SUZUKI won the best of show award for its Pu-3 Commuter car at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The two-seater has been designed to use a choice of three power units - a lean burn petrol engine, a hybrid electric/petrol engine and an electric motor.
The low-emission petrol engine is fitted with a system that shuts the engine down when the vehicle comes to a stop, automatically restarting when required.
The hybrid units uses an electric motor for starting and additional power, when needed, for the petrol engine, while on the move.
Suzuki says the electric power unit is of an advanced designed resulting in a zero emission vehicles with high levels of power, efficiency and performance.
The instrument panel, air conditioning and other controls are placed in the centre of the dashboard and the load area can be expanded into a flat L-shape by folding down the passenger seatback.
A Suzuki spokesman said: "Although at present only a concept, the Pu-3 clearly demonstrates Suzuki's commitment to producing practical, functional and above all environmentally friendly vehicles which are destined to become a common sight on our roads in the coming century."
Story date: Wednesday 01 December
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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