Daihatsu Launches New Move, Claims Title of Japan's Most Fuel Efficient Non-Hybrid Passenger Car

Toyota Motor Corp's small-car making subsidiary, Daihatsu, has unveiled a new generation of its Move mini in Japan. The five-door hatchback has been redesigned from the ground up and is claimed to be the most fuel efficient, non-hybrid, gasoline passenger car in Japan achieving up to 27.0km/liter, which is equal to 65.5 mpg US and 3.7 lt/100km.

The pint-sized model from Daihatsu measures just 3,395 mm in length (the new Fiat 500 is 3,546mm) with a wheelbase of 2,455 mm. The Japanese maker said it has shaved 35 kg or77 pounds over the previous model through a series of measures such as reducing the weight of instrument panel and door trim as well as CVT unit and other components.

The 2011 Move is offered with a newly developed second-generation KF engine equipped with what Daihatsu describes as the world's first i-EGR system that detects the combustion state using ions as well as Japan's first plastic electronic throttle body. The 0.66-liter unit, which features a start-stop system as well, is rated at 52HP and 60Nm (44.3 lb-ft) of torque, and is linked to a revised CVT.

Daihatsu offers the new Move in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive confrontations with retail prices (excluding tax) in Japan ranging from 1.066 million Yen to 1.372 million Yen (US$12,700-16,310) for the standard Move and from 1.247 million Yen to 1.534 million Yen (US$14,830-18,250) for the more hip Move Custom. The automaker said the monthly sales target for Japan is 12,000 units.

Hat tip to Leopaul

Source: Daihatsu, Via: Carview

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Revised Daihatsu Copen Roadster Adds New Ultimate S Variant

Daihatsu has launched the 2011 model year version of its tiny Copen roadster in Japan. In order to keep buyers interested, Toyota's subsidiary enhanced the base trim level with additional standard features and introduced a new Ultimate S Edition that gains a restyled grille, dark colored 15-inch BBS alloys, a Momo steering wheel and gear lever, plus the option of full leather sport seats or a set of Recaro buckets draped in Alcantara.

All version of the 3.4-meter long Copen come with a power hardtop and a 660cc turbocharged engine producing 64HP at 6,000 rpm and 110Nm of peak torque at 3,200rpm, matched to either a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual gearbox.