Daihatsu 94.1mpg concept car revealed at Tokyo motor show

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What’s in a name? The UK no longer has the Daihatsu brand, but the brand is going strong in Japan. It’s also slightly hard to figure out what they were imagining the word meant when they came up with D-Base for the name. But, whatever the name, this is an important car for Daihatsu’s domestic market.

This is because it is a kei car. That means it conforms to regulations that give it both tax and parking breaks, which is an important aspect in Japan’s crowded cities. So the D-Base is just 3.4m long, 1.48m wide and 1.49m high. Powered by a 660cc three-cylinder engine, it is claimed to offer an astonishing 94.1mpg in Japanese tests.

This concept vehicle, unveiled at the Tokyo motor show, paves the way for the next Daihatsu Mira which is another kei car, and a crucial one for Daihatsu. Kei cars make up about 40% of all registrations in Japan.

Whatever it’s called and whatever that means, the D-Base is an important vehicle for Daihatsu and should go on sale in 2016.