Excerpts from the 2005 Official Copen Catalog (Pages 21–26): From High Performance to Expert Craftsmanship More pages to come — the full catalog will be featured in upcoming posts.

 

High Clean Performance

A commitment to harmony with the Earth — proven environmental performance.
The Copen complies with Japan’s 2005 emissions regulations thanks to its advanced catalytic converter and next-generation O₂ sensor system.

At Daihatsu, we promote environmentally friendly vehicle development through all stages — from design and manufacturing to use and disposal. All our production plants have acquired ISO14001 certification. The Copen, built in these eco-certified plants, incorporates the TOPAZ engine, achieving both low emissions and high fuel efficiency. Multiple measures have been taken to protect the environment from every angle:

• Reduced Emissions:
  The Twin-Cam Turbo engine adopts a next-generation catalytic converter and dual oxygen sensors to meet strict emission regulations.

• CO₂ Reduction through Fuel Efficiency:
  To reduce greenhouse gases, the engine is tuned for efficiency. The high-efficiency turbocharged Twin-Cam engine, paired with an electronically controlled 4-speed AT (with lock-up), delivers excellent fuel economy. The 5MT model meets Japan’s 2010 fuel economy standards.

• Low-Impact Refrigerant:
  A new air conditioning system uses alternative refrigerants that do not harm the ozone layer, with reduced refrigerant volume.

• Recyclability and Reduced Harmful Materials:
  Easy-to-recycle materials are used throughout the vehicle, from bumpers to instrument panels. Parts are marked with internationally recognized recycling labels. Recycled materials are also used — such as bumper material for engine undercovers and felt materials for floor silencers.

• Reduced Use of Heavy Metals:
  Components like the radiator and heater core are lead-free, achieving the Japanese auto industry’s 2005 goal of reducing lead content to one-third of 1996 levels — ahead of schedule.

  

  High Safety Performance
  Because it’s a sports car for everyday life, its safety has been refined to the highest standard.

  “An open body designed with safety in mind — even in the event of the unexpected.”
  The Copen features a high-rigidity cabin that maintains occupant space, combined with front and rear crushable structures that absorb and disperse impact forces. Side-impact protection includes reinforced door beams, cross members, and triple-layer impact-absorbing pads inside the doors. These measures allowed the Copen to comfortably meet Japan’s strict crash safety standards for front, side, and rear impacts.

  To go beyond these standards, Daihatsu conducted offset collision and rollover tests, designing high-strength front pillars and installing integrated roll bars. These enhancements ensure structural integrity and occupant protection even in rollover scenarios, providing confidence and peace of mind in an open-top sports car.

  “For peace of mind in emergencies — and features that help prevent accidents in the first place.”

  • Dual SRS airbags to reduce head and chest injuries in frontal collisions

  • 3-point ELR seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters

  • Projector-type discharge headlamps (low beam) with twice the brightness of halogens using 70% less power

  • 14-inch ventilated front disc brakes with top-class stopping power

  • 4-wheel ABS with EBD and brake assist, providing optimal braking force distribution based on load and conditions

  • Crash-sensing safety system that automatically shuts off fuel, unlocks doors, flashes hazard lights, and turns on the interior lamp

  • High-mount LED stop lamp for better visibility from behind

  
  
  

  Expert Center
  Each Copen is assembled by the hands of highly skilled craftsmen who love driving.
  Machines alone could never deliver this level of quality—nor could they infuse dreams into each car.
  This is the domain of the "Expert Center," the master craftsmen's workshop.

  Located at Daihatsu's Ikeda Plant in Osaka—the birthplace of the company since 1939—the Expert Center was specially established to build the Copen.
  It’s a dedicated factory where only the finest techniques are used to create a car worthy of being etched into history.

  In order to deliver the joy of ownership and ensure the highest quality, certain processes that cannot be done on a standard assembly line are entrusted to the hands of experts.
  A select group of highly qualified craftsmen—those who passed rigorous internal certifications—carry out essential tasks such as CO₂ welding, precise wiring of the Active Top, tuning of panel fitment, operational smoothness, and tactile sound quality.

  From body assembly to final construction, only certified experts are involved in specialized processes. They inspect their own work, maintain detailed records, and perform every task with pride and precision.
  Each Copen is hand-built with care, responsibility, and craftsmanship—turning every unit into a crystalized form of dreams.

  The Expert Center enables not just high-precision builds like the Active Top mechanism or minimized bumper and dashboard gaps, but also a flexible production system tailored exclusively for the Copen.