A Tiny Turbo Oddity: Daihatsu Cuore TR-XX Avanzato

Some cars are memorable because they dominate the road. Others, like this Daihatsu Cuore TR-XX Avanzato, stand out precisely because they don’t. With just 80 left on the road in the UK, spotting one feels like finding a missing puzzle piece in car culture.

On the surface, it looks like any other small ’90s hatchback. But dig deeper and the details start to reveal themselves. Under the bonnet sits a 660cc twin-cam turbo engine, built to satisfy Japan’s kei car rules. Paired with optional four-wheel drive and weighing only 780kg, it’s a recipe that punches well above its modest numbers. Officially rated at 64bhp, the reality is often closer to 80bhp, and rally builds have stretched that figure to over 140bhp.

This particular car wears its JDM heritage proudly: slim proportions, a flare holder in the cabin, and a few UK-specific tweaks like the bolt-on rear fog light. It’s a machine that was never meant to be mainstream. Only around 120 made it to the UK, all through a single dealer, and most have long since disappeared.

For the owner, it’s still a project—engine refresh, suspension and brakes already handled, with more to come. But even in its current state, it’s a reminder of why cars like this matter. They represent an era of creativity, compromise, and charm that feels rare today.

In a world of oversized SUVs and complex electronics, the Cuore TR-XX Avanzato is proof that small doesn’t mean insignificant. It’s a piece of JDM history tucked into British roads, and for those who know, it’s unforgettable.