Daihatsu Reveals Four Quirky Concepts For Tokyo, Including A Possible Jimny Rival

You can always count on Daihatsu to bring a quirky lineup to the Tokyo Motor Show and this year’s edition of the event makes no exception.

Under the theme of “Gathering – warming up everyone’s lives,” the Toyota-owned automaker will showcase four new concept vehicles. Each of these studies have names that sound like the scientific designations of animal species (in Japanese): Ico Ico, Tsumu Tsumu, Wai Wai, and Waku Waku.

Let’s start with the last one which envisions a kei car-sized crossover that “expands the world of play,” according to Daihatsu. The Waku Waku concept appears to be quite close to a production model, and the fact that small crossovers are very popular nowadays should motivate Daihatsu to build it.

Also read: Daihatsu Creates Weird And Wild Kei Cars For Tokyo

Daihatsu Waku Waku Concept

Despite its small footprint, the boxy SUV features rugged design elements such as plastic wheel arch cladding, off-road bumpers, and high ground clearance. It’s not hard to see it evolving into a Suzuki Jimny rival.

Moving on to the Wai Wai Concept, it’s a small MPV that offers six seats on three rows and a “friendly” design that sets it apart from conventional minivans. The normal front doors and sliding rear doors offer access to an airy cabin.

Daihatsu Wai Wai Concept

Two sunroofs provide plenty of light to the interior featuring folding seats and a minimalist dashboard with a steering wheel-attached control panel and a horizontal display spanning the entire width of the dash. As with the Waku Waku study, this looks like it could morph into a production model quite easily and successfully.

Daihatsu Ico Ico Concept

The Ico Ico Concept is a people carrier too but it does not require a driver. A small autonomous shuttle that can drive on narrow roads, Ico Ico is suitable as a last-mile public transporter. The vehicle is equipped with a retractable platform which allows for easy ingress-egress, particularly for wheelchair users. Daihatsu does not say how many people the Ico Ico can transport but looking at the photos it appears to be a four-seater.

Daihatsu Tsumu Tsumu Concept

Finally, the Tsumu Tsumu is arguably the cutest of the four concepts as it envisions a multi-purpose tiny truck. The Tokyo Motor Show concept’s modular loading platform is equipped with a large drone unit but Daihatsu says the Tsumu Tsumu light truck can accommodate other things such as camping units.

The concept features a roomy cabin that’s easy to access thanks to the new concept door opening and offers additional cargo space, particularly with the passenger seat folded down. Daihatsu says the Tsumu Tsumu previews a next-generation light truck for the Japanese market.