with apologies to AVdude of Pinoydvd




Forget all the things you associate with Daihatsu - Japan's celebrated supermini builder is about to turn the tables on us all with this astonishing new cabriolet.

Boasting a metal folding roof and stylish interior, the newcomer was one of the stars of this year's Tokyo Motor Show, and Auto Express exclusively sampled the first example at Daihatsu's secret Japanese test centre.

At only 3.4 metres long, the two-seat roadster looks like a toy. Fit and finish of this pre-production machine are first rate and the metallic paintwork has an almost mirror-like quality.

The newcomer is aimed directly at the forthcoming SEAT Tango and Ford StreetKa, and insiders reveal it is likely to go on sale for less than £14,000 when it hits showrooms late next year. Start the turbocharged 660cc engine, and the car settles to a tinny idle. With only 66bhp on tap, it initially seems that performance will not be one of its major strengths.

Wrong. Slot the car in gear and the mild-looking Copen seems to grow horns, rocketing forward with an intensity which suggests its engine has at least twice the power claimed.

Head towards the 8,500rpm red line, and your conceptions about the appeal of small-capacity engines will change. Part of the car's performance advantage is down to its lightweight design. That means it lacks side airbags and heavy fabric trim, but it isn't devoid of luxury. Air-conditioning, electric windows and a powered roof will all be offered on the production version. And the top is the clever bit. Quite how Daihatsu and Webasto managed to squeeze such an elaborate-looking roof into so small a space remains a mystery to us - but the result is a joy to behold.

Undo a couple of levers, press a button and watch the lid fold neatly as it disappears behind you - 25 seconds is all it takes to convert this part-time coupe into a cabrio. Daihatsu claims it has shrunk the SLK. Smallness has disadvantages, though. With the top stored behind the seats, there's little boot space. And with the roof up, tall drivers will find headroom tight, but lack of legroom is not a problem. Currently, however, the biggest challenge facing the Copen is availability. Before queues form at UK Daihatsu dealers, the company must first sell the newcomer in Japan, where demand is expected to exceed supply. As a result, Daihatsu plans to make up to 20,000 a year - greatly increasing its annual overall production.

And if our preview is anything to go by, the newcomer will have few problems finding buyers. We just hope there's enough left for us in the UK.

This is Daihatsu's most daring car yet, and a machine that looks set to raise the company's profile significantly. Being genuinely exciting to drive, impressively built and keenly priced, it boasts the three ingredients that are so essential to winning over fashion-conscious young drivers. The Copen's roof-folding mechanism is one of the cleverest we have yet seen in a car of this size, while the engine is among the most potent.

At a glance

* Daihatsu Copen due on sale in the UK late next year

* Entry-level model expected to cost under £14,000

* Powered by a 660cc 66bhp turbocharged engine

* Power folding roof, air-con, electric windows as standard