Here in the United States, we're used to seeing vehicles with a fluid shape, plenty of cargo room, and of course, excellent fuel-economy. Well the Japanese are taking a bit of a different approach to reducing their carbon footprint, as evidenced at the recent Tokyo Motor Show.

Since the middle of the 20^th century, the Japanese government has subsidized a class of vehicles called "Kei cars," or "light automobiles." Each vehicle in this class is a super-mini car, complying with strict mandates for size and engine displacement. This has allowed automakers like Honda to experiment with spacing and technology in smaller vehicles. But, when you see a Honda mini-car on the road, chances are it's more powerful and roomier on the inside than it looks on the outside.

That's enough history for one day, because still Honda continues to engineer really ingenious mini-minivans, like the one they unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier this month. They're calling it the N Box, and it went on sale in the middle of December in Japan. It's the first model in Honda's N Series, and it features a twincam 660cc engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that delivers the equivalent of about 52 mpg.

It's a pretty funky little car, we have to say. Not only will it feature "one of the largest interiors among all mini-vehicles currently on the market," it's made from 90-percent recyclable material. And just as the name implies, it is shaped like a box.

Because of its rectangular shape, there's plenty of room for passengers and cargo, despite its smaller-than-average dimensions. The rear seats fold completely flat because (similar to the Honda Fit), the gas tank is under the front seats. Speed hungry drivers can even get a turbo version, if they want.

If there was larger market here for zippy mini-cars, we're certain Honda would send a US-variant over as soon as they got the chance. But American drivers seem to like the lightweight appeal of the Honda Fit, so maybe the day of the N Box is closer than we think! Be sure to stay tuned with Kuni Honda, 10750 E Arapahoe Rd Centennial, CO 80112 for more Honda news and updates.

Source: ¹http://www.dailymarkets.com/stock/2011/12/06/honda-releases-the-n-box-in-japan-on-december-16th-2011-and-russell-smith-honda-in-houston-texas-looks-towards-a-promising-future/