The Storia X4 was developed by Daihatsu as a base model for domestic use in motorsport events. Accordingly, luxury items such as air-conditioning, electric windows etc were removed to keep the weight of the car to minimal levels (although power steering was a cost option). Production began on April 10th 1998, and ceased on 31st January 2004. In this time, only 829 cars were produced. Daihatsu did not produce the cars through normal production for sale, and all cars were special order only, and were only available in white.
The base car started with a derivative of the 660cc JB-DET engine, and is a 4-cylinder Twin-Cam DOHC DVVT Fuel-Injected Intercooled Turbo-Charged engine. These engines were shipped to DRS (Daihatsu Racing Services - Think of them as TRD), where the cylinder capacity was enlarged to 713cc, and forged internals added. The 713cc engine size was specifically engineered to enable the car to race in the 1.0 litre class, whereby turbo-charged cars engine size are given a mandatory multiple of x1.4 (to ensure a level playing field against n/a cars). Given the cylinder size of 713cc, a x1.4 multiple means that the cars effective engine size is 998.2cc, thereby being as close to the 1.0 litre limit as possible.
The 713cc engine runs an IHI RHF4B VF36 Ball Bearing Turbo with a Titanium Shaft and Turbine Wheel. Intercooler water spray is also fitted to help lower intake temperature. Rumour is that the engines were slightly de-tuned for sale by Daihatsu, and left the showroom running 18psi (1.24bar), producing 120ps. However, an adjustable actuator was fitted as standard, allowing the boost to be increased to around 24psi with no additional modifications required. A performance upgrade was also available directly from Daihatsu when ordering, which apparently produced 200ps!
The car has a 5-speed close ratio gearbox, clutch-type front & rear differential and permanent four-wheel drive. The overall weight of the car is approximately 820kgs, so the car has an effective power-to-weight ratio of 146ps per tonne.
Unsurprisingly, when the car was introduced in the Kei-Jidousha class (Japanese Mini Cars), it decimated the competition thanks to it's light weight, power and handling. The car also enjoyed success in the all Japan Rally Championship and the all Japan Dirt Trial Championship.
Consider to put this storia engine under your Kelisa's hood?
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