Mizuiro Motor Company

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Rinkai Tsuji '93
Following the collapse of Japan's asset price bubble in 1992, Japanese automakers were scrambling to preserve sales figures after the economy suddenly slowed to a near halt. Rinkai, as a company, was never one to overextend and held out on developing a new model in the face of dwindling demand. However, with his company slowly but steadily heading towards insolvency, founder and CEO Kouei Ishii decided to betray his philosophy and build a unique car to stay afloat.

The resulting vehicle was the Tsuji (辻; junction), a kei-sized 5-door hatchback with a comparatively large 2-litre engine. Its internals were based on those of the Every’s humble 60 kW (81 hp) unit, but it was overhauled with current technologies such as fuel injection and a three-way catalytic converter, and tuned for optimal fuel efficiency. This new powerplant churned out a modest 68 kW (98 hp) at 5500 RPM. A smaller-engine version in line with kei car regulations followed in 1994.

Having been subject to a number of cost-cutting measures, the Tsuji lacked power steering, used front and rear drum brakes, and had removable, non-adjustable second-row seats. While clearly a marked departure from the ethos of the Rinkai Motor Company, it ultimately proved to be an affordable subcompact with enough power for a wide variety of uses inside and outside of Japan, and helped the company recover.

2.0
SPECS
Layout FF
Engine Name RI1-4S
Aspiration NA
Displacement 1999 cc
Peak Power 68 kW (91 hp) @ 5500 RPM
Peak Torque 156 Nm (115 ft-lb) @ 3400 RPM
Weight 775 kg (1708 lb)
Weight Distribution Front/Rear 62/38
STARTING PRICE
¥671,300 JDM
$6,200 USDM
COLOURS

Maroon

Marsh Green

Sky Blue

Snow Grey
K
SPECS
Layout FF
Engine Name RIK2-3S
Aspiration TB
Displacement 660 cc
Peak Power 47 kW (63 hp) @ 6400 RPM
Peak Torque 80 Nm (59 ft-lb) @ 4800 RPM
Weight 705 kg (1554 lb)
Weight Distribution Front/Rear 57/43
STARTING PRICE
¥545,850 JDM
COLOURS

Maroon

Marsh Green

Sky Blue

Snow Grey
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