Small and mighty: the history of the Japanese kei car, Part - 1

• The tiny Japanese kei car can trace its roots back as far as post-war Japan. Since then, the fun-size motors have conquered their domestic market and spread across the world. We celebrate the history of the kei car.

• The name stems from kei jidosha - or light vehicle - and it covers kei cars, kei trucks and kei minivans. Indeed, the earliest kei vehicles were delivery trucks, designed for small businesses and shops. This lineup of model cars shows the diversity.

•  The growth of the kei car was thanks to Japan’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), as it looked to kickstart the economy after the Second World War.

• Many Japanese people were unable to afford a full-size car, so it was hoped that these kei cars would mobilise the nation by giving people an alternative to motorcycles.

• Kei cars were cheaper to buy, to insure and to tax. Initial growth was slow, not least because the engines were restricted to 150cc four-stroke or 100cc two-stroke capacities.

• In the early 1950s, the engine restrictions were slowly lifted. In 1950, 300cc four-stroke and 200cc two-stroke were permitted, with 1951 seeing the limit raised to 360cc and 240cc respectively. But the increase to 360cc for both four- and two-stroke engines heralded the real birth of the kei car. The Suzuki Suzulight goes down in history as the first kei car.

• When it went on sale in October 1955, three body styles were available, namely the Suzulight SS (saloon), Suzulight SL (light van) and Suzulight SP (pickup). The Suzulight brand lived on until 1969.

• But if the Suzulight laid the foundations, it was the Subaru 360 of 1958 that provided the building blocks for the kei. This was the first mass-produced kei car.

• The Subaru 360 - nicknamed the Ladybug - was a landmark vehicle. It was the first car to be sold under Fuji Heavy Industries’ Subaru brand and is one of the best selling microcars of all-time. A total of 300,000 cars were sold.

• Malcolm Bricklin established Subaru of America in 1968, simply to sell the 360 in the USA. Bricklin is the businessman responsible for the Bricklin SV-1 sports car, as well as importing Yugos from Yugoslavia.

• The Subaru kei car took its name from its two-stroke 356cc engine. With 16hp on tap, it wasn’t exactly quick, but it offered accommodation for four adults. In its day, the 360 was a credible rival to the Volkswagen Beetle.

• As kei cars developed, they grew ever more sophisticated. The Honda N360 of 1967 was a sign that the industry was finding its feet. Like the Subaru 360, this was a significant car.

• It was powered by a 354cc taken from the Honda CB450 motorcycle, with the displacement reduced to comply with kei car legislation. In many ways, the Honda N360 was the Japanese Mini.

• Indeed, the larger-engined N600 was developed for export market and was the first Japanese car to be officially exported to the United States.

• The Honda N600 wasn’t hugely successful on the global stage, but it did pave the way a certain Honda Civic, which arrived in 1973. In the 1970s, the kei car industry was coming under increasing pressure, with the Japanese government abolishing some of the benefits associated with kei car ownership.

• At the same time, the car industry as a whole was facing tougher control on emissions, which had a big effect on kei cars. The sector declined, with Honda and Mazda ceasing kei car production, while continuing to build kei trucks.

• From the start of 1976, the kei car began to fight back. The Japanese government introduced a new 550cc limit, while agreeing that cars could be longer and wider.

Keep visiting for Part - 2........

Next-gen BMW 5-series to be unveiled at Paris motor show 2016

• BMW is set to unveil the next-generation of its luxury sedan, the BMW 5-series, at the Paris motor show 2016. The new car will get a more streamlined styling as compared to the current car, and will share technology with the new 7-series that made its debut internationally earlier this year.

• The new 5-series will get a more prominent kidney grille with dynamic louvers that open and close as per cooling requirement, optional laser headlamps, more pronounced shoulders, LED tail-lamps and a sleeker profile with a more heavily raked rear windshield. The new 5-series will also be based on the new platform, codenamed OKL, that was introduced on the new 7-series. The car will also be around 100kg lighter due to the use of carbon fibre, magnesium, aluminium and high-tensile steel.

• On the inside, the dashboard is expected to be designed like the one on the new 7-series with the same basic architecture multi-function steering wheel, switchgear and material materials. The dashboard will also feature an all-digital instrument cluster and a free-standing infotainment display.

• Powering the car will be a family of 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines in varying states of tune: the 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines including a quad-turbo diesel in the M550d, the 444bhp 4.4-litre V8 from the new 7-series, plug-in hybrid powertrains from the new 7-series and X5 and the range-topping 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 for the M5. The car will come with the choice of a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic gearbox on the standard models, while the M5 will continue with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic from the current model.

• In terms of technology,  the new 5-series will get the latest iDrive system with a new touchpad and touchscreen, gesture control with sensors to monitor five different hand movements, voice recognition and functions such as swipe and pinch to zoom. The car will also come with autonomous driving tech such as autonomous emergency braking, hands-off operation and anti-collision systems.

• The new 5-series will be available in three body styles – sedan, Touring and GT . The sedan is the one that will make its debut at the Paris motor show. There is no confirmation as yet as to the launch dates of the other two models, though they are expected sometime in 2017.

 

Ferrari Mumbai showroom to open December 1

• Ferrari made its comeback into India recently with the launch of an entire model range. The Italian supercar maker had announced that it will be operating initially out of two dealerships located in Delhi (Select cars) and Mumbai (Navnit Motors). These outlets will extend after-sales services to existing Ferrari owners.

• The Mumbai outlet is expected to open on December 1, 2015 and will be located at Bandra Kurla Complex. The location wasn't disclosed until now and we were the first to get our hands on this information. This 3,000 sq. feet showroom will most likely occupy the space that previously housed the Land Rover showroom, which is now located in Andheri.

• Ferrari’s Mumbai distributor, Navnit motors, has signed a lease contract with Wadhwa Group, who are the owners of this said location.

• The prices for the Ferrari models available in India are mentioned below. These are base asking rates; the final amount is likely to vary depending on accessories and options chosen.

Ferrari California T: Rs 3.45 crore

Ferrari 488 GTB: Rs 3.99 crore

Ferrari 458 Spider: Rs 4.22 crore

Ferrari 458 Speciale: Rs 4.40 crore
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta: Rs 4.87 crore
(All prices, ex-showroom)

New Audi Q7 India launch on December 10, 2015

• The new Audi Q7 will hit Indian showrooms on December 10, 2015.

• The new Q7 is 300kg lighter than its predecessor and is marginally smaller, but with more prominent creases, a new single-piece grille, angular headlamps, rectangular LED tail-lamps and new bumpers at the front and back. Inside, the company has gone with a minimalist theme with a dashboard free from clutter, a free-standing infotainment display and an all-new centre console with a new gear lever and multi-media controller.

• The new Q7s will draw power from a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine developing 268bhp and 61kgm of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters and the Quattro all-wheel-drive technology badged 'Q7 45TDI'.

• Expected to be available only in one fully loaded trim at the time of launch, the new SUV will get features such as Audi’s new infotainment system, full leather seats with electric adjustment, four-zone climate control, a 19-speaker Bose audio system, panoramic sunroof, an electric folding third row, a 360-degree camera, Park Assist, Matrix LED headlamps, touch pad with handwriting recognition, Audi’s ‘Virtual Cockpit’ all-digital instrument cluster and Drive Select, and air suspension.

• Audi's new Q7 will initially be a CBU import with local assembly of the SUV expected to start at the company’s Aurangabad facility sometime in 2016.