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The 2005 Chrysler Akino Concept, unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, was a bold design concept created by Akino Tsuchiya, a designer at Chrysler's Pacifica Studio in California. With a focus on modern artistic design, the Akino was envisioned as a subcompact car that blended compactness with interior spaciousness. The car's exterior featured a snub nose with a prominent Chrysler winged badge, a sharply raked windshield, and geometric side windows, giving the vehicle a distinct look despite its small size. The Akino's wheelbase measured just 95 inches, and its overall length was 146.6 inches, making it a tiny car with surprising presence thanks to large, BMW-style wheels.
One of the most unique aspects of the Akino was its door configuration: it featured a single door on the driver's side and two passenger doors that opened in opposite directions, one of which was a suicide door. Inside, the car was designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. The front passenger seat could swivel, and the rear bench seat was designed to resemble a living room sofa. The interior layout, which could accommodate up to five people, was created with the intention of providing a soothing, home-like atmosphere, as explained by Tsuchiya.
The Akino concept was designed with a vision of creating a "living room on the road," emphasizing a relaxing, spacious environment despite the vehicle's compact dimensions. The roof's interlocking form contributed to additional headroom, and the hatchback trunk opened upwards for convenience. While the Akino remained a concept, it represented a bold step in subcompact car design, merging practicality with artistic sophistication. It was also linked to Chrysler's relationship with the Lancia Ypsilon and Chrysler Ypsilon.
With its distinctive door arrangement, futuristic design, and emphasis on comfort, the Chrysler Akino reflected a vision of the future of urban transportation.
