RAV4

Make
Toyota
Segment
SUV

Japanese car culture is one of the most interesting in the world, with crazy-creations popping up on a regular basis. The world has become accustomed to the craziness of JDM tuner culture after it was popularized by the cult classic Fast & Furious movie franchise, but Japan has a rich culture of car modification that goes beyond the realm of Western industry standards. Mitsuoka is a Japanese modification and styling company that has delivered some of the strangest vehicles the motoring world has ever seen, including a Mazda MX-5 dressed up as a Chevrolet Corvette, and they even have the honor of having planned one of the ugliest supercars known to man. This company has now revealed its latest creation; the Mitsuoka Buddy, and it's a real feast for the eyes.

The Buddy is based on a Toyota RAV4 and looks like a tribute to American SUVs from the 80s and 90s. Any trace of the Toyota that lives underneath has been extinguished by a heavily modified front that features a massive chrome grille reminiscent of the Chevrolet K5 Blazer. The side profile of the Buddy is more recognizable but flared fenders, added chrome intakes and big mudguards will fool the untrained eye. The Buddy rolls on some old-school wheels featuring chrome hubcaps wrapped in All-Terrain T/A tires. Five-spoke alloys are also available for the more contemporary of mind. At the back the transformation is extreme. In place of the RAV4's rear taillights is a stack of upright lights, once again mimicking the glory days of the 80s and 90s.

With such bold looks, one would expect to find a roaring V8 under the hood, but Mitsuoka decided not to venture into the mechanical side of things. This means you get the option of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 2.5-liter four-pot hybrid-electric powertrain. There are no pictures of the interior just yet but expect something just as eccentric and old-school as the exterior. Mitsuoka will be taking orders for the Buddy from 26 November, but it is still unclear if they will be selling to the global market. Don't get your hopes up though.