Daihatsu Copen

From 2002

Overview
Manufacturer	Daihatsu
Production	2002–2012, 2014-Present
Body and chassis
Class	Kei car
Body style	2-door roadster
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	659 cc JB-DET I4 (t/c petrol) 1.3 L K3-VE I4 (petrol)
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed sequential
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,230 mm (87.8 in)
Length	3,395 mm (133.7 in)
Width	1,475 mm (58.1 in)
Height	1,245 mm (49.0 in)
Curb weight	810–830 kg (1,786–1,830 lb)

The Daihatsu Copen is a 2-door roadster with an aluminium retractable hardtop built by the Japanese car company Daihatsu. It debuted at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, as the Daihatsu Copen concept. The second generation model debuted as the Kopen (Future Included) at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.

First generation (2002-2012)

The Copen was originally designed with a 660 cc turbocharged engine in order to meet Japanese kei car regulations. However, since this engine did not meet environmental emissions standards in several other countries, the Copen was fitted with a more powerful 1.3 L non-turbo engine in these markets.

At the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, Daihatsu revealed two new trim levels of the Copen, the 1.3l and the 'ZZ'.

The Copen has been featured on the UK show Top Gear where James May attempted to find the best convertible car. The contestants were the Mercedes-Benz CLK, Audi A4, Citroën C3 Pluriel, Volkswagen New Beetle, and the Copen. James loved the Copen, but he had one small problem: it felt "toy-ish".

On January 13, 2011, Daihatsu announced that it would withdraw the Copen from the European market effective from 31 January 2013 due to the ongoing strength of the Japanese Yen. Then on April 2, 2012, Daihatsu announced that Copen production would cease in August 2012 with the final 500 cars being limited 10th Anniversary editions.

Second generation (2014-present)

Less than one year after the car's discontinuation, Daihatsu announced the Copen would be returning to production with a new model. At the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, Daihatsu unveiled two Copen concept cars called the Kopen, with the tag line "Future Included".Production of the new model was announced on June 19, 2014.

The Copen has been restyled to be more angular than its predecessor with a new monocoque chassis structure called a D-Frame. The structure allows owners to select the interior and exterior design of the car according to their preferences. The body panels are made of 13 separate resin components, 11 of which are interchangeable to modify design and colors. The Copen also features a new suspension system, a new 660cc turbo three-cylinder engine with DVVT, better sounding exhaust system and weight reduction.

Daihatsu Copen side view