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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