Daihatsu Charmant

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Daihatsu Charmant

| image = 1979 Daihatsu Charmant 1400 (49340252342).jpg

| caption = 1979 Daihatsu Charmant 1400 saloon (A20; Europe)

| model_code = A10/20/30/40

| production = 1974–1981

| assembly = Ōyamazaki, Kyoto (Kyoto Plant), Japan

| body_style = {{unbulleted list

| 4-door saloon | 5-door estate/van}}

| related = {{unbulleted list

| Toyota Corolla (E20) | Toyota Sprinter (E20) | Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno (TE27)}}

| engine = {{unbulleted list

| 1166 cc 3K/3K-H/3K-HJ OHV I4 | 1290 cc 4K-U/4K-J OHV I4 | 1407 cc T/T-J OHV I4 | 1588 cc 2T OHV I4{{cite magazine| last = Raikes | first = Myrrine | title = Long-term test: Daihatsu Charmant 1.6LE |magazine=Drive (Magazine of the British Automobile Association)| volume = 95 | pages =36–38 | date = June 1983 }} | 1588 cc 12T-U/12T-J OHV I4}}

| transmission = {{unbulleted list

| 2-speed A20 automatic

| 3-speed A30 automatic

| 4-speed K40/T40 manual

| 5-speed K50/T50 manual}}

| length = {{convert|4005-4110|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|1520-1530|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|1370-1390|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| wheelbase = {{convert|2355|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|790-930|kg|lbs|1|abbr=on}}

}}

First presented in November 1974, the first generation Daihatsu Charmant was based on the E20 Corolla platform.{{cite web|url=https://gazoo.com/catalog/maker/DAIHATSU/CHARMANT/197401/|title=ダイハツ　ダイハツ・シャルマン 1974年1月～1981年1月|language=Japanese|publisher=Gazoo}} 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 {{convert|71|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} and 1.4-litre T engine producing {{convert|86|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}}, both in SAE gross rating.{{Cite magazine | editor = Costa, André & Georges-Michel Fraichard |date=September 1979 | title = Salon 1979: Toutes les Voitures du Monde | issue = 14 & 15 | page = 175 | magazine = l'Auto Journal | location = Paris | language = fr }} 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.{{cite web | url = http://www.daihatsu.com/company/outline/history/1970s.html | title = History - 1970s | publisher = Daihatsu Motor Co. | work = About Daihatsu | access-date = 2013-01-13 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130708053756/http://www.daihatsu.com/company/outline/history/1970s.html | archive-date = 2013-07-08 }} 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 {{cvt|64|PS|kW|0}} and {{cvt|82|PS|kW|0}} SAE gross, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://minkara.carview.co.jp/smart/userid/1955620/blog/44767157/|title=【カタログ】昭和51年　ダイハツ・シャルマン|language=Japanese|date=21 January 2021|website=minkara.carview.co.jp}}

The 1.2- and 1.4-litre engines were replaced by the {{cvt|72|PS|kW|0}} 1.3-litre 4K-U (A30) and the {{cvt|88|PS|kW|0}} 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.{{citation | ref = JAMA25 | title= 自動車ガイドブック | trans-title = Japanese Motor Vehicles Guide Book 1978/1979 | language = ja | volume = 25 | date = 1978-10-10 | publisher = Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association | location = Japan | page = 110 | id = 0053-780025-3400 }} 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 {{cvt|67|PS|kW|0}} and {{cvt|80|PS|kW|0}} respectively. The 1.3- and 1.6-litre engines for the vans arrived in 1979, called 4K-J ({{cvt|69|PS|kW|0|disp=or}}) and 12T-J ({{cvt|86|PS|kW|0|disp=or}}), still with a standard four-speed manual transmission.{{cite web|url=https://museum.qcar-catalog.com/daihat.html|title=昭和モータース ダイハツ シャルマン、コンパーノ、コンソルテ|language=Japanese|website=museum.qcar-catalog.com}} The model codes were changed to A30V and A40V.

