Vying for the tiniest car

Inside Line reports on rumors that Toyota may put its Endo concept car into production as a competitor to Smart. According to the article, disguised Endos have been spotted around Japan. Although only 10 feet long, the car can seat four. I caught the concept Endo at last year's Frankfurt Auto Show, where it sported an LCD for instruments and other information, plus a built-in e-mail application. Production Endos would probably not have the same dashboard.

(Source: Edmunds.com Inside Line)

[PhillyBoy919]

Practical for City Living

I could see a car like this being useful in a big city like New York, Philly, LA, etc. where parking is at a premium and maneuverability is critical, or for someone who cannot afford fluctuations in gas prices and needs to get a million miles per gallon.

In the suburbs or anywhere you'll be traveling on the highway, however, I wouldn't even give this little toy a look. I'd much rather cruise down the highway with a big V8 pulling me around. 24 MPG is just fine for me, thank you very much.

[KevinK]

It's about sustainability and the environment

Name one V8 powered SUV that gets anywhere near 24mpg in real life.. Not to mention the volume of greenhouse gases emitted by the much larger engine working so much harder to haul all of that lard around behind it. Yes V8's are fun, but when the Atlantic ocean is lapping at the front door of my house it won't be quite as amusing then.
Seriously cars like these may be the perfect solution for anyone who only needs to travel short distances, as a second car, etc.. Obviously with all the trucks and SUV's on the highways it isn't going to be a good choice for the highway, but I'm sure that is not the target market.. I hope Toyota will bring this thing to our shores, I'm sure it will find a market with the environmentally conscious and amongst those who live on our congested coastal cities on the east and west coast.

[b5thomas7]

toyota endo looks great!

Small cars with great fuel economy are the way to go. In addition, the small cars
are usually more fun to drive. The endo looks economical, practical (seats 4),
and fun. I hope it makes it the the U.S.

[DaveV]

All well and good, but you still need another car.

People buy cars like this because they dont have a lot of money to spend. Sure its good in the city, but want if you want to carry something like christmas presents, or groceries judging by the size of this thing. What if you want to get out of the city and drive three hours into the country-side. i am sure that will be fun when the engine is red-lined and only goes 60 miles an hour in a noisy-vibrating burning electronic smell of a car on the highway. the mini-cooper is fun cause its actually sporty with racing acceleration and brakes, but this will be a bare minimum equipment vechile that putts like a golf cart. the point is you really want to be all smug with your enviroment friendly car, dont go askin a friend to use his F150 or call a polution crazy moving service and see how much fun your gas saving life is. And the only real reason people want to get better fuel milage is so they dont have to spend money on gas. if everyone in this country owned a fuel efficient vehicle then, gas companys would triple their prices the next day.

[treet007]

DaveV, you're missing the point...

DaveV, you DO NOT need another car if you use a car like the Endo as a commuter car. I have owned a 2002 Toyota Prius, a compact vehicle, without any problems in retrieving any lumber, weed and feed, etc. Why? I plan my deliveries and rent a truck from Lowes or Home Depot when needed. Renting a truck twice or three times a year is a lot cheaper on the insurance and car loan payments than getting a F150 truck that I would hardly use.

Think of the number of people who own large SUVs. Do they really need a vehicle that large? Depends if you have a large family or a business requiring deliveries and such. But I believe SUVs can be fuel efficient beyond what Toyota has done with the Highlander Hybrid, and if this is accomplished, it will allow the owners to travel more with less stops for gas. So it would not necessarily reduce gas consumpion like you predict.

Plus, if every commuter drove fuel efficient vehicles, gas companies would not triple their prices. The demand will still be high due to the large trucks and interstate travels requiring large vehicles. The fuel efficient vehicles will permit the gas supply to be more redirected to the people who can use them the best.

--GIF

[rgangel27]

have you driven the car already?

[rgangel27]

have you driven the car already?

personally before commmenting on the cars performance it would be great if you actually drove and experienced the car. If this is not the car for you or your particular lifestyle then dont buy it. But for students, people that dont need big v6 or turbocharged 4cylinders around the city or just for everyday driving this will be a good alternative. We should thank Toyota and other car manufacturers that actually "thinks" on how to improve and serve the needs of their customers. And yes, not a lot of people have the money to spend on their cars and gas is that a problem? Nobodys stopping anybody from buying a motorcycle for whatever reason it is that you are buying it for. If I wanted to go to the countryside or go on a road trip I would rather rent a car. Dont need to worry about mileage or messing up my car. I could also fly, with the money I saved from the car, insurance and gas, it wouldnt be a problem.

[Earthquake McGoon]

What a little gem!

This reminds me of a modern Mini-Minor! They were just 10 ft. long too. I love it. Whats it got for an engine?? 1000cc
supercharged?? Turbodiesel like the Audi R-10? I really want one!

Earthquake McGoon
Dogpatch, USA