Suzuki hasn’t sold cars in the U.S. for a number of years, as they’re mainly known as a motorcycle manufacturer stateside. But worldwide, The Zook is well-known for both their two-wheel and four-wheel offerings, and now the two facets of their business have been combined in the Suzuki Misano concept.
A joint project between Suzuki and Italy’s Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) design school, the Misano looks to merge the rush of a motorcycle with the driving experience of a car. The result is a modern and unique expression of an Italian Barchetta speedster, with no roof and just the tiniest of windshields. Most unique is the seating arrangement. Inspired by motorcycles, the car has a tandem seating set up, with the passenger seated behind the driver on the left side of the vehicle. There’s just one door on the fully electric car, as the right side of the vehicle is reserved for the battery and a side-mounted trunk, and in place of a steering wheel is a “control stick” that’s similar to the handlebar on a motorcycle. The design was completed by 24 IED students, and the car was actually manufactured by EDAG Italia, Torino Crea, Freeland.car, and Raitec. The Suzuki Misano will be on public display for a month beginning May 15 at Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile in Turin.
