CREATIVITY IN A BLOATED LAND.

Editor's Note: This week, Peter takes a look at the KEI-01, the first offering from the reimagined Scion by Toyota and applauds the automaker for its creative automotive thinking. In On The Table, we take a closer look at Toyota's Scion KEI-01. Our video this week features the 1972 Can-Am opener at Mosport, featuring Penske Racing. Our AE Song of the Week is "Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan. In Fumes, Peter presents Part V of his series, "The Racers." And finally, in The Line, it's an off weekend for both F1 and MotoGP, so we thought we'd feature a profile of the iconic Porsche 718 racing car. Remember, you can read past issues by scrolling down and clicking on "Next 1 Entries." Onward! -WG

 

By Peter M. DeLorenzo

Detroit. As you can see in On The Table, our feature there is the new KEI-01, the first offering from the reimagined Scion by Toyota. The KEI-01 is an ultra-compact utility truck that will arrive in the U.S. in the second half of 2027. "Providing the functionality, efficiency and versatility of Japan’s legendary kei trucks, the KEI-01 brings a proven concept to American customers in a packaged way that only Toyota companies can deliver," Toyota PR minions proclaimed.

 

Designed to meet applicable low-speed vehicle federal safety requirements, the KEI-01 comes standard with a 660cc three-cylinder engine, a continuously variable transmission, and four-wheel drive (4WD) making it "an affordable, highly capable, and remarkably maneuverable package," according to the manufacturer. The KEI-01 is designed to meet a wide range of customer needs, including:

• Small business owners looking for an affordable urban commercial vehicle.
• Farmers and ranchers requiring a dependable daily workhorse.
• Municipalities, universities and corporate campuses seeking efficient fleet vehicles.
• Delivery and service providers operating in urban environments.
• Outdoor enthusiasts and hobbyists wanting a versatile utility vehicle.

The development of this vehicle is significant for a couple of reasons. 1. It’s Toyota, and anything that company does is thoroughly thought-out, developed and executed to the Nth degree. And 2. In the current climate of increasingly unaffordable vehicles – the average vehicle transaction price is now over $51,000 – the idea of a one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world embracing this class of vehicle on a grander scale is beyond noteworthy.

 

Yes, kei vehicles have been around for a long time in Japan, so there’s nothing new there, with the congested streets and byways particularly suited to their diminutive size. But Toyota aiming to bring the KEI-01 here is a huge deal for this tiny class of vehicle. To be sure, the KEI-01 is smartly targeted, as you can see above. Each one of those use cases would be perfect for the KEI-01. In fact, I could easily see them put to use around here by the City of Birmingham, which has a hodgepodge collection of service vehicles running around in various applications.

 

But I can hear some readers thinking right now, “Kei? Really? I don’t think so.” And that would be correct, if these vehicles were aimed at the mainstream. But that isn’t the case, not even remotely close, in fact.

 

Which brings me to the hand-wringing over the size of the kei vehicles. Within the parameters of Toyota’s highly-targeted mission for the KEI-01 class of vehicle, it will be perfectly suited to the tasks at hand. But beyond that? No, of course not.

 

We are already living in an auto world with an almost incomprehensible – and ugly – set of vehicle size differentials. At literally every intersection you come across these days, being eye-level with a monster pickup truck’s front bumper is a common occurrence. And that is if you’re driving a compact crossover. If you happen to be driving what is considered to be a regular – and now quaintly-sized – passenger car, you are inevitably eye level with the hub of a massive wheel and tire combination.

 

If you allow yourself to dwell too long on this precarious phenomenon, you may not want to venture out beyond your driveway. Because this just in: Bigger and heavier crushes smaller and lighter, every single time. All of today’s pickups, larger crossovers and luxury SUVs are too damn big and too damn heavy. Add the considerable weight penalty associated with EVs, and you have a driving environment more attuned to Mad Max than the traditional urban slog.

 

Back in the '50s and '60s, the marketing mantra for new vehicles was “longer, lower and wider.” There were exceptions, of course – for specialized products like sports cars and working pickup trucks – but that was the deal. Then, sometime after the turn of the century, the industry embarked on a path of “bigger, taller and heavier,” insisting that they were only building what their customers wanted. Really? That’s just so much unmitigated bullshit. I don’t recall hearing anyone clamoring for the bulk, heft and girth of today’s pavement-pounding conveyances.

 

The manufacturers have been driving this whole thing from the beginning, claiming that more mandatory safety standards and added technology were driving this push into Gigantia. Nah, I’m not buying it. At all. These vehicles are belligerent (as are too many of their drivers), unwieldy, and they’ve destroyed parking lot etiquette for everyone overnight. One trip to any metropolitan airport parking structure and you can see first-hand what these gigantic vehicles have wrought. Not to mention your local supermarket parking lot or other claustrophobic parking situations you may encounter in your daily grind.

 

So, back to Toyota. I applaud the giant auto manufacturer for taking a flyer on bringing the KEI-01 to this market. Smartly targeting very specific and limited applications, I expect to see these diminutive Toyotas everywhere – in their prescribed environments – by 2030.

 

It’s just refreshing to see some actual creative automotive thinking going on in a Bloated Land.

 

And that’s the High-Octane Truth for this week.

 

(Toyota)

The Scion KEI-01. See more pics and info in On The Table.

Editor's Note: Click on "Next 1 Entries" at the bottom of this page to see previous issues. - WG