Daihatsu Mira e:S (LA300S/LA310S)

Last year, the arrival of the 2011 Daihatsu Move reigned as the world's most fuel efficient eco-car that has the reputation of TNP27 (27.0km/L in Japan's 10-15 Mode Cycle), but later in June 2011, it was dethroned by the 2012 Mazda Demio 13-SKYACTIV because the Demio SKYACTIV has a new P3-VPS engine that accumulates 30.0km/L in Japan's 10-15 Mode scale. Today, the Demio SKYACTIV's reign is over because a new eco-car steps in and its made by Daihatsu. This new eco car has the concept of "3rd Eco Car" (第3のエコカー) and it accumulates a record-high fuel economy 30.0km/L in Japan's JC08 mode scale and 32.0km/L in 10-15 Mode scale. Welcome to the 3rd Eco Car, the 2012 Daihatsu Mira e:S (ミライース).

2012 Daihatsu Mira e:S

The e:S naming in the Mira e:S was derived from the Daihatsu e:S Concept, as seen from the 2009 Motor Show and the concept of 3RD ECO CAR (第3のエコカー) can be somewhat unknown but in my unique guessing, I think this is the third Daihatsu to be equipped with the revolutionary Eco Idle system. The first was the 5th generation Daihatsu Move and the second was the Daihatsu Move Conte's minor change. The all new Daihatsu Mira e:S has no relation to the Daihatsu e:S Concept car because of its form and packaging. In fact, this can be somewhat an unexpected twist.

The exterior design can be somewhat shabby for a compact car and if you look at it, it looks like it was some kind of an everyday commuter car on an average province. Think of it as a poor man's Kia Morning but the new Mira e:S is focused to be more simple and practical. Up front, you can see a new badge which in fact it looks like some sort of a leaf but this is a symbol of being the most fuel efficient gasoline-fed car ever made by Daihatsu for Japan in mind. The side view can be somewhat similar to the Nissan March K13 and the rear view is somewhat too squishy and rather too blander. Is this the car or is it the design center's too underfunded?

2012 Daihatsu Mira e:S interior

Forget about the underfunded exterior design, let's take peek at the interior of the Mira e:S. As I can see, there is a similar looking climate control system that was last seen at the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move and the center console is too similar from the second-generation Daihatsu Boon/Toyota Passo and if you stare closely at the instrumental, you can observe that everything is too digital, not analog. With such an odd-clustered cockpit, the Mira e:S can accommodate up to four adults and nothing's too special about the bland interior. Guess we should find a way to make it more reasonable inside the Mira e:S...

2012 Daihatsu Mira e:S

And now for the main course of the Mira e:S, its performance. The new Daihatsu Mira e:S is equipped with the special KF engine that accumulates 52PS/6800rpm of power output and 60Nm/5200rpm of torque output. It even comes with a CVT for optimized fuel economy and smooth driving. For the fuel economy, the Mira e:S can accumulate, and if you were sitting down, 30.0km/L in Japan's JC08 Mode scale. That's 32.0km/L in 10-15 Mode scale, meaning that's superbly higher than the Mazda Demio 13-SKYACTIV and the TNP27 Daihatsu Move combined! What an incredible fuel economy record that makes it the world's most fuel efficient compact car ever made! That wouldn't be done without the help of the Eco Idle (Idle Stop and Go) system, newly developed i-EGR (ion controlled Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system (that applies the ion current combustion control, in which ions in the combustion chamber are used to identify the state of combustion, to EGR control), lighter bodywork, thermal management, and Eco power generation control (with regenerative braking functions). These new technology applied are called "e:S Technology" and it was made exclusively on the new Mira e:S.

The Mira e:S not only is fuel efficient, but it can be the safest eco car in mind thanks to the features such as Total Advanced Function (TAF) body, Safety-Oriented Friendly Interior, SRS airbags, optional ISOFIX child seat, Vehicle Stability Control, and Anti-lock Braking System.

The new Daihatsu Mira e:S comes in eight unique color variations such as Sky Blue, Shell Rose, Cotton Ivory, Plum Brown Crystal Mica, Black Mica Metallic, Bright Silver Metallic, Pearl White III, and White.

My comment:
As a fan of fuel-efficient vehicles, I am impressed to see that the all new Daihatsu Mira e:S dethroned both the Mazda Demio 13-SKYACTIV and the fifth-generation Daihatsu Move combined! Imagine, 30.0km/L in Japan's JC08 mode cycle, that's somewhat extremely high enough to call it the world's most fuel efficient gasoline-fed car in the market today. Looks like a star is born from Daihatsu and I hope the all new Mira e:S can be proven to be the most successful eco-car made for those who are looking for fuel-efficient cars today because of continuous rise of gas prices today.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.