Neglect the big-boosting Nissan Skyline GT-Rs and wide-bodied Lamborghini Miuras – what we actually need is more odd kei automobiles.
There’s one thing irresistibly enjoyable about tiny autos designed to appear to be supercars. They’re assured to place a smile in your face each time.
Particularly, I’m speaking about wild kei automotive creations like this Honda Immediately from 1988, which has gull-wing doorways and a 12A rotary engine swap, constructed by RE Amemiya and Bomex. I’m undecided why we don’t see extra one-of-a-kind kei initiatives alongside these strains – maybe one thing resulting from price.
Nonetheless, in Japan, you possibly can nonetheless discover some fairly cool little automobiles reworked into alter egos of themselves. Listed below are my high three kei builds from Tokyo Auto Salon 2025.
First up are these two lifted micro machines, which I’m grouping collectively as a result of I couldn’t determine which one I preferred extra.
The primary is a Mitsubishi EK Cross EV. Whereas it’s nonetheless only a front-wheel-drive electrical kei automotive, the excessive raise and the art work depicting the Osaka Fortress alongside the Tokyo Skytree greater than offset any powertrain deficiencies.
A number of cubicles over I discovered one other EK Cross, this time with an much more excessive raise package. You could have a commanding driving place on this factor, though I’m undecided how properly it’ll sort out boulders with that low-slung electrical motor between the axles. Nonetheless, it will get high marks for ambition.
Subsequent, we’ve the ‘NS660,’ probably the most reasonably priced NSX on the market. Because the title suggests, it’s based mostly on the Honda 660.
My neighbour has one and not too long ago fitted it with an NC1 NSX-style entrance bumper, however seeing one wearing an entire physique package that mirrors the unique NA1/2 NSX takes it to a different degree.
Lastly, the ‘Coperche’ 811 GT-Okay – and what a reputation! This Daihatsu Copen dressed up as a Porsche 911 GT3 by StanceMagic is a murals. The Copen was solely obtainable as a smooth high, so seeing it reworked right into a superbly crafted hardtop coupe is sensible. The widened arches and real Porsche lights full the look completely.
The unique 660cc engine has been swapped for a 1.3L NA unit from one other Daihatsu, giving it some additional energy besides. The white licence plates signify its transfer out of the yellow plate kei class.
As a bonus, and to come back full circle from the 1988 RE Amemiya Honda Immediately, this Mazda Carol remains to be below development. With its wide-body conversion and rotary swap, it’s wanting extremely promising.
Toby Thyer
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