New Look Daihatsu Sirion

Press Release

New Look Daihatsu Sirion

• Fresh exterior look with new headlamps, bonnet and mesh grille
• New fascia and high-quality seat and door trim
• New £8,445 entry-level 1.0 EL automatic (OTR)
• New £8,445 entry-level 1.3 EL manual (OTR)
• New four-wheel drive Sirion '4trak'
• Unbeatable 61.4 mpg from standard 102 PS 1.3 litre models
• New UK-developed 108 PS Rally 2 and Rally 4
• 115 mph top speed and 8.1 second 0-60 mph time for Rally 2

Fresh looks, a new high-quality interior, exciting 'warm-hatch' versions and a four-wheel drive model. Just some of the highlights of Daihatsu's five-door Sirion, which was thoroughly revised in mid-2002. Similar in size to a Renault Clio, Daihatsu's vastly expanded Sirion range offers everything from a new entry-level 1.0 litre EL automatic to UK-developed 1.3 litre Rally 2 and four-wheel drive Rally 4 models with punchy 108 PS powerplants. The mainstream 102 PS 1.3 SL continues with its unbeatable combination of a 112 mph top speed, 0-62 mph time of 9.6 seconds, 61.4 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle and a class-leading CO2 emission figure of 134.1 g/km. However, there is now a high-value Sirion 1.3 EL for only £8,445 on-the-road and a 1.3 '4trak' model for £10,445 (OTR). The Sirion was first introduced in the UK in 1998 as a 1.0 litre only. It was first revised in mid-2000 when 1.3 litre models were added using a similar engine to the Toyota Yaris.

New UK-Developed Rally 2 and Rally 4

Offering an outstanding performance per pound ratio, the new Sirion Rally 2 and Rally 4 are permanent models developed in the UK by Daihatsu's own technical department and Bedfordshire-based Auto Image Limited. Priced at £10,445 and £11,445 (OTR) respectively, the Rally 2 and Rally 4 feature extensive engine, chassis and braking modifications and follow in the tradition of the much-loved Charade GTti. Already boasting a class-leading 102 PS and 88.5 lb ft torque in standard 1.3 litre form, the modified all-alloy four cylinder twin overhead camshaft engine now produces 108 PS at 7,100 rpm and 94.2 lb ft torque at 6,000 rpm. Helped by Dynamic Variable Valve Timing (DVVT), the engine receives a massive boost to mid-range response thanks to a free flow air filter and a new exhaust camshaft giving faster, earlier and more prolonged lift. Top speed is 115 mph for the Rally 2 and 112 mph for the Rally 4 with 0-60 mph times of 8.1 and 8.9 seconds respectively. In addition, the Rally 2 and 4 have virtually identical fuel economy to the standard 1.3 litre models plus tax-busting emission levels. Despite its performance boost, the 108 PS Sirion Rally 2, for example, still gives 55.8 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle compared to 61.4 mpg for the EL/SL. Meanwhile, the four-wheel drive Sirion Rally 4 is actually slightly more economical than the factory-produced 4trak at 54.9 mpg on the Extra Urban Cycle. New, uprated front and rear springs are stiffened by 15 per cent and the ride height reduced by 20 mm for sharper handling. Wheel and tyre size grow to 175/55 R15 on 15x6 ins rims while the wheels themselves are sporty 7-spoke alloys. Brake pads are changed to an uprated competition-type material, which complement the standard anti-lock brakes with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution). So extensive are the modifications that even changing gear is a crisper experience. A new uprated gear selector bush gives a more positive change with a 20 per cent reduction in gear lever movement.

Fresh Exterior, Plush Interior

The latest Sirion features a prominent new mesh grille with a chrome-effect slash across the top and chrome-effect bumper inserts. Similar brightwork is used on the door handles on most models and side rubbing strakes. The distinctive multi-curve headlamps are new, as is the bonnet which has strong swage lines sweeping up from the grille. Stowage space abounds inside with a new fascia boasting a central lidded storage box plus two glove boxes on the passenger side, despite the Sirion's standard twin airbags. Both the fascia and interior plastics benefit from a much higher-quality finish featuring scratch-resistant textures. Soft-touch padded door casings are standard on all models, which also enjoy plush new cloth seat trim with sports seats featuring extra side bolsters on most versions.

Other key model range highlights include:

Sirion 1.0 EL Auto - £8,445 (OTR)

A new model featuring a highly efficient three cylinder 58.5 PS 1.0 litre DVVT engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes twin airbags, power steering, radio/CD player, rev-counter, front and rear electric windows and split-folding rear seat.

Sirion 1.3 EL - £8,445 (OTR)

A new high-value version costing almost £1,000 less than the previous lowest priced 1.3 and offering unrivalled performance and economy. Top speed is 112 mph with a 0-62 mph time of 9.6 seconds yet fuel economy is an outstanding 61.4 mpg Extra Urban. Its CO2 emissions are an equally class-leading 134.1 g/km.

Sirion 1.3 '4trak' - £10,445 (OTR)

Another new derivative with a high specification, which includes air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a radio/CD player, sports front seats, remote central-locking, rear parking sensors and a fast-acting four-wheel drive system. Using a compact viscous-coupling, the '4trak' normally runs 100 per cent front-wheel drive, only providing extra traction at the rear when it is needed such as in wet and slippery conditions. This avoids the usual performance and fuel economy penalties of full-time 4WD, allowing a 109 mph top speed and 10.2 second 0-62 mph time.

Sirion 1.3 F-Speed - £10,445 (OTR)

This popular model has a similar comprehensive equipment list to the £8,495 1.0 Deluxe and £8,995 1.3 SL but with the addition of alloy wheels. The F-Speed uses an advanced automatic transmission with 'Steershift' Formula One-style gear selection buttons on the steering wheel. The 'Steershift' is a convenient and quick-reacting system giving the choice of four forward speeds with fuel-saving 'lock-up' at 2,500 rpm. Should the driver require it, he or she can also use the more conventional floor-mounted gear lever also fitted to every F-Speed. Far from being a sluggish relation to the manual 1.3 EL and SL, the Sirion F-Speed has a 102.5 mph top speed and 0-62 mph time of 11.1 seconds. Fuel economy figures are an impressive 32.8/56.5 and 44.8 mpg on the Urban/Extra Urban and Combined Cycles.

'Green' Favourite

Daihatsu's exhaust emissions are amongst the world's cleanest. For example, the Sirion won the 'Supermini' category for two years running in the Environmental Transport Association's 2000 and 2001 awards. The ETA looks at fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and recyclability. The Sirion was only beaten into second place in the ETA's 2002 'Supermini' class by the two-seater smart.