1st Generation Nohda Bop! (A80 2000-2009)
Don’t mind the shoddy photoshop…
In 1999 at the Tokyo Motor Show, Nohda unveiled a small concept kei car. Unlike its predecessor, this new car was more curved and streamlined. This would become the Nohda Bop!.
The Bop! featured an AHS steel unibody construction with corrosion resistant steel panels and McPherson Struts front and a Torsion Beam in the rear . This provided the car with adequate luggage space in the rear without sacrificing much passenger space. Under the bonnet was the small Nohda 660K2 engine, which produced about 53 horsepower. However in the SuperBop!, this engine had a turbocharger added and tuned to produce 64hp, thus staying in the requirements to be a kei car.
Inside, the car was capable of seating 4 adults or 2 adults and 3 children. The interior wasnt anything new or outstanding, featuring standard seats and a standard CD player. The steering was hydraulic and the car featured ABS as standard.
Stats and Prices
Standard: $10,530 @30%
SportCUP/SuperBop!: $11,570 @30%
Merciel Pixi
SInce 1996, Nohda had been partnered with Merciel and became a part of the Merciel Groupe. As sales of Nohda Europe was quite weak compared to Nohda of Japan and Nohda of America, Merciel offered to sell the Bop! in Europe under the Merciel marque.
What resulted was the Merciel Pixi. Underneath, the two cars shared the exact same chassis, however inside, the 660K engine was replaced with a Montreuil 1.1L engine. This provided the car with 77hp, making it faster than the SuperBop!.
Stats and Prices
Pixi Standard:14,850 @50%