Heritage
Daihatsu is a 101 year old Japanese company which was originated in 1907. From the outset Daihatsu has placed huge emphasis on economy in our design, allowing us to produce fine engines and economical cars for everyday people right through to our more sophisticated range.
Daihatsu design also focuses on the efficiency and environmental friendliness of all our vehicles. As a company we pride ourselves on our ability to solve technical challenges as well as strictly adhering to ‘kaizan’ or, the principle of continuous improvement, all of which manifests itself in every model, every year.
Daihatsu Motor Corporation vehicles have been the overall winners, in the petrol class, of the Total Economy Run in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008. It is Daihatsu’s advanced and innovative technology which allows us to win these, time after time.
Innovations & Technology
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Weight reduction
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Use of high tensile steel for exceptional strength without extra weight. Throughout the Daihatsu range our vehicles have a very low gross vehicle weight (GVW), yet they still offer all of the safety and rigidity of other, heavier vehicles. As an example, the Sirion’s GVW is a mere 1450 kg.
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Use of polymer plastics, which are stronger and lighter, in the bumpers, dash and headlights. The polymers used are also made of recycled plastics which reinforce Daihatsu’s commitment to the environment as well as our policy of the 3 R’s: Reduce, Recycle and Re-use. The polymers used on Daihatsu’s are all highly scratch resistant and do not fade or crack.
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Aluminium engine in the Charade.
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Not only does weight reduction contribute to the low fuel consumption of the vehicles it also ensures the best possible performance from their compact engines. The final result, zippy in-town performance, great acceleration and exceptional fuel economy.
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Engine management
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Every engine has a single coil per cylinder. This means that the spark voltage and timing is exact for every cylinder, allowing for more sophisticated engine management and combustion control
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Every cylinder is dual timed
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Ion current combustion control
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Knock sensor
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These allow the engine to time the spark to each cylinder, exactly; ensuring optimised fuel burning efficiency.
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Polymer intake manifold
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Brings the engine up to optimum operating temperature within 5 minutes of starting.
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Reduces the amount of time in which inefficient burning takes place.
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Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT)
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Every engine has two overhead cams.
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Working with the engine management system this controls the timing of the valve opening and closing.
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This extra control means that when driving uphill the valve opening is optimised to provide more fuel to the cylinder resulting in more torque being produced
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On straight cruising, the timing is slowed, providing more air in each combustion and therefore, greater efficiency.
Environment & Economy
Combined with our extensive environmental policy, Daihatsu provides exceptional fuel economy: our 1 l engine winning The Engine of the Year, 2007 (sub 1 litre category). Frugal on fuel without being tardy around town, it uses a mere 4.5l / 100 km (over 22 km per litre) and produces a minimal, 130 g CO2 /km. Given the current situation, driving the Charade is an environmental act of kindness. In manufacturing, Daihatsu remains at the forefront of environmentally acceptable and eco-friendly production technologies.
Some of these include:
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Single application undercoat paint technology which not only minimises the energy usage for the process it also reduces wastage of paints which otherwise would have to be disposed of.
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Use of water borne paints only, to minimise solvent damage to the environment.
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Our manufacturing philosophy of reduced material use and the re-use of materials, where possible ensures that materials used in the manufacturing are recyclable when the car reaches the end of its life – even if they are not able to be re-used by Daihatsu, itself.
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Daihatsu Motor Corporation can boast that it has achieved <1% of its 1990 waste levels that need to be disposed of in landfills. All the rest is recycled or re-used.
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There is a huge focus on the reduction of the CO2 produced throughout the manufacturing process and Daihatsu is the world leader in minimal CO2 production, per unit sold.
Three additional areas of focus:
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Paint:Paint technologies requiring fewer layers and less drying time to minimise
power usage. -
Foundry: Cogeneration technologies to recapture energy that is lost during the various stages of melting the metals before casting them.
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Machining: Improved processes to reduce the amount of machining required.
Eco-friendly running due to a focus on:
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Minimal transfer loss in the drive train.
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Fluid simulations for reduced wind drag.
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World first in self regenerating catalytic converter which means that catalytic converter effectiveness stays unaffected by driving of the vehicle. In other cars the catalytic efficiency wears off, gradually
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Prompt catalyst activation by controlling the ignition through the measurement of deionisation in the piston chamber. This process makes the computer far more accurate determining the optimal timing for an engine spark, than other makes of cars. Essentially, this wastes less fuel and reaches operating temperature faster, allowing the catalytic converter to work sooner.
Models
Charade – Compact, streetwise and sexy.
Sirion – Fun and versatile
Materia – Spacious, stylish and practical.
Terios –Award winning design, exciting and robust
