TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Retro Suzuki Waku SPO coupe previewed

Suzuki has announced it will pull the drapes off two all-new concepts later this month at the 2019 Tokyo motor show and the headline act will be the wild Waku SPO – a retro-styled coupe that features the car-maker’s latest plug-in hybrid technology.

The single teaser image of the two-tone coupe, which was created to comply with Japan's strict Kei-class regulations, suggests the Suzuki Waku SPO will be an updated version of the early-1990s Nissan Figaro.

Other influences are said to be the classic Suzuki Fronte from the late-1960s, which donates its unusual and slightly gawky silhouette to the Waku SPO.

Beneath the skin, there's said to be nothing yesteryear about some of the new tech embedded in the new concept, the Wagi SPO featuring front fender mounted cameras instead of mirrors and, mysteriously, a switch that's claimed to alter the "body shape, front mask, and content shown on the dashboard".

Suzuki has not explained what the latter means, but all will be revealed at the show.

There's also a new state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid powertrain promised, although no details have been revealed.

As well as the stylish Waku SPO, the Japanese car-maker has confirmed it will unwrap a small boxy minivan called the Suzuki Hanare Concept.

Said to be named after a type of Japanese cottage, the Hanare has been designed and developed to be the closest thing to a lounge on wheels.

That explains why the cuboid Hanare is fully autonomous, capable of driving itself while occupants stretch out.

The small minivan is claimed to also incorporate advanced artificial intelligence that's said to be capable of creating a "personal connection" with those who travel in it.

This helps the Hanare learn its owner's preferences to tailor the experience onboard. Again, how this works has not been explained, but all will hopefully be revealed when Hanare is unveiled in Tokyo on October 23 alongside the Waku SPO.

As well as the two all-new concepts, Suzuki has also previewed two concepts based on its current Hustler crossover and a Combi minivan.

Suzuki says the latter has been designed for new parents or those tackling the aftermath of a natural disaster; we don’t know how the two are related although some new mums and dads might.