This Tweaked Kei Car is Masquerading as a Pint-Sized Ferrari F40, But Wait Till You See the Engine!
At first glance, you might think your eyes are playing tricks on you. Could it be a distorted image of the legendary Ferrari F40? A pixelated fantasy from a video game? No, what you're seeing is the brainchild of the audacious customizers at Liberty Walk – a modified kei car that harbors the heart of a Suzuki.
Let's rewind the tape. It's January 15, 2024, and the Tokyo Auto Salon's spotlight beams onto Liberty Walk's latest spectacle. The LB Works LB40 AZ-1, a cheeky homage to the titanic Ferrari F40, comes alive on the center stage. Crafted from Autozam's diminutive nineties hero, this kei car is all grown up, sporting a make-over that would give any supercar a run for its money.
Liberty Walk's take on the Ferrari F40 is no stranger to the limelight, having flirted with fame at the previous Tokyo show. This mini-me echo bears the same white livery and racing decals, padded with enough aero enhancements to make even an Airbus envious. But let's face it, the Autozam AZ-1's humble dimensions and beetle-wing doors might invoke 'cute' more than 'cutthroat' when compared to its Maranello-born muse.
Subcompact Size, Supercharged Style
What's in a silhouette? For the Liberty Walk's reimagined AZ-1, everything. The doors, greenhouse, roof, and upper deck remain untouched, but everything else is sculpted anew. Picture the front end, reminiscent of the F40 LM's face, down to the signature clamshell hood and brooding headlights. The back end, with its comically compact fender flares and truncated tail, sports the F40's hallmark wing, albeit on a scale that would suit a go-kart.
The transformation continues with a quartet of taillights, seemingly pinched from the original design and a triplet of exhausts that are adorable rather than imposing. To complete this visual symphony, Liberty Walk slaps on a set of purpose-forged alloy wheels – 16 inches in the front and 17 in the rear – crowned with Toyo tires.
Now, the pièce de résistance – the heart of this petite performer is none other than a turbocharged 657cc marvel courtesy of Suzuki. This sprightly engine propels with 63 hp – not earth-shattering, but remember, this svelte number was all about the joy of the drive and not simply the sprint.
Exotic Aspirations with a Kei Car Budget
Desire has its price, and this F40 mimicry commands $22,660 for its custom FRP body kit, sans lighting. Add the custom wheel ensemble, and you're tossing another $14,300 into the ring. A costly kei, indeed, but for some, the blend of nostalgia and novelty is worth every penny.
While the original Autozam AZ-1, birthed by Mazda, enjoyed a brief fame, its reincarnation promises a spotlight that lasts, particularly if paired with the LB Works' kit. Whether it's through the streets of Tokyo or the twists of the internet, this kei car's flirtation with supercar status is a conversation starter that turns heads and sparks debate among purists and progressives alike.
So, the next time you catch a glimpse of the 'Ferrari F40' zipping down the lane, take a moment. That surreptitious racer might just be a well-dressed Suzuki in prancing horse's clothing, whispering a reminder that in the world of automobiles, creativity knows no bounds.