Toyota Pixis Space “Kei” Car Launched in Japan

Due to increase demand of “kei” car in Japan, Toyota is now selling its very first minicar in Japanese Domestic Market (JDM).

 

Minicar, or “kei,” are defined under Japanese regulations as having maximum length of 3.4 meters, width of 1.48 meters, height of 2 meters and engine displacement of less than 660cc. Taxes are lower for minicars, which now make up about a third of Japan’s annual vehicle sales.

 

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Based on the OEM agreement reached in September 2010, Toyota now launched the Pixis Space minicar that manufactured by its subsidiary – Daihatsu Motor Co.

 

The Pixis Space is offered in few variants, the base model in “L” and “X” trims, and a sportier looking variant available as the “Custom X”, “Custom G” and “Custom RS”.

 

With the exception of the Custom RS that is powered by a more powerful 660c turbocharged engine, the rest of the lineup is offered with a naturally aspirated 660cc gasoline unit. All models adopt a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and are offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.

 

Toyota is planning two more minicar models for JDM, although it has not said when those will go on sale. Toyota is targeting annual minicar sales of 60,000 in Japan for all three models in total.

 

The Pixis Space starts at 1.12 million yen for the base model and tops out at 1.611 million yen for the Custom RS with AWD.

 

Photo Gallery: Toyota Pixis Space

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