The annual Tokyo Auto Salon is a well-known destination for unusual, eccentric and occasionally just funny car-themed projects from automotive college students. The biggest highlight this year was this massive Suzuki Jimny-based off-roader built by a team from NATS (Nippon Automobile College).
The Jimny is a highly popular base for conversions thanks to its compact size and off-road credentials. The one thing it cannot impersonate is large vehicles, though – for obvious reasons. The students still found a way to do so, grafting a pair of first-gen Jimny bodies onto a Suzuki Escudo chassis.
The goal was to make the result look like the Toyota Mega Cruiser, alternatively known as the JDM Hummer. It came out looking great and almost seamless. Multiple front and rear end components were sourced from third parties, and iMLA wheels filled out the arches. Air-ride suspension was implemented to bring the SUV as close to the ground as possible.
The stock 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine rated at 160 PS (158 hp / 118 kW) continued its duty under the hood. The interior stayed largely stock, too, with a 12-channel Diecock audio system in the trunk area being the only major addition.
