The 2007 model of the Daihatsu Copen will be fitted with an engine incorporating a self-regenerating catalyst with palladium temperature sensitive crystals.

The P87 1.3-litre twin-cam engine, which had previously been used in the marque's Sirion supermini, is set to bring a raft of improvements to the car's performance and increase the lifetime of the catalytic converter.

This extension of the catalytic converter's life is achieved through the use of heat-sensitive metallic ions of palladium, which change between crystalline and non-crystalline states and act to extend its capacity to process gases from exhausts.

The new engine also means that the car's carbon emissions will fall from 151 g/km to 140g/km, while fuel use will stand at 36.7 in urban areas, 56.5 in extra urban and 47.1 on combined cycle.

Meanwhile, the Copen will now be capable of maximum speed of 112 miles per hour and will be on the market at £2,500 less than the 2004 model.

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