Small Cars for a Big Future

"Small cars for a big future" is the theme at Suzuki's expansive motor show exhibit. Living up to the slogan is an impressive range of cars, encompassing the bold and bizarre as well as the down-to-earth and market ready, and all with a distinctive Japanese flavor. Here's proof that creative thinking on sustainable motoring can lead to fun, attractive cars.

This concept builds on the Kizashi concept that was shown in Frankfurt in September. Compared to its predecessor, it has more conventional headlights and grille, flared wheel arches accommodating wider tires, and revised side window shapes among other tweaks. It looks closer to being a production version - relatively, anyway - and indeed, Suzuki confirmed that they are planning a production car derived from it. It's powered by Suzuki's biggest engine to date, a 3.6-liter V6, mated to a six-speed auto transmission - suggesting that Suzuki really is thinking big and bold. There's also talk of hybrid technology, though that wasn't mentioned this time round.

Certainly the coolest and weirdest concept on the stand - possibly the show - this is not really a car at all but a two-wheeled "personal mobility pod." It's a vision of sustainable individual mobility for future cities and towns. It can be used by nondrivers, for example, children or the elderly, for low-speed off-road transportation around their community. Controlled by a computer mouse-like device mounted on the driver's side, it can twirl around on its wheels and has "info-light" indicator strips that change color to reflect the rider's intentions and the PIXY's status. Two PIXYs can "dock" into the SSC (Suzuki Sharing Coach) for higher-speed, longer distance transit. PIXYs can be shared and are powered by solar power and zero-emission hydrogen. The goal is to be "friendly to non-drivers and car users...not only a tool but a partner."

A radically styled "cross-utility" vehicle, this concept is an odd-looking mini-pickup designed primarily with function in mind. Drawing on Suzuki's well-proven expertise with small off-roaders (Jimny, Grand Vitara), its big idea is interchangeable load-bed fittings to suit different functions whether you're carrying bicycles or people: the Camper that allows two adults to sleep in comfort; the Fashion, which "provides stylish urban mobility;" or Rescue, which, unsurprisingly, is designed for rescue operations in many circumstances. It's not pretty but it is clever.

This is "a minicar that's aimed at parents who cherish time with their children, and at youngsters who like having fun with friends." With twin-powered sliding doors and a flat floor interior, fundamentally it's an ultra-compact MPV (multi-purpose vehicle). The tall boxy shape, flat roof and snub nose, common among Japanese domestic cars but less common internationally, provide excellent interior space despite the small overall dimensions.

After finding strong form with the Swift over recent years in the junior event, Suzuki is graduating to the World Rally Championship in 2008 with this souped-up version of its current small soft-roader (hatchback/SUV crossover). It certainly looks the part.

This new five-door hatchback for international markets goes on sale next year, with production coming from a factory in Hungary. It may look demure lined up with the zany concepts but this conventional car, based on the Swift platform, is fresh and friendly looking with an attractively clean interior design.