Daihatsu Storia Details, Photos and Videos

The Daihatsu Storia (Japanese: ダイハツ・ストーリア, Daihatsu Sutōria) is a subcompact car which was produced by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu between 1998 and 2004, and was also sold as the Toyota Duet (Japanese: トヨタ・デュエット, Toyota Deyuetto) in Japan. It effectively replaced the similar sized Charade, which was produced alongside it for a year until being discontinued in 1999.

Outside Japan, with the exception of a few countries, the Storia was sold as the first generation Sirion.

The "Storia" name is Italian for "story".

The 1998 Storia/Duet (called Sirion outside Japan) came with two petrol engines (with multi-point fuel injection): a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with 44 kW (59 hp; 60 PS) and a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 64 kW (86 hp; 87 PS) unit. Both were available with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. As of 2001, 1.3 L models have 76 kW (102 hp; 103 PS) engines capable of accelerating from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 9.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 179 km/h (111 mph). This engine has an average fuel consumption of 21.1 km/L (60 mpg‑imp; 50 mpg‑US) and the 1.0 L models averaging 21.85 km/L (61.7 mpg‑imp; 51.4 mpg‑US).

There are two Rally versions of the Storia/Duet: Rally 2 and Rally 4; the latter being the four-wheel drive version. The Rally models have a slightly increased engine output of 81 kW (109 hp; 110 PS) and has a 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) time of 8.1 seconds (8.9 seconds for Rally 4) and reaching a top speed of 185 km/h (115 mph), giving it "hot hatch" credibility. The 4Track (or just 4WD outside Japan) is a four-wheel drive version of the standard 1.3. The F-Speed is an automatic model which can be switched using a dashboard button to use push button sequential gear change on the steering wheel (the name "F-Speed" apparently being a suggested link to Formula-1 style wheel based gear changers). A version called the Storia X4 was released for racing in Japan. This model has 4WD layout with front and rear limited-slip differentials and is powered by a JC-DET 713 cc engine producing 88 kW (118 hp; 120 PS).

The Storia/Duet was restyled in 2000 with most changes to the front of the car, most notably the grille design. From the A-posts rearward, the design remained almost identical. The dashboard was also extensively redesigned with innovative use made of storage space and a more luxurious appearance.

The Australian market only had the 1.0-litre model up until early 2001, when the sporty 1.3-litre model, known as the GTvi, was added to the lineup. At the time, the GTvi had the most powerful naturally aspirated engine available in its class, developing 75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS) at 7,500 rpm. This version was also known as the Toyota Duet.

In Australia, a sequential transmission option was made available in the GTvi version only from 2002. This was an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with sequential mode activated by a dashboard switch, then gear selection by buttons on the steering wheel.

In December 2001, the Storia/Duet was restyled; the front grille and bumper were changed for a sportier appearance and in some markets the silver accents on the sides were removed (retained for the sporty GTvi model in Australia). The dash and interior were redesigned, incorporating more storage spaces, easier to use controls and higher quality trim. This edition was exported to Europe and Australia as the Sirion in 2002.

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