Nother CarGuy

Daihatsu is the latest Japanese automaker to reveal its lineup for this year's Tokyo Motor Show, headlined by two completely new concepts to show the way forward for the small-car specialists. The little red job pictured above is called the DN Compagno, reviving the spirit of the Vignale-designed model line Daihatsu produced in the 1960s and powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged engine (though Daihatsu envisions fitting a 1.2-liter hybrid in there just the same). The new concept takes the form of a rakish four-door coupe, with bright metallic trim from the side sills to the roof rails to blend the modern with the classic. Interior space prioritizes the front passengers, but the rear seats get their own doors as well – not unlike the Mazda RX-8, we'd surmise, but with more conventional portals. It's joined by the DN Pro Cargo, which reaches back even further to the 1957 Midget for inspiration and takes the form of a compact commercial van. Looking like someth...

Going back 110 years, Daihatsu is one of the world's oldest manufacturers of internal-combustion engines. But that doesn't mean it can't look towards the future, like it has with these two new concepts. Set to be unveiled at the Indonesia International Auto Show in Jakarta this weekend are the Daihatsu DN Multisix and the DN F-Sedan. The Japanese automaker (now wholly owned by Toyota) has given us very little to go on – just a couple of photos and few details – but the show cars clearly demonstrate a new design language for the brand. The DN Multisix is ostensibly a six-passenger minivan (or MPV as they're often called overseas) with more of a crossover look – but nothing like the Chevy Uplander and Pontiac Montana with which GM tried to make the minivan relevant to sport-ute buyers a decade ago. Meanwhile the DN F-Sedan – somewhat unfortunately named considering the “Did Not Finish” racing connotation – takes the form of a compact sedan with a liftgate (like Sko...