KF-VE Engines
Daihatsu has always had a strong connection with engines. Its precursor was Hatsudoki Seizo Co., Ltd., an engine manufacturer founded in 1907. Its aim was to establish the technology to domestically produce and widely distribute internal combustion engines. In December of the same year, the company completed its first product, a 6-hp gas engine. After that, the manufacturer developed advanced engines one after another. In 1930, it developed an air-cooled 4-cycle 500cc gasoline engine, which won wide recognition. Since then, Daihatsu has pursued and developed the engines that fulfill the needs of the times.
In 2005, Daihatsu upgraded its EB/EF-type engine, originally developed in 1985, for the first time in 20 years, to put all our strength into developing an engine for Daihatsu’s minivehicles, a major player in the next generation. This led to the creation of the KF, a new 3-cylinder 660cc engine designed specifically for minivehicles that enables zippy maneuvering and has the latest environmental functions.
| Year | Events |
|---|---|
| 1907 | Hatsudoki Seizo Co., Ltd. was established. In December, its first product, a 6-hp gas engine was completed. |
| 1930 | Developed a highly regarded air-cooled 4 -cycle 500cc gasoline engine. |
| 1976 | Developed lean-burn type 550cc 2-cylinder gasoline engine AB10. (installed in Fellow Max 550) |
| 1983 | Developed what at the time was the world’s smallest 3-cylinder liter diesel engine CL-10. (installed in the 2nd Charade) |
| 1985 | Developed the EB/EF type engine. |
| 2005 | Created the new 3-cylinder engine KF |
The KF type features enhanced environmental performance to be kinder to our planet, and power that enables easy acceleration. The engine is compact and the lightest in its class (*1), and is perfect for minivehicles.
*1 660cc-displacement minivehicle class. As of October 2005, surveyed by Daihatsu.
