The Mitsubishi Minica Toppo Is A 9,000 RPM Van From Japan's Over-Engineering Peak
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- Welcome to our new video series Bubble Cars, where we test some of the finest and weirdest cars of Japan’s automotive golden age. We started off with something that’s a lot more obscure than your average NSX or whatever, but no less special.
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Oh my god that animation! The extra production quality is so worth it :D
@Adam Milt only if your writing is better....
I would pay good money to watch a Minica Toppo race series.
You mean listen to one?
th-cam.com/video/eSHI2mDWLGY/w-d-xo.html this would feed ur hunger for awhile
Someone might toppo over one of those..
Just play Gran Turismo and watch the micro Kei series
They’d need external rollcages with the amount of times they’d end up on their sides.
Performance Kei cars are very common. Suzuki Alto Works, is one. That engine is from the Dangan Minica-4, which has four wheel drive. Like a lot of Japanese manufacturers they had to make back their development money, so they would put performance engines in other models in the range. The 4age20v was available in everything from a Corolla four door sedan to a station wagon.
4age20v nice.
9k is nothing in kei class. Some cars get up to 11k on the tach.
It a mitsubishi... the maintance cost just not worth it... Japan's law about get rip of car is nightmare to go thorugh it better just sale it for cheap...
Suzuku Cappuchino R4 Went up to 11.5k and was AWD
NZZN _ cappuccino never came in AWD? RWD only
Dolphinowl245 lmao, let’s turn it up to 11, eh?
This is one of the best video series Jalopnik has ever put together. Period.
This is already looking to be a great series! Looking forward to the next episode, that t-top Vivio looks whack haha.
As Roman from Regular Cars would say; ‘I WAONT IT’
A man of true class I see
Honestly, I'd like to own that Minica Toppo. Has a certain cuteness about it, plus it's roomy as all outdoors. JDM Kei cars are really cool.
Mitsubishi also produced a 1597cc V6.
When I first saw the size I thought it might of been a typo, but no it does exist, the 6A10.
I love the the shot of two massive full size trucks in the background @ 4:37
FINALLY! A review on my favorite car of all time!
I wonder if you could install a foldable plattform that extends over the front seats when parked so you could actually sleep in it. That would be super cool. And would make me want it even more.
Maybe you could hang it off the bars for the cargo net
Love the kei car - so well engineered except for crash safety however as low speed city cars they’re very efficient
with this car, you are the crumple zone.
You don't many chances to get up to a high speed in Tokyo.
Better than actys, carrys or any noseless vehicles though!
@@Patchuchan Most people in Japan don't live in Tokyo, and kei cars are even more popular in the countryside (since cheap + lower wages)
OK but there's a Subaru Sambar made to look like a PMYellow HY-Van in the background at 9:53
Guys keep doing this series!!! is AWESOME!!!..... Personally I believe Japanese Cars From 80´s up to end of 90´s they revolutionize the entire car industry with great products and great technology! they deliver more for moneys people.... My dad use to have a nissan truck in the 80´s brand new, when it rains he never got worried for the truck to get stall because of water, other wise american cars just died when they see water.... Japanese cars even today are still undervalued and underappreciated
1998 Mitsubishi Space Star GDI.
First minivan with direct gasoline injection?
Super interesting idea for a series. Will watch them all!
Damn for an 89 this thing looks relatively modern. I’ve seen GMs cars in the mid 2000s that had way worse designed interiors
that's not an 89. it's a 94+ model
Loved the video gents! The Minica Toppo is one of my favorite all-time kei cars due to it's looks and hilarious performance...really looking forward to the next one!
I hope you're test driving more of the Duncan cars!
That Mitsubishi makes miss my old little Mazda
乗ってたから分かるけどほんとバカで楽しい車だったw
I keep coming back to this video every few months. I swear I will make this car mine.
Even the intro is narrated in Japanese... I like it
I'm going to college next year and lowkey want to get one of these for college, I could move a dorm, fit some friends in it, and it would fit my want for something fun and weird. Only problem is its probably terrifying on the interstate, which I would have to drive it on to get home.
