Tuesday 15th October 2019

Gazoo Racing creates Daihatsu Copen GR Sport

Toyota's performance division has tweaked the chassis of Daihatsu's 63hp three-pot Copen to create the kei car we all want

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Every now and then we’re left full of jealousy at the quirkiness of Japan’s kei car segment. These dinky models squeeze into the nation’s smallest car category, forcing engineers to wring every millimetre of practicality from their frames. Designers are not demotivated by the smaller palette, either, with the class home to some of the world’s most eccentric cars. And – as illustrated by Daihatsu’s latest offering – performance divisions are not afraid to get stuck in with these city-focussed machines.

Case and point: the new Copen GR Sport, which has been tuned by Toyota performance division Gazoo Racing to create a sort of miniature take on the already small Mazda MX-5 formula. Admittedly, the front-engined Copen GR Sport is front-wheel drive only, but with just 63hp produced by its Gazoo-fettled 660cc three-pot, it’s not like it was ever a drift-monster anyway. The Copen instead earns its GR stripes with a limited-slip differential, firmer suspension and underbody bracing, while 16-inch BBS alloys inject muscle – relatively speaking, of course.

Still, its turbocharged engine’s performance is likely best described as peppy – the car only has 74hp per tonne but that little motor pulls hardest beyond 6,000rpm – although it ought to be pretty agile with such a short wheelbase and only 850kg to haul. It should be quite the steer if the buyer sticks with the standard five-speed manual gearbox to keep that three-pot on the boil. Although if a buyer prefers two pedals, they can specify a CVT alternative. Yuck.

As is often the case in Japan, small size does not necessarily mean small spec. The Copen GR Sport crams the motors and components of an electric folding hardtop into its rear deck so it’s usable all year round, while there’s space for golf clubs in the boot. Just. The interior features a Momo air bag steering wheel and a pair of Recaro sports seats to set the tone appropriately, but to really maximise the look, GR offers a raft of exterior extras, including a front apron, skirts and spoiler, which build on the standard-fit GR-specific bumpers and grille.

The JDM-only two-seater will reach showrooms in November, with prices starting at 2,435,000 yen, which equates to about £17,812 at today’s exchange rate. Not quite cheap as chips, then (the MX-5 starts at only £1.7k more in Britain and doesn’t get kei car tax rates), but so very cool. Surely a PHer with contacts in the shipping industry must have space for a little Copen in a UK-bound container…

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Find a Daihatsu Copen here

[Andy83n]

This for my 14yo lad in a few years time

[Shappers24]

Those seats are bloody lovely.

[gigglebug]

It's a cool little thing although I hadn't realised that they had gone front wheel drive. Wouldn't temp me over an MX5 because of that but I still like what they have done, it's a properly upgraded bit of kit by the looks of things.

[Nerdherder]

Shappers24 said:

Those seats are bloody lovely.

Seats look very good indeed.

S660 for me please. Love those little sporty Kei-cars.

[Nerdherder]

gigglebug said:

It's a cool little thing although I hadn't realised that they had gone front wheel drive. Wouldn't temp me over an MX5 because of that but I still like what they have done, it's a properly upgraded bit of kit by the looks of things.

The Copen has always been FWD.

[anonymous-user]

You would look like an idiot driving one though, have to have thick skin, makes the MX5 look macho.

[gigglebug]

Nerdherder said:

gigglebug said:

It's a cool little thing although I hadn't realised that they had gone front wheel drive. Wouldn't temp me over an MX5 because of that but I still like what they have done, it's a properly upgraded bit of kit by the looks of things.

The Copen has always been FWD.

Ah, I was thinking of all the little Kei sports car like this as being rear wheel drive and assumed this had been the same at some point. The Suzuki I had a go in many years ago was a riotous little thing, not sure I'd want to have any sort of a shunt against a modern car in one though.

[Gecko1978]

why don't we have kei cars in the UK most people commute a short distance to work so don't need a e class or a range rover etc (nice as they are) so would not a tax break like say 0% Vat on these or import duty make sense.

what is the mpg and emissions like etc small I would guess so why not more of them

[RSTurboPaul]

Thesprucegoose said:

You would look like an idiot driving one though, have to have thick skin, makes the MX5 look macho.

Why would it make you look like an idiot?

Why would you need thick skin?

Why must a male of the species be 'macho'?

[Tcooc168]

I think it looks great, I personally wouldn’t buy one as I have a family. Ive lived in japan for a few year due to work commitments and seen so many kei and interesting car about, I guess it just culture differences, I think the main reason why kei cars wouldn’t work in the UK, is because “we” are not in to cute little car, but big macho, badge snooby look at me, I’m rich kinda car.

