We're not modern European traffic law standards scholars, but we're assuming there is a 50 cc quadracycle kind of niche carved out below regular cars as kei cars work in Japan. This particular one has a 50 cc license plate which we assume means a 49 cc scooter motor and you can see the CVT poking out the bottom. I suppose if you don't want to put up with the wind and maybe have an inner ear infection causing vertigo and mild insanity, this makes sense.

Press release:

Mazda Releases Upgraded Scrum Wagon and Scrum Van Micro-Minis
- Both models feature enhanced interior quality with improved comfort levels -

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corporation has upgraded the "Scrum Wagon" and "Scrum Van" micro-mini vehicle lineup for the Japanese market. Both vehicles are available at Mazda Autozam, Mazda, and Mazda Anfini dealers throughout Japan from today.

The upgraded Scrum Wagon comes with new interior fabric colors designed to match the characteristics of each model grade and front seats with thicker, contoured seat edges that enhance the vehicle's level of quality and comfort for passengers. The top grade model, PZ Turbo, is now equipped with a redesigned chrome front grille and high intensity discharge headlights which give it a distinctive appearance.

The revamped Scrum Van, which is renowned for its superb level of practicality, also comes with thicker, contoured seat edges in the front seats which provide added quality and comfort. In addition, the application of fabric seat covers has been extended from the top grade to include the middle grades.

Manufacturer's suggested retail prices range from 1,224,250 to 1,711,500 yen for the Scrum Wagon and 879,900 to 1,165,500 yen for the Scrum Van (including consumption tax). The target sales volume for both body types is 800 units a month.

Mazda Scrum Wagon PZ Turbo (Equipped with Special Package. FWD model with a four-speed automatic transmission)
Mazda Scrum Wagon PZ Turbo (Equipped with Special Package. FWD model with a four-speed automatic transmission)

Features of the upgraded Scrum Wagon
Interior
- New seat upholstery for all model grades
The PX and PX Turbo grades have relaxing brown seat fabric and door trim. The PZ Turbo grade has sporty-looking beige seat fabric.
- More comfortable front seats on all model grades.
- A center speaker has been added to the middle of the instrument panel (PZ Turbo)
Exterior
- Newly designed front grille (PZ Turbo)
- High intensity discharge headlights have been added to the PZ Turbo grade
- Newly designed 14-inch chrome wheels (PZ Turbo Special Package)
- Chrome garnish on the hood feature has been added to the PX and PX Turbo grades
Body colors

A popular purple-hued body color, Mysterious Violet Pearl, has been newly added. A total of four body colors are available.

Features of the revamped Scrum Van
Interior
- New seat upholstery (Buster and PC grades)
The Buster grade has calming brown fabric (the same fabric in the Scrum Wagon PX and PX Turbo). The PC grade has grey seat fabric.
- Redesigned front seats
- Side covers have been added in the rear (PC, PA and PU grades. Side covers are already equipped on the Buster grade.)
Body colors

An exclusive dark blue body color has been added for the Buster grade, Bluish Black Pearl 3. There are a total of three body color choices.

I tell you what, these Japanese-market car ads are addictive! This one for the Subaru Stella combines kawaii, video-game sound effects, and general jitteriness for powerful effect. Hmmm... Dekotora Stella! – Murilee Martin

Related:
Stellaaaaaaa!: Subaru Launches New Minicar for Japan [internal]

The Mitsuoka K-4 may be pedal-car small, but at least it's probably scary as hell to drive and you can put it together yourself. (Those are pretty serious selling points for some.) Although the K-4 is powered by 50cc engine and tops out at 30 mph, we'd still get one just to bang around the Jalopnik country estate in, like Master Bates in "The Toy." [Thanks to Ilari for the tip.] – Mike Spinelli

Japanese Do-it-Yourself Cars [MAKE]

Related:
Hello Little Cars: The Mitsuoka Micro

The minicar portion of the crowded Japanese car market is booming, says Subaru. That's why the company is launching a new such keicar, the Stella, which sports the segment's customary 660cc engine, along with a new i-CVT transmission. It's also got some novel approaches to maximizing space: The two rear seats can sidle up to the back of the front seat independently, letting mom tend to her rugrats; the front passenger seatback folds into a table; each front door panel can accommodate a tissue box; and the doors swing out nearly 90 degrees to the side. A supercharged model is also on the ticket, though we're waiting for some clever sort to slap in a Hayabusa engine. That would be pretty novel.

Related:
More on Japan's keicars [internal]

Japanese tuning company DAMD, under its Ancel brand, created the ultimate expression of automotive girlishness using the simply darling Mitsubishi i as the subject. Stopping short of covering it in scented Strawberry Shortcake stickers, the company went with an ambrosial pink-on-pink color scheme, and installed a beauty kit in the glove compartment. As Nihon Car and Bike posts, "It's clear that colour has been used to seduce ladies either on the outside and on the inside, also you really feel like Louis XVI (or his wife) in the pink seats..." Of course... The Ancel guys are going for the combined girl/fop market. We heard about that on "60 Minutes."

Pimp my Mitsubishi i by Ancel [Nihon Car and Bike]

Related:
Why Do You Come to This Mess?: Mitsubishi Tests i in LA; They Call Themselves 'Pink' But We'll See if They Play This: Panther Pink Site Gives Love to Rosy Mopars; Even Christmas Was Never This Gay

Mitsubishi's answer to the Smart ForFour, the i — based on its i-concept shown at the 2003 Tokyo motor show — went on sale in Japan this week. Powered by a 1.0-liter Briggs and Stratton MIVEC three-cylinder, 12-valve DOHC turbocharged-intercooled mill — mounted in a rear-midship layout — the econopod is offered in 2WD and 4WD models. Mitsubishi touts the tiny car's space-maximizing layout and impact safety as selling points against the keicar competition. Prices start at the equivalent of around $11,000.

Related:
Mitsubishi to Supply Smart with Engines [internal]

Check out our geek brother, Gizmodo, gettin' all car-y and shite. As they report, fans of Japan's tiny keicars need only cross to the north to satisfy their minicar-lust. Japanoid, a Canadian company is importing some of Japan's smallest for resale in that country. The right-hand-drive cars, including the Honda Beat, Nissan Figaro and Suzuki Works (we hope so), are all at least 15 years old to get around Canada's import regulations. (Sadly they'd have to be 25 years old for legal US import.) Some are even modded up with motorcycle engines and the like.

K-Cars Arrive in Canada [Gizmodo]

Related:
Subaru Launches R1 Minicar in Japan; No Cube for You: Mazda s Carol G Special ; Subaru's Tiny R1, Now With an "I" [internal]

Japan is getting a tricked-out version of the Subaru keicar, the R1. By tricked out, we mean The R1i, as it'll be known, will actually be less trick than the base model. Yes, kids, it's another "value package," which substitutes a single overhead cam (SOHC) version for the R1's DOHC 0.66 liter motor. That would be like, say, using a rubber band from mom's 10,000-count "bag o' multicolored rubberbands" to power your balsa- plane, rather than the holding dad's shoebox of "old postcards" closed. Ok, not exactly — actually SOHCs are lighter and often get better torque at low engine speeds. Anyway, it comes with a set of 14" alloys. What? You got a problem with alloys?

Mean Bug [Auto Wonder]

Related:
Subaru Launches R1 Minicar in Japan; No Cube for You: Mazda s Carol G Special [internal]