The Daihatsu Copen, a 2-door roadster model from the Japanese car manufacturer is poised to arrive in dealer showrooms all over the United Kingdom. Although the Daihatsu Copen is exclusively sold for the Japanese Kei-car market, UK-based Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors Limited convinced the Japanese automaker to revamp some of the vehicle's components including the small engine with only 660 cc displacement to adapt in the European vehicle standards.
In addition, to comply with the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, Daihatsu equipped the Copen with a larger 1.3 litre petrol engine that now pumps out an additional 19 hp and a 14.5 lb.-ft. increase of peak torque, for a total of 86 hp at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 88.5 lb ft at 4,400 rpm. Daihatsu said the Copen offers an improved fuel efficiency and low fuel consumption rate, thanks to the advance engine systems like Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT) which enhances low-speed pulling power, the compact twin overhead camshaft unit equipped with alloy head and block. Moreover, the Daihatsu Copen also comes with the first ever self regenerating catalytic converter made palladium, the most heat sensitive material used in catalytic converters. As a result, the catalytic converter has the ability to regenerate and prolong its function in reducing CO2 exhaust emission coming out from the Daihatsu Copen.
With the new engine, the Daihatsu Copen can now sprint from 0 to 62 mph time in just 9.5 seconds, about 2 seconds faster than the previous 660 cc engine. The Copen roadster can reach an electronically limited full throttle speed of 112 mph.
According to Paul Tunnicliffe, Daihatsu Managing Director, "We are all car enthusiasts here at Daihatsu and were instrumental in bringing the original model to market in the UK. With this lively new engine and a highly competitive price, we are delighted not only to have a 'halo' model in our range but to be able to offer fellow enthusiasts such a characterful and affordable fun car."
The revised Daihatsu Copen for the UK market received several facelift from the Japanese automaker. The small car retains its sporty and compact body styling with a rounded design. Compared to VW Fox parts like the trapezoidal headlamps, The Daihatsu Copen gets oval shaped headlamps as well as oval shaped rear lamps. The small rear boot spoiler is one of the new features of the vehicle. Of course, the Daihatsu Copen still features the electronically operated folding hard top roof made of lightweight aluminum.
Inside, the new Daihatsu Copen is equipped with standard safety components including front seats with pretensioners and force limiters, twin front airbags, dual side-impact door beams, Auto-locking restraints (ALR), and reinforced front side-members and front sub-frame. In addition, passive safety systems are also standard like twin roll-over bars, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), and Daihatsu's impact-sensing system.
The Daihatsu Copen 1.3-liter will roll out in UK dealerships carrying a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of 10,995 British pounds or about $21,636 USD.
The auto industry has been criticized for the global warming threat because of the huge amount of greenhouse gases produced by vehicles. In response to this, car manufacturers have been developing cars with good fuel efficiency and less greenhouse gas emissions. While there is no technology developed yet which eliminates the dependence on fossil fuel with practicality, the auto market is already home to a wide range of green cars. One way to determine the environment friendliness of a vehicle is by its carbon dioxide emission and its mileage rating.
Currently, the cleanest mass production car which is within the reach of many car buyers is the Toyota Prius. This hybrid car has the distinction of being the European Car of the Year awardee. It uses a small internal combustion with an electric motor. The motor provides additional power to the Prius. During low speed operation, the 1.5-liter gasoline engine used by the Prius shuts down thus making the Prius suitable for city driving. Driving around city streets demands constant deceleration and acceleration. This is where the Prius shows its true potential. When braking, the energy produced is utilized to charge the car’s battery pack. This gives the Prius the reputation of being the greenest car today.
One drawback with the Prius is that it costs more than conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. This is because of the fact that advanced materials are used in the assembly of the vehicle.
Another good choice for environment-friendly drivers is the Citroen C2 1.4 HDi. This vehicle is powered by a diesel engine which is unlike the diesel engines that Americans have turned away from in the 1980s. The use of clean diesel technology allows the Citroen C2 to produce only 108 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometer. Fuel efficiency is exemplary with its mileage rating of 69 mpg. Limited space is one of the drawbacks for the C2. But this lack of interior space is countered by a good handling dynamics and a look to match.
