Nissan and Mitsubishi are expanding their
collaboration with the launch of four all-new kei cars for the Japanese market. The new kei cars are the Nissan
Dayz, Nissan Dayz Highway Star, Mitsubishi eK Wagon, and Mitsubishi eK X.
Production of the new mini cars is handled by the NMKV joint venture and they
will be manufactured at Mitsubishi’s Mizushima Plant in Kurashiki, Japan.
Nissan and Mitsubishi launched the first generation
of their jointly-developed kei cars in 2013 and have ramped up their
collaboration since becoming Alliance partners in 2016. For the first time, Nissan and
Mitsubishi’s kei cars will offer semi-autonomous driving technology designed
for single-lane use on highways. The Japanese automakers say the new models
deliver “a markedly improved performance” thanks to their upgraded platforms,
engines and transmissions.
Even though the four cars share key components and
the tall, boxy shape (kei cars are limited by law to a length of 3,490 mm and width of 1,490 mm, they retain their brand-specific design
cues. The Nissan Dayz models adopt the marque’s V-Motion grille while the
Mitsubishi eK vehicles feature the Dynamic Shield design philosophy at the
front.
There are no surprises in the engine compartment, as
segment rules stipulate the powertrain mustn’t be bigger than 0.66 liters and
can’t have more than 64 hp. Thus, we expect the same naturally aspirated and
turbocharged three-cylinder engines with 55 hp and 64 hp, respectively.
As before, a CVT will be standard, and customers
will also have the option of an AWD system. The new Nissan Dayz and Mitsubishi
eK will go on sale in Japan later this month. Interestingly, we caught an early
glimpse of the all-new Dayz in January, when a prototype was spotted testing in
Europe, out of all places, though it won’t be available there.