2007 toyota rav4's are so much fun and gets up to 70 before some others get to 50, that would be one car I'd drive for college
This is quite a bizarre, underrated yet unexpectedly cool kei van! I love the fact that the motor is a 0.7 liter 20v twin cam 4 that revs up to 9k and with a 1 liter car power level! I think it should've had at least 80 horses (1.2 liter car power level!)! If I need a tiny commuter car, I'd pick kei cars!
omg i love this car, it have all the essence of a k-car
If you guys loved this, get hold of a dangan zz ... Same mental engine, awd in a micro hatch body... I had one while a friend had the original subaru justy. I ate that car!
OmG yes!! I can't wait to import a kei car for myself after I graduate I own a SC MR2 MK1 right now and love it! Couldn't imagine a tinier package but in a van that's crazy!
Damn. You guys were in my town!! Duncan Imports FTW! I see my street, yay!
What revs to 9,000 rpm, has 5 valves per cylinder, and is hooked up to a stick shift? A Ferrari, and this 1990 Mitsubishi van.
Love the editing on this.
Hello gentlemen! New subscriber here! Very cool K car! While not taking about the savior of Chrysler, especially after building such masterpieces like that astonishing yellow 65 Imperial Crown Coupe behind you two in the background! My wonderful Dad was the proud owner of a new 64 Imperial Crown Coupe, I was with him when he took delivery, as a 9 year old growing up in love with cars! I’ll continue to watch the bubble car series. Do you have any videos on BIG American cars?
Now I really want this car
I absolutley love hightop microvans
2:03 that red D21 Hardbody in the right looks soo freaking cool!
This and the Midget II are the coolest JDMs ever produced.
What is that place? Did I spot a bunch of AWD Toyota Previas? Or some other awesome offroad van?
Duncan Imports. It's a massive place with a lot of cool cars, most of them imported from Japan. And yes, they sell them.
It looks so much like a bug eye from the front. IT'S A VAN THO!!! 😂 😂 😂
外国でミニカが走ってると思うと面白いな、
私も昔ミニカに乗ってましたよ！
小さいころですが、
This would be awesome for a highschool student who wants a car he can hook up in. So much head room
Dragon Ball Z - “ it’s over 9000” Best quote ever
Every day I wish the kei-cars was the thing everybody wanted and not those boring, oversized SUVs - Just looking at this one make me happy. This is what really good car design is all about; maximum use of the material and space. Making a car look nice is just half of the job.
My wife drives a Daihatsu Tanto. 660cc, naturally aspirated with a cvt trans. It's S L O W as fuck, even when you're driving alone. It gets to point A to point B no problem, it's economical, you can fit a bunch of stuff in it, but it's not a joy to drive.
If Conan O'Brien and Doug Demuro were related this guy would be their first cousin.
The similarities are uncanny.
Like it make electric redesign here n there and I'm sold
Anyone else getting a subaru impreza wrx sti vibe at the front
Yeah, Definitely looks like a subaru
I love it. Looks quicker than my 6th gen Mirage.
If u tune it up u can make at least 95hp, and it make a current mirage, well, like a mirage, disappearing quickly.
There's one of these in London, was awesome to see it.
Perfect post van. Small, nimble, roomy, RHD.
Turbocharged..? ..Express mail.. heh.
In the 80's nissan mafe a twin charged awd k car if you dont under stand what twin chargering is its haveing a super charger aswell as a turbo charger to topend fill
To compensate for the "wimpyness" (sorry for the lack of proper term) of the 660 cubic-per-capacity, these engines are made to be revved up so much to gain and keep momentum on the road. Malaysia used to have "re-engineered" versions of kei cars made with partnership between Daihatsu and its Msian counterpart called Perodua back from mid-90s until 2013, and I used to drive one for my driver's ed class. Awfully low levels of NVH insulations made the engine's note obviously noisy, but it was economical on fuel, vehicle tax and insurance payments. Easy to park as well. Not exactly comfortable for long journeys bcz the seats were not so comfortable on the lumbar spines, though.
Still, if I have the chance to drive these cars again for memories sake, I would love to do that again.
懐かしい！この車乗ってました。楽しい車でした。ありがとう
The doors sound exactly like the doors on my 95 Tracker.
