mm	2440mm

(dimension comparison table from my previous post)

Given how many Malaysians think long and hard between the Persona and the Myvi as if they were in the same segment when they are actually not because of similiar pricing, this new Perodua MPV could pose a real threat to the new Proton MPV for those who just must have a “Toyota”, whether with a Perodua badge or not.

An indicated price for the Japanese market car is between 1.45 million yen to 1.8 million yen, which is about RM57k to RM70k, so that should give you guys an idea how much a localised version would cost. Don’t expect things like the column shifter you see in the brochure above to make it into the Perodua version as the Passo also had that but it got switched to a traditional shifter between the seats for the Myvi.

Whether you want to call it the new Toyota Passo Sette, or the Daihatsu Boon Ruminous, or the 2009 Perodua MPV, you can check out interior photos and a side profile which have been revealed in the brochure above, which does not mention the vehicle’s name yet. Or for more details, check out the related links listed below.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Toyota overall output down but Daihatsu gains

Paul Tan — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:23:49 +0000

This is one sure sign of the shift in consumer preferences towards smaller vehicles: Toyota’s global production (for all Toyota brands) was down by 12.6% to 791,665 units for the month of October and its sales in Japan dropped by 6.9% for the month compared to October last year at 177,606 units, but its Daihatsu brand improved its output by 11.5% to 82,780 units mainly thanks to increase production and demand in Indonesia. This is just going to go up even further when the new Toyota/Daihatsu/Perodua MPV (artist impression shown above) is launched early next year.

For the overall first 10 months of 2008, the Toyota Group produced 8,004,661 units, up 1.4% from the same period in 2007.

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This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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New Toyota MPV: details of the new 3-row compact that Perodua will also build!

Paul Tan — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:05:48 +0000

Left: Artist’s rendering, Top-right: Mag-X thumbnails

We finally have some pretty solid but unofficial details on the upcoming compact 3-row MPV that Toyota and Daihatsu have been working on, scheduled to be launched next year. This is also the same vehicle that will be the base of the new Perodua MPV to be launched in Q3 of 2009, just in time for Hari Raya.

The word is that the Toyota version will be called the Toyota Passo Sette while the Daihatsu version will be called the Daihatsu Boon Ruminous, and will cost between 1,380,000 yen to 1,880,000 yen in Japan.

The Toyota version has a front end and headlamps that are very similiar to the current generation Toyota Vios. In classic Toyota style in knowing exactly how some Japanese love individuality and customization, the Japanese version will also get an alternate front end that is more sporty and aggressive. The Perodua version will naturally have its own front end, with a new grille, bumper and headlamps.

Toyota also has an existing compact 3-row MPV called the Toyota Sienta so it would be fair to compare this new MPV to the Sienta, and also the Passo/Boon/Myvi. And why not throw in the new Honda Freed into the mix. Let’s have a look:

Dimensions	New MPV	Sienta	Wish	Freed	Myvi F/L
Length	4180mm	4100mm	4650mm	4215mm	3750mm
Width	1695mm	1695mm	1745mm	1695mm	1665mm
Height	1620mm	1670mm	1600mm	1715mm	1550mm
Wheelbase	2750mm	2700mm	2750mm	2740mm	2440mm

From the table above we can see that the new MPV is wider as well as longer in both length and wheelbase compared to the Sienta and the Myvi. A 2750mm wheelbase is impressive – that’s as long as the Subaru Exiga, which is quite a big vehicle!

It’s also quite obvious from even photos that the new Perodua MPV will be between the Sienta and the Myvi in terms of height as the Sienta is quite tall, but this new MPV loses some of that height for a sleeker profile that is generally more acceptable outside of Japan. After all, Indonesia is expected to be a production center for the car in ASEAN.

Something also very interesting is the fact that it is equal to the Wish in terms of wheelbase but significantly shorter and also narrower. Another key difference between this new MPV and the Toyota Sienta is the fact that the Sienta has sliding doors for the rear doors while this car uses conventional swing doors.

The primary engine for the Japanese market will be the 1.5 litre 3SZ-VE producing 109 PS at 6,000rpm and 141Nm of torque, but a 1.3 litre version could be available for the ASEAN market since the Avanza 1.3 was accepted quite well here.

The Japanese market interior will feature a dashboard with a centrally-mounted speedo and also a dash-mounted shifter (CVT for FWD, 4-speed auto for 4WD). ASEAN versions could see this shift lever moved to the area between the seats instead as we’ve seen this happen before with the Myvi (Passo) and the Nautica (Terios).

