Redesigned Daihatsu Mira is Japan's top fuel miser

Daihatsu Mira

We talk about kei cars whenever we can here on Autoblog because we're fascinated by the little Japanese mini-rides. They manage to be spacious, practical, and even stylish despite the size and power constraints placed on them by Japanese regulations. The newest one to hit dealerships is the 7th-gen Daihatsu Mira, which is noteworthy in that the non-turbocharged version, sporting a CVT and the 58-horsepower 658cc KF-VE 3-cylinder with variable valve timing, has a fuel economy rating of 27 kilometers per liter. That's 63.5 miles per gallon, people -- without any electronic trickery, costly hybrid powertrains, or fancypants alternative fuel source. Color us impressed.

The turbocharged Mira Custom RS is spunkier, generating 64 horses, yet still manages 54 mpg when ordered in the 2WD configuration. No matter what, the driver wins.

Don't think the cars are strippers either. They come with full keyless entry and start systems (to put this in perspective, neither of the Cadillacs that we've recently had pass through the AB Garage offer this). A twist starter is standard, but on some models, it can be upgraded to a push-button unit. The rear seat slides forward and back to maximze passenger room and/or cargo capacity, and the Mira can even be equipped with radar-assisted cruise control. Drivers trade performance for the other benefits, but no matter what the concession, 63.5 mpg is a hell of a compelling argument.

Click here to read Daihatsu's full release, and follow the jump for more photos.

[Source: Daihatsu via Carview.co.jp and Autoblog Spanish]


Daihatsu Mira:


Daihatsu Mira Custom:


Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.








Autoblog Podcast #158: 'Twas a couple nights before Christmas...

Chris, Editor Paukert, and Dan send the Podcast off for the Christmas holiday in proper fashion

 
 

Subscribe via: iTunes | RSS


Featured Galleries

  • Gran Turismo 5 Demo
  • Spy Shots: 2011 Lincoln MKX
  • Spy Shots: 2011 Ford Edge
  • MINI Beachcomber concept
  • Gold Mercedes-Benz SLS for Dubai Motor Show
  • 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
  • 2011 Audi A1 Graffiti Teasers
  • Reader Spy: SRT-prepped Dodge Journey R/T
  • 2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is
  • Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta
  • 2010 Dodge Viper ACR-X
  • First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX460
AOL Autos

Find Your Next Car

Autoblog Video


Autoblog Green

BloggingStocks

Download Squad

Engadget

Joystiq

Autoblog Spanish

Switched.com

FanHouse

Asylum