Daihatsu Mira - L500 Series (1994)

L500 Series (1994)

Production of the L500 Miras started in September 1994. The design of the car was slightly altered throughout but retained a look similar to that of the L200. The L500 Mira was badged outside of Japan primarily as the L501 Cuore. The 200 serie's Mira ceased sales in Japan but continued in some other markets, where it received the same engine updates as did the export market L500.

In the Japanese market the "Mira Moderno", a separate range of cars (non-commercials) was added in October 1995. This range received a minor facelift in May 1996, which was extended to the rest of the range in May 1997. In August 1997 the Mira Classic was added, a retro-look version. The Classic was available with naturally aspirated engines (40 PS/29 kW as a front-wheel drive, 55 PS/40 kW with 4WD) or a turbocharged option with 64 PS (47 kW). The Classic was succeeded by the equally retro-designed Mira Gino which was based on the fifth generation (L700). In January 1998, in cooperation with Sanrio, a "Hello Kitty" version of the Mira Moderno appeared. This was available in pastel colors and received various Hello Kitty details throughout the car, such as a Hello Kitty ignition key.

The L500 was Daihatsu's first kei class vehicle to feature a four-cylinder engine, with the option of the new JB series engine. When equipped with this engine, the model code became L502. The range of models available in the 200 platform more or less carried over to the 500 series. One change was that the export versions received fuel injection as standard, which brought the output of the 847 cc engine up by one, to 42 PS (31 kW). This engine was called the ED-20. The four-speed manual was no longer available, but a four-speed automatic joined the existing three-speed version in the domestic Japanese market. In November 1996 a twin-cam, 12-valve version of the 847 cc three-cylinder was also made available. This, the ED-DE, produced 50 PS (37 kW) at 5,500 rpm.

In Australia the L500 Mira was sold as the Daihatsu Charade Centro. The model remains in production today only in Pakistan, as the Daihatsu Cuore. The L500 has rolled off the assembly line of Toyota Indus Motor Company since 2000, with the 847 cc carburetor engine (ED-10) which has been used in export models since 1986.