Mitsubishi eK Wagon (3rd Generation) and Nissan Dayz

Two new kei cars as part of strengthening ties between Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and part of the newly established NMKV joint venture have arrived and the all-new Mitsubishi eK Wagon and its Nissan counterpart, the Dayz, setting standards in the Japanese kei-car market and promises to set importance to this wondrous collaboration from these two Japanese automotive giants.

2014 Mitsubishi eK Wagon

2014 Nissan Dayz

For the new third-generation eK Wagon, it's been divided into two styles; the standard eK Wagon targeted for those who wanted something simple and the stylish eK Custom for those who wanted something a bit more sporty and stylish in the eyes of observers. Same goes the Dayz because it too has two styles such as the normal Dayz which has the face of the Nissan Note and the Highway Star model which has the face of the Nissan Serena.

2014 Mitsubishi eK Custom

2014 Nissan Dayz

Both the new eK Wagon and the Dayz are built on Mitsubishi's Mizushima Plant and no matter which version you'll be, it's just the same feeling. This is where all of the hard work done by Mitsubishi not just for itself but also for Nissan as well because like I said, both the eK Wagon and the Dayz are fruits of their labor and part of the wondrous collaboration that started the NMKV joint venture.

Anyway, both the Dayz and the new eK Wagon are powered with Mitsubishi's newly developed 3B20 MIVEC DOHC 12-valve engine mated with a CVT gearbox. This new engine provides strong driving performance and best-in-class fuel economy among height wagon-type kei cars. Fuel economy based on Japan's JC08 Test Cycle is a nice 29.2km/L, which is a bit more than the Honda N ONE and also the Suzuki Wagon R as well! Wait!

You know, last year's Suzuki Wagon R comes with a mild hybrid system which delivers 28.8km/L but this new eK Wagon and Dayz doesn't have that technology the Suzuki Wagon R had. How's that possible for a kei-car like this to deliver 29.2km/L of fuel economy that can easily trounced the Wagon R? What sort of witchcraft was that? Nope. That wasn't witchcraft, this is logic. Those new NMKV kei cars don't rely on that kind of system and depended on old-fashioned fuel-saving technology but made it better to get such fuel consumption. The new 3B20 MIVEC engine provides improved combustion efficiency, adoption of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler, reduced friction and the electronically-controlled thermostat, meaning there is a lot more than that why 29.2km/L of fuel consumption for the new eK Wagon and Dayz was reached.

Anyway, let's not talk more about it but as for the eK Custom and Dayz Highway Star variants, an optional turbocharger was offered to increase its power output from 49PS to 64PS, much like anything else in the world right now.

2014 Mitsubishi eK Custom interior

2014 Mitsubishi eK Wagon interior

2014 Nissan Dayz interior

As for the interior, manufacturers said that both the eK Wagon and the Dayz provides space for relaxation while being wrapped in high-quality materials made to be somewhat a bit premium and a bit posh. Sometimes, as kei cars, most of their interiors are somewhat plain and a bit easy and clean. Not so in here because while having a "easy and clean" interior, it's pretty much technological and as demonstrated with this kei-car-first Touch Panel Auto A/C, which at the touch of your fingertips, adjusts the climate control of your car if you want it a bit warmer for fall and winter and if you want it a bit cooler for spring and summer. Of course, summer's here so best to set the A/C cool but that's a privilege for those who don't want to open their windows on the roundabouts or in the highway or in the city streets or in the open road or whatever you're going.

Plus, the rear view mirror comes with a rear view monitor for added convenience if your neck's too tired to turn behind while parking your car in reverse. Since it was mounted in the mirror, a car navigation system is not required to use this feature. They learned that idea from the latest Nissan Note you know. Also, the front view comes with a Super UV-cut heat insulated green glass which filters out 99 percent of harmful UV rays, hazard warning lights automatically flashed on and off when depressing the brakes firmly or when the ABS is operated, and so much more to keep these kei cars advanced ahead of time...if you have the urge to take your time learning so much features of these.

Available colors for the eK Wagon: White Solid, White Pearl, Cool Silver Metallic, Black Mica, Sakura Pink Metallic, Cherry Brown Pearl, Brilliant Turquoise Metallic, and Purplish Navy Blue Pearl.

Available colors for the eK Custom: White Pearl, Cool Silver Metallic, Black Mica, and Purplish Navy Blue Pearl

Available colors for the Dayz: White, White Pearl, Cool Silver Metallic, Black Pearl, Silky Rose Metallic, Reddish Maroon Pearl Metallic, Mineral Blue Metallic, and Premium Purple Pearl.

For the 2014 eK Wagon, prices start from 1,050,000 Yen up to 1,335,000 Yen while the eK Custom starts at 1,269,000 Yen up to 1,546,000 Yen and the Dayz starts at 1,060,000 Yen up to 1,600,000 Yen, making it the one of this year's JDM bargains.

So, there you have it folks. Both the new eK Wagon and the Dayz are the first of the NMKV joint venture and a wonderful partnership between Nissan and Mitsubishi, making it one of the most important vehicles to be ever launched this year and even with such partnerships, I think both the eK Wagon and the Dayz need some time to prepare themselves before getting primed up and ready to showcase the world what they're capable of. Oh wait, they're available only in Japan so only the Japanese crowd will behold on these two. He he he.... What are the chances?