The Daihatsu Naked was a kei car built from 1999 to 2003. It was shown as a concept at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, with ridges in the doors and exposed hinges and bolts intended to make it look rugged and simple, in the manner of military vehicles. The production car followed in 1999 and was built 91,549 times.
Daihatsu Naked at a glance
| Maker | Daihatsu, Japan |
|---|---|
| Production | 1999–2003 |
| Class | kei car |
| Engine | 658 cc petrol |
| Induction | naturally aspirated or turbocharged |
| Drive | front- or four-wheel drive |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual or four-speed automatic |
| Styling | exposed hinges, grooved door panels |
| Rear seat | easily removable |
| Built | 91,549 |
| Sold from stock | until April 2004 |
Based on one source.
History of the Daihatsu Naked
Rugged looks on a small car
The Naked was first presented as a concept at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, and the production-ready model was shown there in 1999. Its styling included ridges in the doors and exposed hinges and bolts, designed to make the car appear rugged and simple in the vein of military vehicles. Inside, the plastic mouldings resembled the fabric of the original Fiat Panda’s dashboard. The rear seat was designed to be easily removed, and the rear of the car had a number of attachment points for straps and hooks. The Naked was an early example of off-road styling cues being used on a road car, an idea later taken up by the Rover Streetwise, Citroën C3 XTR and Volkswagen CrossPolo.
Engines and updates
The car used a 658 cc petrol engine, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, with front- or four-wheel drive. A five-speed manual was available, but the overwhelming majority of cars had the four-speed automatic. In January 2002 a column-shifted automatic was added, a layout that allowed the front seats to be replaced by a full bench. The first revision came at the end of May 2000 with the S Edition, based on the Naked G Package but adding a double-DIN CD and radio, front speakers, power-folding mirrors, inner A-pillar garnish and full wheel covers for a minimal price increase. In July 2000 seat belt pretensioners became standard, and in October a start-stop system and power retractable mirrors were fitted.
A minor change in January 2002 brought larger wrap-around tail lights and, for the better equipped Naked G, a new mesh grille. The original car had round, recessed headlights; a special version called the Naked F was shown at the same time with flush-fitted rectangular headlights, a full-width grille and lower suspension, in keeping with its less off-road character. Production ended in November 2003, although cars were still sold from stock until April 2004.
Design and features
- Military-inspired styling: exposed hinges, bolts and grooved door panels.
- Practical rear: a removable rear seat and strap attachment points.
- Start-stop system: fitted from October 2000.
- Automatic by default: most cars were sold with the four-speed automatic.
Daihatsu Naked versions
- Naked (1999–2003): the standard car with round recessed headlights.
- S Edition (2000): extra equipment for a small price increase.
- Naked G: the better equipped model, with a mesh grille from 2002.
- Column-shift automatic (2002): with a front bench seat.
- Naked F (2002): rectangular headlights and lower suspension.
The Naked was a kei car companion to the Move and the Mira, with styling borrowed from off-roaders. More cars are in the Daihatsu collection.
Sources
- Daihatsu Naked, English Wikipedia: styling, engines, updates, production
