IT'S cute and cool, and guaranteed to give owners a real buzz, some of it from the sing-along 660cc engine. On top of that it's small.

With the growing acceptance that indeed small is beautiful in the motoring world, it will not be too long before such iconic two-seaters such as the smart and Ford SportsKa have to face facts. There are others in the race.

So be prepared to welcome the Daihatsu Copen, a midget whose looks should clinch more than a few sales when it reaches the showrooms in November, while real enthusiasts should get a lot of pleasure out of its handling and perky performance.

The Copen, with some Audi TT looks about it, is already on sale in Japan, but it was not all that long ago that its masters ruled that it would not be sold in Europe. However, when it took its bow at last year's Birmingham International Motor Show, there really to show what Daihatsu was doing in its own country, more than 1,500 United Kingdom admirers were prepared to reach for their cheque books. Such enthusiasm gave Daihatsu's bosses food for thought: maybe there was a market in Europe after all.

Well, the good news is that following successful engineering tests the car can be successfully modified from its Japanese roots to pass what is known as European Whole Vehicle Type Approval regulations. Production of UK right-hand drive versions begins begins in September. Projected price is seen at between £12,000 and £14,000. This may seem a lot for such a small car, but it pretty-well matches the smart roadster and roadster-coupe with price tickets from £13,495 when they go on sale next month.

The Copen's looks express its fun image, with a rounded, teardrop design, minimum overhangs and oval front and rear lamps.

Its cockpit is surprisingly roomy. In fact, despite qualifying as an official Japanese mini-car (K-Car), the Copen has ample interior width and space for most bulky six-footers.

Daihatsu brought a couple of Copens to Yorkshire this week, for northern-based motoring journalists to test drive. And what a great time was had by all. The car is a real head-turner, and will be available in bright colours to attract even more looks.

The Copen is available in Japan with a wide range of options, and most of these were fitted to the test cars. So there was a sports suspension, front limited-slip differential, anti-lock brakes, 165/50 R15 tyres on six-spoke polished alloy wheels, heated leather-seats, momo steering wheel, air-conditioning, powered windows, door mirrors and central-locking, electrically-operated folding roof and a radio/cassette/CD player.

Taking the Copen on to the A1M and M1, as well as a few rural lanes, it bowled merrily along, the engine producing a buzz in more ways than one. For some the transverse-mounted engine may seem noisy, but actually its a real gem, and when power is needed it is there for the asking. The Copen is driven by an all-aluminium 16-valve, 659cc engine with four cylinders for extra smoothness. Its turbocharger was designed exclusively for this car and it really does its job well, providing a enthusiastic response, and capable of bringing in lots of extra power from as low as 2,000rpm.

Oaky it may not be as ppowerful as the smart models, but its maximum power is 64PS at a surprisingly low 6,000rpm while peak torque of 81lb.ft is at an even more remarkable 3,200rpm, meaning there is plenty of good low-speed flexibility. Fifth gear, for example, pulls really strongly from 35mph.

At the other end of the rev-scale, the Copen's engine will spin uncomplainingly to 8,500rpm.

Anyone expecting the Copen to be a shallow style-statement will be in for a surprise. The power-steering is especially direct and the handling taut and agile.

At speed, and with the hardtop tucked away into its boot compartment, there can be quite a bit of wind buffeting, reduced slightly by the rear deflector, but improved mightily by having the side windows up. Nonetheless, an Alice band is highly recommended.

The front-wheel drive Copen measures 3,395mm long, has a 1,475mm width excluding mirrors and is 1,260mm high. Its wheelbase is 2,230mm, overhangs are tiny and the driver sits comfortably between front and rear wheels.

While no official figures are yet available, top speed is more than 100mph (says Daihatsu) with a 0-60mph time in under ten seconds.

Engine changes to allow the Copen to pass other European regulations are expected to include improved high-speed fuel delivery and revisions to the turbocharger.

Standard transmission is a five-speed manual although a dual-mode four-speed automatic gearbox is also available in Japan.

However, the Copen's major "party-piece" is an electrically-operated folding hard-top - very similar to that on a Mercedes SLK - offering security, safety and weather protection.

All the driver has to do is unlock two windscreen catches and press a button on the centre console. The lightweight aluminium roof then folds into the boot in less than 25 seconds. A more basic version is also available in Japan comprising a roof panel which has to be manually stowed in the boot, but that is unlikely to be sold here.

Like all these sports cars, luggage room is fairly restricted. With the car's roof in place, there is probably enough room for a weekend bag., while with the top down something a bit larger can be carried. Anything family-sized will have to be sent on ahead!

In Japan, the Copen has already achieved cult status, and there is no reason why the Brits should not get a buzz out of it, too.

Updated: 10:35 Friday, May 16, 2003