Daihatsu to unveil trio of concepts at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

At the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show Daihatsu will present three different concept cars: Pico, a 2-seater electric city car; D-X, a compact reconfigurable sportscar; and FC Sho Care, a fuel cell boxy vehicle.

The three concepts are focused on different transport applications and share the compact dimensions and a particular focus on fuel efficiency.

The Pico is a compact city commuter targeted to a wide range of customers, including elderly people.

The D-X is more oriented towards leisure activities and features a reconfigurable body, a compact 2-cylinder turbocharged unit and resin-based outer panels.

The FC Sho Case is a experimental vehicle with a boxy design that explores the potential of fuel cell powertrains. Among the features are the boxy design and the single, large gullwing door.

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Daihatsu FC Sho Case Concept

The Daihatsu FC ShoCase is a proposal for a zero-emission next-generation mobility solution, with an advanced fuel cell powertrain and a boxy, high-tech design.

Making its debut at the upcoming 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the Daihatsu FC Sho Case is the most futuristic and original among the concept cars presented by the Japanese carmaker.

The main technical feature is the rare metal-free liquid fuel cell technology suggesting new possibilities for compact, zero-emission vehicles of the future.

The vehicle is based on a new platform which incorporates the cell system in the underfloor space, leaving a high degree of freedom to designers.

The FC Sho Case is 3,395mm long, 1,475mm wide and 1,900mm high, with a 2,450mm wheelbase.

The minibus-like design is characterized by the boxy volume, with strong, rectangular-shaped window graphics and a horizontal stripe that surrounds the vehicles visually splitting the exterior in two parts.

The cabin is very concept-ish, with essential, foldable seats. The transparent floor lets the underneath fuel cell system visible.

Overall, the FC Sho Case – as its name seems to suggest, can be considered as a technological “showcase” rather than a study for a specific vehicle.

The boxy shape, and bare-bones interior make it appear suitable for low-speed transport services.

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Daihatsu Pico Concept

The Daihatsu Pico is a study of a ultra compact four-wheeler focused on ease of use, with an electric powertrain and a 1+1 seating layout.

Debuting at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the Daihatsu Pico is a compact, 2-seater urban vehicle that mixes the features of conventional cars and motorized bicycles.

It joins a growing group of concept vehicles recently presented by many carmakers, such as the Nissan PIVO 3, the Suzuki Q-Concept, the Volkswagen NILS, the Audi Urban Concept, the GM EN-V, the Peugeot VELV Concept.

More specifically, Daihatsu’s electric commuter is targeted to a wide group of potential customers living in crowded urban environments, that includes elderly people and delivery business.

The layout is characterized by large openings and a low, flat floor that makes it easy to get in or out.

The 1+1 tandem seating layout allows a very reduced width. Among the onboard technologies is an advanced radar system.

The exterior design is characterized by the absence of side windows and panels.

The silver-colored horizontal stripe that runs across the entire vehicle, serves as a side protection bar, and visually dividing it into two halves.

It also integrates four displays -one for each side – which can display different messages.

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Daihatsu D-X Concept

The Daihatsu D-X is a study of a lightweight compact sportscar featuring a two-cylinder engine, an essential interior and a resin body.

Presented at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the Daihatsu D-X Concept takes some inspiration from the brand’s Copen model.

The D-X (“d-cross”) is equipped with a small 2-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct injection.

The resin-based body allows to have different varians of the car – envisioned in the official renderings.

These include the “base” roadster, a racing-oriented barchetta, a closed coupé and an original shooting-brake like version.

The exterior is characterized by the plastic bumpers, sills and wheel-arches that surround the entire vehicle, conveying a rugged image and providing a visual contrast with the colored panels of the hood, doors and trunk lid.

The interior, which has not been unveiled, is claimed to be quite essential, which underlines the focus on driving fun and allows the use of the cur under any condition.

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