- Japanese brands take the wraps off eye-catching concepts
- Honda’s Super-N prototype could spawn Honda-e replacement
- Lexus unveils madcap six-wheeled luxury van
The Tokyo Motor Show, which is now known as the Japan Mobility Show, has always been a rich seam of slightly wild concept cars and transport solutions, as the Japanese brands use it as the perfect platform to flex their creative muscles.
But this year feels about as experimental as things get, seeing as those same automakers are all too aware of a technology threat from China.
In fact, BYD went straight for the jugular this year with the reveal of the all-electric Racco – a model that coheres to Japan’s strict Kei minicar standards and is set to do battle in one of the country’s biggest markets.
As a show of defiance, Honda revealed concepts for land, sea, air and even space, while Toyota and Lexus laid out plans to radically change personal transportation and push ever-more upmarket.
1. Honda Super-One Prototype
Widely regarded as the successor to the brilliant but a little before-its-time Honda-e, the Super-One Prototype essentially previews a small electric city car that is destined for global sale next year.
It is built on the Japanese marque’s N-Series kei car platform, so it’s predictably compact, but Honda has beefed things up with flared wheel arches, an asphalt-grazing ride height and a cool roof lip spoiler at the rear.
There’s no word on the exact electrical powertrain that will propel the dinky city car, but Honda says it will have a “Boost Mode” that fills the cabin with sound and offers a simulated seven-speed gearbox with manual shifting. Sounds fun.
It will first be launched in Japan next year, but it looks set to land in other countries with a “strong demand for compact EVs”, such as the UK, Europe and much of Asia.
2. Lexus LS Concept
Do you remember when the Lexus LS was a luxury sedan that never quite managed to steal sales from the likes of BMW or Mercedes-Benz?
Well, according to chief branding officer Simon Humphries, those days are long gone, as where executive sedans once ruled the automotive world, they are now “fighting a losing battle with SUVs”.
The decision to opt for six wheels (two large at the front for steering and four at the rear) has allowed designers to free up maximum interior space and, as you would expect, it’s all rather lovely inside.
There’s a massive electric door that offers easy access to first class-style seating inside, with slatted bamboo and stylish mood lighting setting the ambience.
We know that it is powered by batteries and electric motors but there’s no word on whether it will actually go into production.
It’s more likely to influence the next generation of LM than spawn an entirely new category of six-wheeler ultra-luxe wagons.
3. Toyota’s Century GT coupé concept
There’s a new luxury brand to add to the list that includes things like Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maybach, as Toyota launches its bold and opulent GT coupé concept that sports an all-new badge.
Not to be confused with the Toyota Century, which was one of Japan’s most palatial vehicles – often found transporting wealthy business folk around the country’s major financial districts – Century is now standing on its own two feet as a brand to rival the best in the world.
While there aren’t many details on the massive SUV / Coupe mash-up, particularly what will power the thing, there are lots of buzzwords thrown around, such as “Japanese craftsmanship” and the fact the new brand will act as a “a beacon for the company and the country”.
Put simply, it looks like the Century will become the very pinnacle of luxury for the Toyota group, leaving Lexus to be a little more experimental (see above).
4. Honda EV Outlier Concept
We know Honda is on a push to electrify its motorcycle lineup, with the recent launch of the CUV:e scooter in a number of markets and the upcoming WN7 slated to offer a full-size electric option for the first time.
The futuristic-looking Outlier is a “new vision for motorcycles beyond 2030” and uses in-wheel motors for both the front and rear wheels. This allows it to be so long, low and Cyberpunk-y.
It builds on the more scooter-like concept first revealed at Italy’s premier bike show last year, with the design language hinting more at a more performance oriented machine, complete with potent in-wheel motors for a potentially huge amount of power.
5. Mazda Vision X-Coupe
Always one to up the engineering ante, Mazda unveiled not only a stunningly beautiful concept in the Vision X-Coupe but also arguably the most eyebrow-raising powertrain solution.
Underneath that long, svelte body sits a turbocharged rotary engine (otherwise comedically known as a Wankel engine) that is paired with a battery pack of undisclosed size and an electric motor.
We know that it develops an impressive 510hp and can drive around 100 miles on electricity alone, with the range extending to just shy of 500 miles when all systems are go.
What’s more, Mazda says the car actually reduces the amount of CO2 in the air with the company’s proprietary carbon-capture technology.
The only downside is the tech requires carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae, which probably isn’t currently available at your local Shell gas station.
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