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The Japanese company known for its bold designs has a new SUV on the way, inspired by classic American SUVs.
The Mitsuoka Buddy has emerged online, offering buyers the chance to own a modern vehicle with the retro styling of an American SUV.
Based on the Toyota RAV4, Mitsuoka has transformed the vehicle into a classic American model from the 1980s, with a design vaguely reminiscent of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer or Suburban from the era.
Mitsuoka rose to fame when the company designed and produced a unique sports car with Toyota Camry running gear, called the Orochi, which was known to have emphasised style over performance.
In late 2018, the company produced the Rock Star, which borrowed many of its styling cues from a 1960s Chevrolet Corvette, but using the underpinnings from a Mazda MX-5.
Before those models, Mitsuoka’s portfolio included a Mark 2 Jaguar look-alike based on the Nissan Micra, called the Viewt, and a Zimmer-esque coupe and roadster called the Le-Seyde, based on a Nissan Silvia. Various modified versions of everything from Ford Mustangs to Toyota Corollas and more, with inspiration taken from British and American vehicles or various eras.
MORE: Mitsuoka Orochi Evangelion Edition will be the car’s swansong
The latest creation takes the Toyota RAV4 – Drive’s Car of the Year for 2020 – and applies bodywork which gives the car a bolder look, with revised front-end, new tailgate and tail lights – which appear to have been adapted from a Cadillac ATS – along with chrome bumper bars, and optional steel wheels with centre hubcaps.
No changes have been made under the bonnet, with Mitsuoka only offering the original four-cylinder powertrains as they came from Toyota – including the very popular hybrid variant.
The full reveal of the Mitsuoka Buddy is expected on November 16.
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