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Daihatsu Copen – Carp in the pike pond

Name: Daihatsu Copen 2004
Brand: Daihatsu

Created on September 29, 2023

Text:

Paul Krüger

Photos:

Bruno von Rotz

30 1

Daihatsu Copen (2004) - While the driver is still concentrating on holding the line, the Copen is already looking forward to the next bend

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - the black and white warning signs only apply to other cars

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - looks friendly and is friendly - until you challenge it

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - Swiss license plate and standard-size delineator make it clear how small the Copen really is

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - Yellow danger: the smaller and more winding the road, the greater the threat to "grown-up" sports cars

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - Right-hand drive makes it easy to aim for the apex

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - yellow like a Postbus, but much more entertaining on mountain passes

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - also whizzes through narrow village lanes

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - in the color "Sunflower Yellow"

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - The roof can only be operated when the handbrake is applied

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - a roof cycle takes around 20 seconds

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - With the roof closed, the trunk holds 210 liters

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - The latches on the roof must be engaged manually

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - the closed roof makes it suitable for winter - and confusing

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - The mathematics of naming: Compact + Open = Copen

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - dynamic D: the Daihatsu emblem on the hood

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - Basic equipment: The lights are large and round

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - 15-inch alloy wheels and specially produced Bridgestone 165/50 R 15 tires

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - centered dual exhaust with subtle but powerful sound

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - third brake light as a narrow red sunset in the yellow paint sky

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - chrome lettering next to red tail light

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - like the Audi TT: exterior mirror on the door

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - Not as colorful on the inside as on the outside; short gearshift with short travels

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - The speedometer exaggerates more than the rev counter: 9000 rpm and 160 km/h are possible

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - The air conditioning is pretty much the only comfort concession. The radio is retrofitted

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Daihatsu Copen (2004) - 68 hp and 110 Nm crammed into a 660-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine

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Summary

Mini dimensions and maxi revs, a wicked turbo bite and one of the friendliest car faces of all time – the Daihatsu Copen impressively demonstrates that a tame concept can be turned into a pretty wild car. This driving report explains why the small folding roof convertible is nowhere near as sweet and cuddly as it looks.

This article contains the following chapters

A Japanese specialty
Downsized to scale
Turbo and revs
The non-turbo long-stroke engine
A rare pleasure

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution behind us is calling the challenge. On the only straight on this winding mountain road that is just long enough to justify this designation, it has caught up with a large surplus and is now sniffing nervously at our exhaust with its radiator grille. Fifty is the speed limit and fifty is what we drive. An ordinary driver in an ordinary car couldn't be expected to do much more here. But luckily we're not in an ordinary car. A glance at the passenger. He nods. Back into second gear and slam the pedal under the right foot to the floor. The turbocharger suddenly gets going; the rev counter needle flies towards 9000. Slam left, third gear, slam right again, and on we go. In the meantime, we have exceeded the permitted speed by more than half. The twin exhaust in the middle emits with a snotty sound what the turbine wheel was unable to process; the blow-off valve gasps in horror at every lurch of the throttle that pushes the rear end outwards before a bend.

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