---
title: "Daihatsu’s Custom Kei Cars for the 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon Are Delightfully Nuts"
description: "Just speedster everything, Sensei!"
date: "2020-12-30"
modified: "2020-12-30"
authors:
  - name: "Máté Petrány"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/mate-petrany"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/38471/daihatsus-custom-kei-cars-for-the-2021-tokyo-auto-salon-are-delightfully-nuts"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
tags:
  - "2021 Tokyo Auto Show"
  - "Daihatsu"
  - "Daihatsu Copen"
  - "Daihatsu Hijet"
  - "Tokyo Auto Show"
---

# Daihatsu’s Custom Kei Cars for the 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon Are Delightfully Nuts

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/12/daihatsu-hi-z-jumbo-sportza-ver..jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

If you're one of Japan's oldest combustion engine manufacturers, yet also a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota only operating in Asia these days, chances are you don't get a generous show car budget from the board. This is where serious global pandemics come in, which allow you to organize something called the Daihatsu Village Colorful Carnival, a virtual stand filled with five rendered concepts ready for the equally virtual 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon.

I would argue that Daihatsu's best idea for 2021 has to be the Hijet Truck Sportza Ver you see at the top. It's a 50-horsepower rear-drive kei truck with a five-speed manual and no roof, a cut windshield, red alloy wheels, color-matching racing seats, side exhausts and enough cargo room behind the driver for a set of extra tires, no doubt supplied by Yokohama. Who needs more from a vehicle? Perhaps only the stylish Copen crowd!

![message-editor%2F1609265313072-daihatsu-copen-spyder-ver..jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1609265313072-daihatsu-copen-spyder-ver..jpg>)
*Daihatsu Copen Spyder Ver, *Daihatsu**

The Daihatsu Copen needs no introduction in Europe, where it was available on certain markets as a budget roadster up until 2011. Going beyond what an [already spicy Copen GR Sport](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/30437/2020-toyota-copen-gr-sport-is-yet-another-cool-adorable-kei-car-we-cant-have>) can offer to Japanese customers, the Spyder concept is built from a Copen Cero, the model made to look like the first-generation Copen despite being introduced in 2015. After taking in the details of this red wonder, who needs [a roofless Lamborghini one-off](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/38201/the-lamborghini-sc20-is-a-759-hp-v12-speedster-and-theyre-only-building-one-of-them>) costing millions of dollars? The Copen can provide similar thrills while always staying kinder to the environment you get to be so close to.

![message-editor%2F1609266703751-daihatsu-taft-crossfield-ver..jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1609266703751-daihatsu-taft-crossfield-ver..jpg>)
*Daihatsu Taft Crossfield Ver, *Daihatsu**

Crossovers are in, and this one is considered to be the "Tough & Almighty Fun Tool" of the Daihatsu lineup. Why wait for something as outrageous [as an electric Hummer](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/37167/2022-gmc-hummer-ev-hummer-is-back-with-1000-electric-horsepower-and-a-112595-price-tag>) when this tiny go-getter already comes with a lift kit over beefy off-road tires, tow hooks, an electric winch, bumper guards, and even a practical roof rack? The smaller the truck, the further it can go in the woods.

![message-editor%2F1609267132134-daihatsu-hi-z-jumbo-camper-ver..jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1609267132134-daihatsu-hi-z-jumbo-camper-ver..jpg>)
*Daihatsu Camper Ver, *Daihatsu**

For longer trips kept closer to the paved roads, Daihatsu may have just created the perfect Hijet truck. The mighty Camper Ver combines a futuristic facia with what has to be a neat tent on the bed, complemented by a full-length roof-rack. The ideal road trip cab for the fuel-conscious adventurers, and a Hijet I would like to receive as a CKD kit via mail.

![message-editor%2F1609267954498-daihatsu-thor-premium-ver.-with-d-sport.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1609267954498-daihatsu-thor-premium-ver.-with-d-sport.jpg>)
*Daihatsu Thor Premium Ver with D-Sport, *Daihatsu**

One great thing about the Daihatsu Thor is that some can also purchase it as the Toyota Tank, or the Toyota Roomy. No, I'm not making this up. [After the Mega Crusier](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31247/the-1995-toyota-mega-cruiser-king-of-off-roaders-is-legal-to-import-in-2020>), Toyota came up with this as its Tank. The two-tone show car rolling on such thin rubber is actually the Thor Premium Ver with D-Sport, a mini MPV with a sliding rear door, a body kit, 97 horsepower, and a CVT transmission.

The virtual Tokyo Auto Salon will commence on Jan. 15, so we'll see you all at Daihatsu's Village Colorful Carnival.

![message-editor%2F1609268624194-screenshot2020-12-29at18.21.05.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1609268624194-screenshot2020-12-29at18.21.05.png>)
**Daihatsu**

*Got a tip about the best JDM kei cars for 2021? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
As a fan of old cars, new cars, trains, planes, buses, and you-name-it, Máté can sometimes be seen driving an Autobianchi around Budapest, much to the amusement of the children, mostly. When not time-traveling, he continues to report from the future to his American colleagues, often talking about Lotus, Ozzy Osbourne, or both.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/mpetrany>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/petrany>)