Mini Cars More Popular Now

Designing mini cars to be safe and fuel efficient certainly is possible

In commenting on a Green Car Congress article about increasing sales in Japan of mini cars* with a corresponding drop in sales of other cars, NBK-Boston observed that an American company (GM) makes a nice minicar, the Daewoo Matiz but can’t sell it in this country. 

On the other hand, this blog previously relayed, a set of subcompact automobiles currently available or soon to be available in the United States.

Note: Although not everyone uses the same terminology, mini car refers to a small two seater, whereas a super mini is a car with four or more seats.

As GCC previously reported, the Matiz / Spark mini-car is popular in China. Daewoo, a GM subsidiary, sells the Matiz under Chevy, Pontiac and other nameplates in various international markets. This mini car has a 92.1″ wheelbase, 137″ total length, and weighs around 1800 lbs. 

The commenter opined, “It gets great mileage (typically estimated at 45 mpg, averaging city and highway), but is both light and tiny, making it a safety risk.” As two UK automotive reporters recently observed: 

“Traveling at the same speed as lorries, we lost count of the number trying to bully us out of their way. And when you drive something” (that little and looking in the rear view mirror you see) “your entire rear window full of a Dutch, heavy goods vehicle, you suddenly understand the meaning of intimidation.”

On the other hand, if car makers want to sell mini cars in markets, where passenger safety is more highly regulated, then they will design their fuel-efficient offerings in this highly competitive global market with greater crash-worthiness.

Mini car boom in Japan

Over the last few years mini cars are increasingly becoming popular in Japan.  Mini cars or Kei cars are small sized cars with engine upto 650 cc.  Popular mini car makers in Japan are Suzuki, Mitsubishi,  Daihatsu,  Subaru.  mini cars comprised of about 36% of the total cars manufactured in Japan.

So, why Japanese people are going for mini-cars?

There are many reasons.  Japanese people mostly use cars for city drive.  As Japanese families are small,  a small car suits the purpose best.

Mini cars are also easy to maneuver in the narrow roads common in most Japanese cities.  Japanese people prefer traveling by high speed bullet trains than driving in a car for going to distant places, to save time and money.

People who enjoy long drives can rent bigger cars easily anywhere in Japan.

Overall cost of maintenance is another reason to go for a mini car.  Mini cars are considerably cheaper than bigger passenger cars, so the initial investment is low.  They consume much less fuel too.

In Japan, one can not buy a car unless he has a proof of his own/rented parking space; in cities like Tokyo, it costs about Y.40,000 JP yen(US$350) to Y.50,000 JP yen (US$420) per month for renting parking space.

However, this requirement of parking space is not applicable for mini-cars;  the savings in rent for parking space makes mini-cars attractive to Japanese people.

I feel that Japanese mini-cars are well suited for crowded cities in Asia and Africa.

If you feel interested in buying a new or used mini-car,  please feel free to contact me.

Mini Car (SHH-3680)

The base brain model comes standard with convenient features such as 5-speed automated manual transmission with manual or automatic operation mode, remote lock systems, leather steering wheel and consoles, AM/FM radio, CD player, and more. Be sure to checkout our BrainBuggy Coupe and Convertible models that offer more standard features at half the cost of traditional automobiles.

Additional features include ABS Tri-points pre-tie safety belt, Cloth cover seat, No glare inner rearview mirror, Front and rear safety belt , Guard against side bump and protective transom , Height brake lamp central control locking, Front electric window, Defrosting for rear windshield,  Electric rearview mirror,  MP3 player,  AM/FM radiogram,  Mobile seat, and Spare tire.

Honda Jazz ('08)

Honda Jazz ('08)

Honda’s clever hatchback mixes supermini proportions with MPV-style practicality.

Styling/Image 

Honda enjoys tremendous customer loyalty and the evolutionary looks of the latest Jazz will do nothing to upset to existing owners. However, it has lost some of the original car’s cheeky appeal and its inoffensive styling is bland compared to some of the competition. A smidgeon of the flair that makes the Civic so distinctive wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Engine/Performance 

Just two engines are available in the Jazz and there’s no diesel option. The 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol powerplants are both suited to the practical supermini but even the larger unit can become tiresome at high cruising speeds, as you have to work the engine hard to get the best out of it. Fuel consumption of 52.3mpg does make the 1.4-litre model an economical choice. 

Interior/Practicality 

The first Jazz set new standards for practicality and versatility – and the current model follows the same mantra. Its spacious interior features rear seats that can tumble forwards or lift up depending on the size and shape of load you need to carry. There’s easily room for five adults inside while the dashboard is modern, attractive and feels solidly put together. To get more useable cabin space you’ll need a family estate or compact MPV.

Driving experience

Both engine options provide decent performance but the Jazz pays for its versatile dimensions on the road, where agility suffers. We’ve few complaints about the tidy handling, but there is more body roll in corners than you experience in rival models, and it doesn’t have the same sharpness as its predecessor. Honda has also failed fix the biggest complaint of the old car, because the Jazz still has firm suspension. It copes will with large potholes and humps but smaller bumps and ruts unsettle the Honda. 

