A dynamic and active open sports 4WD compact car that combines all the fun and adventure of a buggy car with the excitement of a sports car—that’s the D-BONE, a new concept-car proposal from Daihatsu. By the way, the “D” stands for “Dynamic”. And as for the “BONE”-well, please look at the real thing, and you’ll see what it refers to.
The idea behind this car is to become one with nature. The D-BONE promises the exhilarating feel of a dynamic drive with the wind rushing past your ears and sunlight pouring into the cabin. It’s a whole new concept aimed at allowing people to enjoy adventurous driving in a compact car.
Exterior
The bare skeleton design exudes a tough and wild image. It’s a proposal for a new type of open sports car with a rugged appearance reminiscent of a naked bike or a buggy car. Motorcycle-like parts such as separate lamps and cycle fenders are used unsparingly, reinforcing the car’s wild character. The completely novel style pursues the joy of driving and handling a whole new type of extreme sports vehicle.
Interior
A simple structure consisting of circles and straight lines gives the D-BONE a tough and functional image. A metallic surface treatment is provided here and there to contribute to the car’s solid and highquality feel while the water-resistant and sand-proof deck and seats make the D-BONE usable in a variety of rugged scenes. The result is a very high quality and serious toy that is a real joy both to own and to drive.
Engine and mechanism
Featuring a full-time 4WD with a centre differential lock, the D-BONE is capable of manoeuvring under a variety of conditions including in high-speed driving or on rough terrain or slippery road surfaces. When cornering, the centre differential lock prevents the occurrence of the tight-corner braking phenomenon. If one wheel gets stuck in the mud and runs idle, you can simply switch on the centre differential lock to escape from the predicament. Driven by a powerful twin-cam, 3-cylinder,
12-valve turbo engine developing 47 kW/6400 rpm and 107 Nm/3200 rpm and coupled with a lightweight body, the D-BONE allows the driver to enjoy nimble driving in the open air. The engine also reduces the car’s emissions of CO2, which is a major greenhouse gas.
Text and photos courtesy of Daihatsu
