Toyota Copen GR SPORT

What a pleasant surprise for car enthusiasts across Japan. Having appeared in last January's Tokyo Auto Salon, the Copen GR SPORT is now a living thing but with a major twist; while this is based on the Daihatsu Copen Robe, it's sold as a Toyota, judging by the fact that Daihatsu is under the Toyota umbrella.

2020 Toyota Copen GR SPORT

The Copen GR SPORT joins the Copen range consisting of the Robe, the throwback Cero, the rugged-ish X-Play, and the sold-out Copen Coupe, and since this is sold in most Toyota dealerships despite being a Daihatsu, the 2,380,000 Yen ($24,000 estimated) price tag is reasonable enough for drivers who can't afford either the 86 or the GR Supra, but sadly, that pricing wasn't enough in the case of a newbie that started his driver life with just one million yen in the pocket.

For that pricing, what do you get in this slightly-tweaked Copen Robe? Well, for starters, there's the sporty exterior design, the sporty rims, the RECARO sports seats, the specially-tuned suspension, and that's it. They didn't bother with the turbocharged 660cc engine that can be mated with either a 5-speed MT, which is somewhat a toy to own, or a CVT with 7 simulated gears on it.

It's hard to explain why a Daihatsu Copen Robe is branded as a Toyota with this GR SPORT version but whatever the reason, the so-called Toyota Copen GR SPORT is a reasonably-priced open-top sportscar accessible to almost anyone who wants a fun-sized car with sporty handling that will make them familiarize the way of a sportscar from start to finish and until you are fully satisfied with this car, the Copen GR SPORT could or could not be your first car to start your driving life.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

GT SPORT: Love GT by Copen

Daihatsu has a wide reputation for making fuel-efficient kei cars in history but in the eyes of speedo boys, none of these cars are worth promising to bring the fun factor to their senses until the year 2014 when they resurrected the Copen kei-convertible to bring the magic back to the speedo boys. With the revived Copen bringing a whole new bunch of fans, it wouldn't take long before they teamed up with GT SPORT to create a Copen unlike no other.



This is Daihatsu's entry to the long line of Vision Gran Turismo concepts that showcase the future of sports cars from the world of Gran Turismo. It's called the COPEN RJ VGT and this is what happens when you turn a Copen Robe into an oversized go-kart fit for track duty.



Made to commemorate the Copen's 15th anniversary when the first one was launched in Japan in 2002 as well as Daihatsu's 110th anniversary since its 1907 founding, the RJ (Racing Jacket) is a demonstration of what a fun Daihatsu should be. The base Copen Robe has a turbocharged 660cc engine that produces 64PS of power but in the RJ, no one knows what powers it especially when it churns out 146HP of power and 149.4ft-lb of torque. Because it weighs 1,323 lbs, which is incredibly the lightest Vision GT car ever offered, the Copen RJ VGT's power-to-weight ratio is around 0.11 horsepower per pound.



Although not much information is given about this heavily tweaked Copen Robe that is made with Gran Turismo in mind, the Copen RJ is one of the key reminders of why Daihatsu will always be part of Gran Turismo history ever since it made its first appearance in Gran Turismo 2 and catered fans with kei cars like the Move, the Mira, and the Midget, not to mention a compact car called the Storia. I really want to know more but now it's time for me to get to the fun part and since the Copen wants to stick to its "LOVE LOCAL" slogan, I went to Suzuka for some sessions.



Designed for those who are new to the Vision GT line of vehicles, the Copen RJ VGT's dynamics are beginner-friendly so there is no effort to get to know about the birthday present for both Daihatsu and their Copen kei-roadster but I do try to warn you that since this is a front-wheel drive roadster, just like the normal Copen, understeer is likely and looks like you'll going to need some painkillers for your arms because the steering is worth spraining your arms when it approaches a corner and understeer. That really is painful but with a little ease, you may find that the Copen RJ is worth fun to drive in the world of Gran Turismo and you will be able to tell the world that you've driven the revived Copen, in RJ guise. Anyway, wanna see how I do?



The tight corners in Suzuka really are a pain in my arms but I managed to finish the whole lap without going out of bounds.



The Copen RJ only exists in the world of Gran Turismo but its presence is a fitting tribute not just for Daihatsu's 110th year but also their Copen's 15th anniversary. It really is a cherry on the top of the cake worth biting for and it's a clear reminder that why Daihatsu is always here to stay in the world of Gran Turismo. It may not be as fast as the other Vision GT machines but for getting started, it really is a stepping stone you can learn something from when you come out of it. That is my bottom line.

