The must-see cars of the Tokyo Motor Show

Andy Goodwin rounds up the main show-stoppers ranging from the sublime to the mind-bendingly perplexing. 

Futuristic family cars, fantastical concepts and 500bhp supercars are all under one very large roof. 

Nissan

The leaked details of the new Nissan GT-R only added to the hype surrounding the cars Tokyo debut.

The trickle of information surrounding the 500bhp Japanese supercar will turn into a flood once its official launch party is over.

This is undoubtedly the fastest and most furious car to be revealed in the land of the rising sun this year.

The Nissan Pivo 2 couldn’t be more different. It features a rotating cabin and wheels which can turn 90 degrees to allow easy parking.

Pivo 2 is electric and uses Lithium-ion batteries to power the vehicle and it’s Robotic Agent, your interface and guide which communicates with you during your journey.

Also on the (large) Nissan stand in 2007 is the NV200 van concept, with a sliding loading bay ‘pod’ tailor-made for the tools of your trade.

Subaru

The hardcore new Impreza STI will be the petrolhead's favourite on the Subaru stand this year. With 300bhp, four-wheel drive and a completely new design on the outside it is certainly worth closer inspection.

Subaru are known for their fine petrol engines and hope to add an electric car to their design repertoire with the Subaru G4e Electric concept.

Batteries are stored neatly under the floor of the five-seat car. Subaru expect it to be able to travel 200 kilometres on a single charge of less than eight hours.

Their EXIGA concept is a seven seat estate which Subaru say concentrates on offering an agile and “panoramic” driving experience for all its occupants.

The styling is unmistakably Subaru, with some new twists including a completely glass roof and futuristic front and rear light clusters.

Audi

Audi is wading into Mini-infested waters with this – the all new A1.

Set to take on the phenomenal success rate of BMW’s all-conquering MINI, the new A1 – currently dubbed as the Metroproject Quattro – will feature a hybrid engine.

A 1.4-litre turbocharged engine will sit under the bonnet producing 150bhp and 177lb/ft of pulling power – but a battery pack in the boot can send 40bhp and 150lb/ft to the rear wheels and the A1 can travel up to 62 miles on this power alone.

Expect to see Audi’s supermini in showrooms by 2010.

Lexus

The Lexus LF-Xh is an SUV concept powered by a V6 petrol engine and electric motor hybrid system. 

The LF-Xh clearly evolves the design language of the hugely successful RX-400 which has proven hybrid technology.

Lexus are also showing their latest LF-A concept. The 5-litre V10 supercar has been seen testing flat-out at the Nurburgring in Germany, which would suggest it is almost production ready. When it is launched it will be the fastest road car ever built by Toyota or Lexus.

BMW

While other car makers are looking to the future, BMW are drawing on their impressive past with the 1-Series Coupe tii concept.

Taking its inspiration from the classic 2002 tii of the late 1960s, the 1-Series concept shows off dynamic new body styling, lowered sports suspension and sexy new alloy wheels.

Weight has been reduced through the use of carbon fibre components, improving performance and handling.

Toyota

The largest carmaker on the planet are concentrating on personal mobility with the Toyota i-REAL concept. It uses three wheels which move further apart as you travel faster, giving greater stability at speed.

Monitors detect imminent collisions and alert the driver with sound and vibration while alerting those around it with light and noise.

The RiN concept focuses on “increased comfort” and “serene, healthy living” through seats which give you good posture to displays which alter with your mood and the ability to alter the light and even the air quality in the cabin.

The Hi-CT aims at “coolness” and promotes fun while adopting plug-in hybrid technology. It features a deck for surfboards or bicycles.

Honda

According to Honda the PUYO concept is designed to be “clean”, “safe” and “fun”. The exterior is intentionally cornerless and soft as Honda feel that this makes it appear friendly to people and the environment.

Many parts of the body are luminescent, and change colour to provide information as well as lighting.

Also on the Honda stand is the S2000 Type-S, a track-ready version of the Honda S2000, which retains the incredibly high-revving 2-litre 237bhp engine of the standard car.

The increase in speed comes from a reduction in weight, sportier suspension and a new aerodynamics package complete with huge rear wing.

Mazda

The stunning Taiki concept will showcase Mazda’s new rotary engine.

Engine capacity has been increased from 1.3-litres to 1.6-litres, and the increase is said to give Mazda’s new engine – the only manufacturer in the world to currently mass-produce a rotary design – more pulling power throughout all engine speeds.

Mazda said the concept Taiki reflects ‘one possible direction for a future generation of Mazda sports cars’, hinting that it could be the precursor to an all-new RX-based coupe.

Suzuki

This is how Suzuki sees the future of personal mobility, keeping in mind the Next-generation Vehicle and Fuel Initiative which has been introduced by the Japanese government.

Single person bubbles called PIXY pods encase occupants and then fit into mobility devices like the Suzuki sharing coach (SSC) and a boat called SSJ.

Sporty types can even dock their PIXY pod into a single-person sports car.

Volkswagen

The space up! has been designed by Volkswagen chief designer, Walter de Silva and is aimed at providing the maximum possible cabin space on a small platform.

There is a small compartment at the rear for the engine. Unique features include butterfly doors and a screen displaying real-time CO2 emissions. 

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