TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Daihatsu delights with cute EV concepts

Daihatsu has revealed the cute collection of Japanese kei-cars it will reveal at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show next month, including a battery-powered roadster that could rival the Mazda MX-5.

All the kei-cars are thought to be based on an identical Toyota-Daihatsu-Suzuki developed city-car architecture, but the most striking of the three is the Daihatsu Osanpo battery-powered roadster.

Measuring in at just 3395mm long, Daihatsu hasn't released any more information on the Osanpo, but the tiny MX-5 alternative rides high and features robust unpainted plastic bumpers, wheel-arches, sills and rub strips – all created for life in the city.

There's no word what will power it, but inside there seems to be a surprising amount of space in a very minimal cabin, thanks to its compact all-electric powertrain.

Closely related to the roadster is the Me:Mo EV concept that trades the Osanpo's curves for an altogether boxier look.

Measuring in at just 2955mm, the even smaller kei-car features huge expanses of glass and should promise excellent visibility and superior weather protection compared to the drop-top.

Finally, the same platform will also underpin the Daihatsu Uniform Cargo and Uniform Truck, which are built to maximise carrying capacity and even feature removable interior and exterior parts, depending on the job.

Both tiny EVs measure in at 3395mm long and can offer a payload of as much as 600kg.

Daihatsu’s current 11th-generation Hijet is available with either naturally-aspirated or turbocharged 653cc three-cylinder power, but earlier this year the Japanese brand said it would introduce an all-electric version that will also be rebadged and sold as the Toyota Pixis Van and Suzuki Every.

As well as four new EVs, Daihatsu also released pictures of an all-new concept for the Copen that was briefly sold in first-generation guise in Australia from 2003 until 2006, when the Toyota-owned brand was axed from our market.

Much larger than the existing second-generation micro-roadster, the all-new Daihatsu Vision Copen concept measures in at 3835mm long and 1694mm wide, edging the two-seat roadster closer to becoming a true Mazda MX-5 rival (3915mm long, 1735mm wide).

Closing the gap in terms of performance and handling with the default MX-5, the concept uses a 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine that drives the rear wheels.

Full specs will be revealed at the show on October 26 but there's little chance the Copen will return to Australia, although the small two-seater is currently rebadged and sold as a Toyota Copen GR Sport in Japan.

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