Daihatsu's wacky concept trio 14 | 11 | 2011

DAIHATSU HAS UNVEILED a trio of rather wacky, and instantly intriguing, concepts. The D-X, Pico and FC ShoCase will make their appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show next month and each model previews the company's next-generation tech for small cars.

The Daihatsu D-X (‘d-cross) is a compact and chunky multi-purpose two-seater, which actually looks pretty impressive.

Power comes courtesy of a two-pot, turbocharged unit, which Daihatsu says “strikes a balance between the joy of driving and fuel-efficiency”.

And cleverly, the D-X’s versatile resin-based body parts can be swapped to allow the concept to take on different body guises, such as roadster, coupé and hatchback.

Daihatsu will also unveil the latest in what is becoming an ever-growing crop of electric two-seat tandem-type modes of transport. The Pico is described as representing a new category of vehicle, “positioned between light cars and motorised bicycles”.

See more official images of Daihatsu's concept trio

The rather upright concept includes scissor-style doors with integrated LED lighting, a flat floor to ease access and a radar-guided ‘driving assistance’ system.

Without question though, the strangest-looking of the three concepts is the FC ShoCase. Looking for all the world like a miniaturised hotdog seller's van with it's opening side wall, the concept is a zero-emissions vehicle.

It previews Daihatsu's next-generation fuel-cell technology and platform for small cars. By being stowed underneath the floor, the fuel-cell stack eliminates the use of rare metals and secures a ‘free energy future,’ according to Daihatsu.

Worth nothing that, at 3395mm long and 1475mm wide, the Daihatsu FC Sho Case is 145mm shorter and 165mm slimmer than a Volkswagen up!

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Jim McGill