Christmas Comes Early For First Daihatsu Copen Customers - Lively And Frugal

Christmas has come early for UK Daihatsu Copen customers as the eagerly-awaited £12,995 (on-the-road) sportscar with its Mercedes SLK-like electric folding roof has finally arrived.

And as an added bonus, the first 200 cars registered in December are fitted with free heated leather seats, leather door trim and leather Momo steering wheel – worth £500.

Standard equipment includes the electric folding metal hardtop, power steering, twin airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, air-conditioning, electric windows and door mirrors, remote keyless-entry central-locking, alloy wheels, front fog lamps, dual exhaust pipes and a radio/CD player.

However, the good news gets even better as the 660 cc turbocharged Copen now has more power and improved economy following factory modifications to allow it to comply with European Whole Vehicle Type Approval.

Power rises from the Japanese K-Car restriction of 64 PS to 68 PS at only 6,000 rpm. This gives a 106 mph top speed and 0-62 mph time of 11.7 seconds – virtually identical to the Ford Streetka.