Kei Campervans from Japan

You have kei car. You have a van.
Uh! Kei car van.

You have a kei car. you have a campervan.
Uh! Kei car campervan.

Kei car van kei campervan.

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Custom Daihatsu Midget II Thinks it's a 1935-1937 Ford ... Sorta

What the actual hell is this? I mean, I know what it is, but what the hell?

Well, it's technically a 1996 Daihatsu Midget II kei truck. Yes, the same one everyone drove in Gran Turismo. However, this one has been, well, customized to look like a 1935-1937 Ford if you're on acid. These are weird little beasts to begin with, but how do you make a weird car even weirder? Do I even need to explain? Look at at this damn thing.

Suzuki Jimny Pulls Stuck Semi Truck

I love this so much: A tiny Suzuki Jimny helps pull a stuck semi truck in Japan. It just goes to show that you don't always need a huge truck to get the job done. My little Suzuki has even rescued much larger vehicles.

As someone who worked in the off-road world for years and has a Suzuki, I can wholeheartedly say that oftentimes it doesn't take more than a quick tug to get another vehicle unstuck. However, when it's a Jimny pulling a semi, it certainly makes things more dramatic. and frankly, it's still pretty impressive. 

Thanks to Ben for the link! Got a link to share? E-mail me or message us via the Subcompact Culture Facebook page. 

Honda N BOX + Is Crazy. Versatile.

Japan is known for its funky, practical, and very small Kei cars. The only example of a Kei car in the U.S. is the Mitsubishi iMiEV, and if you've ever seen one in person, you know they're petite to say the least. But they're often times very interesting, if not for the sole fact we don't see them here, sans the occasional Daihatsu Hijet that's been purchased by a college for grounds maintenance or deliveries. However, I've always had a thing for Kei vehicles, and one was recently brought to my attention by a Subcompact Culture reader.  

The vehicle at the left is a Honda N BOX +. No, it isn't necessarily the prettiest girl at the dance, but it's incredibly versatile.

The Honda N BOX already had some of the most space of any mini car out there, the N BOX + (note the "+" designation) has two additional features that make it interesting. First, Honda introduced what it calls the "Universal Bridge" which combines a sloped floor and attachable aluminum ramp for loading and unloading things like bikes, luggage, maybe a dog, and perhaps the occasional transportation of a goat ... and, well, anything else you could think of.

Secondly, Honda developed what it calls the "Multi-space System" to allow for different interior configurations within the vehicle. Note the rear seats all but disappear in Flat, Slope, and Bed mode. Yes, Bed mode. You could sleep in one of these four-wheeled boxes. This fact alone makes me want this piece of Japanese unobtainium even more.

Honda is already renowned for its interior packaging ability. For example, the Magic Seats in the Honda Fit are fantastic, and the gone (but not forgotten) Element's interior was essentially the Swiss Army Knife of vehicle interiors. So the N BOX + is basically another iteration of Honda's ability to brilliantly use interior space. Oh look, an N BOX + video:


Powered by the biggest engine possible to still be called a Kei car—a 660cc mill—the N BOX + doesn't even make 60 horespower. But, that's not the point. The point is this is a cool-ass little tallwagon with a super versatile interior.

My question is where are these super-practical vehicles in the U.S.? I mean, Toyota killed off the original xB; Honda no longer makes the Element. Remember the Nissan Axxess and Mitsubishi Expo LRV? They were small, super practical, but sold less units than the Pontiac Aztek did on its worst days (well, maybe). I suppose we have minivans, some of which are super practical, although not very "mini" anymore. I'd drive one of these Honda bricks until the wheels fell off. Yes, they'd likely have to up the horsepower a bit for the U.S., and who knows if this rolling rectangle could get through U.S. crash tests (likely not). But vehicles like this make me long for small, practical, versatile transportation in a Kleenex box shape.

Thanks to Peter for the story idea! Got a story idea? Send us an email.

SOURCE
World.Honda.com

Gazoo Racing's Vitz GRMN Turbo

Our friend Thomas in Thailand sent me a link to this little hot hatch being put together by Toyota tuner Gazoo. This is the Vitz GRMN Turbo—a turbocharged version of the Toyota Yaris sold in North America and other parts of the world. Making 152 horsepower and 152 ft/lbs of torque, this hot hatch will exponentially increase the car's fun factor. In addition to its turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, the car also gets vented disc brakes, a stiffened body, custom seats and interior bits, and BBS wheels in addition to the GRMN-tuned suspension. I love the front fascia, which looks very similar to the Yaris Hybrid from Europe. By the way, there will only be 200 of these puppies made, and they're only available in white or black.

I'm sure there's no chance we'll see this hopped-up Toyota on this side of the pond, but regardless, it looks darn good. Check out the video for the Vitz GRMN Turbo in action.



Thank's again to Thomas for the tip. Got a tip? Contact us!

SOURCE
Gazoo.com (Japanese)

Dream Factory Blow showcases some awesome Americanized kei cars

Other than having a totally awesome name, Dream Factory Blow has some awesome kei car customizations, such as these Americanized mini mini vans. The video above is from the 26th Mooneyes Street Car Nationals in Japan. Really what more is there to type. Just check them out. And yes, I'd rock any one of these.

Honda's retro city car to harken back to the N600

Perhaps you remember the retro-styled Honda N Concept car from late last year. It looked like what you'd expect an N600 rehash to look like, and frankly that's a good thing. According to Left Lane News, it looks like it's going into production.

The leaked images are apparently computer-generated patent images, and this vehicle would be considered a kei car in Japan. Left Lane News says the car would be powered by a 660cc VTEC engine making 64 horsepower. That means we'll likely not see it in North America. Expect more info later in the year. 

Sean's small car pics from Japan

A Daihatsu Mira Gino. Yes, that's all stock.

 My friend Sean, who runs the blog PunkSmurph.com, is on a trip to Japan. He was nice enough to snap some photos of some of the smaller cars of Japan while he's there. Here are a few of the cool little vehicles he snapped. Just for the record, I'm envious of both the cars and your trip. Safe travels, Sean.