Daihatsu Sirion - the new Japanese superminiA small marque controlled by Toyota, Daihatsu specialises in superminis less than 4 metres long. However, the new little Sirion is not content with merely threading its way through town - it can also go hard and fast outside built-up areas... Daihatsu remains a minor marque in the United Kingdom. And yet this Osaka-based manufacturer has been producing engines since 1907 and cars since 1964. Toyota acquired a stake in its capital in 1967, before taking over control in 1998. In 2004 Daihatsu sold 840,000 vehicles, of which only 30,000 were in Europe, but with the ambition of reaching 70,000 by 2008 thanks to the launch of a full and "trendy" range with the Sirion as its emblem. This 3.60 m-long supermini was designed for European tastes, on the platform of the Yaris. So it is a compact 5-door car of high-tech Zen design, boasting above all quite a remarkable amount of passenger space. The reclining rear seat folds down and enables the seats to adapt to the number of passengers (4 can easily fit in); the luggage capacity goes from 225 to 630 litres (with the back seat down) - not bad for a supermini!  © Daihatsu The new Sirion comes with a choice of two engines. The 1-litre engine uses VVT technology (a computer-aided system which adjusts the quantity of air required by the engine according to the circumstances), enabling excellent acceleration. As for the 1.3-litre engine, it is equipped with a self-regenerating catalytic converter that enables it to maintain its performance throughout its existence Although its chassis ensures smooth and efficient road holding, it is clear that the Sirion is not made for joyriding or Steve McQueen-style car chases! It is first and foremost a car that is easy to drive, but which has plenty of stamina. Weighing just 940 kg, it has a liveliness that is greatly appreciated in town. As for impact resistance, the Sirion boasts a passenger compartment described as a "passenger survival cell", thanks to numerous body reinforcements and the use of new materials in the manufacture of the bumpers. It obtained a 4-star rating in the European EURO NCAP test. With equal equipment, the Sirion aligns itself with the prices of European superminis: from £7,460 to £7,960 for the 1-litre engine, and from £8,090 to £9,290 for the 1.3-litre engine. |
Motoring and Technology
Send to a friend
Print this article
