The boxy three-cylinder minivehicle will be sold exclusively in Japan, said maker Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp.

"The name refers to the fact it's a car with no decoration," a spokesman said.

The Naked is powered by a twin-cam 3-cylinder 12-valve engine and retails for 919,000 yen ($8,750). Optional extras include Japan's first electronic card key system to control the car's locks and ignition.

Thanks to tax breaks, minivehicles are the fastest-growing sector of Japan's car market.

Sales of the small cars, which are powered by 660cc engines, jumped 30 percent to 1.43 million units in the first nine months of the year.