Mitsubishi Minica / Toppo BJ

Minica

Some buy Kei cars for their versatility, some just buy them as basic transports. Toppo and Minica represent these two kinds of Kei cars respectively.

Nothing in the Minica can raise my interest. Nothing could be simpler. It offers just one engine, a modest, 50 hp single-cam 3-cylinder displacing 657c.c.. If you want performance matching the turbocharged Daihatsu Move or supercharged Subaru Pleo, Mitsubishi will persuade you to consider Toppo.

Forget about performance, forget about handling (as indicated by the 135/80 R13 tyres), forget about RV-style versatility - the cabin is purer than distilled water. The only "versatile" design is just a 50-50 split rear seat back. Funny.

So who should consider Minica? Those who want a Mini Car in the lowest price.

Toppo BJ

Built on the same floorpan as the Minica, the Toppo is obviously taller, even tall to the extent that it looks a little bit funny, or strange. In fact, it is nearly 200 mm taller than Minica, hence offering significantly more headroom. It’s funny again to realise that an English noble may drive the Toppo without taking off his hat, so what’s the point of making the car so tall?

If the excessive height is not a real bonus to comfort, at least the Toppo has a versatile seating plan matching the class standard. For example, the rear seat back can be folded to create a flat cargo space. With the front seat collapse backward, 2 individual beds are formed. Besides, there is also a lot of storage bins and pockets around the dash, doors and even roof.

Like many other K-cars, the funny car is not designed for hard driving. However, it can’t stop Mitsubishi from showing its advanced technology. Apart from the modest base engine from Minica, there is a low-pressure turbocharged four (sohc 16v) good for 60 hp, but the highlight belongs to the dohc version, with 5 valves per cylinder, and higher turbo boost. It reaches the maximum 64 hp allowed by Kei-car’s regulation while pump out a useful 73 lbft of torque.

Like Suzuki Wagon R, Toppo BJ also has a larger version called "Toppo BJ Wide". It is some 80 mm wider and 150 mm longer, thus boosting shoulder room and boot space a lot. Without limited by Kei-car’s regulations, it is powered by a 78hp 1.1-litre four. The "Wide" is even more versatile, with a tool tray stored under the floor of boot and a drawer under the front passenger seat cushion.

Specifications

Model	Minica	Toppo BJ	-
Layout	Front-engined, Fwd	Front-engined, Fwd	-
Size (L / W / H / WB) mm	3395 / 1475 / 1510 / 2340	3395 / 1475 / 1695 / 2340	-
Engine	Inline-3, sohc, 4v/cyl.	Inline-4, dohc, 5v/cyl, turbo.	-
Capacity	657 c.c.	659 c.c.	-
Power	50 hp	64 hp	-
Torque	45 lbft	73 lbft	-
Transmission	5M	5M	-
Suspensions	F: strut; R: 3-link trailing arm
Tyres	135/80 R13	165/60 R14	-
Weight	730 kg	820 kg	-
Top speed	N/A	N/A	-
0-60 mph	N/A	N/A	-
0-100 mph	N/A	N/A	-