Anyone have any Experience with Kei Cars?

"Luc - The Acadian Oppo" (luc5)
07/22/2014 at 02:23 • Filed to: kei cars

I keep reading that Kei cars have a top speed of around 135km/h (85mph). Is that an electronically limited top speed or is that actually its mechanical limit? One last question if cruising at 110km/h (68mph) what type of RPM would you be revving at?

I'm talking a 660cc Turbo pushing the maximum 63hp mated to a CVT (more or less as pictured above).

I know it's a extreme long shot that i'll find an answer here, but you never know so I have to ask.

DISCUSSION (18)

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 01:27

My best guess is that it's a gearbox-induced limit, given the fact that these are tiny engines, and mating one to a tall overdrive ratio may make it a bit useless.

EL_ULY > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 01:30

paging Aya

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > EL_ULY
07/22/2014 at 01:33

What are you still doing up isn't it past your bed time? Who let EL_ULY out of his crib???

Aya's my best chance of finding the info I'm looking for

Kinja'd!!!

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 01:37

I drove a mighty boy a couple of times, that was from the earlier 550cc era but it's top speed was probably about 100km/h in top (4th) gear. it was revving it's little heart out at that speed.

even in the newers cars I'd say the 135km/h top speed would be in ideal situations at best. with a tail wind.

EL_ULY > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 01:38

lol I am on/off sleeping at the moment. Yes Aya is da pro here The Hong Kong Jalop also

Minardi Gras > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 01:43

I've driven plenty of kei cars but don't think I've ever hit the limiter so can't be a huge help there. Driving one at 120-130km/h on the expressways doesn't feel like it's completely out of steam, I think you probably could get one above 85mph but it's clearly not what they're designed for.. Non-kei cars have a 190km/h limiter, there's a wide variety of mechanical and electronic solutions out there, so I would assume it's similar with the kei-cars.

Here's a list of kei-cars and rpm at 100km/h - there is a little disclaimer saying it might not be 100% accurate but it should be pretty close.
http://greeco-channel.com/car/top100/100…

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
07/22/2014 at 01:47

That's an interesting looking vehicle. looked up the specs of the mighty boy and it has a mighty(see what I did there) 31hp in top spec. wouldn't you think that the extra 32hp(over 100% increase in powhaaa) and a 5spd or cvt instead of a 4 speed make a HUGE difference?

Kinja'd!!!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Minardi Gras
07/22/2014 at 01:54

Holy Shit that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a lot! it barely revs, 2200-2400rpm is nothing for such a small engine. I was thinking it might of been in the 4000-5000 rpm at that speed. glad to know I was horribly wrong.

These kei cars just keep looking better and better everyday. Now all that's left is to move to Japan so I can buy one.

I shall reward you with a plaid Wagon R

Kinja'd!!!

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 02:02

the 660cc class cars are quite a bit heavier too. the mighty boy was 550kg's at most, Beats and Cappuccino's are over 720kg's, the Wagon R is 825kg's

The owner later did a 1.0 litre swap from something or rather, maybe an Alto?, it went much better after that.

Minardi Gras > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 02:03

They are varied - that page is ordered by the lowest first, if you go through the pages you'll see there are some in the 3000-3300rpm range at 100km/h.

I think the CVT makes things more complicated - here is a 0-135km/h video of a Pleo RS - the RPM doesn't really move from 6000rpm for most of it and difficult to say if it could carry on accelerating without the limiter in place.

I had a Cappuccino a long time ago in Hiroshima and recently have been on the prowl again (saw a nice AZ-1 at a dealer nearby...) but parking is too expensive to justify it in Tokyo. If you do plan on moving here and getting one let oppo know, there's a few of us based in JP who would be happy to help.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > EL_ULY
07/22/2014 at 02:38

Shhhhh, go to bed~

duurtlang > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 07:45

Move to Japan? You could import one of these . They're over 25 years old. Technically not Kei cars due to the displacement and, in case of the Micra, the size. Still though, you could have one of these parked in front of your home within a month to six weeks.

duurtlang > Minardi Gras
07/22/2014 at 07:49

If you move to the last page there's a car listed at 6300 rpm.

EL_ULY > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
07/22/2014 at 09:14

lol :]

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > duurtlang
07/22/2014 at 09:37

I know I can import an old one but what's the fun in that? I'm not moving to japan in the foreseeable future either. I just love kei cars and I wanted to find out a bit more about them. I still think these should be available worldwide they are awesome!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Minardi Gras
07/22/2014 at 09:42

I didn't catch that there was more pages at first. I can't read japanese but good to know. The kei cars I like most are on the first page so I wouldn't have too hard of a time finding one I like that's within 2200-2400 rpm.

Went on the last page tho, SHEEESHHH!!! 6300RPM!!! WOWZERS!!! (note to self don't buy that one)

Minardi Gras > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
07/22/2014 at 21:22

I didn't realise before but if you click on a particular model and scroll down there are more detailed km/h@RPM charts too.

Kinja'd!!!

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Minardi Gras
07/23/2014 at 00:28

180km/h??? Is there any thing these kei cars cant do? Kei cars are the answer! thanks again I bookmarked this page for future use