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Daihatsu’s cute and
timeless Copen sports car has just become considerably more desirable
with a punchy yet more frugal new 1.3 litre engine, higher gearing to
enhance refinement and a sharp new price of only £10,995 on-the-road (a
full £2,500 less than the original model).
Originally conceived
for the Japanese Kei-car market only, the UK’s importer, Daihatsu
Vehicle Distributors Limited, persuaded the factory to re-engineer the
tiny 660 cc turbo petrol engine to comply with European Whole Vehicle
Type Approval.
The Copen’s new 1.3
litre petrol engine totally transforms the small car’s appeal while
providing even better fuel economy and lower exhaust emissions.
For example, the
revised sports car now has a 112 mph top speed (up 6 mph), 0-62 mph time
of only 9.5 seconds instead of 11.7 seconds with stronger, more
responsive throttle response throughout the rev-range.
Equally importantly,
fuel economy is outstanding at 36.7 Urban, 56.5 mpg Extra Urban and 47.1
mpg on the Combined Cycle (was 35.8/50.4 and 44.1 mpg). Meanwhile, CO2
exhaust emissions drop from 151 g/km to 140 g/km.
World’s First
Self-Regenerating Catalyst
The new Sirion 1.3
litre launched in 2005 featured the world’s first self-regenerating
catalyst. This innovation is also shared by the new Copen.
It effectively extends
the life of the catalytic converter, reducing maintenance costs and is
kinder to the environment as it keeps the catalyst ‘healthier’ over a
higher mileage meaning the already low 140 g/km does not increase as the
engine becomes older.
This revolutionary
technology works by providing a self-regenerating capability in the
particles of the precious metal which normally degrades.
The Copen was first
displayed as a concept car at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show. It appeared
again in 2001 and finally went on sale in Japan in spring 2002 virtually
unchanged in appearance from the original car. Since then, the Copen has
developed an enthusiastic cult following – even in Germany where it was
originally only available in right-hand drive.
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