- Japanese brands unveil eye-catching concepts
- Honda’s Super-N prototype could lead to Honda-e replacement
- Lexus unveils crazy six-wheel luxury minivan
The Tokyo Motor Show, now known as the Japan Mobility Show, has always been a rich reservoir of concept cars and somewhat wild transportation solutions, as Japanese brands use it as the perfect platform to flex their creative muscles.
But this year seems as experimental as possible, given that these same automakers are all too aware of the technological threat coming from China.
In fact, BYD got right to the point this year with the reveal of the all-electric Racco – a model that meets Japan’s strict Kei mini-car standards and is ready to do battle in one of the country’s biggest markets.
In a show of defiance, Honda unveiled concepts for land, sea, air and even space, while Toyota and Lexus presented plans to radically change personal transportation and push ever more upscale.
1. Honda Super-One Prototype
Widely seen as the successor to the brilliant but somewhat avant-garde Honda-e, the Super-One Prototype essentially presents a small electric city car intended for global sale next year.
It’s built on the Japanese brand’s N-series kei car platform, so it’s naturally compact, but Honda has beefed things up with flared wheel arches, an asphalt-grazing ride height and a cool roof spoiler at the rear.
It’s unclear exactly what electric powertrain will propel this little city car, but Honda says it will have a “Boost mode” that will fill the cabin with sound and offer a simulated seven-speed gearbox with manual shifting. Looks like fun.
It will first launch in Japan next year, but is expected to land in other countries with “strong demand for compact electric vehicles”, such as the UK, Europe and much of Asia.
2. Lexus LS Concept
Remember when the Lexus LS was a luxury sedan that never really managed to steal sales from brands like BMW or Mercedes-Benz?
Well, according to brand director Simon Humphries, those days are long gone, because where luxury sedans once dominated the automotive world, they are now fighting a losing battle against SUVs.
The decision to go for six wheels (two large ones at the front for steering and four at the rear) allowed the designers to free up maximum interior space and, as you would expect, everything inside is quite nice.
There’s a huge electric door that provides easy access to the first-class seats inside, with bamboo slats and stylish mood lighting setting the mood.
We know it’s powered by batteries and electric motors, but it’s unclear if it will actually go into production.
It’s more likely that this will influence the next generation of LMs rather than giving rise to a whole new category of ultra-luxury six-wheel wagons.
3. Toyota’s Century GT coupe concept
There’s a new luxury brand to add to the list that includes the likes of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maybach, as Toyota launches its bold and opulent GT coupe concept that sports an all-new badge.
Not to be confused with the Toyota Century, which was one of Japan’s most lavish vehicles – often used to ferry wealthy businessmen around the country’s main financial districts – Century now stands on its own as a brand capable of competing with the best in the world.
While there aren’t many details about the massive SUV/Coupe mash-up, particularly what will power the vehicle, there are plenty of buzzwords floating around, such as “Japanese craftsmanship” and that the new brand will act as “a beacon for the company and the country.”
Simply put, it looks like the Century will become the pinnacle of luxury for the Toyota Group, leaving Lexus to be a little more experimental (see above).
4. Outlier Honda EV Concept
We know Honda is working to electrify its motorcycle lineup, with the recent launch of the CUV:e scooter in a number of markets and the upcoming WN7 expected 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 motors integrated into 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 last year’s inaugural Italian Bike Show, with design language hinting more at a more performance-oriented machine, boasting powerful in-wheel motors for potentially enormous power.
5. Mazda Vision X-Coupe
Always at the forefront of engineering, Mazda has revealed not only a stunningly beautiful concept in the Vision X-Coupe, but also arguably the most breathtaking powertrain solution.
Underneath that long, slender body sits a turbocharged rotary engine (otherwise known as the Wankel engine) that’s paired with an undisclosed size battery pack and an electric motor.
We know it makes an impressive 510 hp and can travel around 100 miles on electricity alone, with a range extending to just under 500 miles when all systems are running.
Additionally, Mazda claims the car actually reduces the amount of CO2 in the air thanks to the company’s proprietary carbon capture technology.
The only downside is that the technology requires a carbon-neutral fuel derived from microalgae, which is probably not currently available at your local Shell gas station.
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