1992 Daihatsu Hijet 4x4 Mini-truck on 2040-cars

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3D-printed car parts are now a real thing

Until now, 3D printing car parts has been somewhat of a homebrew affair. That's changing, as one automaker will soon begin offering custom-printed pieces for vehicle personalization. Daihatsu is pairing with 3D printing company Stratasys and industrial designers from Znug Design to bring customers new body panels for its adorable Copen model. The Copen is a small two-seat roadster-coupe that has swappable body panels from the factory, so changing them for 3D-printed versions should be relatively easy. Although this specific car is not sold in the US, it's easy to see how 3D printing could catch on here for all sorts of vehicle customization. The 3D parts are called "Effect Skins," and there is a reasonably wide variety of different combinations: 15 geometric and organic patterns available in 10 different colors. They are not completely locked down by the manufacturer, either; customer modifications are possible, thanks to the flexibility of 3D printing. Using a more conventional method, manufacturing plastic body parts to customer specifications would take months, but these parts will be available in just a couple of weeks, says Osamu Fujishita from Daihatsu's Brand DNA Office. The parts are being made available for 2017, and they are designed to dress up the Copen's fenders and front and rear bumpers. The panels are printed using Fortus Production 3D Printers with ASA thermoplastic, which resists both knocks and UV damage. The result can be a Daihatsu like no other, and it sure beats going to Pep Boys for stick-on chrome vents. Related Video: News Source: Stratasys via GizmagImage Credit: Stratasys Plants/Manufacturing Daihatsu Technology Emerging Technologies Convertible customization daihatsu copen

Daihatsu's four Tokyo Motor Show concepts bring the Waku Waku

When Suzuki showed off two of its concept reveals for the Tokyo Motor Show, one was a kei car called the Waku Spo. As far as we can tell with Internet translators, that renders the words "box" and "ish," which we'll resolve into the entirely apt descriptive "boxy." Turns out when you double up on the waku, however, you get excitement, which could be how Daihatsu came to name one of its four Tokyo concepts the Waku Waku. The cerulean blue box with the searing orange highlights looks like the result of a kei car mixed with an overlander. Black cladding hunkers over tiny wheels shod in aggressive rubber. The rear windows are replaced by full-length interior panels with a jerry can motif above and attachment points below. The back half of the roof opens onto an additional storage area, and the bumper triples as a step and a platform. What's not to like? Sticking with the two-up names throughout, next comes the Ico Ico, an autonomous shuttle with its own robot assistant named Nippote. At just 58 inches wide, the four seater's designed to navigate especially cramped urban centers. Slide doors, a retractable ramp, and modular seating that can be moved around the cabin make easier access for the disabled. The Tsumu Tsumu is a kei-class goods carrier with a removable cargo box. The renderings show an industrial-strength drone that sits behind glass panels when not in use, and launches from the roof when operational. The artwork shows the foodservice box, the Tsumu Tsumu turned into a tiny food truck. The Wai Wai minivan makes room for two more passengers than the Ico Ico, swallowing six people in three rows of two. Front doors open to nearly 90 degrees, and rear sliding doors run to the back of the second row for better ingress and egress. Twin fabric sunroofs keep prevent a gloomy interior, and all of the seats fold down for when cargo instead of people needs hauling. We don't know what powers the concepts and what other neato tricks they might hide, but we looking forward to finding out when the Tokyo Motor Show opens later this month. Featured Gallery Daihatsu 2019 Tokyo Motor Show Concepts View 26 Photos Tokyo Motor Show Daihatsu Truck Crossover Minivan/Van Commercial Vehicles Concept Cars Off-Road Vehicles

Daihatsu unveils 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon lineup

The Tokyo Auto Salon has been canceled for 2021 because of — you guessed it, COVID-19 — but that hasn't stopped Japan's carmakers from building some wild concepts for the event. First to reveal their lineup is Daihatsu, who brings a five-pack of whimsical kei cars to the party. For driving enthusiasts, perhaps the most compelling is the Copen Spyder Ver. The most notable thing about the standard Daihatsu Copen is the fact it utilizes a spaceframe structure that lets you easily swap out body panels to create different looks and colors for your compact roadster. This look mixes the retro look of the Copen Cero with a speedster-style half-windshield, headrest fairings, and Volk Racing TE37 wheels. However, it's not the only race-themed kei car here. The Hijet Sporza Ver. takes the same speedster concept and applies it to an otherwise mundane delivery van. It receives a chopped roof, half-windshield, and headrest nacelles too. But, Daihatsu also keeps a sense of humor about the van. The kanji on the door says "Laguna Fruits and Vegetables," a reference to Laguna Seca Raceway and the fact that these types of trucks are most often seen on the farms of rural Japan. Overlanding has been the hot topic at recent SEMA shows, so it only makes sense that Daihatsu would capitalize on the trend with a Hijet Jumbo Camper Ver. The retro design is a tribute to the second-generation Hijet, but upgraded with LED lighting, a safari rack, and bed canopy. Who's the boxy SUV that's a hit with all the outdoorsy lifestyle millennials? Taft. Who's the Daihatsu mini-crossover outfitted with rugged off-road tires? The Taft Crossfield Ver., you're damn right. Who's the kei car with a safari rack, light bar, winch and recovery points? You know I'm talkin' about Taft. Apologies to Issac Hayes. Lastly, the Daihatsu Thor Premium Ver. D-Sport is a more traditional custom. Based on the Thor kei car, it gets blingy wheels, a roof spoiler, suspension job, and a snazzy aero kit. It probably doesn't get much in the performance department due to the kei class's horsepower restrictions to 63 horsepower, but its superb space maximization and vaguely VIP-ish look would help you cruise crowded cities in comfort and style. It's not clear when the public will be able to see these cars in person but Daihatsu plans to show them at the Virtual Auto Salon in early January. Featured Gallery Daihatsu Tokyo Auto Salon 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon Daihatsu