Daihatsu e:S priced at $9,900 in Japan; beats all non-hybrids in fuel efficiency

Back at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu unveiled the e:S. Called "a new eco-car that reveals the future role of mini vehicles," the e:S packs a 660-cc engine, measures in at a tick over seven feet and tips the scales at a scant 1,540 pounds.

Daihatsu aims to launch the e:S this summer in Japan and, while its price tag of less than 800,000 yen ($9,844 U.S. at the current exchange rate) is remarkable, its fuel consumption really puts the e:S into a league of its own. At 70.6 miles per gallon (U.S.) as measured under Japan's national standard, the e:S' fuel economy rating is claimed to beat all of the other non-hybrid vehicles on the market in Japan. All this at a price that undercuts the equally fuel-efficient Honda Fit Hybrid by like ten grand. Sure, the e:S is a kei car, but it's one heck of a frugal kei car.

Photos copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

[Source: Nikkei – sub. req. via Green Car Congress]