A quirky motoring phenomenon like no other, Japan’s kei cars are the quintessence of Japanese brilliance. Some of the smallest and smartest vehicles on earth, they are limited by legislation to an engine capacity of under 660cc, with a maximum power ouput of 64bhp, and their body length and width cannot exceed 3.4 metres and 1.48 metres respectively. There is no real restriction on the height of kei cars, so the most practical among them have adopted “tall boy” designs to maximise cabin headroom. In return for these technical constraints, kei cars are entitled to attractive tax incentives and cheaper insurance in their home market.
Even though kei cars are small in size and powered by equally tiny engines, their interior packaging is as good as that of a bento lunch box. This means every inch of interior space is utilised fully. Modern kei cars are also packed with the latest features in safety and style, albeit downsized accordingly. These mighty mini-cars also offer turbo options and gadgets galore.
Japan’s brilliant little kei cars are ideal for Singapore. Because our city state is compact, we have busy roads/streets and cramped carparks, our highest highway speed limit is 90km/h, and local motorists could all use some automotive kawaii to defuse our kiasu road rage.
There is a lot more where these clever tots-on-wheels came from. But Singapore’s unfriendly car-tax regime, importers’/dealers’ aversion to pricey “economy-class” playthings with niche appeal, and Singaporeans’ classic “bigger is better” mentality mean that virtually all of these marvellous micro-motoring machines are destined to stay in Japan.
