Daihatsu Naked
Today's topic of interest is one of those fascinating little kei cars found in the Japanese home market. A kei car cannot exceed certain exterior dimensions, and is limited to a 660cc motor of no more than 64 HP. A car which observes these limitations is easier to register under Japanese law and qualifies for favorable tax and insurance treatment.
Our subject was produced by Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu from 2000 to 2004, and is a variation on the 5th-generation Mira 5-door hatchback. It has a squared-off shape, and the many "industrial" details like the chiseled character lines on the doors, the "bolt heads" on the bumper and nosepiece, and the exposed door hinges, give it a "techno" or "futuristic" feeling. If they'd had four-passenger economy cars in Blade Runner, they might've looked like this little fella.
The name of this delightful little car? We'll get to that in a minute.
Japanese consumer products, including automobiles, quite often have English names (or at least names that sound "Western") rather than Japanese. As one leading authority on the phenomenon explains:
"English is used as a design element in Japanese products and advertising to give them a modern look and feel (or just to “look cool”). . . . Quite often it is easier to come up with English names than Japanese for a particular product. New products are brought to the marketplace in Japan more than anywhere else in the world and Japanese words and slogans quickly get used up. Japanese graphic designers will often tell you that English is widespread because the Japanese writing script (or scripts) limits their creativity - there are only so many ways to display their language, and only so many different types of fonts to use."
Since the English language is used as a design element, rather than as an attempt to communicate with English-speaking people, there is sometimes a lack of attention to spelling, grammar, and idiom, and hilarity ensues. In the Japanese automotive world, this practice has led to such curiosities as the Toyota Carina "EXCITING VERSION" and the mid-engined Honda Beat roadster which is badged as the "TYPE R MIDSHIP AMUSEMENT." (The same thing happens in reverse--the Chinese and Japanese get a good laugh out of the mis-use of their written characters by Westerners in product labels, magazine graphics, and tattoos.)
The previous examples, however, pale in comparison to the name of today's featured vehicle.
This cute little car is the Daihatsu NAKED.
I am not making this up.
Notice the name badge on the hatch in the photo above. "NAKED" is indeed the name of the car, and that's the bare facts. (Groan!) The "Naked truth," as it were. (Double groan!) No cover-up here. (Stop with the puns already!) Just what possessed Daihatsu to give this car that name has never been adequately explained, at least not in any English-language source I was able to find.
The Naked is a fairly typical kei car, 133.6 inches long overall, on a 92.9 inch wheelbase. It has a fuel-injected 3-cylinder engine, and can be had with all-wheel drive. Like most kei cars, it is a miracle of space efficiency, as demonstrated by a couple of rubbery CGI cartoon characters in this commercial:
There appears (from the looks of this Japanese-language website, and this one) to be a community of Naked enthusiasts in Japan (meaning "enthusiasts for the Daihatsu Naked," not "people who drive around Japan naked") who get a kick out of customizing and modifying their Daihatsus. As with other kei cars we've covered in this space, there are aftermarket turbo kits and other upgrades which can turn a humble stark Naked--oops, I mean stock Naked--into a customized high-performance streak--er, I mean street--machine. For instance, check out this video walk-around of a customized Naked:
I'll leave you with another commercial, which features American-born champion Sumo wrestler "KONISHIKI" pitching a Naked with the "Memorial Edition" sound system--note the English name--using a fishing pole and a soundtrack from a child's music box:
I don't speak Japanese, so I don't know whose memory the sound system is dedicated to, or what the fishing pole has to do with anything. If anyone out there in reader-land can explain, please leave a comment below.
The photo of the white Naked at the top of this article came from Wikimedia Commons. The other photos are from a Japanese-language website captioned (in English) "fun to (drive) DAIHATSU NAKED!" And with that, the subject is clothed . . . uh, sorry, I meant closed.
--Cookie the Dog's Owner
That Car Guy on December 10, 2008 at 09:13 AM
One of the best broadcast television cameras made is the Ikegami HL-55. HL stands for "Handy Lookie", which means you can Hand-hold and Look through it. Unlike the Naked commercial, they haven't come up with a Memorial eDition (sic) of the camera yet.
I hope we see more vehicles like this one in the good ole USA. They surely are inexpensive. Maybe they can even be made here. Note to The Big Three: *ARE YOU LISTENING?*
Nice, refreshing article, Cookie!
djkenny on December 10, 2008 at 10:07 AM
These are the types of cars "I" would want. But Americans became so obsesses with monster sport utilities and think the new Honda Civic is a small car (which is is FAR from this generation).
How would the U.S. customer respond to a tiny car?
Oh wait...they are buying Smarts. Cars that get merely 40 mpg and have no back seat.
Maybe we are ready to get Naked?
Here is my dream car: The Bedford Bambi http://www.bedfordrascal.com/bambi.html
over 30 mpg with room to sleep, cook, and a sink. Little piece of heaven for this minimalist...I wonder if I could drop a Turbo Sprint engine in something like this?
...m... on December 10, 2008 at 10:46 AM
...i like!..
