Daihatsu renews the Copen, its small roadster

Daihatsu has unveiled just hours ago the new generation of one of its most representative models, the Copen. It is a small roadster for frugal budgets.

The Copen is completely renewed, featuring a new chassis, design and engine. It will go on sale in 2015 with a price slightly above €13,000, although it is still unknown whether it will be sold in Spain.

The Daihatsu Copen has always been one of those small roadsters where the pleasure of driving took precedence over pure performance. In this new generation this premise remains, since everything in the Copen is made to scale. Starting with its size, we see that, with a length of 3.4 metres, it is a genuine kei car. Its width does not exceed 1.5 metres, while its height remains at a meagre 1.28 metres.

In the interior, more of the same. Two seats with sufficient space, enjoying a simple cabin in which equipment options have substantially increased. The Copen can now be fitted with systems such as keyless entry and start, heated seats, a multimedia system with a touchscreen or automatic climate control, among others. The roof is hard, made of metal, and retracts electrically, stowing behind the occupants.

As for the engine, the Copen features a naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, simple, with only 12 valves. It delivers a power output of 64 CV and a maximum torque of 92 Nm at 3,200 rpm. Drive is sent to the front wheels, and either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed CVT can be fitted. According to the brand’s officials, the new Daihatsu is up to 3 times stiffer than its predecessor, which will make its driving much more enjoyable and safer, ensuring a good level of driving sensations despite the low power output.

Source | Daihatsu