Some automotive topics require a sort of detached objectivity and other are just so cool you can't help but cheer out loud and stare like a 15-year-old boy on a Brazilian beach. Dream Factory Blow look-alikes are definitely the latter. In Translogic Episode 9.1, we take a look at these reinventions of classic American vans and trucks.
Toyota is looking to get bigger... by going smaller. The Japanese automaker is looking to enter the kei car market, a popular segment in its homeland. Kei cars are small vehicles with restrictions on length (11.15 feet), width (4.86 feet), engine size (660 cubic centimeters) and power output (63 horsepower). Currently, Toyota is the only Japanese
Daihatsu Copen - Click above for high-res image gallery
Mazda has just launched it's latest "Kei-class" car in Japan with the redesigned AZ-Wagon. The "Kei" cars are built to specifications defined by law in Japan that place limits on size engine displacement and power. Kei cars are limited to 660 cc of engine displacement and 63 hp along with a maximum length of 3.4 m. The new AZ-Wagon is claimed to beat current Japanese emissions standards by 50-75 percent. All of the engines get variable valve timing and normally aspirated versions with a manual t
Click image for a high-res gallery of the turbocharged Mitsubishi i
click above image to view high-resolution gallery of the Mitsubishi i
Another day. Another kei. This time, it's Daihatsu, which has released a redesigned version of its Move minicar. Available as the subdued Move or the more sporty-looking Move Custom (above), the car follows the usual kei formula: tiny outside, maximized space inside. In fact, the new Move boasts the longest cabin length and width available in a Japanese minicar.
Honda announced yesterday that they would recall 270,000 vehicles throughout Japan and China. The two vehicles affected by the recall are the Odyssey minivan and Life kei car.
On Tuesday, Mitsubishi followed up the i (eye) Play with a second special edition of its nifty new kei car.