From the Toyota product photos of the interior leaked by MagX, the second row looks like it can either fit 3 adults but I think 2 adults and 1 child would be more comfortable. At least it comes with 3 headrests, though this may be omitted in our market for cost cutting. The third row is a strict 2-seater.

The second and third row can be folded down for a flat loading area. The loading area is 1330mm wide at the rear-most area but when you fold down the rear seats, this width reduces to 1045mm because of the rear wheel arches protruding into the cabin. The loading area height is 858mm.

So, there you have it. There’s no telling at the moment which market will get the new Toyota compact MPV first, but it’s either between one of the ASEAN countries (Indonesia in particular), or Japan. One possible unveiling schedule could see a more “sophisticated” (dash-mounted shifter, option for DVD player, etc) Japan version unveiled first, then a low cost ASEAN version, and finally the Perodua version in Q3 2009.

Look after the jump for one more side profile shot of the new Toyota/Daihatsu/Perodua 3-row compact MPV.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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New Daihatsu Sirion SX 1.5 liter

Paul Tan — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 08:53:48 +0000

Click to enlarge

The new 2008 range of the Daihatsu Sirion in the UK will include a new top of the range 1.5 litre model called the Daihatsu Sirion SX, priced at Â£9,495 on-the-road. The 2008 Daihatsu Sirion gets new bumpers and grills, new wheel designs, revised, grippier front seats, plusher cloth trim and an improved rear torsion beam suspension for better handling across the range.

The 1.5 SX in particular has a deep front spoiler with a mesh grille (this is essentially the TRD bumper), front fog lamps, side skirts, a rear tailgate spoiler, a red trim interior, alloy wheels, climate control, power windows for all four doors, four SRS airbags, a radio/CD player and remote central locking. It also boasts Vehicle Stability Control, something not offered on any previous Sirion models.

The engine is the 3SZ-VE, something familiar to us already as it is the same engine used in the Toyota Avanza 1.5 litre, but probably slightly different in the Sirion installation as it will be installed in a FF configuration instead of the Avanza’s FR configuration. It also makes less power than the version in the Avanza 1.5, putting out 103 PS at 6,000rpm and 132Nm (138Nm for auto) of torque at 4,400rpm versus 109 PS and 141Nm. 0 to 100 acceleration time is rated at 10.1 seconds.

Will these new features, especially the Vehicle Stability Control trickle down to the Malaysian market and provide extra safety features for a new highest-line specification Perodua Myvi model?

More photos after the jump.

Click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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2008 Daihatsu Gran Max minibus and pickup

Paul Tan — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:26:57 +0000

Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd has just announced the Daihatsu Gran Max, a new light commercial vehicle manufactured at P.T. Astra Daihatsu Motor in Indonesia, aiming to meet the increasing demand in Indonesia for light commercial vehicles.

The Daihatsu Gran Max comes in two body styles, a pick up truck and a minibus. The pick up truck rear can be configured as you wish – in the photos after the jump you will be able to see a classic pick up truck bed as well as a storage box.

The minibus body is the only one in its class with sliding rear doors on both sides. It also has class-leading load capacity.

Powering the Gran Max is either a 1.3 litre DOHC VVT-i or 1.5 litre DOHC VVT-i engine, which should be the 85hp K3-VE and the 107hp 3SZ-VE.

Perhaps this will be offered in Malaysia sometime soon too as a Daihatsu or a Perodua? Perhaps as a Rusa replacement.

More photos of different body styles and the interior after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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Daihatsu OFC-1 Concept: next gen Copen?

Paul Tan — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 09:58:52 +0000

This concept vehicle is called the Daihatsu OFC-1 Concept, an open top K-car roadster that Daihatsu says was designed for adults who want to feel the wind as they drive. The convertible glass top consists of a 3-piece electromotive roof which opens and closes in less than ten seconds, while preserving trunk space even when the roof is down.

The engine used in this concept is a variation of the JB-DET 658cc turbocharged engine putting out 63 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 103Nm of torque at 3,000rpm, which is really not much power even though the car only weighs 820kg. This engine is mated to a CVT gearbox with a manual shifting mode that allows you to swap between 7 virtual gear ratios. The front suspension setup uses MacPherson struts and coil springs, while the rear suspension uses an economical torsion beam design with coil springs.

The 2-seater Daihatsu OFC-1 Concept most likely points us to what the next generation Daihatsu Copen might look like. More photos after the jump.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 15:42:09 +0000.

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