Currently reading: Suzuki Waku: retro-styled PHEV concept revealed at Tokyo show

Ultra-compact car, designed for family sharing and fun, features a switch that lets users customise exterior and interior design elements

Design features of the retro-styled Suzuki Waku SPO, such as the front headlights and virtual side mirrors, could make production in future Suzuki models.

The Waku SPO, a plug-in hybrid concept featuring design elements which can be switched according to personal preference, was unveiled at this year’s Tokyo motor show. It is described by Suzuki as an A-segment personal compact PHEV, intended for use by a family to “share fun and excitement”. Suzuki has not yet disclosed any technical details of the plug-in hybrid powertrain.

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When asked whether the car could make production, its designer Takafumi Ogiso told Autocar: “It is a concept car. It is not decided [what features will make production] but I would like to see some of the friendly features, such as the headlights and mirrors. Also, it’s design which isn’t too angular.”

The firm said the model features a ‘Waku Waku’ switch that can customise the car by allowing users to “switch its body shape, front mask and content shown on the dashboard”, so the car “can transform to meet each and everyone’s fun and excitement”. 

The car’s rear morphs from an estate-style car to a coupe by retracting the estate section of car. Ogisu said: “At first, it is a wagon model., but then it changes to a coupe model. If it is a coupe model, you can enjoy driving, if it is a wagon, then rear seat space is much bigger.”

The ultra-compact Waku SPO is joined on the Japanese firm’s stand by an autonomous ‘mobile room’ concept called the Hanare. The two machines are designed to showcase Suzuki’s efforts in developing future technologies. Suzuki’s stand is themed around the concept of ‘Waku Waku’, a Japanese term that means excitement in English. 

 

Hanare 04

The Hanare – a Japanese term for a small dwelling built to the side of a home – is an autonomous pod-style vehicle designed for an “efficiency-centric future”. Suzuki says the machine would allow users to work or rest during long journeys, with the Hanare capable of being customised for different uses and to the requirements of different users.

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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abkq 3 October 2019

When 'retro' isn't about

When 'retro' isn't about homage, it turns into caricature or parody.

JMax18 3 October 2019

I wonder where they got the

I wonder where they got the idea from. Maybe they've been paying attention to their compatriots.

Very cool all the same. Be great to see electric cars take on retro looks.

Peter Cavellini 2 October 2019

Where’s the Beef??

 Waku?!, what , where did that name spring from?

Pietro Cavolonero 7 October 2019

Wagyu is where the beef is

Cock!?