Certain sections of the internet like to call out the younger generations’ interest in electric vehicles and concerns over the state of the planet as a sign that car culture is on its way out. That’s probably not the case and instead young people just aren’t interested in your V8 muscle car anymore, Gramps. Instead, they’re all about tiny Japanese trucks and turning them into incredible Dakar racers.
A lot of people in America have a lot of love for Japan’s Kei class vehicles, with YouTubers turning to them for rugged off-road driving and Tik Tokers showing off how big and dumb American trucks have become. In Japan, love for Kei trucks runs deeper and a show car at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon gave the diminutive Kei car the respect it deserves.
The build in question was displayed by Japan’s Nihon Automobile College, also known as NATS. The school is dedicated to automotive education, with a specialism for building some incredible modified cars. At this year’s Auto Salon, it turned up with a Kei truck that had been converted into an awesome Dakar race truck, and it stole my little heart.
Dubbed the Mini Ranger, the truck is inspired by the Hino Ranger trucks that first entered the Dakar back in the early 1990s, reports CarScoops. For the miniaturized versions, the team of students started with a Suzuki Jimny and fitted all kinds of components from the Suzuki spares cabinet:
The student team started the project with a ladder frame chassis from the second-generation Suzuki Jimny, with a slightly extended wheelbase. For the upper bodywork, they turned to the ninth-generation Suzuki Carry, retaining its signature cab-over design.
To better resemble the Hino Ranger, the concept was given a completely redesigned front end, featuring a truck-style grille and sleek LED headlights borrowed from the Daihatsu Hijet. Additionally, the cargo area was enclosed with steel panels and dressed up in a striking red-and-white racing livery, completing its rally-inspired look.
The finished truck looks fantastic and like it really could go and destroy a few desert stages.
The transformation is more than just skin-deep, however, and the interior of the Kei truck is all ready to race. This means there’s a set of bucket seats up front, sports steering wheel and all manner of racing gauges on the dash. The mechanics have also been updated to survive the rough stuff, with CarScoops reporting that the Mini Ranger has been given beefier suspension, new shocks and an increased ride height.
The tiny 15-inch wheels have also been wrapped in all-terrain tires and there’s four-wheel drive to help maximize traction. The Mini Ranger has stayed true to its Kei car origins with its engine, though, which means it’s still powered by a pokey little 657cc Suzuki engine that produces just 55 hp. Cute.
I love this little truck and would absolutely love to see what it could do to a sand dune. Just maybe don’t put it up against the kind of trophy truck that Carlos Sainz Sr totaled at this year’s Dakar.
