Suzuki will emphasise its reputation as an innovative small-car company at the 42nd annual Tokyo motor show, on at the International Exhibition Centre from December 2-11, with two new concepts.
Taking centre stage will be the Regina, Suzuki's vision of a next-generation global compact car, focused on reducing weight and improving aerodynamics to improve performance and efficiency.
At 730kg, the Regina weighs no more than a minicar but it's about the same size as an A-segment hatchback, with a drag coefficient about 10 percent lower than Suzuki's current compact cars, which is how the hotshots from Hamamatsu can claim fuel consumption of 3.12 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 70g/km.
Another innovative take on the motoring future to be unveiled at Tokyo is the Q-concept, a two-seater microcar that's intended to fill the gap between conventional motorcycles and cars.
It's aimed at urban commuters who travel within a radius of no more than 10km, and it's only 2.5 metres long, with a variety of interior configurations.
The standard set-up is a tandem seating arrangement for two, but it can also carry a parent in front and two toddlers at the back - or the rear seating can be removed entirely, turning the Q-concept into the perfect urban delivery vehicle.
The Q-concept, says Suzuki, is more manoeuvrable than a car, but more comfortable and versatile than a motorcycle, thus creating a user-friendly mobility solution for urban environments.
Also new for Tokyo is the Swift EV Hybrid - which is actually not a hybrid at all, but an extended-range electric vehicle along the lines of the Chevrolet Volt. Based on the current Swift hatchback, it has an engine-driven generator powering an electric motor, but can be driven for up to 30km on battery power alone.
Which means that, if you live within 30km of your work, you can plug it in all day and only burn petrol at weekends.
Tokyo will also mark the world premiere of the five-door Swift Sport, following the debut of the three-door Swift Sport at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year.