Mean machine

It goes on sale in a few days' time boasting fuel economy which is a thimbleful-short of 69mpg, a figure which puts it several miles ahead of such competitors as the Hyundai Amica, Fiat Seicento and SEAT Arosa. Not at all bad for a three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine, which also offers ultra-low exhaust emissions.

On sale for £5,995 on-the-road, the Charade is likely to re-write the city car rule book. It is aimed at those who want the lowest possible running costs but who also need a car capable of covering longer journeys in acceptable comfort. For under £6,000 it may not be the most luxurious city car around, but its ride and drive is a nice and comfortable experience.

Comfort levels are helped by the Charade's suspension, especially designed to iron out the bumps of European roads. The new car has also been given a good going-over to cut wind and other irritating running noises and vibrations - all areas which can contribute to a small car becoming tiring on a long journey.

Interestingly, in all cases Daihatsu's engineers chose the much-more expensive Renault Clio as their target guide.

Under the bonnet, and ignoring hybrids, the new Charade has arguably the world's most efficient 1.0 litre petrol engine. For example, in manual gearbox form it is has a commanding lead when it comes to putting its 989cc engine up against others in the super-mini class range, returning 47.1mpg at the city and urban level, 68.9mpg on the suburban and motorway runs and a combined figure of 58.9mpg.

The combined 58.9mpg figure is 14.1mpg better than the Amica 1.0-litre, 11.8mpg superior to a Fiat Seicento and leads the Seat Arosa 1.0-litre by 11.2mpg.

On top of this, the Charade manual's emissions of 114g/km qualifies the owner for the ultra-low Road Fund Licence charge of £75 for 12 months. Compared with the Daihatsu Cuore and Sirion, the five-speed manual transmission is much improved.

Not to be outdone, the Charade automatic, using an optional £695 new four-speed transmission, is also a class-leader with a city/urban return of 38.7mpg, suburban/motorway figure of 55.4mpg and a combined return of 47.9mpg. Its exhaust emissions are an ultra-low 140g/km.

As for acceleration, the new Charade is also in a class of its own with 0-62mph times of 12.2 seconds for the manual (the same as the1.4-litre 75PS Peugeot 206) and 15 seconds for the automatic.

The new Charade range starts with the Charade EL three-door at £5,995 on-the-road. Far from being a stripped-out special, the EL offers anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, driver and passenger airbags, central-locking, electric front windows and door mirrors and a radio/CD player.

Also standard are a rev-counter and clock, rear wash/wipe, split-folding rear seat, two-tone cloth seat trim, cloth-covered door inserts, a fully-trimmed load compartment with removable cover, rear head restraints and a height-adjustable steering wheel and front seat-belts.

For those needing extra convenience, the Charade EL five-door has an on-the-road price of £6,495, and shares all the features of the three-door.

Finally, there is the Charade SL five-door at £6,995 on the road. Standard equipment includes air-conditioning, alloy wheels and side airbags. An optional four-speed automatic transmission is available for all Charade models for an extra £995.

Daihatsu is especially proud of the Charade's packaging. Despite a length of 3,410mm, height of 1,500mm and width of 1,475mm, interior shoulder room matches the larger Daihatsu Sirion.

In fact, the new Charade's wheelbase of 2,375mm is actually 20mm longer than the Sirion and even the Daihatsu YRV compact car, allowing the rear seat to be placed further back for maximum legroom.

Boot space is a useful 157-litres (5.5cu.ft) with the split-folding rear seat up and 421-litres (14.8cu.ft) with the rear seat folded - both at window-level.

Meanwhile, less agile owners and grocery-laden shoppers will appreciate doors which can be opened fully to right-angles to the car. In addition, the front seat height of 480mm closely matches most people's hip-height - making getting in and out of the car, a lot easier - and a height-adjustable steering wheel adds to the convenience.

Top-level safety performance is promised for the new Charade with previously-unheard-of levels of passenger and pedestrian protection for such a small car.

It features a new energy-absorbing structure designed to offer improved protection in accidents, with its car-to-car collision performance designed around the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Avensis and Lexus.

Together with side-impact protection door beams, driver and passenger airbags plus side airbags on the SL model, the Charade features Daihatsu's impact-sensing release system, which in a collision unlocks the doors and turns on the interior light and hazard warning lights to enable easier escape or rescue.

Pedestrian safety is also well catered for. The engine compartment has been designed to allow it to absorb crash energy and the front windscreen wiper pivots and bonnet hinges have shock-absorbing spaces for the same purpose.

Like all Daihatsus, the new Charade arrives with a three year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance plus a six year anti-perforation warranty.

Every Charade has an instrument display which reads: "Hello, happy" when the ignition is turned on and "See you - Goodbye" when the engine is turned off.

Updated: 10:29 Friday, May 23, 2003