A look at the latest concept cars on display in Japan reveal that humiliation of having to invest in ‘sensible’ rather than ‘exciting’ transport on becoming a dad may soon become a thing of the past. So says Guy Bird
MAZDA SENKU
 On the outside, this is an unbelievably sleek sports car, on the inside it’s a four-seater that will take a bunch of luggage through two clever electric rear boot gates. What’s beautiful about this concept is that the bits that normally ‘stick out’ and spoil the lines on conventional cars – like wing mirrors, door handles and headlamps – are all hidden. The effect is possible due to huge remotely-operated electric-sliding doors (great for dad-access), tiny rear-view cameras (instead of wing mirrors) and high-intensity LED lamps hidden inside translucent front grille and rear tail sections – instead of conventional light bulb clusters. All are future-production feasible, only constrained today due to commercial cost.
With a solar sunroof supplying extra power to the petrol/electric eco-friendly hybrid engine, the Senku is more than just a sexy sports car. It could hold the key to a future RX-8 – and the current version has already graced the pages of FQ as one of the most practical dadmobile sports cars ever. Good news.
MITSUBISHI D:5
All dads know the Scooby Doo van ‘look’ is a good one. It goes down well with the ladies as well as the kids. Just ask Daphne and Shaggy. Trouble is, real vans are usually a tad sparse for family transport – even ones converted into ‘MPVs’ with windows and two extra rows of seats. What makes the D:5 so |
Full review FQ MAGAZINE January 2006 >> more
cool is its mix of Land Rover Discovery-esque designer off-road ruggedness with the interior versatility, elegance and space of a Renault Espace. What’s also cool is that the car will go on sale in Japan by 2007 pretty much as it looks here as the next generation Delica MPV/4x4 (a vehicle which in its current guise is already enjoying cult status as a UK import).
The only shame is the interior will change quite a bit on the production model, and that Mitsubishi has yet to make a decision on selling the vehicle in the UK. Can’t think of a right-minded dad who wouldn’t want one. I’m happy to start the petition…
NISSAN PIVO
In Nissan’s electric-powered Pivo concept reverse gear is unnecessary. Its pod-like cabin revolves 360 degrees, so that you can park in one direction and drive-off in the opposite direction due to ‘drive-by-wire’ technology replacing the mechanical connections between cabin and chassis with electronic signals. This technology will make production in the future too – even if the swivelling cabin doesn’t. More-likely-sooner technology is its seethrough pillars and a 360-degree view camera to reduce blind spots. |
Cameras on the car’s outside front pillars feed images of the car’s surroundings on to screens mounted on the inside of the pillar, so the pillars become in effect ‘see-through’. The ‘Around View Monitor’ does something similar so you can see from your dashboard one bird’s eye view image of what surrounds your whole car.
And the Pivo’s ideas are less wacky than you might think – the mainstream Nissan Primera already has a rear-view camera to help reversing – although the look may only suit cool urban dads who appreciate spacesaving devices.
HONDA WOW
If pets are part of your family then this concept can’t fail to appeal. The ‘WOW’ (“Wonderful Open-hearted Wagon”) has a silly name but loads of good ideas – from the glove box that doubles up as pooch storage space (replete with extra ventilation), to a rearseat crate that folds up from the floor to house another dog in comfort and safety. With a low floor, high centre roof section (so you can easily walk through) and double sliding side doors for superb access, the WOW could really transform family holidays with the pets.
You won’t see the WOW ‘going for walkies’ as a production car any time soon, but the idea of a future Honda this pet (and guide-dog) friendly is not so far fetched. Not so cool on the outside but very clever inside. Kennelowners beware.
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