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Daihatsu Charmant

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Daihatsu Charmant
1978–1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1300 sedan (A30)
Overview
ManufacturerDaihatsu
Production1974–1987
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive
Chronology
PredecessorDaihatsu Consorte
SuccessorDaihatsu Applause

The Daihatsu Charmant (Japanese: ダイハツ・シャルマン, Hepburn: Daihatsu Sharuman) is a subcompact car built by Daihatsu. It was succeeded by the Applause two years after Charmant production ended. The Charmant was heavily based on the E20/E70 Toyota Corolla platforms; 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."

When it was introduced, it was the largest Daihatsu passenger vehicle sold in Japan (until the introduction of the Delta Wide minivan in 1982), with the Charade supermini in the middle, and the Mira kei car as the smallest.

First generation (A10/A20/A30/A40; 1974–1981)

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Daihatsu Charmant
1978–1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 saloon (A40; Chile)
Overview
Model codeA10/20/30/40
Production1974–1981
AssemblyŌyamazaki, Kyoto (Kyoto Plant), Japan
Body and chassis
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive
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.[2] The Charmant was marketed with luxury orientation by the use of dual headlights which was only available for higher class cars at the time. Initially only three grades were offered; Deluxe, Custom and Hi-Custom.[2] It came with 1.2-litre 3K-H engine producing 66 PS (49 kW; 65 hp) and 1.4-litre T engine producing 86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp), both in SAE gross rating.[3] These vehicles were coded as A10 (1.2-litre) and A20 (1.4-litre) and came with a four- or five-speed manual transmission, as well as a two-speed automatic option.[3]

Unique to the first generation, an estate 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 and bearing A10V and A20V codes.[4] In 1975, the engines were improved with the implementation of DECS-C (Daihatsu Economical Cleanup System-Catalyst) emission control to pass 1975 Japanese emission regulation. Minor facelift appeared in November 1976 with the refreshed front grille, additional tow new grades; Sporty Custom and Grand Custom, also another engine tweak to pass the 1976 emission regulation. The engines now called 3K-U, 3K-HJ, T-U and T-J.[5]

The 1.2- and 1.4-litre models were replaced by the 1.3 4K-U/4K-J (A30) and the lean-burn 1.6 12T-U/12T-J (A40) in April 1978, along with big changes to the exterior and interior, including a face, taillights and dashboard. A protective side strip was also added.[6] In July 1978, a three-speed automatic with overdrive version of the 1.6 appeared.

Export

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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.[7] For the export model, the conventional 1.6-litre 2T engine was fitted in the Charmant, instead of the learn-burn 12T-U version for the Japanese market.

  • 1976–1978 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 estate (A40V; Chile)
    1976–1978 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 estate (A40V; Chile)
  • 1978–1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 estate (A40V; Chile)
    1978–1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 estate (A40V; Chile)
  • 1978–1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 saloon (A40; Chile)
    1978–1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 saloon (A40; Chile)

Second generation (A35/A45/A55/A60; 1981–1987)

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Daihatsu Charmant
Daihatsu Charmant LC 1300 Altair
Overview
ManufacturerDaihatsu
Model codeA35/45/55/60
Production1981–1987
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style4-door saloon
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,400 mm (94.5 in)
Length4,150–4,275 mm (163.4–168.3 in)[8][9]
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)[8][9]
Daihatsu Charmant LD 1600 (rear)

A new Charmant was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1981[10] with new squarer bodywork that was somewhat outmoded already when being introduced, as was its front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.[11] 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.[11] 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.[12] 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 fuel mileage was considerably better.[13] 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".[14]

The Charmant had an independent front suspension (struts), and a live four-link rear axle. Suspension settings were soft, for maximum comfort.[14] The car then underwent a minor facelift in autumn 1984. The original leaf springs at the rear were replaced by coilovers at this time.[11]

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).[11] The Charmant production ended in late 1987, while the shared Toyota Corolla platform changed to front-wheel drive in 1983 (although the estate/van continued until 1987, also built by Daihatsu from September 1984).[15]. When the Charmant stopped production, it left Daihatsu without a compact saloon until 1989, when the Applause was introduced.

References

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  1. ^ a b Raikes, Myrrine (June 1983). "Long-term test: Daihatsu Charmant 1.6LE". Drive (Magazine of the British Automobile Association). Vol. 95. pp. 36–38.
  2. ^ a b "ダイハツ　ダイハツ・シャルマン 1974年1月～1981年1月" (in Japanese). Gazoo.
  3. ^ a b 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.
  4. ^ "History - 1970s". About Daihatsu. Daihatsu Motor Co. Archived from the original on 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  5. ^ "【カタログ】昭和51年　ダイハツ・シャルマン". minkara.carview.co.jp (in Japanese). 21 January 2021.
  6. ^ 自動車ガイドブック [Japanese Motor Vehicles Guide Book 1978/1979] (in Japanese), vol. 25, Japan: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, 1978-10-10, p. 110, 0053-780025-3400
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ a b "Daihatsu Charmant (pre-facelift)". storm.oldcarmanualproject.com (in Dutch).
  9. ^ a b "Daihatsu Charmant (facelift)". storm.oldcarmanualproject.com (in Dutch).
  10. ^ "Japon: Daihatsu". Toutes les Voitures du Monde 86/87 (9): 249. 1986.
  11. ^ a b c d Kießler, Bernd-Wilfried (1992), Daihatsu Automobile: Erfahrung für die Zukunft (in German), Südwest, p. 118, ISBN 9783517012254
  12. ^ Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (March 5, 1987). Automobil Revue 1987 (in German and French). Vol. 82. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. pp. 242–243. ISBN 3-444-00458-3.
  13. ^ de Jong, Nico, ed. (1983-12-24). "Autokrant" [Car Gazette]. Autovisie (in Dutch). 28 (26). Hilversum, Netherlands: Folio Groep B.V.: 15.
  14. ^ a b "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.
  15. ^ "5th Corolla Van". 75 years of history: Vehicle lineage. Toyota.
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