Tokyo Motor Show 2019: the good, the bad and the mad
From wacky concepts to plenty of EVs, here’s your complete round up of Tokyo 2019
Suzuki WAKU SPO
It’s busy in Tokyo. Well, even busier than usual. Japan’s capital isn’t just playing host to the cauliflower ear convention (also known as the Rugby World Cup), it’s also showcasing the future of mobility and transport via the Tokyo Motor Show. Missed it? Fear not, as we’ve rounded up all the weird, wacky and futuristic cars from it.
We kick off with the WAKU SPO in all of its CAPS LOCK glory. A cute little retro two-door plug-in hybrid.
Solar Powered Sashimi car
Fair play, the Japanese have managed to harness the power of the sun and mobilised sushi. You heard it here first: this is the future of Yo! Sushi Deliveroos.
Cellulose nanofiber concept
Believe it or not, this car is made from wood. Japanese researchers are currently experimenting with a material made from wood pulp that weighs a fifth of the weight of steel, yet is five times stronger.
Lexus LF-30
Want to know what a Lexus will look like in 2030? Voila. The LF-30’s outrageous looks and technologies won’t see the light of day for decades yet, while power comes from four electric hub motors, giving an (entirely theoretical) combined 536bhp and 700Nm, 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 200kph.
Read more about the Lexus LF-30 concept by clicking these words...
Mitsubishi MI-TECH concept
The MI-TECH concept has no doors, no roof and only two seats. Oh, and a jet-engined plug-in hybrid system. Obviously.
Click on these words to know more about this radical concept from Mitsubishi.
Toyota Supra
BMW’s straight-six in the new Supra is a tad controversial in Japan. So this one has binned it in favour of a V8.
Toyota E-Racer
Meet your new best driving friend: a dinky sports car with virtual reality.
Mitsuoka Orochi
Find Ferraris a bit mainstream? Want to stand out from the crowd? Then you need a Mitsuoka Orochi. Want your Mitsuoka Orochi to stand out from the crowd? Put a wide bodykit and wing on it.
Nissan Ariya
As reported earlier, Nissan’s copperlicious production-like concept shows us its new design language and future long-range EV crossover.
Nissan Leaf NISMO RC_02
Yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you. This is a racing version of the current-gen Nissan Leaf built by Nissan's racing arm, NISMO. A follow up to the Leaf Nismo RC of 2011, which also borrowed tech from the normal Leaf, this new one is a graphic illustration of how far EV tech has come in the last seven years.
Two electric motors, one on each axle, give variable all-wheel drive, a combined 322bhp and 640Nm of torque. That’s more than twice as much power and torque as the old Leaf RC. So 0-100kph takes half as long – just 3.4 seconds. Not bad.
Alpina B3
Japan loves an Alpina. They dig the understated performance vibe. And when the new B3 looks this good, who can blame them.
Isuzu FL IR
Doesn’t Isuzu’s autonomous Tesla Semi rival look rad? Apparently, it’s a shark-inspired bio-design created to illustrate an image of a mighty robot. The Megazord of trucks, then.
Daihatsu Copen GR Sport
The Copen GR Sport is a back-to-basics fun machine from Toyota’s fast department. A roadster with a manual gearbox, sports suspension, a turbocharger and Recaro seats.
2020 Honda Jazz/Fit
All new from the ground up, Honda says the new Jazz - or Fit as it is called in its home market - is the firm's first car to feature Honda Connect - the brand’s new on-board communication module much like Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX.
You can find out more about the new Jazz in our launch report by clicking these words. We've also included more images of the new Jazz in the gallery below.
2020 Honda Freed
This is a facelift of Honda's second generation funky mini-MPV and, though it's not on sale locally, we couldn't help but wonder how strong a fight it would put up against the Toyota Sienta if it were. Would you like the Freed to return into the local market in the near future?
Kremer 935 K3
There were lots of EVs and concepts at the Tokyo motor show. There’s was also a Jägermeister Kremer 935 K3. Hell yes.
Toyota PMCV
Toyota’s autonomous eight-seater, the PMCV, is a full-house of Concept Car Bingo. Outrageous proportions? Check. Scissor doors? Check. Massive wheels? Check. No chance of ever making production? Check.
Suzuki Combi
Do you change babies’ nappies for a living? Well, this is the car for you.
Mazda MX-30
This is Mazda’s first fully electric car. And look! It’s got the rear-hinged back doors of an RX-8. Mazda says it will go on sale globally starting next year, but we're not sure if Mazda Malaysia are keen on bringing this in just yet...
Read more about Mazda's first ever EV in our launch report by clicking these words...
Subaru Super GT BRZ
Japan’s Super GT championship is still so, so cool. The series is split into two categories: the halo GT500 class, populated by the most powerful machines and is usually reserved for manufacturer-backed teams, and the GT300 class, where teams have total freedom with aero, suspension, and gearbox design so is a hit with privateer teams and tuners.
Suzuki Hanare
Hanare essentially means ‘detached cottage’ in Japanese. Seriously. You might have guessed, then, that the Hanare is an autonomous car where occupants can connect with each other as they travel in a “comfortable interior space.”
Daihatsu Compact Crossover SUV
Rumoured to continue carrying Daihatsu's 'Rocky' nameplate, this unnamed compact crossover SUV model underpins the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. Crucially, this Daihatsu, which appears in near production-ready state, also likely previews what could be come a Perodua model in the near future.
You can read our in-depth look at this crossover and why speculations of it becoming a Perodua are rife by clicking these words...
McLaren Senna
Lastly, we'd thought of ending this on a fast and rather cute note. After all, it's not often we get to see a 789bhp McLaren Senna in the flesh. Forget the fact that just 500 of these will ever be made, how often would you see one having a cute stuffed bear proudly sitting on the dash?!
