Daihatsu Releases a Mini Killer in Europe

Daihatsu has released another of its retro-flavored small cars, this one dubbed the Trevis. The Euro-market city runabout openly apes the front graphic of the original Mini, albeit with a pair of extra doors. The throwback design doesn’t extend as completely into the interior as some other heritage-minded vehicles, but the layout is simple and clean.

The little ‘Hatsu is powered by a 58 horsepower, 1.0-liter DOHC tri-banger, which gets around 49 mpg on Europe’s city/highway combined cycle when hooked up to the standard five-speed manual.

(Click through for more details, images, and the link!)


One might think that economy takes a back seat to performance, but the Trevis’ 0-62 mph time takes 12.2 seconds, more than respectable for a car in its class. Heck, there’s even an available leather-clad MOMO wheel, so even if drivers aren’t going fast, they feel that way.

The appropriately named Trevis Junior starts things off at around $12,700 USD.


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neutral - 8/25/2006 10:11:18 AM

+1 Boost

Once again, asians copying and selling cheaper. Try innovating for once.

BimmerFan - 8/25/2006 1:44:40 PM

+1 Boost

Your title for this article does not make sense. In what way will this 'kill' MINI? Everything about this MINI knockoff says...cheap. I doubt it outperforms MINI in any category other than MPG.

PlanoA4 - 8/25/2006 1:56:02 PM

+1 Boost

Kill it in sales

PlanoA4 - 8/25/2006 4:31:45 PM

0 Boost

1995e34- That is the asian way, I see it and I copy it.

MB3494 - 8/25/2006 6:33:01 PM

+1 Boost

Nothing can kill Mini, Mini will always be unique and get sales no matter what

DarkOneForce - 8/25/2006 7:38:21 PM

+1 Boost

This actually looks like the Maxi, witch was a flop.

wwww - 8/27/2006 4:27:55 PM

+1 Boost

Daihatsu is actually Toyota Owned, they have been known for copying the german small cars. The VW Beetle was the more well known b4 this Japanese version of MiniCooper. It just makes me laugh when I see these cars.

These cars are cheap tho..really cheap around 1/3 or the cost to buy the original beetle or minicooper.

Matthew1 - 8/28/2006 6:03:27 AM

+1 Boost

Wow, even the interior is the same (almost).

those Japanese....

VWPeet - 9/14/2006 8:50:18 AM

+1 Boost

It's retro designed car, with an eyewish to several cars like the first mini, Daihatsu copied never because there are now reasons for that!

VWPeet - 9/14/2006 8:54:23 AM

+1 Boost

I drive a VW Golf, but I been not proud about Volkswagen because the first Beetle is not original Porsche design but stolen/plagiaat from the jew Joseph Ganz in World War2.

The Golf is the answer from Volkswagen to the HOTHATCH Honda Civic.

No VW paid itselfs in the automarket thats a fact, my family who works for long time by this fraude and maffia factory is every item set in the thrunk.

Only simple people does not know what VW is.