Here we go again with the Japanese and their famed kei cars. I have to admit that I am quite fascinated by these wee machines. Their kei-fest last Tokyo Motor Show had quite excited with the future of these cute vehicles. The sales of the Alto, the Yaris, the Fit and the Mazda2 are testaments of how the public is receiving these cars.

Remember the Nissan Cube? That kei car that looks like a box with wheels? Well, say hello to a new box-with-wheels on the block – the Daihatsu Move Conte. And when it comes to kei cars, there probably isn’t a batter maker than Daihatsu.

To give you how kei the Move Conte is even shorter that the Fiat 500 but the boxy design and the layout of the (compact) engine compartment and seats give enough space for four (svelte) people to fit inside the cabin.

The Move Conte will be powered by a naturally-aspirated KF-VE 3-cylinder engine that dishes out 58 horsepower which is quite enough to pull its boxy shape for city driving. A “pumped-up” version is also available in the form of a KF-DET (T stands for turbo) engine that dishes out six more horses. Options include relaying power either to the front wheels or all four wheels.

And safety is also made a concern with the addition of ABS, driver and passenger airbags. The car will be available at a price range of $9,133-$14,714.

Source: Inside Line