Daihatsu Charmant

The 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.

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

First presented in November 1974, the first generation Daihatsu Charmant was based on the E20 Corolla platform. 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. It came with 1.2-litre '' 3K-H'' engine producing and 1.4-litre '' T'' engine producing , both in SAE gross rating. 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.

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 debuted. These vans were given A10V and A20V codes. These vans were only available with a standard four-speed manual transmission and an additional base grade called Standard, while the top grade Hi-Custom was exclusive for the saloons.

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. A minor facelift appeared in November 1976 with a refreshed front grille, two new grades for the saloons; Grand Custom (GC) and Sporty Custom (SC), combined with another engine tweak for the saloons to pass the 1976 emission regulation (the vans had less stringent emission standards). The engines were now called ''3K-U'' and ''T-U'', producing and SAE gross, respectively.

The 1.2- and 1.4-litre engines were replaced by the 1.3-litre '' 4K-U'' (A30) and the 1.6-litre DECS-L lean-burn '' 12T-U'' (A40) in March 1978, along with big changes to the exterior and interior, including a boxier face, taillights and dashboard. A protective side strip was also added. In July 1978, a three-speed automatic with overdrive version of the 1.6-litre engine appeared. The older engines were remained for the vans, but were renamed ''3K-HJ'' and ''T-J'' because of another round of modifications to pass the 1978 emission regulation. Theses engines generate and respectively. The 1.3- and 1.6-litre engines for the vans arrived in 1979, called ''4K-J'' () and ''12T-J'' (), still with a standard four-speed manual transmission. The model codes were changed to A30V and A40V.

Export

This model was exported to a fair number of countries, mostly markets without their own automobile industry. Generally, it was only offered with a single unnamed grade. These export specification Charmants were fitted with the general specification of ''3K'' and ''T'' engines, generating and in DIN net form, respectively. It only came with a four-speed manual transmission. These engines remained in the 1978 facelift, until a bigger 1.6-litre '' 2T'' engine was added to the line up in 1979, it produced . This engine was available with additional five-speed manual or three-speed automatic options.

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 became one of Iceland's most popular cars that year. For the export model, the conventional 1.6-litre was fitted in the Charmant, instead of the learn-burn ''12T-U'' version used for the domestic Japanese market.

File:Daihatsu Charmant 1600 Wagon 1977 (11941006496).jpg, 1976–1978 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 estate (A40V; Chile)
File:Daihatsu Charmant 1600 Wagon 1981 (13440301504).jpg, 1978–1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 estate (A40V; Chile)
File:Daihatsu Charmant 1600 1981 (13978853114).jpg, 1978–1981 Daihatsu Charmant 1600 saloon (A40; Chile)

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

A new Charmant was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1981 with new squarer bodywork that was somewhat outmoded already when being introduced, as was its front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. 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. The only bodywork available was a four-door saloon.

In Japan, the biggest engine was now an SOHC with at 5600 rpm. In the export, the 1.6-litre 2T engine was also available; power outputs ranged from 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. The smaller 1.3-litre engine, of , produced between 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) was called "Altair".

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

European market models became available with a catalyzed version of the 4A engine for the last few years; this fuel injected engine produces . 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). When the Charmant stopped production, it left Daihatsu without a compact saloon until 1989, when the Applause was introduced.

File:1988 Daihatsu Charmant 1300 LC Altair.jpg, 1984–1987 Daihatsu Charmant 1300 LC Altair (A35; Netherlands)
File:1985 Daihatsu Charmant Altair G rear.jpg, Rear view

References

{{Daihatsu timeline

Charmant
Cars introduced in 1974
Cars discontinued in 1987
1980s cars
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Sedans
Saloons
Station wagons
1970s cars