Atsuo Masaki

Constraints fire us up

In developing the third-generation Passo, two constraints were set at the start as things that must not change: the exterior size, and the vehicle weight, which was not to increase even as body and suspension rigidity were raised. The rear wheels were moved back to extend the wheelbase by 50 mm, lengthening the cabin by 145 mm with the same exterior as the second generation. The loss of maneuverability from the longer wheelbase was offset by widening the track by 10 mm, and the minimum turning radius went from 4.7 m on the second generation to 4.6 m. Masaki laughs that having developed cars for years within the constraints of kei car rules, it is in their nature to be fired up by constraints.