Daihatsu Charade De Tomaso Turbo

Daihatsu Charade De Tomaso Turbo

The Daihatsu Charade De Tomaso Turbo was one of the most delightfully unlikely performance cars of the late 1980s. A collaboration between Japan's smallest major automaker and Italy's De Tomaso Automobili, the car combined a tiny turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a featherweight body to create a hot hatch that punched far above its weight class.

The partnership with De Tomaso — the legendary Italian manufacturer of the Pantera and Mangusta supercars — came about through a business relationship between the two companies. De Tomaso contributed chassis tuning expertise, styling refinements, and their prestigious name badge. While the fundamental engineering remained Daihatsu's, the Italian influence was evident in the car's remarkably composed handling and aggressive appearance.

The CB-70T engine was a turbocharged and intercooled version of Daihatsu's 1.0-liter three-cylinder, producing 101 horsepower. In a car weighing just 790 kg, this modest power figure translated to genuinely brisk performance. The three-cylinder engine had a distinctive character — a buzzy, enthusiastic quality at high revs that, combined with the turbo's boost surge, created an experience that was fast enough to entertain without being intimidating.

Handling was the Charade De Tomaso's party trick. The combination of extremely low weight, compact dimensions, and De Tomaso's suspension tuning created a car that felt alive on winding roads. Turn-in was razor-sharp, body roll was minimal, and the lightweight construction meant the car changed direction with an immediacy that larger, heavier hot hatches could not match. The limited grip of the narrow tires was easily accessible, allowing drivers to explore the car's limits safely on public roads.

The exterior featured a body kit with integrated front fog lights, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and De Tomaso badges. The alloy wheels were a size larger than standard, and the overall appearance was distinctly sportier than the cooking Charade. Inside, the De Tomaso received sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and special instrumentation including a boost gauge.

The Charade De Tomaso was sold primarily in Japan and selected European and Australian markets. It was never officially imported to the United States, which has contributed to its obscurity in North American enthusiast circles. However, those who have experienced the car invariably describe it in superlatives — the Charade De Tomaso demonstrates that performance driving pleasure has little to do with power figures and everything to do with weight, balance, and the relationship between driver and machine.

Today, surviving Charade De Tomasos are rare and increasingly sought after by collectors who appreciate lightweight, engaging driving experiences. The car occupies a similar cultural niche to the original Fiat Abarth models — a small-capacity, lightweight hot hatch that delivers big driving rewards.