Urban Transport

Suzuki's tandem two-seater Q-concept micro car

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Suzuki's Q-Concept
Suzuki's Q-Concept
The interior of Suzuki's Q-Concept
The Suzuki Q-Concept uses swing-up doors for ease of parking in tight spaces
The Q-Concept dashboard
Suzuki's Q-Concept
The Q-Concept is very reminiscent of Renault's Twizy
Renault's Twizy also uses a similar door opening arrangement
The Suzuki Regina
The Regina's high tech instrument console
The interior of the Swift EV
The Swift EV
The Suzuki Regina
View gallery - 12 images

Suzuki's Q-Concept is a narrow-track, lightweight tandem two-seater, "positioned between conventional motorcycles and cars" according to the Japanese manufacturer. Two years ago at the last Tokyo Motor Show, we did a major article and video on narrow-track vehicles, forecasting that cars would get smaller and lighter, and the Q-Concept fits the bill perfectly.

Its 2.5-meter (8.2 ft) length and narrow width makes it more maneuverable, uses less energy, takes up less parking space and Suzuki envisages several configurations beyond the tandem two-seater, such as a two-child seat in the rear, or as a delivery vehicle with a cargo area behind.

If there's a car which the Q-Concept brings to mind with its appearance, it's the Renault Twizy Z.E. Electric vehicle, which is currently arriving at market in Europe. While the Q-Concept obviously carries the normal concept car glitz and technology levels, one of the many advantages of smaller vehicles is the cost.

Renault's Twizy also uses a similar door opening arrangement

Renault has two versions of the Twizy available, being the GBP 6,700 (US$10,600) Urban and GBP 7,400 (US$11,770) Technic, both with a monthly battery lease cost of GBP 40 and a 36 month/4,500 miles per year agreement.

Auto companies like to keep a few secrets up their sleeve for added wow factor at the unveiling of the vehicle at the press conference, and the above info is all that has been officially released.

The Q-Concept dashboard

From poring over the photos though, it's obvious that Suzuki intends to employ a dockable smartphone/key device similar to the Honda Smart Connect being used in Honda's concept cars. There's also rear view cameras which display on two small screens either side of the instrument console, and a heads-up display.

Suzuki's Q-Concept

The Q-Concept will be just one of several new vehicles being shown by Suzuki at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, with the others being the Regina and Swift EV.

The Regina is believed to be a preview of Suzuki's next-generation global compact car, achieving low emissions by virtue of its extreme light weight (just 730 kg / 1,609 lb) and aerodynamic efficiency.

The Suzuki Regina

Suzuki reports the Regina has a drag coefficient at least 10 percent lower than that of current models and fuel economy of at least 32 km/L (75.2 mpg) on the JC08 test cycle and CO2 emissions as low as 70 g/km (New European Driving Cycle) using a petrol engine.

The Swift EV

The Swift EV Hybrid is an electric vehicle with a gas-engine generator and can achieve 20−30 km (12.4 - 18.6 miles) in electric only mode.

View gallery - 12 images
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6 comments
William H Lanteigne
Interesting concept, but having four wheels it would be considered a \"car\" for purposes of licensing and insurance. Reconfigured with three wheels, it would be considered a \"motorcycle trike\" in most jurisdictions, with cheaper licensing and insurance, and less strict safety and emissions regulations.
Michael Mantion
Rearch will show, since the 40\'s some people have always said that cars will become smaller. Strangely enough they keep getting bigger, more powerful and more complex. There is often a knee jerk response to gas spikes, but eventually cars get bigger. If and when something like bio diesel can be made cheaply, cars will grow in size overnight. To be honest I see a trend towards cars that are similar to mobile homes. With TV\'s, DVD players, comfy seats, oh wait that already exist. So I guess what is some sort of cooking area. I am saying a small fridge and microwave like they have in hotels.
Don\'t get me wrong I love small cars, It just isn\'t going to happen. Once a person gets married or dates someone with kids, they will want something bigger.
yrag
I\'m fine with the scale and functionality of Suzuki\'s two-seater Q-concept micro car, but the styling looks like a toy for a 4 year old! No guy\'s going to drive that--I got to believe that even women--who skew somewhat more cute--would find the styling just TOO--not even juvenile, but infantile.
CreativeApex
I disagree with Suzuki\'s statement that this vehicle lies somewhere between a motorcycle and a car. It looks exactly like a \'mobility chair\', so there\'s little doubt that this would replace anyone\'s desire for a motorcycle now and in the future.
Hmm
William H Lanteigne: That\'d also require drivers to get a motorcycle driver\'s license I presume (and thus learn to drive a motorcycle), which I think many people would be reluctant to do. Also, I don\'t think emissions regulations will be a problem for a city car like this anyway.
Michael Mantion: Compact cars are already quite common in Europe and Asia (and have been for a long time). Cars in North America have traditionally been bigger, for a number of reasons (gas prices are lower there, and cities are mostly suburban instead of urban, cultural differences). And in any case, cars like this are not meant for everyone, of course. But they *are* meant for a sizable and growing market segment.
yrag: I\'m a guy and I\'d merrily drive that. :) Also, I\'m pretty sure if it gets to production, colors other than orange/white will be available.
BigGoofyGuy
I think the Q-Concept is a really cool concept; IMO.
I think the second and third (Regina and Swift) could compete quite well with the Mini Cooper (just as cool but at a lower price?). :)