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 {{cvt|55|PS|kW|0}} and {{cvt|62|PS|kW|0}} 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 {{cvt|71|PS|kW|0|adj=mid|DIN}}.{{cite web|url=https://autocatalogarchive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Daihatsu-Charmant-1981-INT.pdf|title=Daihatsu Charmant 1600 y 1200 Sedán / Station Wagon|language=Spanish}} 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.{{cite magazine | title = Island - bilrike |trans-title=Iceland: Car Kingdom | language = sv | journal = Teknikens Värld | publisher = Specialtidningsförlaget AB | location = Stockholm, Sweden | page = 9 | date = 1981-11-30 | issue = 20 | volume = 34 | editor-first = George | editor-last = Johansson}} 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)

{{clear}}

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Daihatsu Charmant

| image = 1988 Daihatsu Charmant 1300 LC Altair.jpg

| caption = 1984–1987 Daihatsu Charmant 1300 LC Altair (A35; Netherlands)

| model_code = A35/45/55/60

| manufacturer = Daihatsu

| assembly = {{unbulleted list

|Ōyamazaki, Kyoto (Kyoto Plant), Japan | Sunter Jakarta (Astra Daihatsu Motor), Indonesia | Ipoh, Malaysia}}

| production = 1981–1987

| body_style = 4-door saloon

| related = {{unbulleted list

| Toyota Corolla (E70) | Toyota Sprinter (E70) | Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno (TE71)/AE85/AE86)}}

| engine = {{unbulleted list

| 1290 cc 4K/4K-U/4K-J OHV I4

| 1453 cc 3A-U SOHC I4

| 1587 cc 4A SOHC I4

| 1588 cc 2T/2T-J OHV I4

}}

| transmission = {{unbulleted list

| 3-speed A40 automatic

| 4-speed K40/T40 manual

| 5-speed K50/T50 manual}}

| length = {{convert|4150-4275|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}{{Cite web| url=http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/daihatsucharmant.htm| title = Daihatsu Charmant (pre-facelift) | language = nl | website = storm.oldcarmanualproject.com }}{{Cite web| url=http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/daihatsucharmant1.htm | title = Daihatsu Charmant (facelift) | language = nl | website = storm.oldcarmanualproject.com }}

| width = {{convert|1620-1630|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|1380|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| wheelbase = {{convert|2400|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|860-904|kg|lbs|1|abbr=on}}

}}

File:Daihatsu Charmant rear, Feb 2014.jpg

A new Charmant was launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1981{{cite journal|title=Japon: Daihatsu|journal=Toutes les Voitures du Monde 86/87|year=1986|issue=9|page=249}} with new squarer bodywork that was somewhat outmoded already when being introduced, as was its front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout.{{citation | ref = DaiKi | title = Daihatsu Automobile: Erfahrung für die Zukunft | last = Kießler | first = Bernd-Wilfried | language = de | page = 118 | isbn = 9783517012254 | publisher = Südwest | date = 1992 }} 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 {{convert|1453|cc|L|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}} with {{cvt|83|PS|kW|0}} at 5600 rpm.{{cite book | title = Automobil Revue 1987 | editor-last = Büschi | editor-first = Hans-Ulrich | publisher = Hallwag AG | location = Berne, Switzerland | language = de, fr | pages = 242–243 | volume = 82 | date = March 5, 1987 | isbn = 3-444-00458-3 }} In the export, the 1.6-litre {{convert|1588|cc|L|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}} 2T engine was also available; power outputs ranged from {{cvt|76|to|83|PS|kW|0}} 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.{{cite journal | journal = Autovisie | date = 1983-12-24 | volume = 28 | number = 26 | publisher = Folio Groep B.V. | location = Hilversum, Netherlands | language = nl | title = Autokrant |trans-title=Car Gazette | editor-last = de Jong | editor-first = Nico | page = 15 | ref = krant }} The smaller 1.3-litre engine, of {{convert|1290|cc|L|1|abbr=on|disp=flip}}, produced between {{convert|62|and|74|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} 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".{{Cite web |work=Gazoo.com |title=Great Car Pavilion: '83 Daihatsu Charmant Altair G |url=http://gazoo.com/meishakan/meisha/shousai.asp?R_ID=3020 |publisher=Toyota Motor Corporation |access-date=2011-10-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209033920/http://gazoo.com/meishakan/meisha/shousai.asp?R_ID=3020 |archive-date=2005-02-09 }}

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 {{cvt|82|PS|kW|0|adj=mid|DIN}}. 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).{{ cite web | url = http://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/vehicle_lineage/car/id60003567/index.html | work = 75 years of history: Vehicle lineage | title = 5th Corolla Van | publisher = Toyota}} When the Charmant stopped production, it left Daihatsu without a compact saloon until 1989, when the Applause was introduced.

{{reflist}}

{{Daihatsu}}

{{Daihatsu timeline pre-1980}}

{{Daihatsu timeline}}

Charmant

Category:Cars introduced in 1974

Category:Cars discontinued in 1987

Category:1980s cars

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

Category:Sedans

Category:Saloons

Category:Station wagons

Category:1970s cars