Daihatsu Targets New Mini Car at Female Drivers

The front view of the Mira Cocoa, which comes in nine colors.

The rear view of the higher grade model, which is equipped with a rear camera under the emblem on the back door.

The instrument panel

The image from the rear camera is shown on the left side of the rearview mirror.

Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd released the "Mira Cocoa," a mini vehicle aimed at female drivers, Aug 17, 2009, in Japan.

The sales goal is 3,000 units per month. The price ranges from ¥1,050,000 (approx US$11,113) to 1,432,000. In addition to the standard model, the company offers the "Cocoa Plus," a higher grade model equipped with roof rails, tonneau covers and suede seats. Both the Mira Cocoa and the Cocoa Plus are available in two-wheel and four-wheel models.

Daihatsu Motor was selling the Mira Gino, a vehicle that is a derivative of the Mira and aimed at female users, but stopped producing it in December 2008. So, the Mira Cocoa is practically a successor of the Mira Gino. In fact, they share the same platform and have the same dimensions, which are 3,395 (L) x 1,475 (W) x 1,530mm (H), and the same wheelbase of 2,490mm.

The weight of the two-wheeled Mira Cocoa equipped with a CVT (continuous variable transmission) is 800kg, 20kg heavier than the Mira. And its mileage on the 10-15 mode is 23.5km/L, lower than the 25.5km/L of the Mira (two-wheeled model equipped with a CVT). Still it is higher than the mileage of the Move (23km/L), whose total height is higher.

The engine of the Mira Cocoa is the KF-VE type non-turbo engine, which is also mounted on the Mira. As for transmissions, a four-speed automatic transmission is available in addition to the CVT.

The mileage of the two-wheeled model with the four-speed automatic transmission is 19.4km/L, which does not meet the standards for the "eco-car tax break" in Japan. Meanwhile, the two-wheeled model with the CVT achieved the fuel efficiency standard of +25% for fiscal 2010, so it qualifies for the tax break.

The rearview mirror of the Mira Cocoa is integrated with a color monitor. And the vehicle comes with the function to show the image from the rear camera on the mirror when backing up for the first time in Japan.

The color image from a CCD camera attached to the back door can be shown on the left side of the rearview mirror, helping recognize obstacles in the blind spot. This function is available as a standard feature for the highest grade model and as an option for some other models.