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# Niche brand teases rear-drive, ‘manual’ sports car
- URL: https://torquecafe.com/daihatsu-copen-k-open-concept-jms/
- Published: 2025-10-31T22:00:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-04T06:44:05.000Z
- Description: Daihatsu is a brand looking to repair its image after a multi-decade safety scandal, and it’s going back to what it’s done best.
- Author: Jordan Mulach
- Tags: News

The Toyota-owned brand found itself in hot water in 2023 when it was discovered that it had cheated safety test results for decades, leading to the departure of a number of top executives.

Daihatsu, best known for its small cars like the Charade, is now on a repair mission, and has used this week’s Japanese Mobility Show to preview what its future could hold.

Enter the K-Open, a two-seat, convertible sports car with obvious design links to the Copen, a kei car which has been produced across two generations, with its current iteration stretching back to 2014.

[![](https://torquecafe.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/daihatsu-k-open-copen-concept-2.jpg)](https://archive.torquecafe.com/daihatsu-copen-k-open-concept-jms/daihatsu-k-open-copen-concept-2/?ref=torquecafe.com)

Daihatsu K-Open

[![](https://torquecafe.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/daihatsu-k-open-copen-concept-1.jpg)](https://archive.torquecafe.com/daihatsu-copen-k-open-concept-jms/daihatsu-k-open-copen-concept-1/?ref=torquecafe.com)

Daihatsu K-Open

Well and truly due for a replacement, the K-Open could preview what Daihatsu will next launch, with Toyota CEO Koji Sato telling attendees of the show that Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda will “be driving and breaking the Copen a lot”.

Unlike previous Copens which have exclusively been front-wheel drive, Daihatsu has confirmed the K-Open is rear-drive, though stopped short of providing any details about what engine is under the bonnet.

Importantly it appears the new Copen will have an engine, given its central exhaust pipe. A previous Copen concept featured a 1.3-litre engine, but it’s worth noting this won’t comply with Japan’s kei car rules, capping engine capacity at 660cc from a three-cylinder.

![](https://torquecafe.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/daihatsu-k-open-copen-concept-3.jpg)

Daihatsu K-Open

Images of the concept show what appears to be a manual gear stick between the front seats, however it is also only shown to have two pedals.

Additionally, the interior appears to be basic but functional, with a small digital instrument cluster sitting behind a three-spoke steering wheel.

With the current Copen set to remain in production until mid-2026, it’s not yet known when the new model will launch, or if it’ll be offered outside of Japan.