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| Diahatsu
Copen |
Broadcast
dates : 12th February 2006
18th February 2006 |
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The Diahatsu Copen is tiny! It
measures just 3,4 metres in length, and a snug 1,5 metres in
width. As for height, you could trip over it if you were
stumbling around in the dark. The tinyness of the Copen makes
it an instant stand-out car.
The cabin has a nice quality ambience for a car costing under
R200 000. That Momo steering wheel speaks
"sportive", in the European parlance, the gauges are
super-imposed Porsche style, and there are nice little oddment
storage places.
If only there was a bit more space.
The top mechanism works very slickly, although you have to
unclip the windscreen stays.
The cabin reveal shows some very stylish tan leather seat
covers, eye-catching roll over hoops in case you get silly,
while at the business end the bonnet reveals a 64 kW motor
that gives reasonable punch thanks, to the car’s 850
kilogram weight.
You should get a 0-100 in around the 11 second mark and top
out at over 170, which feels fast in a mini-me car like this.
The Copen chassis is a bit of a mix. It’s nice and pointy
the way it turns in and the front suspension is not bad. But
the rear suspension is way over-stiff and under-damped.
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Apart from the gearchange, which
is vague you feel every ripple in the road and speed bumps
shake your fillings loose. The steering could also do with a
course in straight-line accuracy. But on smooth roads, it’s
good
Being an absolutely new kid on the block, the Copen attracted
dozens of admirers.
Like the Nissan 350Z and the Audi TT, Daihatsu will use the
Copen as an image-builder rather than a runaway volume seller,
like Mazda has managed with its MX5.
The big problem that the Copen faces is one of price. At R189
995, it’s not far off the likes of the larger and more
practical Opel Tigra 1,4 and the Hyundai Tiburon which are
both more substantial cars.
Nevertheless it’s cute. It’s going to appeal to young
girls and as Fenly says, it will make a great fashion
accessory.
Daihatsu Copen
- Engine:
Four-cylinder petrol, 1 298 cc
- Power: 64 kW @ 6000
rpm
- Torque; 120 Nm @ 4
400 rpm
- Transmission:
Five-speed manual front-wheel-drive
- 0-100 k/h: 10,8
seconds
- Top speed: 170 km/h
- Fuel consumption:
6,8 litres/100 km (Claimed figures)
- Price: R189 995
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