Daihatsu Charade : NO MORE GAMES

Daihatsu Have Gone For The City Car Sectors Jugular With Their Latest Charade. Vanessa Hinkley Comes Away Impressed

I suppose it betrays my age and suburban television habits somewhat, but whenever I see a Daihatsu Charade, I cant help but think of Lionel Blair frantically mugging, gurning and prancing about in Give Us A Clue, the televised charades game of yore. While this may have been a successful formula for cheap television, for many years Daihatsu couldnt buy a clue when it came to cracking the UK cheap car market. Their wares were just too weird, too frumpy and just too Japanese. Their latest range of cars is a good deal more dynamic and the latest Charade looks set to be the most successful to date.

Many have raved over its value proposition, its competitive equipment levels and the fact that it is genuinely good fun to drive. When I first took a good walk around the car I was greeted with an unobtrusively styled city tot that looked very much like a shrunken Honda Jazz. If youre looking to make a definitive fashion statement, the Charade isnt going to appeal, but as a neat, modern city car it looks the part. I certainly wouldnt object.

Recent enhancements include air-conditioning as standard equipment, new interior trim and front seats that have been lengthened by 30 mm for improved support. Also included is the front grille and bumper, while the suspension has been thoroughly revised with a front anti-roll bar and retuned dampers to reduce body roll and sharpen handling. To further improve the Charades strong braking performance, the front discs are now ventilated. Safety features include twin airbags (with side bags on the SL), height adjustable seat belts that feature force limiters and pretensioners, side impact bars and Daihatsus impact-sensing release system.

During a collision, this unlocks the doors, illuminates the interior lights and activates the hazard warning lights. Pedestrian safety hasnt been ignored either, and the engine compartment has been designed to allow it to absorb energy, the windscreen wiper pivots and bonnet hinges both being designed with shock absorbing spaces behind them. The Charade must also be applauded for upholding the tradition of wacky Japanese translations. Its a car that really does go that extra mile to please.

Every time you turn the ignition on, the instrument display reads "HELLO, HAPPY" which brings to mind the film Happy Gilmore which features a golfer prone to fits of irrational violence. When you switch off, the display flashes up "SEE YOU GOODBYE." How sweet. A great deal of thought has gone into making the Charade as user-friendly as possible. The front seat height of 480mm is said to closely match most peoples hip height to ease entry and exit although whether these people were Japanese or British is not clear. The doors open at right angles to the car, making entry and exit easy for those laden down with shopping or those who arent as agile as they once were.

The height adjustable steering wheel and front seatbelts also ensure a comfortable driving position.

Anybody who drove the old sporty Daihatsu Sirion Rally cant fail to have been impressed by the meaty feel of the gearchange, and the Charade adopts the same materials used in the bushings and the same springs to give a similarly substantial feel to the manual shifter. Likewise, the speed-sensitive power steering also offers plenty of feel once the cars rolling, being feather light for parking manoeuvres. The firm feel to the steering and gearbox, the surprising refinement and the abundance of room in the cabin all serve to give the impression that the Charade is operating in a class above its citycar station. The 58 horsepower available can punt the Charade to 60mph in 12 seconds and on to a top speed that knocks on the door of 100mph.

An automatic version is available, but can only really be recommended if you plan to use it as a second urban scoot. Fuel economy is a beneficiary of the low weight/low drag approach. An outstanding fuel return of 58.9mpg makes the Charade amongst the most economical cars its possible to buy in the UK and the 114g/km emissions figure also takes some beating.

Urban handling is very well resolved, especially as power steering is standard across the range. Parking is a cinch though you wonder if you should bother, or just stow the car away in your bag until needed again later!

This is where the Charade really scores. The 3-door model costs a scarcely believable £6,460 and the 5-door only will only command £6,960 of your folding.

At these prices, I expect Id quite happily be able to live with two or three. There arent that many bargains in the UK car market but this is one of them. Buy now before Daihatsu realise theyve committed a howler with their pricing policy.