Automotive

Daihatsu concept cars experiment with easy entry and flexible interiors

Daihatsu concept cars experiment with easy entry and flexible interiors
Daihatsu concepts at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
Daihatsu concepts at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
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Designed with accessibility in mind, the Nori Ori has a matching wheelchair
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Designed with accessibility in mind, the Nori Ori has a matching wheelchair
The focus is on the interior, but that blocky exterior with huge windows is just as interesting
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The focus is on the interior, but that blocky exterior with huge windows is just as interesting
Get aboard the Daihatsu Nori Ori with ease
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Get aboard the Daihatsu Nori Ori with ease
Daihatsu equips the Nori Ori with large sliding doors and a low floor, making it easy to get on and off
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Daihatsu equips the Nori Ori with large sliding doors and a low floor, making it easy to get on and off
The retractable ramp helps passengers walk or roll inside
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The retractable ramp helps passengers walk or roll inside
Passengers can load from the side or the back thanks to the multiple doors and folding seats
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Passengers can load from the side or the back thanks to the multiple doors and folding seats
Few vehicles would be better than the Hinata for pulling up to a scenic vista
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Few vehicles would be better than the Hinata for pulling up to a scenic vista
The D-base is the most realistic (and thereby least fun) of Daihatsu's Tokyo concepts
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The D-base is the most realistic (and thereby least fun) of Daihatsu's Tokyo concepts
The D-base focuses on efficient, economical design
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The D-base focuses on efficient, economical design
The D-base isn't as fun or innovative as the other Daihatsu concepts, but its icy blue paint gives it some flair
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The D-base isn't as fun or innovative as the other Daihatsu concepts, but its icy blue paint gives it some flair
Inside the Hinata concept
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Inside the Hinata concept
Inside the Hinata concept
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Inside the Hinata concept
The Hinata has extra-wide entries on both sides
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The Hinata has extra-wide entries on both sides
Daihatsu Hinata premiere
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Daihatsu Hinata premiere
The Daihatsu Hinata opens wide on both sides for easy ingress/egress and outdoor lounging
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The Daihatsu Hinata opens wide on both sides for easy ingress/egress and outdoor lounging
The Hinata's seats are designed around adjustability and even create an indoor/outdoor love seat
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The Hinata's seats are designed around adjustability and even create an indoor/outdoor love seat
We're not sure what that transparent driver door panel is for, but it looks interesting
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We're not sure what that transparent driver door panel is for, but it looks interesting
The Tempo concept is a mini commercial vehicle
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The Tempo concept is a mini commercial vehicle
Stock the glass case, pop the window and you're open for business
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Stock the glass case, pop the window and you're open for business
A minicar ready for food vendors and other businesses
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A minicar ready for food vendors and other businesses
The digital display below the window can be used to show daily specials, a menu, etc.
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The digital display below the window can be used to show daily specials, a menu, etc.
The Daihatsu D-base
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The Daihatsu D-base
Daihatsu concepts at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
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Daihatsu concepts at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
View gallery - 23 images

Daihatsu is not an automaker we talk about all that often, but when we do, it's usually because of a very interesting concept car or two. We looked at the panel-swapping Copen concept a few months ago, and back in 2013, there was the boxy, fuel cell-powered FC Deco Deck mini-truck. For this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Daihatsu has dedicated its concept cars to reworking the vehicle interior. The trio of colorful mini vehicles highlights solutions like a low, easy-loading floor and adjustable inside/outside seating.

With its Tokyo concepts for 2015, Daihatsu explores several different ways in which small cars can evolve to "make all passengers happy and add fun and joy to everyday life." The first and arguably most visually interesting of the concepts is the Nori Ori. Thanks to its rectangular shape and sliding side doors, the green-and-white concept looks like a miniature bus. It's purpose-built to make ingress and egress easier for all passengers.

Daihatsu equips the Nori Ori with large sliding doors and a low floor, making it easy to get on and off
Daihatsu equips the Nori Ori with large sliding doors and a low floor, making it easy to get on and off

Nori Ori passengers are helped not only by the sliding doors, but by the ultra-low floor, retractable side ramp, wide-swinging rear door and rear lift. The seats also fold up to provide extra space for boarding and loading. Daihatsu says the vehicle has enough floor space to carry two unfolded wheelchairs.

Another concept that puts a different spin on interior design is the Hinata, a simple minicar featuring a B-pillarless structure that assists the front and coach doors in creating a wide entry. The concept's flexible seating can be arranged in various ways, including sideways facing out. This setup looks perfect for activities like tailgating or watching fireworks from a hilltop.

The Hinata's seats are designed around adjustability and even create an indoor/outdoor love seat
The Hinata's seats are designed around adjustability and even create an indoor/outdoor love seat

The Tempo rolls to Tokyo as a mini food truck that looks like it could navigate the tightest city centers and most crowded parking lots to get to the hungry masses. The bright orange paint should only help attract customers to what Daihatsu classifies as a "new genre-space commercial vehicle."

A minicar ready for food vendors and other businesses
A minicar ready for food vendors and other businesses

It has a flip-up sales window on the passenger side and an exterior LED lighting system. The flexible floor space inside helps the proprietor create a work area that's functional for his or her specific business. Below the sales counter, a digital sign aids with advertising and a transparent showcase highlights the products.

The final Daihatsu Tokyo concept diverts attention away from restructured interior spaces and entryways and focuses on efficiency and engine tech. A mini hatchback, the D-base is powered by an internal combustion engine equipped with Daihatsu's efficiency-boosting e:S (Ecology/Economy & Smart) tech.

The Daihatsu D-base
The Daihatsu D-base

This is the simplest and most straightforward concept from a design standpoint but does stand out thanks to its multi-tone icy blue paint job and concept car wheels. While the other concepts appear to be mere creative design exercises, Daihatsu suggests that the D-base is a preview of next-generation cars.

Take a closer look at the innovative features of these cars in our photo gallery.

Source: Daihatsu

View gallery - 23 images
1 comment
1 comment
voluntaryist
I owned the Daihatsu for 8 years, 80K miles. It got 46 mpg and I did nothing, except oil changes. It was very inexpensive in every way. However, I sold it because it was too under powered to have air or auto tranny and I got tired shifting in traffic. If they still sold here (only '87-'89), they would make a great first car for a teen.