Test Drive Daihatsu Copen since 2004 Convertible
Daihatsu Copen Car Overview
General In the family of micro-car cars, new forms and ideas are popularly acquired, which finally affected the categories of open sports double cars. And here is the first car of this class since the time of the model Suzuki Cappuccino - the Daihatsu Copen car (shop). Its design exactly copies the line of the demo sample shown last year at the Tokyo Auto Show. The chassis consists of a four-cylinder turbo engine 660 cc. With a four-step automatic (or five-speed manual) transmission. Drive - front. Front suspension with transverse stability stabilizer, rear torsion-lever type. The superior line itself cannot be called a completely new development, it was already tested in the model of the same Daihatsu Max. The opening and closing system of the roof of the same type as in Mercedes SLK cars, Peugeot-206cc, Toyota Soarer is a rigid, with electrical drive (name in the version of Daihatsu Active Top, movable top).
I want to draw your attention to the fact that the Copen released to the market is not just a car for a walk based on the Daihatsu Max model. It is literally stupid by elements of an experimental nature developed by the company's engineers with an eye to the future of their use. In the roof design, aluminum parts are used. At the same time, the outer surface is painted in 5 layers, just like the body of Toyota Celsior (only 4 layers of primer are applied under the white color). Is it not worthy of attention? Next, per month it is planned to produce 500 such cars. So, in connection with the increased requirements for the quality of the assembly, much more rigid than ever, the Copen car is assembled on a semi-automatic line specifically created by this case.
At the same time, despite such expensive quality assurance measures, unprecedented for a micro-car car, its sales price is only 1 million 498 thousand yen (about $ 13600). As applied to the car of the micro-grade such
the price is perceived overestimated, but considering the characteristics of the specific Copen machine and the labor costs for its manufacture, follows, on the contrary, to recognize that it is surprisingly cheap model. The car is so compact, but it does not feel at all when driving is one of her advantages.
In terms of the quality of individual nodes and parts, the model Daihatsu MAX is clearly knocked out of the total row of modern micro-car vehicles. As stated earlier, the Copen car in a quality plan looks like the highest test of its basis - Daihatsu Max. It is possible that according to quality assessment, it can become a closure with a conventional small car. To look at his front panel - by the standards of an ordinary car, it looks highly thorough. Pay attention to the quality of the color of the body (the difference in size does not count) - not wise and confused! After all, it looks like a higher class than Mazda Roadster. In just 20 seconds, the coupe turns into an outdoor cabriolet, thanks to the well-coordinated work of the moving vertex.
The model is equipped with a 4-cylinder engine with a superior, the exactly adjacent turbocharger casing is first made of plastic. The engine works more smoothly than with three cylinders, at a speed of more than 6000 rpm. It becomes less pickup (critical revolutions of 8000 rpm.). As for the work in the range of up to 6000 rpm., In the traction characteristics, it does not cause any complaints. In addition, now the electrically used electric power steering is mainly used. And here the hydraulic amplifier, so you completely forget that you drive the microllet, the steering mechanism works so efficiently. This is without any discounts that, they say, the microllers have a microllery.
When the roof is in place, the body acquires increased rigidity. Thanks to this, as well as its low-profile Tires of 50 BS Potenza Re040, on a winding road he can deliver a lot of pleasure to the driver. That's just when the roof is in the removed form, the rigidity disappears. But, however, the same thing happens in the Mercedes SLK car, and in Peugeot 206s. It is only in the open version to go to a harsh driving manner, and it is immediately heard this tapping as in a low-class machine. Reducing rigidity leads to a tangible change in the controllability of the machine. Well, okay, even if you have to be on your guard, in order not to fly to the side of the road, Charm from the ride with an open top is worth it! By the way, those who wish to get more pleasure from an open cabin can order a more tightened suspension, which the manufacturer (the so-called sports package) offers in the form of option. And it will cost the customer at 100,000 yen (~ $ 900). The quality of the ride leaving beyond its class here is where its real price
In addition to the moving top, that is, the opening and closing roof, the rigid roof of the detachable top can be installed on the new Copen model. In addition, the gearbox may be a four-step automatic or five-speed manual. Thus, the Copen model includes 4 options for picking the machine, and at the same price.
Removing the hard removable top, you can, as in the version with a movable top, make the cabin open. But the one who chose exactly such a car, probably plans to operate it mainly in a closed version. So, probably believed in the company of Daihatsu. In modification with removable top, the sports suspension package is no longer an option, but the element of the standard specification. Thus, it is already a conceptually different type of driving in a closed coupe. Removable top is made of plastic and its weight no more than 15 kg. It is harder than the movable roof, which, as already noted, is made of aluminum. But in the car with removable riding
there is no mechanism for the closure and opening of the roof, which makes it easier than its mobile fellow (800-810 kg). This circumstance also affects the quality of driving in the Detachable Top machine. What impressions did I take out of my trial trip? First of all, I would call the car with a slight sports car. The rigidity of the car is tangible to a greater extent than in a car with a movable riding when driving with a dreadful roof, the interaction of the body with a suspension, on which a hard adjustment is made, quite balanced. When driving on the one hand, you do not have anxiety about the stability of the machine on the road, on the other hand you feel easy excitedness, while in such a small car. And this combination is wonderful!
Driving a Copen car, I unexpectedly thought: And after all, Mazda Roadster, and Toyota MR-S - they are very cumbersome. There is no doubt that, having released such a car, Daihatsu will make everyone believe in its technology, and in his enthusiasm. But on the other hand, in such a double car, it is not enough to put things, and this is a fact. In addition, among the fans of microllays there are many people who love them for a low price. And here they will certainly vote in the market for the reason for the price of the car in the region of 1 million yen. From this not going anywhere. There will be such for which there will be enough and a 3-cylinder engine, which will seem unnecessary and movable top, and the 5-layer color, if only the car was cheap. And per month you need to sell 500 cars! Whether, that is what the question is.
Source: CarView.co.jp.