Kei Cars: Tiny Japanese Marvels from Japanoid
5 Comments Published by Joel October 31st, 2006 in Cars. Share This
Kei cars, or “K cars,” are tiny Japanese vehicles that are shorter than 3.4 meters long powered by engines no larger than 660cc (with exceptions made for vans, cargo or otherwise). If you’ve ever been to Tokyo, you’ll see that kei cars exist for reasons beyond the Japanese love for all things small; the streets and alleyways of that ancient city are barely wide enough to allow one kei car to pass, let alone two.
If you’re a Canadian, you can now purchase kei cars from Japanoid, as vehicles at least 15-years-old are legal for importation. United Statesians like myself are clean out of luck—a shame, since I can think of no better vehicle to own in New York than a beautiful supercharged Subaru Sambar city van, with full-time four-wheel-drive and a 50MPG fuel economy, all packed into a vehicle small enough to keep in a Brooklyn backyard.
Kei cars include more than just bitchin’ vans, though: The Mazda AZ-1 Autonam [pictured] has a turbocharged Suzuki engine, disk brakes, gull-wing doors and serious handling with the looks of a people-sized penny racer. Lucky Canadians!
How about the smart fortwo? It’s certainly not supercharged, but is certainly diminutive enough for NYC, gets great mileage and looks pretty cool.
smartusa.com
It’s coming to the U.S. in January 2008, I believe.
Never mind (he says with chagrined smile). Didn’t see the previous smart car post.
To make up for it, enjoy this video of the same motorcycle engine-enhanced smart car tearing shit up:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XHNP3HpoIJg
Check out http://www.minitruck.ca they have the coolest Kei trucks I think they are 660cc Like Honda Acty Suzuki Carry
Hey http://www.minitruck.ca what a great site. Love those Honda Acty Kei trucks. The Suzuki Carry is cool too. Great to see Canadians importing micro trucks from Japan.
check out what these guys did with theres http://www.minitruckcenter.com