Shawn on December 10, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Looks like the modern kei-car interpretation of the VW Thing. The door shape is identical and many of the same concepts of exposed bits and character lines appear. And imagine if you owned both! You could ask yourself every morning if you want to drive Naked or play with your Thing!
Smoke_Jaguar4 on December 10, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Does it feature optional naughahyde seats for oriental nudists?
More seriously, if they could get an extra cylinder or punch-up the engine to 1 whole liter, these would seriously sell here.
Mochi Mochi on December 10, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I WANT THIS CAR! Right up my alley. Stripped down and really fun. Nice lines - so cute. Exposed hinges, bolts, everything, and that is one great "walk around"... it shows off the ridiculous hood scoop (completely appropriate on this car), the turbo and intercooler, and the important fact that this car is equipped with "Magical Gear". I don't know about you but i want magical gear in my next car.
i wonder if i can get that honda beat mid-engine roadster with magical gear. no worries - i want that car too. By the way, i got a chance to meet Konishiki earlier this year at a sumo match. He's a big big guy.
V8Dan on December 11, 2008 at 06:39 AM
I'm not sure American car manufactures would be averse to designing/building a kei car, as long as they know (or should know by now) that for every 1,000 people that tell them they'd buy something, one might actually do it. People lie to marketers.
Also, would something this small even meet the myriad of legislative laws and safety standards? Add in that a lot of people expect/demand creature comforts; automatic transmissions, air conditioning, power windows, power & heated side mirrors/anti-lock brakes, 200 way adjustable seats, navigation systems, blah, blah, blah, and the weight and price of this thing would zoom right up there.
I'm not saying it can't be done, but we're pretty spoiled when it comes to our cars so building it not the problems, meeting customer demands, laws, etc., (and turning a profit) might be. I won’t even go into the “I won’t even go into the “I won’t buy it cause it’s a girl car” syndrome. Building cars is easy, compared to having to figure out the human psyche in the process.
In addition, can you see yourself contently driving along in a micro machine with a semi in front of you, and a huge SUV tailgating your bumper... I’ve done it, feeling safe while it’s happening doesn’t spring to mind, plus would you want your children with you… Nevertheless, it may come to us all driving TaTa http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/15/tata-to-enter-two-vehicles-in-automotive-x-prize/ size cars someday, but how long will it take before the majority of car buyers feel comfortable buying/driving one in our society?
John Bono on December 11, 2008 at 06:40 AM
It looks sort of like a suzuki samarai with a low-rider package.
Jim Bob on December 11, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I happen to like Kei cars, but the thought of driving one in a world of oblivious morons in large SUV's and trucks scares me. I used to have a 1995 Nissan Sentra, and I almost got driven over top of MANY times by people in 1 ton trucks, SUV's, etc. who thought that because they were in a large vehicle, they did not need to pay attention to anyone else. Either that, or they could not see me. Whatever the reason, the outcome would have been bad if I was inattentive (as I was the moment the SUV pulled out in front of me while I was going 50). I have no problem with large vehicles, but the people who drive them should be required to get a stricter class of license.
John B on December 11, 2008 at 03:34 PM
I'd like one. The Mini has shown that a well designed small car, one that promises a but of fun while being frugal, can be a hit.
Mak esmall cars fun to drive, fun to look at, and in the case of the Naked...fun to pronounce!
Jim Bob...your points on SUVs are well taken, but I've been scared more times by idiot kids in loud Hondas than I have by "morons" in SUVs. I'll take a soccer mom in a Suburban any day over a kid street racing in an Asian compact with a coffee can exhaust!
Mochi Mochi on December 11, 2008 at 04:38 PM
a suzuki samarai with a low-rider package would be really cool
djkenny on December 11, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Just hope we have regulations that will not allow SUV's in or near urban areas (someday). I think France is ahead on the responsible curve with that law.
Besides I live in a city where we are really moving toward having more car free, pedestrian friendly and bike related districts and city areas. I can only cross my fingers that the only people that can and will find the monsters worth getting for some kind of a hi pollution and weight tax of some sort will be small and the appeal to these large vehicles will fall as a result.
I would totally drive a car like this with my kids. I hate living in fear. Usually the ones that get hung up on "oh no...that is sooooo unsafe because you could get hit by a big car!"...well, they are also the ones that "drive" big cars...there-bye endangering the people in the smaller cars. It is a vicious cycle that some of us just need to go against the grain a little to curve.
I prefer to have an extended bike and take the kids into nature, get exercise, and live more carbon neutral, take part in building community. It is a much better lesson than "drive the biggest you can afford, every man for himself". Yick.
I am to one of them. Never will be. Being a tool to society's poor choices is not on the agenda. On the occasion that it makes sense (to drive) we will drive sensible sized, less excessive vehicles. Many people in other countries do the same and there is no reason more Americans cannot follow suit.
