Looking at the same cars over and over again can get a little stale, which is why once in a while we like to show you something different. Europe has the mini MPV, America the minivan and Japan… the kei van. This class of diminutive vehicles is powered exclusively by 660cc engines with restricted power and have very strict proportions. All models look like they would fall over in a strong wind, but the clever Japanese have found ways to make even these boring motors look interesting.
The coolest kei van we've seen so far this year is the new eK Space Custom, built by the guys at Mitsubishi together with Nissan. Despite being shorter than a Fiat 500, the eK Space Custom is packed with toys.
As you're about to see, it's got an automatic gearbox, a really cool dash with touch controls for the air conditioning, doors that open and close electrically at the touch of a button and a cavernous cabin. The body's overall design is boxy in order to maximize the use of space, but there are fresh touches that lift the eK from anonymity, like alloy wheels, a nice chrome grille and refreshing colors.
The eK employs Mitsubishi's Auto Stop & Go, which cuts fuel consumption to 29.2km/l, equal to 3.4l/100km.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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