Diminutive Japanese “kei cars” seem
ridiculously small by US standards, but they make (somewhat) perfect
sense when seen on crowded streets and in narrow parking lots of
Tokyo. We spotted this Daihatsu Naked (yes, that is the actual
model name…) near Atsugi Japan. It is difficult to appreciate the size of this car in the photos. We estimate it is roughly 2 feet tall… ok we kid… actually it is just over 5 feet tall, which is slightly taller than a Mini Cooper and roughly half the height of Edd China. The owner decided to dress this
one up with a Hummer-style front grille, hood and after market wheels. The fender flares and exposed door hinges are stock. We assume this one is still powered by the original 659cc watercooled 3 cylinder engine, producing a massive 58 hp, perfect for ascending huge curbs and traversing small road bumps. If this car were ours, we would attempt to swap in the 6.5 liter V8 diesel lump from the Hummer H1. As-is, you’ve gotta love such an awesome combination of small car size with big car style. -ES
ridiculously small by US standards, but they make (somewhat) perfect
sense when seen on crowded streets and in narrow parking lots of
Tokyo. We spotted this Daihatsu Naked (yes, that is the actual
model name…) near Atsugi Japan. It is difficult to appreciate the size of this car in the photos. We estimate it is roughly 2 feet tall… ok we kid… actually it is just over 5 feet tall, which is slightly taller than a Mini Cooper and roughly half the height of Edd China. The owner decided to dress this
one up with a Hummer-style front grille, hood and after market wheels. The fender flares and exposed door hinges are stock. We assume this one is still powered by the original 659cc watercooled 3 cylinder engine, producing a massive 58 hp, perfect for ascending huge curbs and traversing small road bumps. If this car were ours, we would attempt to swap in the 6.5 liter V8 diesel lump from the Hummer H1. As-is, you’ve gotta love such an awesome combination of small car size with big car style. -ES
