Daihatsu isn't a very popular choice for car buyers around here mainly due to the high COE figures and its focus at the small car segment of the market. The high COE in the 1600cc category means that buyers want better value for their money and that Daihatsu has to fight off a lot of other competitors and something I still do not agree with – taxis.

Nevertheless, I do like little sporty Daihatsu cars like the Mira TRX-X, the Boon Turbo and the Copen. The Daihatsu Copen especially so as it is a small, nippy and affordable little roadster even though it is a little too feminine in nature. Anyway, Daihatsu has decided to preview a new roadster-like concept car called the Daihatsu D-X at the upcoming 2011 Tokyo Motor Show which could be the new Copen.

The Daihatsu Copen (pictured above) has surprisingly been in production since 2002 over in Japan. Extremely long lifespan for a Japanese car these days. The Daihatsu D-X (short for 'd-cross') could be the Copen updated for 2012 but in a different sort of way. The Daihatsu D-X is a tiny but now tough and chunky looking compact car instead of a hairdresser's favourite. If the D-X makes it into production, no man would feel red faced driving one unlike the Copen which was also criticized as being too toy-like.

It now has swappable body panels and cladding that make it look like something Renault would do (something like a Twingo or the newer little cars like the Wind and what-nots). In fact, those body panels could be used to change the car from a roadster to a coupe or to a hatchback.
According to Daihatsu, it is powered by a small two cylinder turbocharged engine (660cc? - as per the Japanese 'kei' car standards) which would be sufficient to give it some poke yet still be an economical little fella.

So what do I really think about this car? I think Perodua should build it for Daihatsu in Malaysia so that they can sell the car cheaply around the region (due to ASEAN tax breaks). I'd love to see more interesting 2-door cars like these instead of the usual tall bulbous economical hatchbacks.

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