Let's discuss kei cars...

**overboost** · June 12th, 2008 06:59 AM

You can add this to your list of kei cars available locally. Although the engine is big 1300cc but the size can be considered as part of the kei family.

Chana Benni

we get 12 to 14 km/l city driving and around 16 to 18/kml hi way driving.

Btw we've been to subic, nlex, sctex, slex numerous times using the vehicle and we have no problem regarding the size of the vehicle.

European continent or people also purchases a lot of small cars for their daily transportation and I'm wondering why our cars here get bigger and bigger even though our roads become more crowded each day.

**safeorigin** · June 12th, 2008 08:32 AM

well, it is quite contrary to what you said. people tend to buy msaller cars every now and then.

**donbuggy** · June 12th, 2008 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by wildthing

i find the Daihatsu Copen a good simple sportscar design na pang student (2 seater lang) ... nookie and pogi points while in college.

Introducing a kei based sports car first then the other kei variants later (regular car, van, truck) has its pros:

- An eye-catching 2-seat sports car will have a halo effect on the rest of the line up because it has a nicer shape and proportions.

- There are no competition locally in the small and affordable sports car category.

- A low volume manufacturing approach (built to order like the Morgan or by batches) can be done for sports cars and has low start-up cost.

**donbuggy** · June 12th, 2008 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by safeorigin

perhaps a diesel powered kei car could help. problem is, the kei car frame/chassis should be strong enough to handle the torsion from the engine

A diesel kei car is a good idea particularly for vans, trucks or taxis. Also for those stingy folks who want thrifty transportation. A properly triangulated space frame can handle the loads imposed on it (including the high torque of a diesel engine).

Ehnriko and safeorigin should apply their technical skills in creating a super economical diesel-powered hybrid electric kei car. This technology can be scaled up and put in a jeepney. Somebody please give these two guys a fully equipped engineering lab and staff (research assistants).

**architect** · June 12th, 2008 06:55 PM

*donbuggy, wildthing,

A sports car is definitely part of our plan. However our priority is to provide affordable enabling mobility for the Filipino masses. But please don't stop this from designing your dream cars. In fact, ehnriko has some plans using our base platform. After all, people have been putting Hayabusa engines in Altos and Minis.

I don't see why we can't do the same thing or even use other more affordable big bike engines, similar to what the T-Rex has.

**safeorigin** · June 12th, 2008 07:36 PM

actually, basing a model from a sports car isn't such a bad idea at all. this will just open up structural advantages like reinforced frame/chassis, better suspension/handling and versatility. eg. a 4wd sports kei car could be commercially configured as a front wheel family vehicle or as a rear wheel work horse. one particularly good example would be the suzuki swift which is based on a rally platfrom car. it has very good handling, nifty chassis and chick magnet looks.

**architect** · June 12th, 2008 07:49 PM

*SO,

Keep in mind Affordability is a very critical criterion.

OT - Have you been able to resume your bamboo experiments? Would love to hear any update on that. Thanks.

**overboost** · June 13th, 2008 07:52 AM

I saw an article from FHM magazine (2007 issue) about A-Toy having some plan in making a peoples car in fiberglass. The car pictured is a small 2door vehicle with a modern design. I wonder what happened to their plan.

**safeorigin** · June 13th, 2008 12:46 PM

ofcourse affordability is always considered on sports cars. the less the materials used, the lighter the car would be and that goes for the cost aswell. sports cars also emphasize modularity and simplicity in design so that mechanics could fix it in a matter of minutes or even seconds

**alwayz_yummy** · June 13th, 2008 03:59 PM

dedesign kayo ng "kei car"

originally dapat nga under 1000cc yun.. kaya most kei car are turbocharged.

if kaya kaya ng budget, could we source out a 1.0L common-rail turbo diesel to fit a kei-car design?

alam ko toyota merong 1.0 D4D euro spec yaris ata/mini one-D?

otherwise, suzuki based 880-1.1cc(NA and w/turbo, 5-MT/4AT/cvt) FWD set-up nalang...

kailangan muna ng base-model... atleast 4-door, kasi sa atin, maliit market for 2-doors.