Daihatsu Muse
by Sam Livingstone

The Muse from Daihatsu builds on their Cuore production car concept in offering a volumous, two box, simple and static small car. But it delivers a unique design benefit rare to this Japanese micro class of having percieved substance. A good stance, with15 inch wheels, consistently weighty body side surfacing, prominent wheelarches that run into the sills and stand proud of the lower surface of the doors, and those static lines lend weight to this small car without becoming too SUV or agressive in feel. A deep bluff nose and a lot of crown on the roof that pulls the apparent height of the car down also add to this mature, if somewhat stolid visual identity.

Daihatsu recognise these charcteristics as intrinsic to a more premium car type and have included a very high level of specification. This includes leather upholstory, keyless entry with automatic electric memory seats and typical luxury car jewelry such as the detailed clear headlights and large, simple aluminium door handles.

But this unusual, yet conservative car’s most noticable characteristic is its quarterlight ahead of the front door. This is a result of a relatively upright wind screen and far forward cowl point necessitated in turn by the wish to have a large car sense of space that a deep IP creates.

Although far from the most funky or innovative design at Tokyo, the Muse is an interesting design with an exceptionally logical design strategy given its typically lightweight and conspicuously 'youthfull‘ competitors.

Daihatsu Copen

The Copen (derived from “compact” and “open”) is the first mini-roadster with an electrically operated hard top. Its simple two-seater silhouette shows some influence from the Audi TT, but in a more 'cute and friendly' form. Performance is honed through a quick-response 660cc twin-cam four-cylinder turbo-charged engine.

The Copen is similar in size to the Cappucino, Suzuki's earlier entrant in the 'K' car segment.

Daihatsu FF Ultra Space

The FF Ultra Space is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive next-generation concept car that provides a personal zone for relaxation in a mini vehicle-size package. On the outside it presents a unique and stirring “one-motion” form, with character coming from a unique integration of A-pillar and headlamps, while the interior takes on a bright and open-space ambience thanks to a full glass roof.

Daihatsu U4B

The U4B (short for 'Urban 4x4 Buggy') is a four-wheel drive minivehicle that merges the comfort of a passenger car and the functionality of an SUV.

This quirky concept car takes its four wheel drive powertrain and some design cues from SUVs, and combines this with an almost cartoonesque cute face and prominant round wheel arches.

According to Daihatsu, the endearing and massive rounded form creates an exterior that emphasizes harmony with nature.