DAIHATSU AT THE 1999 LONDON MOTOR SHOW: preview

With small cars booming in the UK, Daihatsu - the world�s leading small car specialist is on track for a third record sales year in a row. And at this year�s London Motor Show Daihatsu will unveil another new small car - the Cuore Custom. The model is on show to gauge public reaction to this sporty version of Daihatsu�s popular Cuore.

The full Daihatsu model range, including Britain�s most fuel-efficient petrol-engined car, the Cuore, the value-for-money Sirion, Grand Move and Terios 4wd ranges, and the recently launched Hijet LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) dual fuel microvan will all be at the show as well as the winning car from this year�s Daihatsu Rally Challenge.

Cuore Custom
Mechanically the same as a standard Cuore with the lowest CO₂ emissions of any petrol-engined car in Britain as well as up to 61mpg the Custom brings a dash of style and a sporty feel into the city car sector with a whole host of factory fitted accessories. Alloy wheels, air conditioning, rear spoiler, front fog lights, larger aerodynamic bumpers and sports trim interior are only some of the extras likely to appeal to a younger Daihatsu buyer.

On show at Earls Court in order to gauge the public�s reaction to the model, the Custom could well become a top of the range derivative of the Cuore in the UK.

Hijet LPG
The Daihatsu Hijet LPG is a dual fuel (LPG and petrol) version of the UK�s favourite microvan winner of What Van? magazine�s Best Microvan Award seven years in a row (1993 - 1999). Launched this year in June, the Hijet LPG has already attracted a great deal of interest, especially from local authorities looking to �clean-up� their fleet while combining versatility with unbeatable load carrying ability.

As well as helping the environment, the Hijet makes economic sense with the government�s Powershift scheme offering 75% money back on the model�s price premium (�1,000 more than the standard Hijet), and LPG fuel costing less than half the price of petrol or diesel.

1999 Daihatsu Rally Challenge winning car
Also on display will be the turbocharged 660cc Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato that won this year�s Daihatsu Rally Challenge. Entered by dealer Davies Daihatsu of Llanybydder, driven by 38-year old agricultural contractor Eynon Price, and co-driven by last year�s winning navigator Joanne Lockwood, this car won four of the seven events in the 1999 series.

Daihatsu (UK) has recently announced that the Daihatsu Rally Challenge will be continuing in 2000 for its third year, with extra stage mileage and increased marketing support.

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