Jim Bob on December 11, 2008 at 09:57 PM
My, djkenny, what a horrible dystopian hell you have planned for our future! I want people to be able to drive whatever they want, when and wherever they want. If some aging hippie wants to drive a smoky VW bus or (worse!) a hideous electric car, they should be free to do so. Likewise, if I want to drive a car with a large engine and no pollution controls, that should be my right. I should not be forced at gunpoint to live the life you want me to live. I should be able to live the life I wish to. You and your ilk have no right to take my life away from me, and a life without cars and internal combustion, is not worth living.
djkenny on December 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Not saying people cannot and shouldnt drive what they like...just stay in Texas. LOL...kidding. Everyone has a right to take whatever direction they chose. However...I cannot say that is is all that mind full,
djkenny on December 11, 2008 at 11:01 PM
I love Suzuki Samurais. You can floor them all day and not get a ticket to!
Rob the SVX guy on December 11, 2008 at 11:43 PM
We've already covered SUVs, but my wife really wanted an original mini cooper. I like them also, and was considering getting one from Canada, the prices is right, performance is great, etc.... but the thought of even a minor accident with an SUV made me say no. Oh well. Personally I think the world would be a better place if [deleted]. But I'm kind of a jerk like that.
That Car Guy on December 12, 2008 at 07:50 AM
[deleted, off-topic, political]
Jim Bob on December 12, 2008 at 11:30 AM
GM successfully imports small cars from Europe? Really? I can't think of any that they sell here save the Saturn/Vauxhall/Opel Astra, and the Saturn Aura ( Vauxhall Vectra?). Neither of these sells well. When they brought the Opel Omega in the first time (Cadillac Catera), it too was a flop. I will also add that none of them were especially fuel efficient. You also have to remember that comparing British fuel economy ratings to ours is not an apples to apples comparison as they rate their cars in Imperial Gallons, which are larger than US gallons (Around 15-20% larger, I am too lazy to look up the actual figure). So, their figures look better.
As for me, I drive a combination of cars, 2 of them V8's which I reworked for both fuel efficiency and performance. There is nothing like tripling the horsepower of a car, taking 16 seconds off the 0-60 time (stock:22 seconds) and GAINING 2-3mpg-city. My daily driver is a Japanese 4 cylinder and sees 30-40k miles a year. However, I don't want a bunch of [deleted, off-topic, political]
djkenny on December 12, 2008 at 11:40 AM
[deleted, off-topic, political]
That Car Guy on December 12, 2008 at 12:00 PM
[deleted, off-topic, political]
That Car Guy on December 12, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Jim Bob, in addition to cars imported from Europe, have you ever heard of Japan? GM has rebadged so many Asian (Including Korean) cars, that it would take days to research all of them. Would there be a Saturn today if not for Europe? The imports are keeping Saturn dealers' doors open right now. Do you remember when Opel was a very successful subsidiary of Buick? Not to mention... Saab? The poor lowly Chevette has European origins, though first produced in Brazil, and was America's best selling car for two years. Then there was Geo.
Also, please look at the architecture for the new Malibu. It's an Opel as well. Oh yeah, the Aussies are shipping us some nice cars. But the bottom line is that GM has never, nor shows any sign of, building a successful small car here (They are betting their future on the 40-mile-range Volt?). And that's why they need to go, at least as they exist today.
[deleted, too close to political - Chris is being heavy-handed again]
Ford's saving grace is the cars about to be shipped here From Europe like the Fiesta and Euro Focus, and hopefully the Mondeo. They brought the Capri here in the 70s (OK, let's not mention the Festiva LOL) and the first Fiesta around 1978.
Where's good old American ingenuity when we need it the most?
Chris Hafner on December 12, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Okay, let's all cool down a bit before we doom everybody in suburbia to death (which would be unfortunate, a lot of my family lives there) decide what other people should or should not be doing, saying, or driving, or determining what America's role in energy usage is, should be, or anything along that line.
I may have gone a little overboard with the deletions, but I'd rather err on the side pruning than letting us degenerate any more than we naturally are (which as Car Lust readers, is pretty degenerate by definition).
We've had so little content lately that we're probably all getting a little stir-crazy. My apologies on that, folks. I'm currently in the process of getting mowed down by Amazon Christmas rush, but I'll try to keep the posts coming a little more frequently.
Code of conduct:
http://www.carlustblog.com/2008/04/code-of-conduct.html
Mochi Mochi on December 12, 2008 at 04:12 PM
the throw-down formula i proposed a few months back seems to actually work... the formula stated that comments which contained reference to carbon, SUVs, and something else would result in a thrown-down and/or lock down.
i'm glad suburbia is safe again. i was getting worried there. i know one or two people who live on the outskirts of metropolitan areas, and i'd miss them if anything unfortunate happened to them.
back to the car at hand. look how diminutive it is next to that small sedan! it's like a puppy. think happy thoughts about puppies and bunnies:)
Mochi Mochi on December 12, 2008 at 04:18 PM
to quote myself : "Will the dreaded combination of MiniVan, SUV, Hybrid, and "Smugness" produce a conflagration capable of melting blog-space worldwide?" thanks Chris for keeping us and the rest of the blog-o-sphere safe for yet another day.
Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame on December 12, 2008 at 05:56 PM
You know, I really like cars. Hmmm, maybe it would be more accurate to say I like vehicles of all types. Including aircraft.
But not boats.