Isnt this the car the Mom drove like an absolute maniac in Ponyo? XD
I low-key really want one
I still say the ultimate Kei car from this era was the Daihatsu Mira TRXX Avanzato R4. Granted, only 4 valves per cylinder, but otherwise very similar approach (659cc engine, 4 cylinder, turbocharged with intercooler), 4 wheel drive, ok handling and oodles of toys inside.
don't care much about kei car.... modern one will drive by wire and shit to own... older one is a junk waiting to be junk.... kei car is best for commerical car not a consumer car...
@@campkira wrong
Those 20v sound real nice.
たくさん消防車がある。なにここ？
たくさん日本の車がある。すごいね！
行ってみたいよ！
Where is the importer you got it from ?? Looks like they had an awesome selection !!
Duncan Imports
I like this car. I want to buy if there's an original left hand drive here in the Philippines.
I am curious where is this filming location and where are these guys from? I am watching from Malaysia :)
How much would one of these cost? Including import, and registrations fees?
I'm up in Canada and have been quoted a very rough $13k Canadian. That's before tax and without fully understanding what mods are required to make it street legal. My concerns are mainly the lights.
Badass little bubble!
めちゃめちゃ面白いチャンネル発見した🤣
When mitsubishi was a great car company
Height is very important to japanese kei cars, in the last 50 years Japanese people are on average 5 inches taller than previously. No one can really explain the change, and has resulted in some drastic rethinking of designs since the mid 80s.
Average Japanese person is about 172cm but they are skinny, thus head room and height is seen as premium to them. It's a very interesting psychology and cultural change in Japan in the last few decades.
Since they are limited with engine displacement to qualify for they kei type it's very practical to add those techs for more power I don't c anything weird about that
It seems like it would be great as a Japanese taxi, or Uber-type vehicle. I cant understand why so much headroom, for a shorter statured people. Much love for Mitsubishi...I owned two Lancers in a row!
It is interesting that the second series had a third door on the left side
The look of regret and panic on that guys face!
I think that car is good！It is a long‐seller.but this met with unexpectedly poor sales.
Minica Toppo (1990~1998)
Toppo BJ (1998~2003)←In 2002 4cylinder 5valve abolished
Toppo (2008~2014)←only3cylinder engine
i wonder if any japan natives watch this and just laugh at the fact these americans are absolutely flipping their shit over cars that to them may seem boring or just mundane
軽くて面白い車だけど、この時代の車はアメリカの大きい車とぶつかったらすぐぺしゃんこになっちゃうから、運転気をつけてくださいね！
Lots of head room? I'm going to need one of these for uh purposes 👀
I could imagine pulling into a Mitsubishi dealership with that car for service... LoL
This is what Smart cars should have been like here in the US. Tiny but way more practical.
it actually sounds like an evo
I WANT ONE !!! NOW!!!
Haha, I thought that was Tim Rogers doing the intro.
Which vehicle is the yellow box on the left?
I could easily see these two guys getting excited over a new skirt
Most men would be excited over a new skirt, if the person wearing it is attractive. :)
Can you make a Video about the eunos cosmo?
♪ミツビシィ～ ミニカ タッポ～～
Kei(adjective) jidousha(noun)
They took the word sha because it concludes the whole meaning of jidousha
Chop 12 inches out of that Minica Toppo , I bet it would be really fun to drive.
楽しそうな車がいっぱいだぁ
Yaaaay! Vivio! I own a vivio t-top bistro. It's so silly.
WANT IT!!!
The Pope wants his car back
So good to look nice show all goods from Germany 🇩🇪🤘🤘🤘😎😎👍👍👍
Kei cars are charming
Does anyone know the name of the shop??
A 9,000 RPM motorcycle engine on a funny looking van chassis. Japan! The country that never ceases to actually build stuff like this.
The Nissan Figaro is still my all time Japanese Economy bubble car!
Dang the eye roll at 6:54 🤣
Stay tuned! We drove some Pike cars and will be featuring them in an upcoming episode. If you can't get enough though check out this video! th-cam.com/video/gbJXxhjlWYE/w-d-xo.html
But I DO need a wild hot-hatch cargo van!
I love this
Yall got the toyota sera
I want one!
You guys are gonna do a Figaro?
楽しそうにしてる話の内容が知りたいから日本語訳が欲しい〜
Nice video
Except the fucking music!