Daihatsu Fellow

Daihatsu Fellow: which version to buy and why

If you are choosing a Daihatsu Fellow, the split is simple: the 1 generation (1966–1970) Sedan 2-doors is the RWD car with a Front, longitudinal engine and three 0.4 MT tunes of 23 hp, 26 hp, and 32 hp; the 2 generation (1970–1976) Coupe is the FWD car with a Front, transverse engine and nine 0.4 MT tunes of 31 hp, 33 hp, 37 hp, and 40 hp at three kerb weights.

If you are choosing a Daihatsu Fellow, the split is simple: the 1 generation (1966–1970) Sedan 2-doors is the RWD car with a Front, longitudinal engine and three 0.4 MT tunes of 23 hp, 26 hp, and 32 hp; the 2 generation (1970–1976) Coupe is the FWD car with a Front, transverse engine and nine 0.4 MT tunes of 31 hp, 33 hp, 37 hp, and 40 hp at three kerb weights. Every version in the catalogue is named 0.4 MT, so the buying decision is not the badge — it is horsepower, kerb weight, drive layout, and top speed. Displacement is 356 cm³ on every Fellow; fuel type is Gasoline; cylinders are 2, Inline; boost is No; gearbox is Manual, 4 gears; brakes are Drum front and Drum rear; 0–100 km/h is not measured; city, highway, and combined consumption are not measured.

Generations: what actually changed when you move from 1 generation to 2 generation

The 1 generation Daihatsu Fellow (1966–1970) is a Sedan 2-doors with three 0.4 MT versions. The engine sits Front, longitudinal and drives the rear wheels (RWD). Front suspension is Independent, spring; rear is Dependent, spring. Ground clearance is not measured. Gross weight is measured: 735 kg on all three versions. Top speed is 100 km/h, 110 km/h, or 115 km/h depending on the tune.

The 2 generation Daihatsu Fellow (1970–1976) is a Coupe with nine 0.4 MT versions. The engine moves to Front, transverse and drive becomes FWD. Both axles are Independent, spring. Ground clearance is 170 mm on every Coupe. Gross weight is not measured. Top speed is 115 km/h on the 31 hp and 33 hp cars and 120 km/h on the 37 hp and 40 hp cars.

Arithmetic on the given numbers: peak power rises from 23 hp (lowest 1 generation 0.4 MT) to 40 hp (highest 2 generation 0.4 MT) — +17 hp, or +74%. Peak torque rises from 34 Nm to 40 Nm — +6 Nm. Top speed rises from 100 km/h to 120 km/h — +20 km/h. Lightest kerb weight falls from 495 kg (1 generation 0.4 MT 26 hp and 32 hp) to 460 kg (2 generation 0.4 MT 33 hp) — −35 kg. Heaviest kerb weight is 515 kg on the 1 generation 0.4 MT 23 hp; the heaviest 2 generation 0.4 MT is 510 kg at 31 hp. The extra generation does not buy a larger engine: 356 cm³, 62 × 59 bore × stroke, Carburetor, and 2 Inline cylinders are unchanged. What it buys is layout (RWD Front, longitudinal → FWD Front, transverse), rear suspension (Dependent, spring → Independent, spring), a measured 170 mm clearance, and four higher power steps.

Specs: every 0.4 MT, distinguished by power and weight

All twelve Daihatsu Fellow versions share the name 0.4 MT. Use horsepower and kerb weight as the keys.

1 generation, Sedan 2-doors, RWD, Front, longitudinal

2 generation, Coupe, FWD, Front, transverse

Valves per cylinder: not measured on every version. Wheel sizes: not measured. CO2: not measured. Eco class: not measured.

