The things you need to know from the Tokyo Motor Show

Two tantalising concepts from Mazda

Mazda revealed two concepts at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.

The Mazda Kai Concept, a compact hatchback that the Japanese marque says “heralds a new generation of inspired vehicle”, made its world premiere. It was the second appearance for the Mazda Vision Coupe, a design concept that debuted at a pre-show event called Mazda Design Night 2017.

Featuring the next-generation Skyactiv-X petrol engine, Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture and a “more mature expression of the Kodo design language”, the Kai Concept embodies the technology, engineering and styling concepts that will define the coming generation of Mazdas, it said. Refinements in all areas of dynamic performance have produced a considerably quieter, more comfortable ride and enhanced performance, Mazda said. The Kai Concept features “muscular, solid proportions in a form brought to life by a delicate flow of reflections over the sides of the body”.

Highlights of the Vision Coupe, meanwhile, has a simple “one-motion” form that “conveys a sense of speed”. The concept’s name pays homage to Mazda’s tradition of design elegance represented by coupé models like the Mazda R360, Mazda’s first passenger car, and the Mazda Luce Rotary, also known as the Mazda R130.

Mazda also had the spotlight on the all-new Mazda CX-8, a three-row SUV going on sale in Japan later this year, as well as the 2018 Mazda MX-5 and 2018 Mazda MX-5 RF.

Nissan focuses on its electric cars – with a Nismo twist

Nissan expanded and showcased its electric vehicle capability at the Tokyo Motor Show. It presented two all-electric concept vehicles, signalling, it said, its intention to “maintain electric vehicle leadership in the sector”.

The concepts included the new Nissan IMx all-electric Crossover and new Nissan LEAF NISMO. It also confirmed its participation in the 2018-2019 season of all-electric Formula E racing. Nissan said that the IMx zero-emission crossover concept “delivers outstanding driving pleasure with seamless social integration”. It’s an all-electric four-seater crossover concept offering fully autonomous operation and a driving range of more than 370 miles.

This concept utilises Nissan’s all new and dedicated electric vehicle platform married to twin motor power units that deliver 320kWh capacity and an incredible 700Nm of torque.

The platform allows the floor to be completely flat, resulting in a cavernous cabin and enhanced driving dynamics. Nissan says that a low centre of gravity means sharp handling “that promises to redefine the crossover segment”. “The Nissan IMx zero-emission crossover concept vehicle embodies the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility,” said Daniele Schillaci, executive vice president of global marketing and sales, EV business, and chairman of Nissan’s management committee for Japan, Asia and Oceania. “Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, Nissan is committed to changing the way people and cars communicate, as well as how cars interact with society in the near future and beyond.”

Speed fans will be most excited about the Leaf Nismo concept, which Nissan says is a marriage between clean and efficient electric technology and the driving dynamics that characterise Nismo. The Nismo Concept version of the new Leaf has a sporty exterior, as we can see. Nissan says that the application of Nismo racing technology to the car’s body results in enhanced aerodynamic performance and less lift, without sacrificing the Leaf’s drag coefficient. It said that “the black interior features Nismo’s signature red accents, creating an exciting, high-performance feel”.

Mitsubishi heads in a new direction

Mitsubishi marked the launched of a new brand strategy at Tokyo with the world debut of its e-Evolution Concept. It said that the all-electric, high-performance SUV embodied its new ‘Drive your Ambition’ global tagline, with the aim to be ‘adventurous and progressive’ in design and product.

Mitsi said the concept was “a technical prototype to illustrate the strategic directions of a renewed MMC brand, incorporating the strengths of the SUV and EV with the ability to integrate new systems for a connected mobility customer experience”. “We aim to provide vehicles that fulfil our customers’ desires through outstanding design, combined with the power, authenticity and carefully-considered functionality MMC is known for,” said MMC head of global design, Tsunehiro Kunimoto.

The e-Evolution uses high-performance electric motors, fed by a high-capacity battery system, to deliver the smooth, torque-rich responsiveness that is the trademark of EVs compared to petrol-powered vehicles. The drive battery is located under the floor mid-ship of the vehicle, providing a low centre of gravity for improved driving stability.