Unfortunately in people will most probably laugh at you, that’s because it’s uncommon and no celebrity will endorse it.

Edited by Tcooc168 on Tuesday 15th October 12:50

Edited by Tcooc168 on Tuesday 15th October 12:50

[anonymous-user]

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would it make you look like an idiot?

It just would, but some people want to look like an idiot to stand out, be trendy.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would you need thick skin?

Everyperson and their dog would take the piss as you would look like noddy, unless you are there intended market.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why must a male of the species be 'macho'?

They don't which is why you can buy other cars. Cars like this will be aimed at women , hairdressers that is how car sales work.

[flukey5]

Really interesting car but I always assumed it was RWD like the Cappucinos and S660. Shame it's FWD really though I suppose with such a short wheelbase any (snap) oversteer heroics would end up in the nearest bush. Still, would be cooler if it had a proper sports car setup.

[RSTurboPaul]

Thesprucegoose said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would it make you look like an idiot?

It just would, but some people want to look like an idiot to stand out, be trendy.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would you need thick skin?

Everyperson and their dog would take the piss as you would look like noddy, unless you are there intended market.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why must a male of the species be 'macho'?

They don't which is why you can buy other cars. Cars like this will be aimed at women , hairdressers that is how car sales work.

My opinion would be that the above is your opinion, rather than fact

Small, light, fun to drive... why wouldn't someone who enjoys driving want such a car, regardless of whether they've got breasts or a todger?

If people feel the need to take the piss out of someone else for their choices, rather than respecting those choices (that have zero effect on them personally) and letting them get on with it, I think the person doing the piss-taking needs to take a look at themselves and their reasons for their actions.

[Baldchap]

gigglebug said:

It's a cool little thing although I hadn't realised that they had gone front wheel drive. Wouldn't temp me over an MX5 because of that but I still like what they have done, it's a properly upgraded bit of kit by the looks of things.

The Copen has always been front wheel drive. The MK1 scuttle shook like crazy with the roof off but still fun.

Love kei cars. If they launch this or the S660 in the UK I will order one immediately.

[Baldchap]

Thesprucegoose said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would it make you look like an idiot?

It just would, but some people want to look like an idiot to stand out, be trendy.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would you need thick skin?

Everyperson and their dog would take the piss as you would look like noddy, unless you are there intended market.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why must a male of the species be 'macho'?

They don't which is why you can buy other cars. Cars like this will be aimed at women , hairdressers that is how car sales work.

You're mistaking kei cars with wearing blazers and skinny jeans.

[Arsecati]

Surely more than 63bhp can be extracted from that engine if required (as in, being shipped over here!). I can imagine a modern 600cc Supersport bike engine in there, or a 675cc Triumph Triple to get even closer to the cc and cylinder count (though how that translates then to FWD is another question altogether!!) Haha!

[thiscocks]

Thesprucegoose said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would it make you look like an idiot?

It just would, but some people want to look like an idiot to stand out, be trendy.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would you need thick skin?

Everyperson and their dog would take the piss as you would look like noddy, unless you are there intended market.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why must a male of the species be 'macho'?

They don't which is why you can buy other cars. Cars like this will be aimed at women , hairdressers that is how car sales work.

I'd be happy driving one, safe in the knowledge that anyone that took the piss knew fk all about cars.

[Stussy]

Thesprucegoose said:

You would look like an idiot driving one though, have to have thick skin, makes the MX5 look macho.

Do you buy things because they’re what you want, or to try to impress others?
Personally I buy whatever I want, and don’t care what anyone else thinks

[Tcooc168]

Thesprucegoose said:

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would it make you look like an idiot?

It just would, but some people want to look like an idiot to stand out, be trendy.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why would you need thick skin?

Everyperson and their dog would take the piss as you would look like noddy, unless you are there intended market.

RSTurboPaul said:

Why must a male of the species be 'macho'?

They don't which is why you can buy other cars. Cars like this will be aimed at women , hairdressers that is how car sales work.

This is why it wouldn’t sell in the UK. And you obviously haven’t seen to actually drive these car in Japan.
If this car had a German badge on, would it still be embarrassing to be seen it?
Im a bit contradictory because I laugh at A class and 1 series drivers

[DanielSan]

Thesprucegoose said:

You would look like an idiot driving one though, have to have thick skin, makes the MX5 look macho.

From someone with an MGF in their previously owned cars that's quite a statement....