Engine: power per litre and what each tune actually adds

Displacement is 356 cm³ everywhere, so specific output is power ÷ 0.356:

• 0.4 MT 23 hp (1 generation): 64.6 hp/L
• 0.4 MT 26 hp (1 generation): 73.0 hp/L
• 0.4 MT 32 hp (1 generation): 89.9 hp/L
• 0.4 MT 31 hp (2 generation): 87.1 hp/L
• 0.4 MT 33 hp (2 generation): 92.7 hp/L
• 0.4 MT 37 hp (2 generation): 103.9 hp/L
• 0.4 MT 40 hp (2 generation): 112.4 hp/L

The 1 generation 0.4 MT 32 hp already beats the 2 generation 0.4 MT 31 hp on specific output (89.9 vs 87.1 hp/L) and on peak power (32 vs 31 hp). The Coupe’s real engine step is from 33 hp upward.

Inside the 1 generation, going from 0.4 MT 23 hp to 0.4 MT 26 hp adds +3 hp and +10 km/h top speed (100 → 110) at the same 34 Nm and the same compression 9; kerb weight drops 20 kg (515 → 495). Going from 0.4 MT 26 hp to 0.4 MT 32 hp adds +6 hp, +3 Nm (34 → 37), compression 9 → 10.6, and +5 km/h (110 → 115). Fuel grade is 76 on the 23 hp and 26 hp cars and not measured on the 32 hp car.

Inside the 2 generation, the four power steps sit on the same 356 cm³ Gasoline Carburetor engine with boost No:

• 31 hp @ 6000 rpm, 36 Nm @ 5000, compression 9, 115 km/h
• 33 hp @ 6500 rpm, 36 Nm @ 5500, compression 10, 115 km/h — +2 hp, same torque, +5 compression tenths, same top speed
• 37 hp @ 6500 rpm, 40 Nm @ 6000, compression 9, 120 km/h — +6 hp vs 31 hp, +4 Nm, +5 km/h; compression is back to 9, so the extra speed is not from a higher CR
• 40 hp @ 7200 rpm, 40 Nm @ 6500, compression 11, 120 km/h — +9 hp vs 31 hp, +4 Nm, same 120 km/h as the 37 hp car; the extra 3 hp over 37 hp does not raise the measured top speed

Fuel is 76 on all nine Coupe versions.

Performance, mpg, reliability of the numbers

0–100 km/h is not measured on any Daihatsu Fellow. Combined, city, and highway consumption (mpg) are not measured. You cannot rank versions by fuel use from this catalogue.

What is measured is top speed:

• Slowest: 1 generation 0.4 MT 23 hp — 100 km/h
• 1 generation 0.4 MT 26 hp — 110 km/h
• 1 generation 0.4 MT 32 hp and every 2 generation 0.4 MT 31 hp and 33 hp — 115 km/h
• Fastest: 2 generation 0.4 MT 37 hp and 0.4 MT 40 hp — 120 km/h

The jump from the weakest sedan to the strongest coupe is +20 km/h. The jump from a 2 generation 0.4 MT 33 hp to a 0.4 MT 37 hp is +5 km/h. Choosing 40 hp over 37 hp does not buy more measured top speed.

Problems and reliability in the sense of failure rates are not measured. The hardware that is measured and does not change with tune: Drum / Drum brakes; Manual 4; Carburetor; boost No. The hardware that does change with generation: drive RWD vs FWD; engine Front, longitudinal vs Front, transverse; rear suspension Dependent, spring vs Independent, spring.

Dimensions and weight: kg per horsepower

Gross weight is 735 kg only on the 1 generation. Payload on that generation is 735 − 515 = 220 kg on the 0.4 MT 23 hp and 735 − 495 = 240 kg on the 0.4 MT 26 hp and 0.4 MT 32 hp. On the 2 generation, gross weight is not measured, so payload is not measured. Tank is 25 L except the 2 generation 0.4 MT 31 hp at 510 kg, which has 26 L — +1 L. Ground clearance is 170 mm on every Coupe and not measured on every Sedan 2-doors. Wheel sizes are not measured.