The triple motor 4WD system employs a single motor to drive the front wheels complemented by a new Dual-Motor Active Yaw Control (AYC) system that couples two rear motors through an electronically controlled torque-vectoring AYC unit. All of this is integrated into MMC’s unique Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamic control system to greatly improve its cornering and traction performance, the firm says.

Honda had a busy one

Honda, being Honda, showcased everything from cars to motorbikes to weird and wacky visions of our future mobility at the show.

It continues to expand its line-up of hybrid vehicles and says that it will continue to strengthen hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV models. The headline for the show was the Sports EV Concept, a sporty-looking compact and low-slung little thing that combines, Honda says, electric performance with artificial intelligence for a proper driving experience.

Built on a newly-developed dedicated EV platform, the Honda Urban EV Concept was also revealed to indicate the technology and design directions for Honda’s future mass-production EV models. A new model based on this concept will go on sale first in Europe, and then in Japan in 2020. The Honda NeuV is an EV concept model that explores the potential of mobility products which will be further expanded by automated driving technologies and AI. Honda said that NeuV makes judgments about the driver’s state of stress based on facial expressions and/or tone of voice and provides assistance to the driver to support safe driving and, by learning the driver’s lifestyle and preferences, provides suggestions to the particular driver, realising communication between driver and mobility.

Slightly more back in the present, the new CR-V SUV was on show. It includes a hybrid model equipped a hybrid for the first time and also news that a three-row seating type will be added to the line-up of the petrol model. It goes on sale next year. The Clarity PHEV, a new-generation plug-in hybrid model, features an exterior form with low vehicle height, spacious cabin that seats five adults and a large-capacity cargo area. It also goes on sale next year.

Looking somewhat further into the future, in a way that only Honda can, was the RoboCas Concept, a small-sized electric mobility product created “to make people’s dreams and ideas come true”. It said that different types of carrying space with a canopy can be “freely combined with a compact-sized vehicle body base which has a driving function”. The firm also exhibited a host of motorcycles and other futuristic mobility products at the show.

Toyota debuts several concepts and new models

Toyota unveiled a series of concepts and new models in Tokyo.

The GR HV Sports concept, it said, represents a new way to enjoy cars by integrating the thrill of a sports car with the environmental friendliness of an eco-car. We can but hope.

It takes design cues from the Totora Gazoo Racing TS050 Hybrid racing car that competes in the World Endurance Championship and its targa top is influenced by the firm’s convertible sports cars of old, including the Sports 800 and Supra. The concept is powered by the Toyota Hybrid System-Racing (THS-R) tech refined in the TS050.

Also showcased was the Tj Cruiser, which “represents the harmonious balance between the roominess of a cargo van and the powerful design of an SUV”.It’s clearly aimed those ‘lifestyle’ type people, who want to take the same car to work and the mountains. Toyota says that the “T” stands for “Toolbox” in reference to how the car can be used like a toolbox, while the “j” stands for “joy” in reference to the joy of visiting various places by car.

Inside, the passenger seat can be reclined completely flat, making it easy to carry lifestyle-y items like three-metre long surfboards and bikes. A nod to the past while looking to the future came in the form of the Crown Concept, a concept vehicle “developed in pursuit of driving performance and connected technology”.

It features the blend of the Crown tradition with its birth in 1955 and the innovation to be expected in the Crown in a next generation mobility society, says Toyota.

The new third generation Century was also unveiled, “carrying on the tradition of master craftsmanship and high-quality monozukuri (all-encompassing manufacturing) while realising high-demand environmental performance and a design layout that pursues passenger comfort”. The Century is now powered by a 5.0-litre V8 hybrid system for, Toyota says of a model that the UK won’t be seeing, outstanding fuel efficiency. In addition, the wheelbase has lengthened, the height difference between the scuff plate and floor has decreased, and the height of the door opening has increased, all of which are refinements improving the rear seat riding experience, it says.