Daihatsu Materia
Friday, August 17th, 2007
Daihatsu Materia - The Materia looks unique, but the way it drives lets it down. Driving -The Materia’s 1.5-litre engine is lacking in personality, though it delivers strong performance. 103bhp helps it dash to 60mph in 10.8 seconds, and it feels responsive in gear. This is partly due to a short top gear though, which makes it sit higher in the revs on the motorway. The suspension has a similarly sporty bias, too; firm damping gives a hard edge to the ride. This helps contain body roll, dispute the Materia’s tall stance, although under hard cornering the anti-roll bar can’t stop the body heaving and unloading the opposite suspension enough for the tyre to lose traction. Add in steering that suffers kickback over bumpy surfaces, and the Materia isn’t as composed or as comfortable as it could be. However, it never feels unstable, and the brakes are good. (more…)
Daihatsu Terios SX - The Terios looks smart from all angles, with only a cheap spare wheel cover complete with a garish Eighties-style graphic spoiling things. Daihatsu’s Terios, for example, is little bigger than a supermini and has a frugal 1.5-litre engine. Could it provide 4×4 fans with their mud-plugging fix while still being friendly to the environment? We climbed aboard the first example to hit British soil to find out. 
Daihatsu Terios 2006 - The Daihatsu Terios has grown up! We find out how the second-generation model shifted its rough and ready image By Marc Mustard. Although the previous-generation model of the Daihatsu Terios was a robust little workhorse with a small but enthusiastic customer base, its all-new replacement is bigger and more refined. And the Japanese firm hopes that it will double sales and can now move away from the rough and ready image of old. 
Daihatsu Terios 2005 - Popularity isn’t something Daihatsu’s Terios has enjoyed over the past few years. While the tiny 4×4 has found favour with an enthusiastic minority of budget buyers, dull styling, poor cabin space and underpowered engines have ruined any chance of challenging trendy lifestyle off-roaders, such as the Toyota RAV4. 
Daihatsu Sirion 1.3 SE - Can’t wait for the next Toyota Yaris? Then take a test drive in Daihatsu’s all-new Sirion. Although the Yaris won’t arrive in UK showrooms until September, the Sirion is here now. And with cutting-edge underpinnings from its Toyota cousin, it promises to be Daihatsu’s best-ever city car. 
Daihatsu Sirion - Big things are expected from small cars these days. Supermini drivers want a vehicle that offers more than no-frills transport. Refinement, versatility and practicality are all high on the agenda. Big things are expected from small cars these days. Supermini drivers want a vehicle that offers more than no-frills transport. Refinement, versatility and practicality are all high on the agenda. 
Daihatsu YRV Turbo 130 - Subtle is not a word that the designers at Daihatsu are familiar with. Following the decision to bring the distinctive Copen roadster to the UK, bosses will now import this banzai turbocharged version of the seemingly sensible YRV to create a bizarre hot hatch. 
Daihatsu Copen - You don’t have to enter a reality TV show to find out what it feels like to be a minor celebrity - simply drive a Daihatsu Copen down a busy British street and you’ll quickly realise that everyone is staring. 
Daihatsu Charade All clued up - There’s no need to play Give Us a Clue when it comes to making up your mind about Daihatsu’s new Charade. Although the model won’t be on sale in the UK until July, Auto Express has driven it first - and we can deliver our verdict now. 
Daihatsu Sirion Rally IV - First it lost out to Mercedes’ E-Class, and now it has truly fallen from its pedestal. The venerable BMW 5-Series has been beaten again… this time by a Daihatsu supermini.