5 Kei cars get compared at the quarter-mile strip

A new YouTube video by Carwow shows five Japanese Kei cars with the same power output compete in an acceleration race. There is an Autozam AZ-1, a Daihatsu Copen, a Mitsubishi Minica Dangan, and two Suzuki models – an Alto Works and a Cappuccino.

Kei car engines are subject to strict legal requirements in Japan with regard to their engine displacement and output. All five come equipped with a tiny 660cc (0.66-liter) three-cylinder turbo mill mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The peak power is capped at 64 PS (63 hp / 47 kW).

Torque is where things get more interesting. The Mitsubishi makes do with 75 Nm (55 lb-ft), the Daihatsu is at an advantage with 108 Nm (80 lb-ft), and the remaining three max out at 85 Nm (63 lb-ft). The drive is on the front axle for the Daihatsu, the rear axle for the Autozam and the Suzuki Cappuccino, and both for the Mitsubishi and the Suzuki Alto. Finally, the Alto is the lightest of the bunch and the Daihatsu is the heaviest.

Watch the video or read on for the results. In the 402-meter race, the Autozam won by crossing the finish line in 18 seconds. The Daihatsu followed at the 19.4-second mark, trailed by the Mitsubishi (19.8), the Alto (20.4), and finally the Cappuccino (22.2).