Kei cars - why not?
Discussion
ajprice said:
Olas said:
CanAm said:
The (now defunct?) Caterham 160 qualified as a kei car.
No - Kei cars are 660cc maximum.Edited by Olas on Saturday 14th March 11:39
https://www.evo.co.uk/caterham/7/7297/caterham-sev...
Thesprucegoose said:
People don't want them. The Sukuki ignis is 900 kilos and might be kei dimensions. People want jacked up stupid big cars for convenience and safety.
Do what they do in Japan, Don't give them the choice, no drive, no garage, no available parking space then kei car is your only option. It would help with the pavement parking plague if nothing else.irocfan said:
ajprice said:
Olas said:
CanAm said:
The (now defunct?) Caterham 160 qualified as a kei car.
No - Kei cars are 660cc maximum.Edited by Olas on Saturday 14th March 11:39
https://www.evo.co.uk/caterham/7/7297/caterham-sev...
Kei spec is 1.48m max width, 3.4m max length, no bigger than a 660cc 64bhp engine. 160 dimensions are within that and the Japanese spec is 64bhp, so that model qualifies as a kei car.
What we really need is for the industry as a whole to start producing tiny cars again.
Won't happen though, they're currently all bailing out of the city car market, preferring instead to push customers into bigger / more profitable B class cars. Easier to do when list price is all but irrelevant and it's all about the monthly cost, and off course for many people bigger must be better.
If the powers that be really were as bothered about the environment as they like to make out they are, proper small cars would be imperative.
Won't happen though, they're currently all bailing out of the city car market, preferring instead to push customers into bigger / more profitable B class cars. Easier to do when list price is all but irrelevant and it's all about the monthly cost, and off course for many people bigger must be better.
If the powers that be really were as bothered about the environment as they like to make out they are, proper small cars would be imperative.
vikingaero said:
A1VDY said:
Bodywork area nowhere big enough for an an enormous vented bumper and giant grill so no... Kei cars wouldn't sell here..
In the same vein, if Tesla had offered a Kei sized car as their first ever mainstream model they would be bust. The public want BIG. It isn't size otherwise the 1series and A class wouldn't sell like hot cakes, it's the badge.
Young Gazza next door doesn't want a Honda Civic he wants an Audi A1 in white.
GravelMachineGun said:
vikingaero said:
A1VDY said:
Bodywork area nowhere big enough for an an enormous vented bumper and giant grill so no... Kei cars wouldn't sell here..
In the same vein, if Tesla had offered a Kei sized car as their first ever mainstream model they would be bust. The public want BIG. It isn't size otherwise the 1series and A class wouldn't sell like hot cakes, it's the badge.
Young Gazza next door doesn't want a Honda Civic he wants an Audi A1 in white.
People on here seem to be the real badge snobs as they are the only ones who ever go on about it.
We will be moaning about leasing next!
If only Kei cars were available here.. something like a Honda nbox custom would suit the Spm_ family great as a short-range carpark weapon. I love a properly small car. We had a UK Daihatsu Cuore for 4 yrs and loved the little thing, our only car at that time.
European 'small' cars are still fairly hefty and are seriously lacking boot space for a baby buggy/DIY/tip run/bike etc, not a problem with the box shaped Kei cars.
Problem for me is cost to import, or 'jdm scene tax' for those already here. My cars are firmly in shed pricing and I'd find it hard to justify.. I don't try to keep up with the Jones', just to enjoy cheap, practical motoring!
Nb I do agree those that have restricted or no parking should moderate their choice of transportation to suit.. shame there's no incentives similar to EV's.
European 'small' cars are still fairly hefty and are seriously lacking boot space for a baby buggy/DIY/tip run/bike etc, not a problem with the box shaped Kei cars.
Problem for me is cost to import, or 'jdm scene tax' for those already here. My cars are firmly in shed pricing and I'd find it hard to justify.. I don't try to keep up with the Jones', just to enjoy cheap, practical motoring!
Nb I do agree those that have restricted or no parking should moderate their choice of transportation to suit.. shame there's no incentives similar to EV's.
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