Daihatsu Charmant

The Daihatsu Charmant is a subcompact sedan built by Daihatsu of Japan, based on the Toyota Corolla. It was succeeded by the Daihatsu Applause two years after Charmant production ended. The Charmant was heavily based on the E20 Toyota Corolla; model changes paralleled those of the Corolla. All Charmants were fitted with Toyota inline-four engines, ranging from 1.2 to 1.6 litres. The word charmant is French for "charming."

Daihatsu Charmant
1979 Daihatsu Charmant 1300 sedan
Overview
ManufacturerDaihatsu
Production1974–1987
AssemblyKyoto Plant, Ōyamazaki, Japan
North Jakarta, Indonesia (Astra Daihatsu Motor)
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car
Body style4-door saloon
5-door station wagon (first generation)
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive
RelatedToyota Corolla/Sprinter
Chronology
PredecessorDaihatsu Consorte
SuccessorDaihatsu Applause

When it was introduced, it was the largest Daihatsu sold in Japan, with the Charade/Consorte supermini, and the Fellow Max kei class car as the smallest.

First generation (A10/A20/A30/A40; 1974–1981)
Daihatsu Charmant (A10/20/30/40)
1981 Daihatsu Charmant sedan
Overview
ManufacturerDaihatsu
Production1974–1981
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car
Body style4-door saloon
5-door station wagon
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive
RelatedToyota Corolla E20
Toyota Sprinter E20
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,355 mm (92.7 in)
Length4,005–4,110 mm (157.7–161.8 in)
Width1,520–1,530 mm (59.8–60.2 in)
Height1,370–1,390 mm (53.9–54.7 in)
Curb weight790–930 kg (1,741.7–2,050.3 lb)

First presented in November 1974, the first generation Daihatsu Charmant was based on the E20 Corolla platform. Equipped with 1166 cc engines producing 66 PS (SAE) and 1290 cc engines producing 72 PS (SAE) at 5,200 rpm.[2] This type of engines were coded as 3K (1.2 L) and 4K (1.3 L) Toyota engines and came with a four- or five-speed manual transmission, as well as a two-speed automatic option.[2] The 88 PS (SAE) 1588 cc overhead valve 12T engine was also available from 1978 on; this could also be ordered with a three-speed automatic with overdrive. There was also a 1.4-litre engine available, offering 86 PS (SAE).[2]

In Japan only the 1.2- and 1.4-litre models were originally available, as the A10 and A20. These were replaced by the 1.3 and the 1.6 in April 1978 (A30 and A40), along with minor changes to the exterior and interior, including a new grille and dashboard. A protective side strip was also added.[3] The new engines were the 4K-U and the 2T-U, while the van received the 4K-J (while retaining the T-J) - these engines fulfilled the commercial vehicle emissions specifications. In July an automatic version of the 1.6 appeared.

  • 1980 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 wagon (front)
  • 1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 wagon (rear)
  • 1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 (rear)

Unique to the first generation, a station wagon was also available. This was called "Van" in the Japanese domestic market, where it was classed as a commercial vehicle. The Van was introduced in December 1974, a month after the saloons.[4]

This model was exported to a fair number of countries, mostly markets without their own automobile industry. It was the first Daihatsu to be sold in Iceland, where a large number of surplus cars from the Netherlands were brought in the summer of 1979. Sold at a very low price, it was one of Iceland's most popular cars that year.[5]

Second generation (A35/A55; 1981–1987)
Daihatsu Charmant (A35/45/55)
Daihatsu Charmant LC 1300 Altair
Overview
ManufacturerDaihatsu
Production1981–1987
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car
Body style4-door saloon
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive
RelatedToyota Corolla E70
Toyota Sprinter E70
Toyota Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno (AE71/85/86)
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length4,150–4,275 mm (163.4–168.3 in)[6][7]
Width1,620–1,630 mm (63.8–64.2 in)
Height1,380 mm (54.3 in)
Curb weight860–904 kg (1,896.0–1,993.0 lb)[6][7]
Daihatsu Charmant LD 1600 (rear)

A new Charmant was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1981[8] with new squarer bodywork that was somewhat outmoded already when being introduced, as was its front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.[9] Due to Daihatsu's unfamiliarity with the process of presenting new cars in Frankfurt, the car was omitted from most official press releases and several automobile writers overlooked the fact that there was a new car on Daihatsu's stand.[9] The only bodywork available was a four-door saloon.

