Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu has unveiled its show cars for the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon, consisting largely of modified Copen roadsters. There will be at least 14 Copens on display, three of which have been revealed ahead of the live debut at the show on January 9.
The Copen is a small, front-drive kei-class roadster whose second-generation went on sale in June 2014 after a two-year hiatus. Its closest competitor in the Japanese marketplace is the recently leaked Honda S660. However, the Copen uses an innovative skeleton frame that acts as part of the body. Composite panels can then be interchanged around the frame to create entirely new looks for the car.
The Copen Robe TamonDesign is a sportified version that features an enlarged grille, a single, wider, blackedout hood bulge rather than the standard dual thin body-colored ones, Recaro seats and 6-spoke Rays racing wheels.
The Copen Robe Seico reimagines the grille yet again, and gives the rear deck of the race-themed roadster an integrated ducktail and a bespoke, blacked out rear panel. Interestingly, the stock teardrop motif for the foglight bezels in front and reflectors in the rear have been deleted for a cleaner design all around on both show cars.
A third design simply attaches a small trailer to the Copen that packs a folding table, chairs, tent and enough gear for two people to camp. Remaining versions that have not been revealed in high-resolution images include a rally racer and a retro design that incorporates the round head and tail lights and grille of the previous generation Copen.
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