Small Legend, Big Heart: Daihatsu Copen Bows Out but May Return in a New Form
Some cars earn their place in memory not by sales figures but by sheer character and charm. The Daihatsu Copen has been one of those rare gems—a tiny yet spirited roadster that, for two decades, embodied the lighthearted joy and playful spirit of Japan’s kei-car culture. Now, the time has come to bid it farewell.
Daihatsu has officially confirmed that Copen production will end in August 2026. Before then, the brand plans a special send-off event for fans in the spring, an occasion expected to be emotional and perhaps even hint at what comes next. Because while no successor has been announced, Daihatsu seems reluctant to abandon its beloved roadster entirely.
The current Copen has been on the market since 2014. True to kei-car tradition, it is powered by a 0.66-litre three-cylinder engine producing 63 horsepower and 92 Newton metres of torque, sending drive to the front wheels. Modest on paper, this little unit delivers a surprising dose of driving fun.
The reason for discontinuation has not been officially detailed, though it is likely a matter of natural product cycle, given the model’s decade-long run. Yet hope remains alive thanks to Daihatsu’s hints that the Copen nameplate could make a return in some form.
One possible path points to the Daihatsu Vision Copen, a concept unveiled in 2023. It paid nostalgic tribute to the original first-generation model while proposing a 1.3-litre engine and a more modern design, a bridge between past and future.
So while this chapter of the Copen story may be closing, its cover need not gather dust. The little roadster that proved a sports car need not be big or expensive might well return soon, reimagined for a new era.
