First prize for cutest car at the Frankfurt auto show goes to Daihatsu and its OFC-1 concept car. A Mazda MX-5 looks like a snarling pit bull in comparison. The OFC-1 is certainly Daihatsu’s successor to the already adorable Copen retractable hardtop. The Copen has been around since the 2001 Tokyo auto show, and although its petite and curvy shape still looks good six years later, the tiny convertible could benefit from a freshening.
In their home market, the Copen—and the OFC-1 concept—qualify as “kei cars.” This doesn’t imply that they’re based on a wood-paneled 1985 LeBaron. Instead, this means that Japanese-market Copens are limited to a 658cc—that’s a whole 40 cubic inches for you old-schoolers—intercooled and turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces only 64 horsepower. European Copens are available with a 1.3-liter 16-valve four-banger that delivers 87 horsepower at 6000 rpm. As cute as the Copen is, the car is a cruiser, certainly not a cut-and-thrust sports car.
Much of the blame goes to the front-wheel-drive platform and the heavy—although clever—retractable hard top. The OFC-1 retains the front-wheel-drive layout and the swanky roof and adds a tiny 658cc intercooled and turbocharged triple. We’re sure that the 1.3-liter four will still be available for European markets. The OFC-1’s engine produces 63 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 76 pound-feet of torque at 3000 rpm. Riding on 17-inch alloy wheels, the OFC-1 uses a CVT with a seven-speed paddle-shift program.
Introducing a concept model that shows the future shape of an open sports car, conceived by Daihatsu as a car for adults who want to feel the wind as they drive.
The OFC-1 expresses the feel of a liberating, transparent canopy cockpit, and the familiarity of a flowing, smooth teardrop silhouette. Moreover, a glass top with liquid crystal sunshade used for the electromotive canopy-top open roof offers a free and liberating open-air feeling, regardless of the weather.
The 3-piece electromotive open roof completes operation in less than ten seconds and preserves independent trunk space even when the roof is open to improve the convenience of compact convertibles and allow enough trunk storage space for two adults to take an overnight trip.
In addition, a rear spoiler melded into the body, plus the 17-inch alloy wheels, express powerful running performance. The interior is an expression of the sports mind compressed into a compact space. In addition to the expression of a mechanical image function in the meter center cluster, the high-contrast interior color arrangement serves to orchestrate a progressive, high-quality and sporty interior space.
For running performance, the powertrain technology combines a high-performance turbo engine together with CVT with 7-speed paddle shift to achieve the highest level of both fuel consumption performance and environmental performance for vehicles in its class.
To commensurate with the underside of a sports car, the vehicle is equipped with 4 wheel disc brakes, electronic modulated suspension and stabilizers which improves roll stiffness thus producing a high performing spinning system together with the adoption of the 165/50R17 sport tires.
Dimensions and weight:
* Overall length: 3395mm
* Overall width: 1475mm
* Overall height: 1290mm
* Wheel base: 2230mm
* Track front: 1300mm
* Track rear: 1290mm
* Minimum road clearance: 130mm
* Kerb weight: 820kg
* Seating capacity: 2 persons
Engine
* Type: petrol, 3 cylinder DCHC, 12-valve, intercooler turbo transverse
* Displacement: 658cc
* Bore x Stroke: 63 x 70.4mm
* Max output: 47 kW at 6000 rpm
* Max torque: 103 Nm at 3000 rpm
* Fuel supply system: Electric fuel injection
* Compression ratio: 9.0
Suspension:
* Front: MacPherson Strut, coil spring
* Rear: Torsion beam, coil spring
Steering: Rack and pinion
Brakes front and rear: ventilated disc brake
Tire size front and rear: 165/50R17
Fuel consumption (EU combined mode): 4.6 liter / 100 km
CO2 Emissions (EU combined mode): 100.9 g/km
February 13th, 2008 at 10:10 am
This is a great car. Especially the interior and the folding roof. Roof is made from glass and it is tinted. Its shade can be adjusted electronically.
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:21 am
How dose this car cost ?
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am
It’s NO price for this car yet..
July 14th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Can i know the current price?
July 15th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Sadly still not went to production… I doubt it will, it’s already two years old now
September 17th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I don’t know how I’ll be able to get one here in MN,but PLEASE make this vehicle availabe in the USA.America both needs AND wants such an auto.I’ll take the 4-banger if possible,just tell me where I can find one,we’ll work out the details later.