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For their home turf show, Japanese automakers often bring out the best and quirkiest. To cite just a few examples, how about the three different Nissan Pivo concepts, the Honda EV-N and the Nissan Land Glider. Suzuki continues the trend this year with a full slate of world premieres of unusual designs wrapped around some eco-friendly powertrains.

The theme seems to be that small is good, and the “big” star is the Regina (above), Suzuki’s “vision of a next-generation global compact car” that gets 75 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the JC08 test cycle. The usual efficiency suspects – lightweighting and improved aerodynamics – help out here. The Regina weighs just 1,609 pounds (730 kg) and emits just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Then we have the Q-concept, because apparently having one funky Japanese car defined by a single letter (the Mitsubishi i) isn’t enough. The Q is the bright orange My First Discman thing you see above left, and it’s a small city vehicle that’s only 2.5 meters long and seats two in tandem style. The interior arrangement can be adapted to fit more kids – or delivery goods – in the back. Suzuki doesn’t specify, but we assume it’s powered by electricity since there is no tailpipe and the automaker says the car (?) is “ideal for everyday journeys within a radius of about 10km.”

The most normal-looking vehicle that Suzuki will display at Tokyo Big Sight is the Swift EV Hybrid. A plug-in electric with an “engine-driven generator,” the Swift EV Hybrid (also called the Swift Range Extender) can easily go between 20 and 30 kilometers (12 and 18 miles), at least, on battery power and then go further using liquid fuel. Exact details on the battery size and all-electric range will have to wait until the show starts in Japan at the end of the month. In 2009, Suzuki showed off the Swift Plug-In Hybrid.

Suzuki will also display a new Swift Sport and a flotilla of two-wheelers, including some powered by fuel cells and batteries. Read more about them after the jump.

Continue reading Suzuki gets small and funky for Tokyo with Regina compact, Q-Concept, Swift EV Hybrid

Suzuki gets small and funky for Tokyo with Regina compact, Q-Concept, Swift EV Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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French automaker Renault has just unveiled its latest zany electric concept. Called Frendzy, this electrifying vehicle is a 14-foot-long whimsical design study that showcases some of the automaker’s innovative technologies.

For motivation, the Frendzy makes use of the electric gear that powers the Renault Kangoo Z.E. Renault has not revealed the Frendzy’s estimated range, but does claim the battery-powered concept tops out at 80 miles per hour.

Renault pitches the Frendzy as a multi-purpose vehicle, saying that it transforms from a workaday vehicle to a family-hauling machine on weekends. Renault describes the Frendzy’s transformation like this:

On weekdays, Frendzy is a vehicle that adapts to the requirements of the business user, with a large external screen that can display useful messages or information or advertising messages, either while parked or on the move. Come the weekend, the vehicle transforms itself into a family vehicle, with a comfortable passenger seat and, in the rear, a big bench seat. Depending on their mood of the moment, children can watch a film or play games on the touch-sensitive pad which slides out from the back of the driver’s seat. They can even draw on a special slate integrated into the sliding door.

According to Renault, the Frendzy is a “multi-faceted friend” that automatically tackles friendly tasks, including changing the orientation of the exterior mirrors, setting the interior mood lighting and altering the vehicle’s pedestrian warning system as the Frendzy transforms from “work” to “family” mode.

Given these zany features, it seems unlikely the Frendzy will enter production. However, we do know that this electric concept will make its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Hit the jump to catch some video of the electrified Frendzy. Looking for more details? Check out Renault’s press release after the jump.

Continue reading Renault previews funky electric Frendzy concept

Renault previews funky electric Frendzy concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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