Daihatsu Copen Cero

Last year, Daihatsu brought back the Copen kei roadster in the form of two styles; the Robe which is much derived from its Tokyo Motor Show concept car from 2013, and the X-PLAY which looks like the Robe only with some crossover-ish looks that pretends to be it's ready to hit the beach. These different styles are because of the Copen's Dress Formation on the D-Frame, meaning customers can personalize their own Copen just the way they want.

2016 Daihatsu Copen Cero

As promised, the third variation of the Copen's resurrection has arrived and this variant harks back to the first-generation Copen of 2002, giving customers a nostalgic feel to the once-forgotten kei-roadster. They've called it the Cero. Copen Cero.

2016 Daihatsu Copen Cero

2016 Daihatsu Copen Cero interior

2016 Daihatsu Copen Cero interior

With the Cero added to the Copen lineup, people who are looking forward to buying their own Copen can choose one of the three styles from the Robe, X-PLAY, and the Cero. However, there's a major catch when you're opting for the Cero model because it's 54,000 Yen more than the Robe/X-PLAY model for the CVT as well as for the 5-speed manual model.

That's a huge price to pay for nostalgia but despite the nostalgic looks for the Cero, it still retains the same 660cc 3-cylinder turbocharged engine from the Copen Robe so it produces the kei-car maximum limit of 64PS power output and 92Nm of torque, while mated with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT gearbox which comes with a 7-speed manual mode.

For fuel economy, the CVT version returns 25.2 km/L while the manual gearbox version returns at 22.2km/L.

It still comes with the same driver-focused interior as the other two, meaning that you don't get a radio unless you've opted for the DIATONE SOUND NAVI optional extra. For the Cero, you get two interior color combinations with the latter known as the Red Interior Pack which gives the Cero a much more charismatic taste while driving.

So, if you're in Japan and shopping for a new Copen, which of the three styles will you choose? The Robe? The X-PLAY? Or the Cero? The choices are endless when it comes to choosing your own Copen and feel free to mix and match until you have the Copen that's right for you.

Available Colors: British Green Mica, Pearl White III, Bright Silver Metallic, Black Mica Metallic, Matador Red Pearl, Tonico Orange Metallic, Jaune Yellow, and Clear Blue Crystal Metallic.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Daihatsu Copen X-PLAY (LA400K)

Last summer, Daihatsu revived the Copen kei-roadster to redefine the long lost genre that started a few decades ago and it comes with a new body structure called D-Frame which allows this kei car to be assembled by hand...literally of course. Despite being a Japan-only car, this reborn sportscar is as close as you can get from a fun-to-drive supermini. Now, we can expect more Copens coming out with different looks and aside from the Copen Robe, a second Copen model is born and this Copen is like it's ready for some fun in the beach.

2015 Daihatsu Copen X-PLAY

Meet the X-PLAY. Copen X-PLAY that is and while this new version is heavily inspired from the Kopen XMZ Concept as seen from last year's Tokyo Motor Show, the X-PLAY has a more rugged look than the Robe thanks to its plastic claddings and because it was utilized on the D-FRAME, the X-PLAY, like the robe, is assembled by hand thanks to its dress formation. If you're planning to buy a Copen right now, you can now choose one of the two styles, be it Robe or X-PLAY.

2015 Daihatsu Copen X-PLAY interior

2015 Daihatsu Copen X-PLAY speedometer

Although the X-PLAY has the same interior as the Robe's, you will notice that it has a very different instrumental cluster which, in my mind, looks very sporty indeed. Like the Copen Robe, this is a very driver-focused interior. You don't get a radio unless you've opted for the DIATONE SOUND NAVI optional extra.

Like the Copen Robe, the X-PLAY has an active top which can be closed or open for 20 seconds at the hold of a button but because Japanese temperatures are too cold for the autumn season, best to drive with the roof close. Save the open top driving when the temperatures are on the hotter pace. I'm talking about summertime but that's too far from the schedule right now.

2015 Daihatsu Copen X-PLAY

Although it looks rugged for a kei roadster, the X-PLAY is still a city car that you can have fun as much as you want. I don't care how slow is this car but the Copen X-PLAY loves to enjoy a nice little game of cat and mouse with the bigger guys. When this little guy gets first, it won't take a matter of time until the big boys come speeding on it and when it does, this car really has some dirty tricks on its sleeves.

