Daihatsu Upgrades Mira e:S Mini Car With Better Fuel Economy and Safety
Daihatsu's partially upgraded Mira e:S mini passenger car goes on sale across Japan on August 27, with an approximately 8% fuel-economy improvement and enhanced Smart Assist safety features.
- approximately 8%
- approximately 5%
- 60 km/h to 80 km/h
- 2011
What Happened
Daihatsu Motor Co. has partially upgraded the Mira e:S mini passenger car, with nationwide sales starting Thursday, August 27. The model, launched in 2011, pioneered the 'third eco-car' category in the mini vehicle market, balancing fuel economy, affordability, and resource efficiency. It is the most basic model in Daihatsu's mini passenger car lineup and is widely used for everyday transportation and business use. The upgrade includes a newly developed engine and electronic control unit (ECU), improving fuel economy by approximately 8% for 2WD models and around 5% for 4WD models while also raising maximum output and torque for more responsive acceleration. Safety performance is enhanced with the latest Smart Assist preventive safety system featuring improved collision-avoidance braking and new functions.
- Approximately 8%
- Approximately 5%
Mira e:S launched, creating the 'third eco-car' category
Partially upgraded version goes on sale nationwide in Japan
- New functions: Roadside Departure Warning and Sway Warning
- Collision Warning and Collision-Avoidance Braking now detect bicycles crossing the vehicle's path
- Added detection of oncoming vehicles when turning right and crossing pedestrians when turning left or right
- Maximum pedestrian detection speed raised from 60 km/h to 80 km/h; nighttime detection added
- Erroneous Start Suppression with Brake Control added for front and rear
- Grade lineup streamlined; new X 'Limited' grade adds push-button start, seat heaters, driver's seat lifter, tilt steering, automatic air conditioning, key-free system with immobilizer, request switches, and automatic retractable door mirrors
- Two new colors: Ceramic Green Metallic and Grace Brown Crystal Mica
- Smart Drive Recorder Upgrade Package available as a manufacturer option on all grades; requires a separately sold genuine drive recorder (dealer option)
Why this matters
The Mira e:S is Daihatsu's most basic mini car, widely used for daily commuting and business errands. The partial upgrade makes it more efficient and safer without changing its affordable, resource-efficient positioning. A newly developed engine improves acceleration while the latest Smart Assist adds bicycle and nighttime pedestrian detection, so budget-conscious drivers get closer to modern safety standards.
Terms in This Story
- ECU
- Electronic Control Unit — the computer that manages engine functions and other vehicle systems.
- Smart Assist
- Daihatsu's suite of driver-assistance safety features, including collision-avoidance braking and warnings.
- WLTC
- Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle — an international standard used to measure fuel economy and emissions.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.