The bigger Citroen C3 is also a good choice for car buyers who think about the environment. While its bigger size reduces fuel mileage rating, it offers a bigger interior space unlike the C2. For car buyers who need the space, the C3 is the suitable green car. Both these cars can be fitted with aftermarket parts such as Borla exhaust to make them look better.
Another good choice for car buyers who wants to help protect the environment is the Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 80. This vehicle produces only 110 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometer traveled. That shows how environment-friendly the Clio is. Running on diesel fuel and using exhaust gas filters, the engine of the Clio reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission as well. It also offers acceptable interior space which makes it a practical choice for single car buyers. Handling is respectable and ride comfort is decent.
Another wise choice for those looking for environment friendly cars is the Smart Fortwo. This gasoline-powered vehicle only produces 113 grams of carbon dioxide for a kilometer traveled. This odd looking car is designed to offer a good city driving vehicle for car buyers. It uses a fuel-thrifty gasoline engine which gives the Fortwo a gas mileage rating of 60 mpg. Aside from these vehicles, the Peugeot 206 HDi, the Ford Fiesta, Daihatsu Charade, Audi A2 and the Honda Civic Hybrid are also good choices for their low carbon dioxide emission and exemplary fuel mileage rating. The Peugeot 206 only produces 113 grams of carbon dioxide for ever kilometer while having a gas mileage rating of 65 mpg. The Ford Fiesta produces only 114 grams of carbon dioxide for very kilometer and a fuel mileage rating of 65 mpg. The Charade is estimated to produce 114 grams of CO2¬ for every kilometer with a mpg rating of 59. The A2 powered by a diesel engine produces 116 grams of CO2 per kilometer and has a mpg rating of 64. The hybrid version of the Honda Civic is rated to produce 116 grams of CO2 per kilometer. The Civic Hybrid is estimated to have a gas mileage of 57 mpg.
The vehicles have been chosen. The votes have been cast. The total has been counted. And now the winners have been announced.
Cars.com is one of the most trusted online sites which allow users to learn more about vehicles, auto parts, tips, techniques, and trends in the auto industry. As a way of giving back, the editors of the website decided to give awards to vehicles which have been popular and which are superb that they deserve accolades. The list of winners would also allow consumers to learn more about what are the best vehicles in the market and these winners have been carefully chosen by the editors of the web site.
Patrick Olsen is the managing editor for the site and he disclosed, “The Lifestyle Buying Guide and the Cars.com Lifestyle Awards recognize that different consumers need different things from their cars. Our Lifestyle Buying Guide lets shoppers search for cars across categories, comparing everything from trucks and SUVs to minivans and sedans. With so many choices on today’s market, and more features and options to consider, many consumers don’t know whether they want an SUV, a crossover or a sedan. Cars.com is providing them with the tools they need to cross-shop the SUV against the minivan against the crossover.”
The Lifestyle Awards winners for 2008 from Cars.com include the 2008 Mazda CX-9 which took home the Family Car of the Year title. With large crossovers taking the place that used to belong to minivans, the Mazda CX-9 proves to be the best of the lot. It comes with a really good cabin and it has a really powerful engine that would allow the vehicle to speed to its destination despite having quite a number of cargo and passengers inside. The seats have also been made to be comfortable so as to have Mom having to deal less with whining children because they have gotten uncomfortable in the back.
Cars.com also did not choose vehicles just because they came with a good reputation. The editors did choose the vehicles as per reviews and tests and statistics that they have collected on the automobiles in the market. It seems that vehicles with Daihatsu parts have not been included in the list of winners for there are not any new Daihatsu vehicles in the market as of present. The 2008 Honda Accord did take home the Work Car of the Year title, the 2008 BMW 335i Convertible was named the Play Car of the Year, and the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid was chosen as the Eco-Friendly Car of the Year.
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