Compact SUV is Stylish while Little Roadster Displays the Future of HEV Technology
To North Americans, Daihatsu is little more than a vague memory from a time when the economy was open to Japanese microcars. A brief sales stint from the '80s and '90s has left us with memorabilia from more optimistic times. All that currently remains from that early sales trickle in the United States are leftover Suzuki Samurai-esque Rocky SUVs and the tiny if not forgotten Charade microcar.
After its withdrawal from the North American market, the brand concentrated on Europe and Asia, updating and upgrading its lineup. Perceived as a purveyor of Kei-cars for the European market, it found its niche supplying tiny SUVs, sports cars and city roamers, although it was
tough going. A major stake purchase by Japanese giant Toyota ensured Daihatsu's survival, although the result of such most likely means the offbeat automaker will never find its way back to the North American market.
Just the same, for this year's Frankfurt Motor Show Daihatsu's stand will be filled with new models, but, two concepts that will be making their world debut are most interesting. Microcar fans should be in for a treat, as the company will be displaying its new D-Compact 4X4 Concept, a junior-sized sport utility vehicle, and the HSV Concept, a lightweight hybrid sports car.
The D-Compact Concept is something that most have been expecting for some time now. The brand's smallest off-roader, the Terios is now one of
the older models in the lineup, and is in serious need of updating or replacing. Compared to the narrow and rather slab-sided Terios, the D-Compact is quite stylish, incorporating a few new styling traits such as an upright, 'blunt' nose, and rolled fenders.
As Daihatsu has not given up on its core values of producing nimble and agile vehicles that adapt to inner-city environments, the D-Compact is smaller than the average SUV. It's powered by a compact, all-new 1.5-litre engine that is able to give it decent acceleration and reasonable cruising speeds. As with most new Daihatsu engines, this 1.5-litre unit should excel above the average by providing very low carbon dioxide emissions.
To North Americans, Daihatsu is little more than a vague memory from a time when the economy was open to Japanese microcars. A brief sales stint from the '80s and '90s has left us with memorabilia from more optimistic times. All that currently remains from that early sales trickle in the United States are leftover Suzuki Samurai-esque Rocky SUVs and the tiny if not forgotten Charade microcar.
After its withdrawal from the North American market, the brand concentrated on Europe and Asia, updating and upgrading its lineup. Perceived as a purveyor of Kei-cars for the European market, it found its niche supplying tiny SUVs, sports cars and city roamers, although it was
 |
| Daihatsu found its niche supplying tiny SUVs, sports cars and city roamers, although it was tough going. (Photo: Daihatsu) |
Just the same, for this year's Frankfurt Motor Show Daihatsu's stand will be filled with new models, but, two concepts that will be making their world debut are most interesting. Microcar fans should be in for a treat, as the company will be displaying its new D-Compact 4X4 Concept, a junior-sized sport utility vehicle, and the HSV Concept, a lightweight hybrid sports car.
The D-Compact Concept is something that most have been expecting for some time now. The brand's smallest off-roader, the Terios is now one of
 |
| Compared to the narrow and rather slab-sided Terios, the D-Compact is quite stylish. (Photo: Daihatsu) |
As Daihatsu has not given up on its core values of producing nimble and agile vehicles that adapt to inner-city environments, the D-Compact is smaller than the average SUV. It's powered by a compact, all-new 1.5-litre engine that is able to give it decent acceleration and reasonable cruising speeds. As with most new Daihatsu engines, this 1.5-litre unit should excel above the average by providing very low carbon dioxide emissions.