Completely New Super-City Charade Unveiled At Geneva
Published: 6th March 2003
Daihatsu is especially proud of the Charade’s packaging. Despite a length of 3,410 mm, height of 1,500 mm and Japanese K-Car Class width of 1,475 mm, interior shoulder room matches the larger Daihatsu Sirion.
In fact, the new Charade’s wheelbase of 2,375 mm is actually 20 mm longer than the Sirion and even the YRV compact car, allowing the rear seat to be placed further back for maximum legroom.
Boot space is a practical 157 litres (5.5 cu ft) with the split-folding rear seat up and 421 litres (14.8 cu ft) with the rear seat folded – both at window-level.
Meanwhile, less agile owners and grocery-laden shoppers will appreciate doors which can be opened at right-angles to the car.
In addition, the front seat height of 480 mm closely matches most people’s hip-height – again easing entry and exit – and a height-adjustable steering wheel and front seatbelts both add to general comfort and convenience.
Like all current Daihatsus, the new Charade will offer customers the reassurance of a three year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance plus a six year anti-perforation warranty.
New Daihatsu Charade In Full - World’s Most Efficient Petrol Engine?
Ignoring hybrids, the new Charade has arguably the world’s most efficient 1.0 litre petrol engine with an unrivalled fuel economy, exhaust emission and performance combination.
For example, the Charade is the UK’s No 1 four-seater for petrol-engine economy with Urban/Extra Urban and Combined figures of 47.1/68.9 and 58.9 mpg in manual form.
The 58.9 mpg figure is a staggering 14.1 mpg better than the Hyundai Amica 1.0, 11.8 mpg superior to a Fiat Seicento and leads the SEAT Arosa 1.0 litre by 11.2 mpg.
All its city car rivals are substantially slower, failing to remotely match the Charade manual’s 99.4 mph top speed or automatic’s 93.1 mph maximum – and with much higher CO2 exhaust emissions.
In fact, the Charade manual’s emissions of 114 g/km qualifies the owner for the lowest possible Road Fund Licence charge of £70 for 12 months (AA band up to 120 g/km).
Not to be outdone, the Charade automatic is also a class-leader with Urban/Extra Urban and Combined fuel economy figures of 38.7/55.4 and 47.9 mpg. Its CO2 exhaust emissions are an ultra-low 140 g/km. Naturally, the new car complies with Euro4 emission standards.
As for acceleration, the new Charade is also in a class of its own with 0-62 mph times of 12.2 seconds for the manual and 15 seconds for the automatic. To put this into context, the manual’s figures precisely match the 1.4 litre 75 PS Peugeot 206.
