Mazda's new Spiano lineup of micro-minis on sale in Japan
No, you can't put it in your pocket.
The revised "micro-mini" Spiano line-up from Mazda is now on sale in Japan, and boy do these things scream Japan = cuteness. Look at those tiny headlights, the itty-bitty wheels, and - oh - a little antenna poking out the top. Wow.
I lived in Japan for two+ years and I drove some small cars while I was there (the Daihatsu Leeza, for example), so I can appreciate the style from a been-there perspective. In fact, I'd be unafraid to test one of these Spianos (actually a version of the Suzuki Lapin) out, even though these are aimed at female buyers. Mazda is estimating it'll only sell 300 of these a
[Source: Mazda]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex Nunez 11:22AM (6/04/2007)
While aimed at female buyers, many of the kei cars like this (from different mfrs) also come in a more "manly" trim as well (skirts, spoilers, etc), coupled with the turbo versions of the kei motors.
Look at the flavors of Wagon R (too many to list) and Subaru Stella (reg vs. Custom), for example.
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Domenick 6:25PM (6/04/2007)
"The sales target volume for the Spiano range is 300 units a month." That's a lot more than 300 a year. Twelve times more. どいたしまして
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Sebastian Blanco 9:48PM (6/04/2007)
Domenick -
どうもうね
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Der Alte 1:05AM (6/05/2007)
In Canada, we can import cars from anywhere in the world that are 15 years or older provided they pass a safety inspection....although there are rumblings this may go to 25 years as in the US.
At any rate, a few kei cars and vans have made their way over and appeared on the lots of a few dealers that specialize in Japanese imports. At first I thought these would be very cool and fuel efficient little cars to drive. Then I went and checked a few of them out. You feel as though you have all the safety and structural rigidity of a shoe box. In comparison, the Smart feels as if it were built like a tank.
I don't want to sound like I support the people who propogate more SUVs and other larger than need be vehicles based on their being safer. A smaller car can be just as safe as any other vehicle if it is designed well. These kei cars from Japan just feel too flimsy though....really nothing there to stop anything from coming right into your lap in an accident. Maybe current kei cars are safer....but I would not feel safe on the road with one of the 15 year old examples being flogged in Canada.
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Blake 8:56AM (6/05/2007)
many of the kei cars like this (from different mfrs) also come in a more "manly" trim as well (skirts, spoilers, etc),
Funny how adding skirts to something can make it more manly.... :) (it's true with carsthough)
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