Daihatsu Copen - From History to Review
The Daihatsu Copen is one of the cars produced by Daihatsu specifically aimed at the upper middle class. It is said so because the car has dimensions, shape, and its compact size that are suitable for those who have extra cash.
Although it is classified as a mid to upper-range car, the price is not excessively high. Around IDR 500 million or less. Friends with a budget below IDR 500 million can also purchase one of Daihatsu's cars.
History of Daihatsu Copen
Before we discuss what the Daihatsu Copen is like, we will invite friends to learn about the history of the Daihatsu Copen itself. This 2-door car from Daihatsu was first showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1999. At that time, the Copen was still presented in concept form. The "production" version of this car was only marketed in 2002.
First Generation (L880)
The "production" version of the Daihatsu Copen is the early generation known as L880. The Daihatsu Copen L880 has distinctive features such as a retractable roof, a 660 cc engine, and left-side steering.
Along with an expanding market, the Daihatsu Copen L880 underwent several developments. Starting from a roof that could be opened and removed, an engine equipped with a non-turbo 1.3 L engine, to right-side steering.
The market for the L880 did not only cover Japan. It also included several European countries such as Germany and England. In the latter country, the first edition of the Copen was showcased at the Top Gear event, alongside several renowned cars like the Mercedes Benz CLK, Citroen C3 Pluriel, and Audi A4.
On January 13, 2011, Daihatsu decided to withdraw the L880 from the European market. The strengthening of the Yen and the declining sales of the L880 were two reasons behind this decision.
A year later, Daihatsu released the 10th Anniversary Edition of the L880. This special edition L880 features a magnificent design, along with a plate and leather upholstery inscribed with "10th Anniversary." The release of this special edition marked the end of the L880 era.
Second Generation (LA400)
After the L880, Daihatsu then released the second generation Copen named LA400. Before it was officially distributed to the market in 2014, the latest generation Copen was first showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2013.
The Copen LA400 is characterized by its monocoque-based chassis structure. This D-Frame chassis structure allows friends to customize the interior and exterior of the Copen LA400 according to their preferences.
The Copen LA400 is also equipped with body panels consisting of 13 separate components. 11 of these components can be used by friends to modify the color and design of the Copen car.
The Copen LA400 will later be produced in several models, one of which is the Copen Robe. This model variant of the Copen LA400 is the only second-generation Copen model marketed in Indonesia from 2015 to 2019.
Price of Daihatsu Copen
As discussed in the opening paragraph, the price of the Daihatsu Copen is around IDR 500 million or less. This price applies to all types of Daihatsu Copen, both old and new.
For example, the 2005 Daihatsu Copen A/T. This car, which is part of the first generation Copen, is sold for around IDR 250 million. One of the advantages of this car is its turbo engine of 650 cc.
If you want a newer example, the Daihatsu Copen 660 M/T could be a reference. In the market, this latest Daihatsu Copen can be obtained starting from IDR 432 million.
Review of Daihatsu Copen
Now we come to the peak of this article's discussion. Now, we will try to review what the Daihatsu Copen is like for all friends. Who knows, friends might be interested in buying the Daihatsu Copen after reading our review.
There are several aspects we highlight in this review. Interior and exterior, features, as well as fuel and engine are some of the aspects mentioned.
Interior and Exterior
The Daihatsu Copen has a very sporty two-tone interior, especially in the cabin area. The Copen's interior is also equipped with comfortable bucket seats covered in premium quality fabric.
Not stopping there, the Copen also has an interesting interior from various angles. Starting from the dashboard made of smooth plastic, to the leather-wrapped gear shift and steering wheel.
The sporty impression of the Daihatsu Copen is not only found in its interior. The exterior of this car also has a strong sporty vibe. This can be seen in the front of the car, which is equipped with a hexagonal black grille, along with the Daihatsu logo in the center.
The front is then complemented with LED projector headlights, as well as LED-based illumination lights.
On top of the car, there is a soft top that operates electronically. This roof can be opened and closed by pressing a button.
Both the first and second generations, the Daihatsu Copen always offers a variety of colors for its exterior. Some of the available colors include Yellow Met, Glittering Silver, and Liquid Silver Met.
Features
One of the main features of the Daihatsu Copen is its audio system. This car's audio is equipped with a 2 DIN AM/FM Radio, AUX connectivity, CD player, and Bluetooth.
This audio feature along with its completeness allows friends to enjoy various entertainment options. Whether it's radio broadcasts or music from CDs.
The entertainment provided by this car's audio is even more enjoyable to listen to, thanks to the presence of 2 speakers in the front dashboard of the Daihatsu Copen. These speakers are believed to produce loud, clear, and pleasant sounds for friends' ears.
Fuel and Engine
No need for various types of fuel to start the Daihatsu Copen. This car only requires gasoline to operate. The fuel consumption of the Daihatsu Copen is measured to be quite good. On average, the fuel consumption of this car is 20 km/liter, with CO2 emissions reaching 140g/km.
The gasoline that enters the Daihatsu Copen will then be processed by the car's engine. This engine is a 0.7-liter KF DOHC. This engine, equipped with an Intercooler Turbocharged, produces a maximum power of 64 PS/6400 RPM, and a maximum torque of 92 Nm/3200 RPM. This engine can also achieve speeds of up to 100 km/h.
Although aimed at the upper middle class, the Daihatsu Copen is also worth buying for friends from the middle class. The relatively affordable price, sporty interior and exterior, and fuel-efficient usage are some of the reasons. So, don't hesitate to make the Daihatsu Copen your dream car!
Author: Anggie Warsito
