July 16, 2002

4:33 AM

There are lots of toys modeled after automobiles, but no automobile has ever been modeled after a toy (?), until now. The insanely popular Choro-Q line of toy cars of Japan (ebay pics here) have inspired a whole new line of impossibly cute real cars, to be unveiled in November of this year. The tiny, brightly colored electric autos look like something straight out of a Roger Rabbit cartoon, seat one, go 50 miles on a battery charge, and cost around $10,000.00 - $16,000. Must...have...one...
posted by iconomy (15 comments total)

A $10,000 dollar golf cart? Thanks, but no thanks. However, fans of the Powderpuff girls will all want one.
posted by a3matrix at 4:40 AM on July 16, 2002

I think the operative word is "impossibly" cute.
posted by adampsyche at 5:18 AM on July 16, 2002

I would not buy one. I'd rather save up for something more practical like a Ferrari 550M.
posted by riffola at 5:56 AM on July 16, 2002

Welcome back, iconomy :-)

They sure are cute, but I can't imagine a market for them anywhere except Japan. I sure wouldn't fit into one without serious surgery.

On preview - what riffola said.
posted by dg at 6:02 AM on July 16, 2002

For Americans, there is the Ford Tonka F-350; and last year's Pontiac Hot Wheels concept [article]. Both are realistic; the Tonka might be produced. Then there's the Hot Wheels Twin Mill: not so realistic.
posted by dhartung at 6:29 AM on July 16, 2002

It was only a matter of time before Japanese cars started to imitate the vehicles found in popular anime.
posted by insomnyuk at 7:02 AM on July 16, 2002

Great link Iconomy - "impossibly" cute is right, I'd never drive one, but would love seeing one zip down the road. Self-link here, but about a month ago I blogged about a whole slew of new, interesting little electric cars. My absolute fave is the SAM by Cree AG of Switzerland.
posted by kokogiak at 7:08 AM on July 16, 2002

Can't wait to run over one of these with my SUV.
posted by the_0ne at 7:46 AM on July 16, 2002

the_One, I was just trying to imagine the life expectancy of one of those cute little buggers in the suburbs of Dallas. :) It wouldn't be long at all, I'm bettin'.
posted by dejah420 at 8:22 AM on July 16, 2002

Whenever a new small car comes out (Mini, Smart, whatever) there's always a chorus of people who make the point that these things won't survive long in a world full of SUVs. Are you all convinced that you're in some kind of arms race? How will your Excursion fare against an 18-wheeler? A bus? Ambulance? Fire Truck? Feel safer now?

Mind you, the Choro-Q really does look pretty silly.
posted by pascal at 8:39 AM on July 16, 2002

They're...they're ...so ...cute.

I'd be scared to drive one in a country of SUVs...but damn, it'd still be fun to own one.
posted by Windigo at 1:24 PM on July 16, 2002

I'm just guessing here, but is "Choro-Q" engrish for "chocolate"? Are we talking about, essentially, candy cars?

'cause that'd be really cool.
posted by yhbc at 1:40 PM on July 16, 2002

thanks for the links kokogiak...my favorite from the list is the Dauphin electric. It is a Fully restored and reused 1960's Renault Dauphine. That is awesome.
posted by th3ph17 at 5:29 PM on July 16, 2002

Kokogiak, I love those cars, especially the Sparrow. I'm so jealous that you actually saw one.
posted by iconomy at 4:40 AM on July 17, 2002

I saw all kinds of silly small cars around Italy. I'll NEVER drive one :)
posted by insomnyuk at 7:05 AM on July 18, 2002