It still retains the same 660cc 3-cylinder turbocharged engine from the Copen Robe so it produces the kei-car maximum limit of 64PS power output and 92Nm of torque, while mated with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT gearbox which comes with a 7-speed manual mode which Daihatsu claims that this mode is direct and quick on the shifting department but who cares? For fuel economy, the CVT version returns 25.2km/L while the manual gearbox version returns at 22.2km/L.

Pricing starts at 1,798,200 Yen for the CVT version while the manual version costs 1,819,800 Yen, which means that the X-PLAY has the same price as the Robe but you should take note that because the new Copen has a new Dress Formation on the D-Frame, whichever style you want is up to you but expect a third option coming next year. What could it be? You'll find out very very soon.

Available colors: Offbeat Khaki Metallic, Pearl White III, Bright Silver Metallic, Black Mica Metallic, Matador Red Pearl, Tonico Orange Metallic, Jaune Yellow, Crystal Blue Crystal Metallic.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Daihatsu Copen Robe (LA400K)

The Daihatsu Copen, the first kei roadster made by Daihatsu that was once targeted by millennials when other kei-car predecessors from its rival companies ceased to exist. A well-engineered sporty kei car that demonstrates even the smallest of cars can have so much fun in the right way. Sadly, it was gone from the lineup two years ago, leaving fans wondering what might have been for the last remaining kei-roadster but that death kneel was just temporary because...two years later, the Copen is back!

2015 Daihatsu Copen Robe

Yes, the kei roadster from Daihatsu is back to redefine the long lost genre that started a few decades ago but who cares about it? They're kei cars and kei cars stay in Japan as it will be. Anyway, this new Copen is called the Copen Robe and it features an all new look that was inspired from the concept car as seen from last year's Tokyo Motor Show.

2015 Daihatsu Copen Robe interior

From every angle, you can see why Daihatsu decided to retain the concept looks to its reborn Copen and I have to agree on that because that looks even more aggressive than its predecessor's roundy shape. The old one looks more toyish in the design department but for this new one, you can really tell it's as sharp as a swiss army knife in interesting ways.

On the interior, it's now more driver focused than ever because what you can only see is nothing but a steering wheel, some instrumental panel, some aircon and that's it. You don't get a radio until you offer it as an optional accessory but if you did opt in for that, the DIATONE SOUND NAVI is offered. Sure, why would you want a sat-nav on your Copen? Nobody knows why and nobody cares but with or without the radio, the Copen is very much an enjoyable weekend car.

Since this is a kei car, it's powered by a 660cc engine and it's turbocharged so it produces the kei-car maximum limit of 64PS power output and 92Nm of torque. This tiny engine can be mated with either a CVT gearbox or a 5-speed manual gearbox. The CVT gearbox comes with a 7-speed manual mode that lets its 7 simulated gears do the talking. Daihatsu says that this mode is direct and quick on the shifting department but if you want to get the most out of it, try the one with the 5-speed manual gearbox. Sounds old-school but this is really how you want to drive the new Copen.

The CVT gearbox on the Copen Robe will give you a fuel economy of around 25.2kmpl while the one with the manual transmission will return at around 22.2km/L.

2015 Daihatsu Copen Robe

Because it weighs less than a Ford Fiesta, the new Copen's lightweight structure benefits its fuel efficiency and its fun factor of being a sportscar. It comes with a new body structure called D-Frame that is more stiffer and more aerodynamic than its predecessor. To keep it simple, the new Copen doesn't come with those hydraulic or power steering nonsense but instead, they've go for the rack-and-pinion steering, which is kind of a throwback to us. It also comes with a McPherson struts on the front and torsion beam on the back so when you handle this one; it feels more like the Copens of yesteryears. It maybe a kei car and it maybe a front-wheel drive car but it feels more precise and agile as it should be.

2015 Daihatsu Copen Robe

So, how much for this new Copen Robe? For the 5MT model, it costs 1,819,800 Japanese Yen ($18,200 estimate), while the CVT model costs a cheaper 1,798,200 Japanese Yen ($18,000 estimate). At that price range, you could afford a more boring compact 2BOX car but no matter because no matter how reasonable this pricing the new Copen Robe could be, it's good to see that kei roadster back in its new twist.

Available colors: Liquid Silver Metallic, Pearl White III, Bright Silver Metallic, Black Mica Metallic, Matador Red Pearl, Toniko Orange Metallic, Jaune Yellow, and Clear Blue Crystal Metallic.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.