Daihatsu Charade

Daihatsu Charade G11

With the next generation of vehicles fast approaching, Daihatsu introduced their all-new G100 Daihatsu Charade during 1987. Wider, longer and taller than the G11, this car lost a lot of the previous car's 'skateboard' feel. On the other hand, it was much more refined - largely due to its independent rear suspension.

At the time of its low-key 1987 release, the turbocharged G100 Daihatsu Charade was thrown into a market where engines had advanced massively; multi-valves, double overhead cams, intercoolers and multi-point EFI were now the custom. The poor G100 Turbo - which was still using the 1-litre G11 carby turbo engine in its heavier body - simply couldn't compete. With its 50kW output, the G100 model struggled to overcome its 60-odd kilograms of extra weight and taller final drive ratio (4.642 down to 4.5:1); 0 - 100 km/h now took 12.1 - 12.9 seconds and the quarter mile stretched out to 18.3 - 18.5.

Without doubt, the Daihatsu Charade Turbo's sparkle had all but gone.

Just like the original 1984 Daihatsu Charade Turbo, the body of the G100 Turbo was barely distinguishable from the NA car. Only a couple of turbo stickers made their way on, along with a front bumper extension and 13-inch alloys (14-inch alloys were optional). Overall, it was a much less of 'lout' car, with the interior also adopting a neutral grey-on-grey colour scheme. Instrumentation, as before, received a tacho, speedo and a boost light. Air-con remained as an option.

Under the skin, the G100 moved up to MacPherson struts all 'round - its dual-link IRS improving the ride quality dramatically. Swaybars also continued to be fitted to the turbo model front and rear. Out on the blacktop, the G100 Daihatsu Charade Turbo's handling maintained the typical FWD bias of mild understeer when pushed. Braking performance remained average with just drums fitted at the rear.

Up against cars like the AWD Ford TX3 Turbo, the turbocharged G100 understandably sold very poorly and for only a short time in Australia. Unfortunately - despite lending a trial example to the contemporary motoring press - Daihatsu decided not to pursue the option of importing the stove-hot Japanese-market GT-ti Daihatsu Charade. The GT-ti model sported a twin-cam, 12 valve, EFI version of the original carby turbo engine, called the CB70. Factory equipped with a much larger RHB5 turbocharger and an air-to-air intercooler, this powerhouse generated an awesome 74kW at 6500 rpm along with 130Nm at 3500.

So - without the performance derived from this updated Japanese-market engine - the Daihatsu Charade Turbo quietly died off in the Australian market. Such a tiny turbocharged car has not been released here ever since.