Ownership Costs

Competitive prices combine with strong residual values to make the Jazz a seriously appealing package. With its high equipment levels and good fuel economy the little Honda is a sensible choice for family buyers. The brand’s dealer network is also one of the best around, so the ownership experience shouldn’t disappoint. 

Safety/Environment

With a choice of two economical petrol engines and an ultra-practical body the Jazz is a green supermini choice. Its 1.2 and 1.4-litre engines produce CO2 emissions of 125 and 128g/km respectively. And fuel economy is equally impressive. When it comes to safety, ESP is fitted to 1.4-litre models as standard. It’s not available on smaller-engined variants, but all cars come with six airbags.

Honda Jazz (01-08)

Honda Jazz (01-08)

Original high-rise supermini is an Auto Express favourite and still hard to fault.

It's easy to find the Jazz for you - the range consists of only three cars! All petrol-engined motors, the 1.2 S is the budget entry-level model, which is great value but lacks remote locking, curtain and side airbags, while air con is a pricy £1,500 option. It also misses out on the reworked headlights and minor trim changes of 1.4-litre SE and Sport models (which are available with optional CVT automatic transmission). These variants cost more but come with more as standard, though their performance advantage isn't huge - there's only 5bhp difference between the two engines. All models enjoy a high-quality cabin with dimpled plastics and spot-on layout, along with a very good driving position and visibility spoiled only by steeply-raked A-pillars. The single five-door bodystyle is one of the biggest superminis you can buy, but Honda has no plans to mate this practicality to diesel power. Such choice restrictions haven't harmed sales though; the Jazz is a strong selling supermini in the UK.

Driving:

Both 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre engines have the same refined and pleasant nature, and feature identical i-DSI (Dual-Sequential Ignition system) technology, offering excellent economy and emissions. Throttle response is sharp yet they're refined units mated to precise controls. The clutch is well-weighted and the five-sped gearbox so slick, you can do it with two fingers. Direct steering and keen turn-in are betrayed by a ride that can become choppy on bumpy roads; but generally, the Jazz is a joy to drive.

Owning:

The Jazz sells on flexibility - enhanced by its 'Magic' rear seat. By relocating the fuel tank to beneath the front seats, engineers have freed up room beneath the back chairs. Pull a single lever and they fold flat, or you can lift the base up, cinema-style, for extra space accessed via the rear doors. The boot itself is a huge 353 litres, bigger than a Vauxhall Astra. Fuel economy is excellent, with the 1.4-litre approaching and the 1.2-litre exceeding 50mpg, and service intervals are 12,500 miles. Be warned though - the high-tech engine makes pitstops expensive. But insurance ratings are low and retained values among the highest of any small car you can buy. A four-star Euro-NCAP result and meagre airbag count isn't up with the best, though.

Daihatsu Copen

Daihatsu CopenLaunched in 2002, the Copen isn't Daihatsu's newest model, but it's certainly the sportiest. The two-seat roadster goes from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 11.7 seconds, while averaging 44.1 mpg of gasoline. Its electric retractable hardtop goes up or down in 20 seconds. The cost? $13,700 to $16,000. In some overseas markets—but not the U.S.—a larger 87-horsepower, 1.3-liter engine version is also available.

Review: I would like a two seat sport mini. Sixty horsepower would propel a 600 pound vehicle nicely. The 600 pound weight could be achieved with large diameter narrow motorcycle spoke wheels and high pressure tires would improve fuel economy. Mylar skin is an option if the mylar were easily replaced when torn. Two front drive wheels are essential, but one rear drive wheel is adequate and would save costs. I've seen 1200cc two cylinder Harley engines rated for 9,000rpm. A 600cc engine should be capable of 12,000rpm. A continuously variable transmission or six speed motorcycle transmission bakes the cake. A couple of chrome upright exhaust stacks could add a cool factor. One front seat wide enough for three with indents for the main passengers is plenty.

Nissan Otti

Nissan released a remodeled version of the Otti in October. Built by Mitsubishi Motors—Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn reckons Nissan lacks the expertise to make its own suitably profitable mini-cars—the Otti ranges in price from $8,400 to $12,900. Standard safety features include antilock brakes, airbags, and a new front bumper designed to minimize injuries to pedestrians in the event of an accident.

Review: I would like a two seat sport mini. Sixty horsepower would propel a 600 pound vehicle nicely. The 600 pound weight could be achieved with large diameter narrow motorcycle spoke wheels and high pressure tires would improve fuel economy. Mylar skin is an option if the mylar were easily replaced when torn. Two front drive wheels are essential, but one rear drive wheel is adequate and would save costs. I've seen 1200cc two cylinder Harley engines rated for 9,000rpm. A 600cc engine should be capable of 12,000rpm. A continuously variable transmission or six speed motorcycle transmission bakes the cake. A couple of chrome upright exhaust stacks could add a cool factor. One front seat wide enough for three with indents for the main passengers is plenty.