Toyota will display a sporty, open-top family-oriented concept in the Kids Life Zone at this week's International Tokyo Toy Show 2013. Why choose a toy show to display a new concept car? Well, the pictures will certainly explain this.
The Camatte57s is a study aimed at bringing parents and children close together as they work in collaboration on building their ideal car. Toyota says the vehicle “aims to convey the joy and dreams of motor vehicles to current and future drivers, by providing an opportunity for parents and children to together experience the fun of driving, car customization and car enthusiasm.”
Compared to the previous Camatte concept revealed in 2012 at the same event, the Camatte57s allows an even greater ease and range of customization possibilities. The car has no less than 57 detachable lightweight body panels that enable an easy color and design customization.
The interior has three seats arranged in a triangular configuration with one front seat and two rear seats “to emphasize family intimacy and facilitate communication.” The funny part is that even children can drive the Camatte57s, as acceleration and braking pedals, as well as seats, can be adjusted to enable operation by children, while an adult seated in the rear-right seat assists steering and braking to help develop the child’s driving skills.
The 3-meter (9.84-ft) long car is powered by an electric motor, although Toyota didn't specify performance specs. The name Camatte is based on the Japanese word for care and is meant to signify "caring for others" and "caring for cars." The "s" stands for the Japanese word sawaru, which means to touch. According to Toyota, the idea behind this name is that people should feel more in touch with each other and with vehicles.
The International Tokyo Toy Show runs from June 13 through June 16 at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
By Dan Mihalascu
