Suzuki Unveils the Jetsons Car Inside a Car
Those wacky Japanese are at it again this month at the Tokyo Auto Show. The Suzuki Shared Coach made its debut as an electric car… with a car inside it. If you’ve ever watched The Jetsons it may look familiar.
This concept vehicle is the next generation in fuel efficiency and sustainable mobility. The idea is that two drivers will use the larger vehicle over long distances together. The smaller 3-wheeled pods, dubbed the PiXY, will be used for one person while inside the city.
It is a social project whereby multiple people can effectively carpool just outside of a busy area, ditch the larger car and ride into town in a smaller pod that finds parking with ease. Not to mention that it may be small enough to be used on sidewalks and in buildings, similar to a Segway.
This bold departure from traditional design may be initially marketed to older generations who find it difficult to navigate over long distances. Yet the idea behind sustainable mobility may catch on with just about everyone as major cities become more dense and populated.
Suzuki also intends to release a sports car version for the pods, the SSF for those who want to travel in style. A marine unit, the SSJ, will allow people to glide over water to their destination of choice.
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Connie T. said
am October 3 2007 @ 9:37 am
DUDE! I want one!…although I don’t know if my big German counterpart would fit inside! Haha, all it needs is an automatic coffee dispenser and I’m set!
This car is genius in so many ways. Jerad, do you know at all how much they would sell it for?
I only wish that a car like this could succeed in the States. Unfortunately I think Americans would prefer a Hummer that had a Lincoln Navigator inside.
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 3 2007 @ 1:57 pm
@Connie T., it’s hard to say if that big guy could fit in such a small baby pod. I’m not sure if I would fit myself.
The car is a concept car as of now so there is no price tag out yet. It was difficult enough trying to find a press release in English.
It may not be something that catches on here in America anytime soon. We are finally now (after 7+ years) seeing Smart Cars here. Our idea of green friendly is one we can equate with savings, like hybrids. In Japan and Europe, however, these things might just be a hit.
tony gee said
am October 3 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Could you imagine getting into a head on collision with a car like that. Hell just imagine any collision would be instant death.
All for saving some carbon fuels..huh?
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 3 2007 @ 4:07 pm
@tony gee, I’m pretty sure you would be dead on impact. I think that the original purpose of the vehicle was to create a green friendly car but the idea extends far beyond that of an A to B transport. It’s a complete way to get from your home far away, get around town, coming inside your office building and still never leaving your ‘pod.’
ILL_Natured_gr said
am October 4 2007 @ 12:55 am
What’s next? The 3-in-1 and a-dog-and-a-seat-for-grandma car? All major innovations are coming from Japan these days… (but not all of them find their way to success!)
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 4 2007 @ 7:27 am
@ILL_Natured_gr, you just never know with those wacky guys. I’ve always loved Japan, including it’s pop culture. Let’s just say we might be better off that some of those TV shows don’t make it over here.
Tyson Williams said
am October 6 2007 @ 11:30 am
I love this car idea, I think this is the way we will commute in the future. In Canada we have had a tiny Smart Cars for the past few years (they are making their way now in US market as well) and they are very popular in the urban settings. They are not electric, at least not yet, but I can that one day we will all use small, compact electric cars to move around the city. I think Japanese have some good concepts.
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 6 2007 @ 9:24 pm
@Tyson Williams, I’m a fan of Smart Cars and remember when they first came out. It’s funny that it has taken so long for them to come over to the US market. I guess were more of a F-450 type of market. Everything’s bigger and all that jive.
I wouldn’t mind seeing more fuel efficient cars that have practical functionality. If this ends up fulfilling that need, all the better!
Neil Duckett said
am October 7 2007 @ 5:05 am
Interesting article with regards to the Japanese `car` … it amazes me how they continually get associated with being at the forefront of technology but in reality they`re quite the opposite.
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 7 2007 @ 10:08 pm
@Niel Duckett, sure the Japanese may not be at the forefront of technology, but they are at the forefront of innovation.
I can see how living there and being stranded without some technological goods that other countries have may be frustrating.
However, I think that it is their creative genius that tends to push them into projects such as these.
nicusor said
am October 7 2007 @ 11:11 pm
I think it’s great… for them!
For the rest of the world, well, it will be a while until other kinds of non gas consuming will be embraced and that’s a shame!
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 7 2007 @ 11:16 pm
@nicusor, I think it’s a matter of creating products that are usable. When we use green as a byproduct of great design and with tangible benefits people tend to take notice. The new hybrids are a great example of that trend.
Karen said
am October 10 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Oh wow! I want one of those! That is a cool idea. Someday all our cars will be very small.
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 10 2007 @ 4:41 pm
@Karen, everywhere but Texas my dear.
Laura said
am October 11 2007 @ 12:40 pm
That’s awesome. I hope (although I doubt it) to see them available in Portugal soon.
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 11 2007 @ 3:47 pm
@Laura, it seems that emerging tech when it comes to cars usually hits Japan and then shortly after will make its way to Europe. So you never know!
eirik said
am October 30 2007 @ 6:08 pm
that is lazy – walk
Jerad Kaliher said
am October 30 2007 @ 11:06 pm
@eirik, well, you could – but what about those who have problems walking? There is an entire generation who still wants to get out of the house and make it into the city. Why deny grandma the ability to get to where she needs to go?
PiXY pod in your car: Suzuki Shared Coach - All Beliefs said
am November 2 2007 @ 9:51 pm
[...] At least the war on the environment is going well.. [...]