Toyota reveals new customizable Camatte57s kid-friendly concepts

Tue, 11 Jun 2013

Toyota plans to follow up last year's kid-friendly Camatte concept with two new versions: the Camatte57s and Camatte57s Sport (right). Like the original Camatte, the two new concepts will make their debut at the International Tokyo Toy Show, which is happening this weekend.

Not much has changed with these two new Camatte models. Like their predecessor, they both feature detachable body panels (the count is up to 57), a 1+2 seating array and reconfigurable pedals that allow children to operate the gas and brakes while Mom or Dad steers. What is new is an open-top roadster design that even eschews doors in favor of easier ingress/egress. They look like something a tourist would rent to get around a Hawaiian island, though we dig the distinct personalities of each model's design.

Both cars are all-electric, though Toyota hasn't provided any other specifications, like what makes the Sport model sporty besides its more aggressive body panels and silver, black and red color scheme. That's just as well, as neither concept, like the original Camatte before them, is street legal.

And in case you're wondering from where Toyota conjured these concepts' odd name, "Camatte" is the Japanese for word for "care." According to the automaker, it's intended to signify both caring for others and caring for cars, while the lone 's' at the end of each name stands for "touch," and the number corresponds to the number of body panels. Scroll below to watch a team of Toyota engineers installing body panels on a Camatte57s, or check out both models in our gallery below.

TOYOTA FOCUSES ON FAMILY FUN WITH TOKYO TOY SHOW CONCEPT CAR

Where better to unveil a car that's all about bringing the family together than a toy show? Toyota is presenting the Camatte57s, a sporty, open-top family-focused concept car, in the colourful surroundings of the Kids' Life Zone at this week's Tokyo Toy Show.

Toyota's new concept is about sharing ideas to build the ideal car, inspired by the fun generations of mums, dads and kids have had making things together. It believes involving youngsters in choosing the shape and look of a car will help these drivers of the future learn more about the fun aspects of motoring.

The Camatte57s builds on Toyota's original Camatte concept, shown last year, with a greater range of customisation opportunities that are even easier to apply.

The body is made up of 57 small, lightweight, detachable panels that can be finished in a wide choice of different colours and designs. The open top roadster body style adds to the fun factor and allows everyone on board to enjoy the colourful exterior they have created.

The pedals and seats can be adjusted so that even children can drive. The position of the right-hand rear seat will let adults help with steering and braking, so the youngsters can make an early start on developing their driving skills in appropriate, safe places, off the public highway.

Powered by an electric motor, the car measures 3,00mm long by 1,440mm wide and 1,000mm high, and seats three.

By John Neff