The Cutest Copyright Infringement Motorpop's Ever Committed.
This Motorpop Go Type C certainly is a different beast from the usual crowd. Packed up front is a 1.6L, naturally-aspirated inline four capable of screaming to 9,100 RPM, sending an electrifying 108 horsepower per liter in the process. The rear hatch, hood, and roof are fashioned from aluminum and the bumpers plastic to reduce weight, with front bucket seats and the five-speed stick’s treated magnesium shift knob contributing to a curb weight just over 1070 kilograms. Sport tires, a limited-slip differential, and aerodynamic additions seal the sport-oriented deal.
One would traditionally expect a lightweight coupe to fit this described sporty mold - perhaps some mid-engine, two-seat runabout - but there was enough space to fit a front-engine, front-wheel-drive hatchback with big ears and a tail, smiling as it bolts through each and every corner. Yes, the former may be capable of jolting to 62 MPH in less than 6.8 seconds and crush a quarter-mile in under 15.2 seconds, but four seats and a spacious trunk certainly do not hertz when making the frequent shopping run or shocking three times as many passengers while scampering from point A to point B.
Make friends with it, and this cute character will never stray from your side.
The 2000 Motorpop Go Type C Pikachu.
How have you not been nuked by Nintendo?
Excellent question. It all started when we received a call for 10 Go Type Cs, which we thought was an odd request for just one person. Upon asking, we found out the person calling was affiliated with Nintendo and wanted to customize them as promo cars for the Pokémon franchise. Given the nature of this project, we wanted to help develop the car to reach their vision, and thus the car’s become it’s own phenomenon within our offices as well as an official project… You could say it has the seal of quality!
What's different here from a standard Go Type C?
The front fascia is virtually unrecognizable compared to the original car - even a different lip was used. The headlights are snapped from our retro-styled Funiculà to serve as Pikachu’s eyes, and the indicators are located within the translucent red "pouches” so as to preserve the character’s appearance. The grille is shaped to emulate a smile as well.
Continue to the top, and you’ll notice Pikachu’s familiar ears. An antenna is present in the left ear, though it’s possible to lift both ears from their rears as additional, but small, storage. Move further back, and you’ll find the familiar brown back stripes; they just serve an aesthetic purpose.
Even further back is the unique hatch, and the first thing you’ll notice on it is the aluminum tail. Added specifically for the look, we carefully considered how wide and how thin it was so as to minimize the rear-view’s disruption. If the original hatch was used, the tail would’ve obstructed the license plate, so we moved the Motorpop badge and license plate to the left while keeping the Go Type C badge to the right. The rear wiper also needed to be placed above the glass rather than below the glass so as to give the tail plenty of room.
Topping it off on the sides are two Go badges. They, along with the rear badge, have a Pokéball in the O as decoration that distinguishes them from the rest of the lineup. Peeking into the interior, the usual red splashes are replaced with yellow, with the red stitching from before remaining.
There’s a Pikachu on the screen.
Oh, right, almost forgot! Nintendo wanted to demo some emerging technology in this vehicle, so they wanted a satellite navigation unit added. Not just any satnav unit though; this one can understand voice commands. Based on development experience from Hey You, Pikachu, Nintendo refined their voice recognition to be more compatible with teen and adult voices. This allows you to, for example, turn on the air conditioner - or to buy some upcoming titles Crystal from a game store - at the press of a button and a move of the mouth.
When prompted, it will reply as only it can, and relevant information will be displayed on the 5” LCD screen. There also happens to be a source button on the device. We’re not sure why one would need it, but perhaps the four controller ports, controller in the glovebox, and gray cartridge may hint at some ingenious Nintendo tinkering…
Also worth noting is that the door chime is a repeated Game Boy Color startup sound, which is fitting because present inside is storage for four Game Boys total, one right next to each seat. A car charger is provided as well. Arguments over who gets to use it are not included.
I drive Motorpop Go everyday, I drive Motorpop Go