More likely to draw crowds to the stand is the HVS Concept, Daihatsu's latest environmentally friendly sports roadster. From a strict visual standpoint, the HVS takes on a similar role to the current Copen roadster, the world's smallest folding hardtop convertible. The HVS is a much more dramatic vehicle; from the first preliminary sketch, it has BMW-style flamed surfaces, boldly flared wheel arches and short overhangs.
While the heart might be moved by the exterior, it's what's underneath that really counts. The HVS uses the same 1.5-litre gasoline engine as found in the D-Compact, but mates it to a new hybrid-electric system turning the HVS into an all-wheel drive machine. Using individual motors for each rear wheel and an intelligent drive-control mechanism, the car is able to use its electric hybrid components to provide exceptional stability during high-speed maneuvering.
Daihatsu claims the new HVS sports car concept is capable of providing the performance and acceleration of a car equipped with a 2.0-litre engine, but with fuel consumption and emissions bettering that of a car equipped with a 1.0-litre powerplant.
While Daihatsu probably won't return to the North American market due to Toyota's ever-expanding range of economical cars and the Scion lineup in the United States, elsewhere in the world this microcar manufacturer is showing that it has its fingertips on the pulse of today's technology. Hopefully Daihatsu and Toyota will consider introducing the new kind of hybrid technology established with the HSV in future North American-bound vehicles.
 |
| More likely to draw crowds to the stand is the HVS Concept, Daihatsu's latest environmentally friendly sports roadster. (Photo: Daihatsu) |
Daihatsu claims the new HVS sports car concept is capable of providing the performance and acceleration of a car equipped with a 2.0-litre engine, but with fuel consumption and emissions bettering that of a car equipped with a 1.0-litre powerplant.
While Daihatsu probably won't return to the North American market due to Toyota's ever-expanding range of economical cars and the Scion lineup in the United States, elsewhere in the world this microcar manufacturer is showing that it has its fingertips on the pulse of today's technology. Hopefully Daihatsu and Toyota will consider introducing the new kind of hybrid technology established with the HSV in future North American-bound vehicles.
Article Gallery