Daihatsu Tanto

The is a kei car manufactured by the Japanese carmaker Daihatsu. It was introduced at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show as a vehicle based on the Move's "tall" body style, and followed by the Tanto Custom in July 2005.

The name "Tanto" is derived from Italian, Spanish and Portuguese word for "so much" or "a lot".

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First generation (L350; 2003)

The first-generation Tanto went on sale on 27 November 2003. The grade levels consisted of L, X and X Limited for naturally aspirated engine option, and R and RS for turbocharged engine option. The first generation Tanto was only available with conventional automatic transmissions, with four speeds in most models. Naturally aspirated, four-wheel drive Tantos received a three-speed automatic instead.

The Tanto Custom was added in July 2005, aimed at younger buyers and with a more assertive look. The redesigned headlights were linked by a translucent grille garnish; this look was continued at the rear, where the taillights were clear and extended all the way across the car. The Tanto Custom grade levels consisted of L and X for the naturally aspirated engine, and RS for the turbocharged option. The Custom RS also came standard with 15-inch alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped, Momo steering wheel.

Tanto FCHV

The Tanto FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle) was introduced at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Based on the Tanto Custom, the prototype vehicle adds a hydrogen tank and electric motors.

File:Daihatsu Tanto 01.jpg, The Tanto at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show
File:Daihatsu Tanto 002.JPG, Tanto Happy Selection (L350S)
File:Daihatsu Tanto Custom 2005.jpg, 2005 Tanto Custom (L350S)
File:Daihatsu-Tanto custom-1st-rear.jpg, Tanto Custom rear view
File:Tanto-fchv.jpg, Tanto FCHV

Second generation (L375; 2007)

The second-generation Tanto went on sale on 17 December 2007. Among the main features of this generation is an ordinary side-hinged rear door on the right and a sliding door without an intermediate pillar (called "Miracle Open Door" by Daihatsu) on the left.

In June 2011, the naturally aspirated engines were fitted with Daihatsu's "Eco Idle" start-stop system developed for the Mira e:S, including other minor updates to the KF engine, which made the car eligible for additional tax breaks. From May 2012 the Eco Idle system was also fitted to the turbocharged Custom RS model. In September 2013, the second generation was discontinued in favor of the succeeding generation which went on sale the following month.

File:2nd generation Daihatsu Tanto rear.jpg, Rear view
File:2008 Daihatsu Tanto Custom 01.JPG, 2008 Tanto Custom (L375S)
File:2008 Daihatsu Tanto Custom 02.JPG, 2008 Tanto Custom (L375S)
File:2011-2013 Daihatsu Tanto G.jpg, 2011–2013 Tanto G (L375S)
File:2011-2013 Daihatsu Tanto G rear.jpg, 2011–2013 Tanto G (L375S)
File:Daihatsu Tanto Custom RS Turbo 0244.JPG, Tanto Custom RS Turbo (L375S)
File:Daihatsu Tanto Custom RS Turbo Rear 0245.JPG, Tanto Custom RS Turbo (L375S)
File:2nd generation Daihatsu Tanto interior.jpg, Interior

Third generation (LA600; 2013)

The third-generation Tanto went on sale on 3 October 2013. This generation used the sliding door on both sides. The car is also sold by Subaru as the since December 2016 through an OEM agreement.

The Tanto underwent a very light facelift in December 2015; the regular Tanto only received interior upgrades, including water-repellant fabric, while the Custom received a reworked grille and front bumper, and a larger chrome garnish on the rear gate.

File:2013-2019 Daihatsu Tanto rear.jpg, Tanto X SA (LA600S)
File:Daihatsu Tanto X-Turbo SA.JPG, Tanto X Turbo SA (LA600S)
File:Daihatsu Tanto Custom RS SA LA610 0109.JPG, Tanto Custom RS SA 4WD (pre-facelift; LA610S)
File:Daihatsu Tanto Custom RS SA LA610 01090 Rear.jpg, Tanto Custom RS SA 4WD (pre-facelift; LA610S)
File:Subaru CHIFFON (DBA-LA600F).jpg, Subaru Chiffon (LA600F)
File:1st generation Subaru Chiffon Custom R, front right.jpg, Chiffon Custom R (LA600F)
File:Daihatsu Tanto X Turbo "SA" interior.jpg, Interior

Fourth generation (LA650; 2019)

The fourth-generation Tanto went on sale in Japan on 9 July 2019, followed by the second-generation Chiffon on 16 July. It is built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. The regular model is offered in L, X and X Turbo grade levels, while the Custom model is offered in L, X and RS grade levels. The turbocharged engine option is only available in X Turbo and RS grades.

The Subaru Chiffon sister car was offered in a slightly smaller range: L, G, and GS corresponded to the L, X, and X Turbo. The Chiffon Custom was only offered in R and RS, generally equivalent to the Tanto Custom X and RS. All versions feature a CVT transmission and all except the GS (turbocharged, non-Custom) were available with optional four-wheel drive.

By one month since its launch, the fourth-generation Tanto had been ordered for approximately 37,000 units, nearly three times the monthly sales target of 12,500 units.

The Tanto Custom received a facelift on 3 October 2022. At the same time, the crossover-styled variant called Tanto FunCross was also added to the lineup. The facelifted Chiffon later followed on 13 October.

File:4th generation Daihatsu Tanto X rear.jpg, 2019 Tanto X (LA650S)
File:2019 Daihatsu Tanto Custom RS 2WD 660 5BA-LA650S (20190722) 01.jpg, 2019 Tanto Custom RS (LA650S, pre-facelift)
File:2019 Daihatsu Tanto Custom RS 2WD 660 5BA-LA650S (20190722) 02.jpg, 2019 Tanto Custom RS (LA650S, pre-facelift)
File:Daihatsu Tanto CUSTOM RS 2WD (5BA-LA650S-GBVZ) front.jpg, 2022 Tanto Custom RS (LA650S, facelift)
File:Daihatsu Tanto CUSTOM RS 2WD (5BA-LA650S-GBVZ) rear.jpg, 2022 Tanto Custom RS (LA650S, facelift)
File:Daihatsu Tanto FunCross Turbo.jpg, 2022 Tanto FunCross Turbo (LA650S)
File:Daihatsu Tanto FunCross Turbo 2WD (5BA-LA650S-GBQZ) rear.jpg, 2022 Tanto FunCross Turbo (LA650S)
File:Subaru CHIFFON G Smart Assist (6BA-LA650F) front.jpg, 2019 Chiffon G SA (LA650F)
File:Subaru CHIFFON CUSTOM R SmartAssist (6BA-LA660F).jpg, 2019 Chiffon Custom R SA 4WD (LA660F, pre-facelift)
File:2022 Subaru Chiffon Custom RS.jpg, 2022 Chiffon Custom RS (LA650F, facelift)
File:Daihatsu Tanto X Turbo 2WD (5BA-LA650S-GBGZ) interior.jpg, Interior

Sales

, the Tanto series had been sold 3 million units, the third model to do so after the Mira and Move.

References

External links

* (Tanto)
* (Tanto FunCross)
* (Chiffon)

{{Subaru vehicles

Tanto
Cars introduced in 2003
2010s cars
2020s cars
Microvans
Front-wheel-drive vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Vehicles with CVT transmission