According to new online reports the car manufacturer Daihatsu Cope is being secretley developed, with industry insiders claiming Toyota helping to build a new engine. The earlier model of the Daihatsu Copen that ended production earlier in 2011 was actually powered by a smaller engine that delivered just 660cc turbo.
The new version looks like it will go back to the original concept of smaller engine with a 900cc version rumoured to be in production. It will use TwinAir technology which has been a roaring success in the Fiat 500 city mini, with naturally low emissions and cracking effieciency specs.
This shows a continued trend by the giants of the car industy to reduce their overall engine size in the line up of model designations. According to online reports Toyota could use the feedback from the car to develop the final touches to their iQ city car. Though this is not confirmed at present, and there appear to be no plans to develop a turb or diesel version of this car.
The new Cope should actually carry larger dimensions than the previous version and will certainly comply with global safety regualtions designed to reduce deaths and car accident claims for road users and pedestrians.
Daihatsu plans to pull out of Europe in 2013, but this new model could help reignite UK interest in the brand.
