Four small car concepts headed for Tokyo that make us wish the streets were narrower

Yeah, okay... the streets are narrow enough, right?

Sadly though, we’re still left out of Japan’s amazing local small car craze.

I mean these things are built for Japanese tastes way more than even Evos or RB-powered things. In a way, they are the ultimate JDM cars, in that they enshrine the Japanese culture of efficiency. Most motor shows they bring one or two along, just to tease the rest of the world with their wacky creations.

What’s the deal with that anyway? Is it all ‘hey look at this incredible little compact design, but nah, you can’t have it.’

Anyway, here are four Japanese small car concepts coming to the Tokyo Motor show (October 27 - November 5, 2017) that we kinda want to have a steer of.

Daihatsu DN Compagno

Yes, Daihatsu is still a thing, and they're making better stuff than ever before... maybe...

Retro-futurism, downscaled. These are some of our favourite Japanese designs. You’ll remember cars like the Nissan Figaro, arguably though, this little four-door coupe looks far more slick. Although the design is a nod to the 1963 Compagno, It’s almost as though there’s a whiff of Cadillac about the grille and upright tail-lights. That interior too is sensational, and doesn’t look too far-fetched for production.

Looks premium in here... just ignore those ridiculous wing-mirrors.

Daihatsu says it could be fitted with a 1.2-litre hybrid engine, as opposed to the currently standard Kei-sized 660cc engines.

Daihatsu DN Pro Cargo

Looks like a lego brick / Fiat Panda cross-breed.

In case you missed it, the future is here. In Japan anyway… Looking like something out of a utopian society (add a bit of muck and it could be on the set of Blade Runner), the DN Pro Cargo is the lego-brick-shaped kei car that can seemingly do anything ‘Pro’.

As if you wouldn't shop here.

Pro disabled access, pro miniature ambulance duties, pro portable bakery (pictured), pro shop that looks as though it sells anything from folios to snowboards… or maybe you could literally live in it. I’d give it a go.

Suzuki e-Survivor

Electric cars will (attempt) to survive the apocalypse!

You’ll remember how we talked about the upcoming Suzuki Jimny, and how it might be set to bring small-scale off-roading back. Well, Suzuki wants to go to lengths to protect that trend. So much so, that they want you to be driving this hybrid off-roader around after the apocalypse. ‘Cause it’s a survivor, right? We like the grill, the ride height, the funky seats and the targa-top.

The interior looks like something rendered in a cheap sci-fi film.

Maybe Suzuki should cool it with the alien glowing bits and see-through doors though. We're not sure where to start with the interior, either... how about that crotch-mounted air-con control?

Suzuki Carry Open-Air Market Concept

Apparently fruit and chrome hubcaps aren't extinct in the future.

As if this isn’t the coolest little portable shop you ever saw. It’s even sporting little retro wheels that will remind you of kei trucks past. It’s designed to be able to not only function as a shop but be an accomplished daily driver. Plus Suzuki have already done the hard-yards fitting it out for retail (in their example, an adorable fruit & veg cart).

Every hawker's dream... can't get a food safety violation when you can just run away.

The solar panel on the roof will no doubt help keep the auxiliary on all day so there’s no need for an afternoon jump-start when you’re ready to leave. We look forward to seeing it get modified for light sporting duties if it ever makes it to production.

Which of these small-car concepts would you most like to own? Tell us about it in the comments.