Daihatsu PAC by Michelotti

The Daihatsu PAC (Project Automotive Commuter) was a one-off city car concept created by Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti and shown at the 1985 Geneva Motor Show.

Built on the Daihatsu Cuore’s L55-series chassis, it was Michelotti’s vision of practical, forward-looking urban mobility: small on the outside, but roomy and functional inside.

Its tall, boxy shape and extensive glass areas were designed to maximize interior space within a minimal footprint. Clean, flush surfaces, integrated bumpers, and a simple front end gave the PAC a distinctly modern character for its time.

Under the bodywork sat the Cuore’s 547cc two-cylinder engine with twin balancing shafts, offering unexpectedly refined performance in a compact package with a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout.

Despite its small size, the engine gave the PAC a top speed of 70 mph, making it a capable choice for city commutes and short-distance travel.

The PAC never aimed for production, but it stands as a vivid example of 1980s experimentation in automotive design — a blend of practicality, efficiency, and originality that anticipated the needs of increasingly crowded cities.