Kerb weight per horsepower (kg/hp), lower is more power for the mass:

1 generation

• 0.4 MT 23 hp, 515 kg: 22.4 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 26 hp, 495 kg: 19.0 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 32 hp, 495 kg: 15.5 kg/hp

2 generation

• 0.4 MT 31 hp, 510 kg: 16.5 kg/hp (worst Coupe)
• 0.4 MT 31 hp, 495 kg: 16.0 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 31 hp, 465 kg: 15.0 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 33 hp, 495 kg: 15.0 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 33 hp, 460 kg: 13.9 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 37 hp, 495 kg: 13.4 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 37 hp, 465 kg: 12.6 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 40 hp, 495 kg: 12.4 kg/hp
• 0.4 MT 40 hp, 465 kg: 11.6 kg/hp (best Fellow in the catalogue)

The lightest Coupe is the 0.4 MT 33 hp at 460 kg, not the 40 hp car. The 40 hp 0.4 MT at 465 kg is 5 kg heavier than that 33 hp car but 7 hp stronger, so it still wins kg/hp (11.6 vs 13.9).

Which version to choose

If you want the 1 generation Sedan 2-doors (RWD). Buy the 0.4 MT 32 hp unless you specifically need the 76 fuel grade written down: that car is the only 1 generation Fellow with 32 hp, 37 Nm, compression 10.6, and 115 km/h, at 495 kg and 15.5 kg/hp. The 0.4 MT 26 hp is the middle step: −6 hp, −3 Nm, −5 km/h, same 495 kg, fuel 76. The 0.4 MT 23 hp is the weakest Fellow in the whole catalogue: 22.4 kg/hp, 100 km/h, and 515 kg — 20 kg heavier than the other two sedans for 3 hp less than the 26 hp car. Choose 23 hp only if you want the heaviest 1 generation 0.4 MT and accept 100 km/h.

If you want the 2 generation Coupe (FWD). Do not buy a 31 hp car if a 33/37/40 hp 0.4 MT is available: all three 31 hp Coupes share 115 km/h, 36 Nm, and compression 9. Among those three, the 0.4 MT 31 hp at 465 kg (15.0 kg/hp) beats the 495 kg car (16.0) and the 510 kg car (16.5). The 510 kg 0.4 MT 31 hp is the only Fellow with a 26 L tank; that is +1 L and +45 kg versus the 465 kg 31 hp car — the tank is the only measured extra, and it is the worst kg/hp in the Coupe line.

The 0.4 MT 33 hp does not raise top speed above 115 km/h. What it buys versus 31 hp is +2 hp and compression 10. Take the 460 kg 33 hp car over the 495 kg 33 hp car: −35 kg, 13.9 vs 15.0 kg/hp.

The first Coupe that is actually faster is the 0.4 MT 37 hp: 120 km/h, 40 Nm, 37 hp. Compression is 9, same as the 31 hp cars, so the +5 km/h is not a CR story. Prefer the 465 kg 37 hp car (12.6 kg/hp) over the 495 kg 37 hp car (13.4 kg/hp): same power, −30 kg.

The 0.4 MT 40 hp is the peak engine: 40 hp @ 7200 rpm, 40 Nm @ 6500, compression 11, 112.4 hp/L. It does not beat the 37 hp car on top speed (120 km/h both). What the extra 3 hp buys is specific output and kg/hp, not a higher measured maximum. Prefer the 465 kg 40 hp 0.4 MT (11.6 kg/hp) over the 495 kg 40 hp 0.4 MT (12.4 kg/hp).

Cross-generation pick. If the question is RWD sedan versus FWD coupe: the 1 generation 0.4 MT 32 hp already matches Coupe top speed of the 31/33 hp cars (115 km/h), beats the Coupe 0.4 MT 31 hp on power (32 vs 31), and has a measured gross 735 kg. It loses to every 37 hp and 40 hp Coupe on speed (115 vs 120) and to every light Coupe on kg/hp. If the question is the single most powerful, lightest-feeling Fellow in the data: 2 generation 0.4 MT 40 hp at 465 kg. If the question is the lightest car regardless of power: 2 generation 0.4 MT 33 hp at 460 kg. If the question is the only layout with RWD and Dependent, spring rear suspension: stay in the 1 generation and take the 0.4 MT 32 hp.

Sale prices are not in this catalogue; the ranking above is specs only.