In Japan, the biggest engine was now an SOHC 1.5 L (1,453 cc) with 83 PS (61 kW) at 5600 rpm.[10] In the export, the 1.6-litre 1.6 L (1,588 cc) 2T engine was also available; power outputs ranged from 76 to 83 PS (56 to 61 kW) depending on compression ratios and intended markets. For the 1984 model year, the larger engine was changed to the overhead cam 4A unit, with an alloy head. Performance improved marginally while the gas mileage was considerably better.[11] The smaller 1.3-litre engine, of 1.3 L (1,290 cc), produced between 62 and 74 PS (46 and 54 kW) depending on market. Trim levels were LD, LC, LE, and LGX; these continued until 1987 when the range was discontinued in the United Kingdom and most other export markets. All the engines were carburetted. In Japan, the top trim package (with available climate control) were called "Altair".[12]

The Charmant had an independent front suspension (struts), and a live four-link rear axle. Suspension settings were soft, for maximum comfort.[12] The car then underwent a minor facelift in autumn 1984. The original leaf springs at the rear were replaced by coilovers at this time.[9]

European market models became available with a catalyzed version of the 4A engine for the last few years; this fuel injected engine produces 82 PS (60 kW).[9] The Daihatsu Charmant production ended in late 1987, while the shared Toyota Corolla platform changed to FWD in 1983. When the Charmont stopped production, it left Daihatsu without a compact sedan until 1989, when the Applause was introduced.

References
  1. Raikes, Myrrine (June 1983). "Long-term test: Daihatsu Charmant 1.6LE". Drive (Magazine of the British Automobile Association). Vol. 95. pp. 36–38.
  2. Costa, André & Georges-Michel Fraichard, ed. (September 1979). "Salon 1979: Toutes les Voitures du Monde". l'Auto Journal (in French). No. 14 & 15. Paris. p. 175.
  3. 自動車ガイドブック [Japanese Motor Vehicles Guide Book 1978/1979] (in Japanese), 25, Japan: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, 1978-10-10, p. 110, 0053-780025-3400
  4. "History - 1970s". About Daihatsu. Daihatsu Motor Co. Archived from the original on 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  5. Johansson, George, ed. (1981-11-30). "Island - bilrike" [Iceland: Car Kingdom]. Teknikens Värld (in Swedish). Vol. 34 no. 20. Stockholm, Sweden: Specialtidningsförlaget AB. p. 9.
  6. "Daihatsu Charmant (pre-facelift)". storm.oldcarmanualproject.com (in Dutch).
  7. "Daihatsu Charmant (facelift)". storm.oldcarmanualproject.com (in Dutch).
  8. "Japon: Daihatsu". Toutes Les Voitures du Monde 86/87 (9): 249. 1986.
  9. Kießler, Bernd-Wilfried (1992), Daihatsu Automobile: Erfahrung für die Zukunft (in German), Südwest, p. 118, ISBN 9783517012254
  10. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (March 5, 1987). Automobil Revue 1987 (in German and French). 82. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. pp. 242–243. ISBN 3-444-00458-3.
  11. de Jong, Nico, ed. (1983-12-24). "Autokrant" [Car Gazette]. Autovisie (in Dutch). Hilversum, Netherlands: Folio Groep B.V. 28 (26): 15.
  12. "Great Car Pavilion: '83 Daihatsu Charmant Altair G". Gazoo.com. Toyota Motor Corporation. Archived from the original on 2005-02-09. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
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