- Japanese manufacturers reveal eye-catching ideas
- Honda’s Super-N prototype may spawn a alternative for the Honda-e
- Lexus presents a loopy six-wheeled luxurious van
The Tokyo Motor Show, now referred to as the Japan Mobility Show, has all the time been a wealthy vein of idea automobiles and barely wild transportation options, as Japanese manufacturers use it as the proper platform to flex their inventive muscle mass.
But this yr it seems as experimental as doable, as those self same automakers are properly conscious of the technological risk from China.
In truth, BYD went straight for the jugular this yr with the reveal of the all-electric Racco, a mannequin that meets Japan’s strict Kei minicar requirements and is able to do battle in one of many nation’s largest markets.
In a present of defiance, Honda revealed ideas for land, sea, air and even area, whereas Toyota and Lexus introduced plans to transform private transportation and push it to an ever increased degree.
1. Honda Super-One Prototype
Widely thought-about the successor to the sensible however barely forward of its time Honda-e, the Super-One Prototype is actually a preview of a small electrical metropolis automotive that’s destined for world sale subsequent yr.
It’s constructed on the Japanese model’s N Series kei automotive platform, so it is predictably compact, however Honda has beefed issues up with flared wheel arches, a tarmac-grazing trip top and a roof spoiler on the rear.
There’s no phrase on the precise electrical powertrain that may energy the small metropolis automotive, however Honda says it is going to have a “Boost Mode” that fills the cabin with sound and provides a seven-speed simulated gearbox with guide shifting. It sounds enjoyable.
It will first launch in Japan subsequent yr, however seems set to return to different international locations with “robust demand for compact electrical automobiles”, such because the UK, Europe and far of Asia.
2. Lexus LS Concept
Remember when the Lexus LS was a luxurious sedan that by no means managed to steal gross sales from firms like BMW or Mercedes-Benz?
Well, in accordance with model director Simon Humphries, these days are lengthy gone, as the place government sedans as soon as dominated the automotive world, they’re now “preventing a shedding battle with SUVs.”
The choice to go together with six wheels (two massive ones on the entrance for steering and 4 on the rear) has allowed the designers to release most inside area and, as anticipated, the inside is sort of good.
There’s an enormous electrical door that gives quick access to first-class inside seating, with bamboo slats and chic temper lighting setting the temper.
We understand it runs on batteries and electrical motors, but it surely’s unknown if it is going to really go into manufacturing.
It’s extra prone to affect the subsequent era of LM than to spawn a wholly new class of ultra-luxury six-wheeled pickup vans.
3. Toyota’s Century GT coupe idea
There’s a brand new luxurious model so as to add to the listing that features the likes of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maybach, as Toyota launches its daring and opulent GT coupe idea sporting an all-new badge.
Not to be confused with the Toyota Century, which was one of the vital palatial automobiles in Japan (it was usually discovered ferrying rich businessmen across the nation’s main monetary districts). Century now stands out as a model that may rival the most effective on this planet.
While there aren’t many particulars in regards to the large SUV and Coupe mixture, significantly what is going to energy the automobile, there are many buzzwords, equivalent to “Japanese craftsmanship” and the truth that the brand new model will act as “a beacon for the corporate and the nation.”
Simply put, it seems just like the Century will grow to be the head of luxurious for the Toyota group, leaving Lexus to be a bit extra experimental (see above).
4. Atypical idea of the Honda electrical automobile
We know Honda is making an attempt to impress its bike lineup, with the latest launch of the CUV:e scooter in a number of markets and the upcoming WN7 set to supply a full-size electrical possibility for the primary time.
The futuristic-looking Outlier is a “new imaginative and prescient for bikes past 2030” and makes use of built-in motors for each the entrance and rear wheels. This permits it to be so lengthy, low and Cyberpunk.
It’s based mostly on the extra scooter-like idea first revealed at Italy’s predominant bike present final yr, with the design language slightly hinting at a extra performance-oriented machine, full with highly effective in-wheel motors for a doubtlessly large quantity of energy.
5. Mazda Vision X-Coupe
Always prepared to up the engineering ante, Mazda unveiled not solely a stunningly stunning idea within the Vision X-Coupe, but in addition arguably probably the most shocking powertrain resolution.
Beneath that lengthy, slender physique lies a turbocharged rotary engine (additionally comically referred to as a Wankel engine) that is paired with a battery of undisclosed measurement and an electrical motor.
We understand it makes a formidable 510 horsepower and may go round 100 miles on electrical energy alone, with a variety extending to only underneath 500 miles when all programs are up and operating.
What’s extra, Mazda says the automotive reduces the quantity of CO2 within the air with the corporate’s patented carbon seize know-how.
The solely disadvantage is that the know-how requires carbon-neutral gas derived from microalgae, which might be not at the moment obtainable at your native Shell gasoline station.
