This Damd-Tuned Suzuki Hustler is What Jeep-Made Kei Cars Might Look Like!

The Kei car craze has been hitting across Japan for some time now. What started off as a regulation introduced by the government to allow folks living in densely-populated areas with narrow streets enjoy owning a car, its popularity has garnered many stylish models and bodykits made by both manufacturers and tuning companies.

The latest iteration to join the long list of tuned-up Kei cars is this Suzuki Hustler. Modded by Japanese tuner Damd, this tuning company is no stranger in producing special aftermarket bodykits for Suzuki cars, releasing fancy bodykits for the Suzuki Jimny prior to this. This special tuning kit will transform any standard Hustler into a rugged-but-cute-looking Kei car version of the iconic Jeep Wrangler.

Named as the “Carabina” (Spanish/Italian for ‘rifle’), this Jeep-ified Kei car is based on the second-gen Suzuki Hustler, launched back in 2020 for the Japanese market. The original round-shaped headlights of the Hustler really made it an excellent specimen to be souped-up into a Jeep lookalike, with the addition of Wrangler-style vertical front grille proved to be enough to transform the bare-boned Hustler into a proper, mini Jeep doppelganger.

Said grille is combined with a redesigned front bumper featuring some horizontal lines and proper-looking skid plate finished in dark matte hue, adding some ruggedness to this otherwise tamed-looking Kei car.

From the side, nothing much has changed on the Hustler’s silhouette, except for the addition of the retro-inspired 15-inch steelie wheels, wrapped by Mudstar Radial MT all-terrain tyres.

Moving to the rear, Damd has included brand-new taillights wrapped with black covers poking out of the bodywork, plus a black trim piece mounted on its tailgate, with “Carbina'' lettering spelled out. Topping off the rugged bodykit is the rear bumper, also featuring a few black trims to match said taillights and tailgate trim.

Folks who are planning to drive their “Carbina” for outdoor getaways can opt for the optional roof rack complete with the additional LED light bar  – a very thoughtful addition considering the tight boot space this rugged Kei car harnesses.

The Suzuki Hustler “Carbina” bodykit is available for purchase via Damd’s official website, where it will set Hustlers owners a total of JPY729,300 (RM24,007), with each of the parts sold separately.

This kit is compatible with any variants or specs of the current-gen Suzuki Hustler, but we’d think it will be best fitted on the Turbo 4x4 variant that sports a 600 CC mild hybrid powertrain rated at 63 HP, mated with a CVT box and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system to boot. Add a suspension lift kit to the list and your little ‘Jeep’ is all set for a light off-roading outdoor getaway.