Daihatsu Charade

 Daihatsu Charade is popular in Pakistan

Daihatsu Charade – The Mighty Mini from Japan

Introduction

The Daihatsu Charade was a subcompact car produced by Daihatsu, Japan’s oldest car manufacturer, from 1977 until 2000 (with some markets continuing production into the mid-2000s). Despite its small size, the Charade developed a strong reputation worldwide for being fuel-efficient, reliable, and surprisingly versatile. Over four distinct generations, it evolved from a no-frills hatchback to a sophisticated small car with sporty and even high-performance variants.

The Charade was sold in more than 100 countries, often serving as Daihatsu’s flagship export model. Its name — Charade — was intended to sound playful and sophisticated, appealing to both young urban drivers and practical families.

Generational Timeline & Development

1st Generation (G10; 1977–1983)

• Launch Year: 1977, initially as a 3-door hatchback, later joined by a 5-door version.

• Design: Sharp, clean lines with a wedge-shaped profile typical of late 1970s cars.

• Engine:

  • 993 cc CB-series 3-cylinder petrol engine — one of the first mass-produced 3-cylinder engines.

  • Known for smoothness and efficiency despite small displacement.

• Performance & Features:

  • Lightweight (around 700–800 kg), making it agile in city traffic.

  • Focused on fuel economy during the 1970s oil crisis.

• Global Reach: Exported to Europe, Australia, and Asia, where it competed against the Honda Civic, Toyota Starlet, and Suzuki Cultus.

2nd Generation (G11/G30; 1983–1987)

• Design Update: More angular and aerodynamic look.

• Body Styles: 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks, with some rare sedan conversions in certain markets.

• Engines:

  • Base 1.0L petrol.

  • Turbocharged 1.0L CB60/CB61 producing up to 80 hp — making the Charade one of the smallest turbo cars of its time.

• Innovation: Offered both petrol and diesel variants in some regions.

• Notable Edition: Charade Turbo and Turbo DeTomaso (Italian styling tweaks).

• Motorsport Presence: Competed in small-capacity rally categories.

3rd Generation (G100/G102/G112; 1987–1993)

• Styling: Softer, rounded, and more modern lines. Improved interior comfort.

• Body Options: 3-door, 5-door hatchback, and 4-door sedan (popular in Southeast Asia).

• Engine Range:

  • 1.0L 3-cylinder.

  • 1.3L 4-cylinder.

  • 1.0L DOHC 12-valve turbocharged GTti — Japan’s first mass-produced 1.0L 4-valve-per-cylinder turbo engine, producing 99–105 hp in a car weighing ~800 kg.

• Performance: GTti was a pocket rocket, capable of 0–100 km/h in around 8 seconds — very quick for its class.

• Rally Legacy: The GTti and GT-XX versions cemented Charade’s reputation among enthusiasts.

• Practicality: Despite sporty options, base models still focused on economy, achieving over 15 km/L.

4th Generation (G200/G202; 1993–2000)

• Design Shift: More mature, larger body with a focus on comfort and safety.

• Body Styles: Hatchback, sedan, and even a rare coupe in some markets.

• Engine Options:

  • 1.3L and 1.5L petrol.

  • A 1.6L DOHC in sporty models.

• Features: Airbags, better sound insulation, improved suspension.

• Market Position: Targeted slightly more upscale buyers, but still affordable.

• Decline: Competition from the Toyota Vitz, Suzuki Swift, and other modern compacts began to overshadow it.

Technical Highlights Across Generations

• Lightweight engineering kept performance lively even with small engines.

• Innovative 3-cylinder design offered low running costs without sacrificing drivability.

• Turbocharged variants proved that small cars could be fun and fast.

• Strong export success, especially in Europe, Australia, and developing markets.

Why It Stands Out

1. Economy First: Perfect for drivers prioritizing low fuel consumption and easy maintenance.

2. Surprising Performance: The GTti remains a cult classic among JDM enthusiasts.

3. Durability: Many Charades from the 80s and 90s are still on the road.

4. Motorsport Credibility: A small car that could hold its own in rallies.

Fun Facts

• The Charade GTti was one of the fastest 1.0L production cars of its era.

• In some countries, it was sold as the Toyota Charade due to brand partnerships.

• The Charade name briefly returned in the 2010s as a rebadged Toyota Yaris in certain markets.