Suzuki has been on a roll lately. In its efforts to increase market share outside of Japan (where it continues to be one of the largest auto makers behind Toyota and Honda), Suzuki has stepped up it's efforts in research and design in hopes of building up its brand name in North America. Its latest offering is the new 2006 Grand Vitara which blows away most of the current mini-SUV competitors in terms of quality, standard equipment, warranty and cost. To further expand it's reach, Suzuki just unveiled two crazy high-tech retro concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The first called LC short for what I think is Little Car - a definite throw back to the 60's and 70's. The second concept called MRwagaon which is supposed to be short for Mom's Personal Wagon although I don't know how they arrived at that acronym. The MRwagon looks a bit more contemporary than the LC but still has it's retro flare with it's big round headlights.
I may use the word retro here to describe the design, but the technology underneath both vehicles are far from retro. From what I could surmise, they are equipped with the latest safety, communications, electric and driver assist technologies.
I can't really see myself having one as my only car but it would be a great conversation starter, especially the LC. Hell, I just changed my mind. In fact if they built it then I'd probably buy it. Just make it safe, nimble, sturdy on freeways, powerful enough for good passing speeds and bluetooth and iPod enabled; I'll be more than happy to purchase one.