car released january months debut frankfurt motor door automobile 1960s employ rear setup engine passengers attempt improve safety interior space overall exterior innovative layout proved immediate critical commercial success exceeding initial sales targets percent winning thirteen awards year designed japanese light automobile class mind attention generated led subsequent introduction right hand drive markets asia oceania europe basis battery electric vehicle concepts prototypes exhibited car development concept debuted 60th frankfurt motor previewed car striking exterior journalists quick seize distinctive silhouette calling good egg crystal ball future reviewer speculated allusion vehicle french born designer france popular post war people car shared seat rear engined layout formally lauded won grand prize 50th anniversary good design awards october car win award explaining choice company claimed represent owner personal encouragement personal expression innovation intelligence imagination car development play japanese word love pronounced concept powered powerplant company system turns engine automatically vehicle stationary restart seconds equipped claimed car capable fuel consumption litres kilometres imp second prototype called exhibited tokyo motor previewed production model conventional mechanical despite having radical appearance bore little resemblance final design instead polished aluminium body styled resemble design head described realization fantasies future childhood aviation theme continued short secret room reference fighter aircraft world war technical details body dimensions lightweight steel aluminium structure rear engined layout allowed incorporate larger zone order meet current safety legislation requirements interior space driver designers able millimetres giving greater passengers comparable cars typically design reduction cargo carrying capacity necessarily compromised engine location rear rear engine mounted ahead rear axle highly unusual configuration small car engine design dominated 1970s cylinder powerplant aluminium cylinder block displacement cubic centimetres incorporates double overhead variable valve timing cylinder head initially engine offered naturally version introduced speed automatic gearbox power rear wheels depending specification suspension brakes tires suspension unusual link tube rear discs anti lock braking electronic distribution standard range common mid- rear engined vehicles inch wheels uneven sized tires fronts wider effort chances caused rear biased weight distribution specifications individual models grades available car release ascending order price shared door body style engine offered differing levels options standard equipment base model given new naturally powerplant positioned new grades engine shared domestic international markets mass production began company plant december released sale january priced initially aimed cars month domestic market managed exceed target month end approximately sold company exported singapore hong_kong new_zealand like japan drive left introduced united_kingdom july price target sales year annual production sales special editions july company displayed unique edition department store tokyo district based wheel drive model pink paint scheme interior princess doors windows ribbon roof themed small ears car described japanese car country cultural icons eventually sold charity auction behalf limited production models include play edition run cars available white black featuring mounted slot edition faux sold single bulk japan domestic blue jeans manufacturers located 1st anniversary special editions based grades introduced early commemorate car year sale electric car version given prominent role company alternative propulsion research projects developing version innovative technology exhibited 22nd international battery hybrid provided power companies vehicles order evaluate fast charge infrastructure developed electric vehicles fleet testing power companies conducted later view future public sales electric car launched japan fleet customers july general public april sales public hong_kong began trial began australia september sales european countries began late december march united_states west east coasts respectively awards won car year award japanese car year awards website won advanced technology special achievement award japan car year awards nominated unsuccessfully overall car year category ranked japan mini car study published october higher score previous winner aside good design grand prix style won design awards magazines car
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