Toyota has decided to enter Japan’s popular minicar, or as it’s locally known, “kei” car segment with the new Pixi Space, which is supplied by the firm’s Daihatsu subsidiary under a minivehicle OEM agreement reached in September 2010.
The Pixis Space is offered in two distinct flavors 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.
Pricing for the Pixi Space starts at 1.12 million yen (US$14,700) for the base model and tops out at 1.611 million yen (US$21,145) for the Custom RS with AWD.
Up until now, Toyota was the only mainstream domestic player in the Japanese market to not be directly represented in the category leaving the “kei” cars to Daihatsu.
Under Japanese regulations, to belong in the “kei” car segment, a vehicle be must be powered by an engine with a displacement of less than 660cc (0.66-liters) and measure up to 3.4 meters (133.8-in.) long, 1.48 meters (58.3-in.) wide and 2 meters (78.7-in.) tall.
The advantages of owning a Kei car include lower taxes and insurance rates while they are also exempt from local requirements to verify that adequate parking is available for the vehicle.
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