All 1,000 units of the Daihatsu Copen 20th Anniversary Edition were sold out in 5 days!

For those pouring out whatever motor oil or blinker fluid for the Honda S660’s demise, there is still one more brand-new kei sports car that is chugging along – the Daihatsu Copen and the nameplate is turning 20 in 2022.

Yes, the Copen name has been going on for two decades now and the current second generation was introduced in 2014. Just like many Daihatsu models, the Copen is also sold as a Toyota with a GR Sport badge.

In commemoration of its 20th anniversary, a special edition model, limited to 1,000 units was recently announced. The 20th-anniversary edition features various emblems, ivory leather seats, a serial number engraved on the scuff plates, a leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel, and special 16-inch BBS wheels.

The overall design is based on the Copen Cero which is inspired by the original Copen. Though prices for the special-edition Copen have not been announced, all 1,000 units have been scooped up in 5 days. While the Copen remains niche, Daihatsu doesn’t see any plans to discontinue the model yet.

Also read: Final edition Honda S660 Modulo X Version Z sold out! The little kei sports car is no more

The Copen is one of the last breeds of kei sports cars which saw their heyday in the early 1990s. By the time the original Copen was launched in June 2002, it was the only one of its kind. Powered by a turbocharged 660-cc inline-4, the Copen was also sold overseas where it was powered by a 1.3-litre naturally-aspirated engine instead.

Also read: Meet the kawaii Kei sports cars of the nineties

Given the Copen’s small size and cute nature, it wasn’t popular outside of Japan but even in kei-loving Japan, the Copen was very much niche. Daihatsu would announce the Copen’s end of production in 2012 with 500 units of the 10th Anniversary Edition as a send-off to the quirky little coupe-cabriolet.

However, its story wasn’t quite over when Daihatsu unveiled the Kopen concept at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. That concept would enter production in 2014, two years after it was discontinued, so the Copen technically did not run for 20 consecutive years.

Unlike the first Copen, the second generation was offered with all kinds of designs including the crossover-inspired Copen XPLay, the aforementioned Copen Cero, and the fashionable Copen Robe. Another unique feature was the second-gen Copen having removable panels for greater personalisation.

Besides the convertible, a limited edition Copen Coupe was also introduced. A 660-cc turbocharged 3-cylinder engine is the only available unit for the second-gen Copen to comply with Japanese kei car regulations. The 3-pot petrol unit is paired with a 5-speed manual or a "7-speed" Super Active Shift CVT.

Though the second-gen Copen is mainly intended for the Land of the Rising Sun, the only other market the tiny Daihatsu sports car was offered was Indonesia. However, expensive prices and limited appeal saw it only sold for a few years in the archipelago.

Also read: The Honda S660 was once nearly launched in Malaysia, so what killed it?

Meanwhile, prices for the standard Copen start from JPY 1,888,700 (~RM 62k), and given the limited nature of the 20th-anniversary edition, it could be more expensive.