A look back at Japan’s S-model market—and the appeal of our five-speed manual Robe S.
Last week, I introduced our red Copen GR Sport.
What I particularly enjoy about that car is its supple suspension movement and the way its handling comes together.
This week, we have another character to explore.
Our Copen Robe S in Clear Blue Crystal Metallic, with a five-speed manual gearbox, available from UK stock.
If sporty suspension and the pleasure of choosing your own gears appeal to you, let us take a closer look.
Our UK-stock Copen Robe S combines the Robe’s sharp styling with dedicated S equipment and a five-speed manual gearbox.
1. Four Faces, Three Specification Groups
The LA400 Copen offers four main exterior designs.
There is the sharp-looking Robe, the round-headlamp Cero, the distinctive two-tone XPLAY and the GR Sport with its dedicated front and rear styling.
Equipment and driving specification can be understood in three broad groups: standard, S and GR Sport.
The Robe, Cero and XPLAY each have standard and S versions. The GR Sport combines its own appearance with dedicated suspension, body reinforcement and steering tuning.
You cannot choose all three specification groups with every body design.
You might choose the Robe because you like its appearance, then choose the S because its suspension and cabin equipment suit how you want to drive.
That is where this particular car comes in.
For a fuller introduction, explore our LA400 Copen Buyer’s Guide.
Four faces within the LA400 family. Body design and specification both contribute to each car’s character.
2. S Models Are a Minority in Japan Too
In an earlier article, we explored Japan’s advertised LA400 Copen market together.
Our Goo-net survey on 30 August 2026 found 1,099 cars. Of those, 170 were identified as S-series models.
That comprised 86 Robe S, 67 Cero S and 17 XPLAY S listings—approximately 15% of the total.
Those figures include CVT cars.
Separately, across all grades, just 299 of the 1,099 cars had a five-speed manual gearbox.
Looking for “a Copen” therefore gives you a broader choice than looking specifically for “a manual S model”.
Add your preferred body design, colour, mileage and budget, and the search becomes more focused again.
These are figures from our earlier market snapshot, rather than today’s listing count. They provide useful context for understanding why a manual S model in your preferred specification may take some finding.
Read our journey through Japan’s LA400 Copen market.
And one blue manual Robe S is already here in Britain.
3. Meet Our Blue Robe S
This is a 2015 Daihatsu Copen Robe S in Clear Blue Crystal Metallic.
It has a five-speed manual gearbox and has covered 77,500 km.
The car is UK registered, has an MOT until May 2027 and is advertised at £15,990.
Its preparation is complete, and it is available to view here in Britain.
We previously featured this car in our article about deciding what you want to receive before importing a Copen.
That article focused on the preparation process: repairing transport damage, reviewing the equipment and getting the car ready for its next owner in the UK.
This time, let us consider the driving experience and the person this particular specification might suit.
Clear Blue Crystal Metallic with black details. The rear wing and wheels contribute to this individual car’s appearance.
4. Why Choose the S? Start with the Suspension and Driving Position
The Robe S brings together Bilstein dampers, RECARO seats and a MOMO leather steering wheel.
Start with the suspension.
The dedicated Bilstein dampers were developed to deliver direct handling, stability and a controlled, flat ride.
Dampers help control suspension movement as the wheels respond to the road and the car’s weight shifts.
Brake for a corner, turn the steering wheel and accelerate away: how the body settles through those stages contributes to the car’s character.
Then there are the RECARO seats.
A supportive seat helps you maintain your position through corners and concentrate on the controls. The MOMO steering wheel is another part of the car you use and feel every time you drive.
This particular Robe S also has a five-speed manual gearbox.
Choose a gear before the bend, match the engine speed and feed in the accelerator as the road opens out.
Together, the suspension, seats, steering wheel and manual gearbox make driving feel like an activity you are taking part in.
Recognisable brands are part of the appeal. Think, too, about the time you would enjoy spending behind the wheel.
RECARO supports the driver, MOMO provides the connection through your hands, and Bilstein helps control the car’s movement.
5. What Makes This Blue Car Different?
Beyond the factory S equipment, this car has its own combination of details.
First, the driver’s RECARO seat.
The car arrived with an aftermarket RECARO full bucket seat. It offered substantial support, but everyday access and comfort are considerations too.
We sourced a brand-new genuine factory-specification RECARO seat and fitted it on the driver’s side.
That brings the driving position back towards the usability expected from a Robe S, while retaining its sporting character.
A brand-new genuine factory-specification RECARO seat has been fitted on the driver’s side.
Outside, the Esqueleto rear wing, rear diffuser and Bridgestone alloy wheels give this car a distinctive appearance.
They complement the Robe’s angular bodywork, particularly when viewed from the side and rear.
The rear wing’s clear coat had deteriorated, so we removed and refinished it. The rear bumper and diffuser, damaged during shipping, were also repaired and repainted.
Preparing the car meant looking beyond the list of accessories and considering the condition in which we wanted to hand them over.
The Esqueleto rear wing, diffuser, Fujitsubo muffler, and Bridgestone wheels form part of this Robe S’s individual specification.
6. What I Enjoy About the Robe S
Driving this Robe S, its sporty suspension and keen responses leave an impression.
For me, it is one of the LA400 specifications that makes the car’s agility and response through corners particularly enjoyable.
Last week, I described the GR Sport’s supple suspension movement and the quality of its overall handling.
With this Robe S, I would encourage you to think about the pleasure of steering a small car through a bend and choosing the next gear yourself.
Both have their appeal.
A Copen is enjoyable simply as an open-top car for a relaxed drive. If you also appreciate a sportier suspension feel and an alert response to your inputs, an S model deserves a place on your shortlist.
The blue bodywork, RECARO and MOMO cabin, manual gearbox and suspension come together here as one particular expression of what an LA400 Copen can be.
7. Come and See Whether It Suits You
Perhaps you like the Robe’s sharp appearance, want to change gears yourself and are drawn to the S model’s suspension and cabin equipment.
If so, this blue car is worth seeing in person.
See the paint in daylight. Sit in the RECARO seat. Check the relationship between the steering wheel, gear lever and your driving position.
Walk around the car and take in the wheels, rear wing and overall appearance.
Then picture where you would like to take it.
Explore the full specification, servicing and preparation record for our Robe S.
Book a viewing to see the car in person.
If the Robe S appeals but you would prefer a different colour, mileage or budget, talk to us about a Bespoke JDM Import.
We can begin by working out which conditions matter most to you, and where you would be comfortable making an adjustment.