Daihatsu Copen

Copen powers up as prices fall

Get more for less with the revised Daihatsu Copen. The tiny two-seater has a new 1.3-litre engine, but prices have dropped by £2,500

Auto Express Car Reviews

Spoiler sets new 1.3-litre drop-top apart, but Daihatsu has cut price

25th March 2007

The Japanese firm has relaunched its CC-style drop-top after a break in sales, and the tweaked car is now priced from £10,995. Its new powerplant, which is borrowed from the Sirion supermini, replaces the 660cc three-cylinder turbocharged motor found in the previous model.

And the new 85bhp unit provides the Copen with a welcome performance hike. The 0-62mph sprint time is reduced from 11.7 to 9.5 seconds, yet fuel economy has increased from 44.1mpg to 47.1mpg. Daihatsu says it has also improved the ownership experience by extending the car’s service intervals; the revised model only needs attention every 9,000 miles, instead of the previous drop-top’s short 3,000-mile checks. Equipment is still generous, with air-con, alloy wheels and an electric hard-top as standard. Optional extras include Recaro seats for £895 and a leather pack – comprising heated chairs, hide door trims and a Momo steering wheel – for £500.