Japan is a country unlike any other. Their culture seamlessly blends ancient traditions with the latest cutting-edge technology. It’s a land of samurai, sushi and sumo wrestlers, all of which coexists right next to Hello Kitty keepsakes and vending machines that dispense soiled panties.
Likewise, the Tokyo Motor Show plays host to more than its share of automotive oddities, with a sprinkle of awesomeness thrown in for good measure. Here are the Top 10 reveals from this epic East-Asian event.
Kicking things up a notch beyond the IDx Frestyle is Nissan’s NISMO version of this concept. As the performance variant of the two it rides on beefy 19-inch wheels and features a much more aggressive body.
Giving it the show to match its go the car is powered by a 1.6-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Output numbers have not been shared but chances are it’s pretty close to the 188 horsepower offered in the Juke crossover. A CVT is also the only transmission the company mentioned.
Inside the IDx NISMO is dressed in striking crimson-colored Alcantera though frankly, either of the IDx concept cars are pretty sweet.
Could Nissan be trying to emulate the enticing and popular Scion FR-S? The new IDx Freestyle concept seems to indicate they’re working on something. This retro-looking two-door reminds us of a 240SX from years past. Like the youth-oriented Scion it’s designed to appeal to young-ins born after the year 1990. The car is expected to feature an engine ranging in size from 1.2- to 1.5-liters. Like the aforementioned Subaru it too features a CVT.
Subaru revealed this killer matte gray design study in Tokyo and it’s called the Cross Sport Concept. What makes this vehicle so exciting is that it’s essentially a wagon version of their already amazing BRZ sports car. This baby should still be powered by a 2.0-liter boxer four-cylinder engine though it’s fitted with a buzz-killing continuously variable transmission. And we loved this car so much until we learned about that CVT. Sigh… oh well, it’ll probably never make it into production so what difference does it make?
Honda revealed a super-cool design study in Tokyo called the S660 Concept. This itsy-bitsy car is built for Japan’s kei-car segment, where engine displacement, power output and size are all tightly regulated. Thankfully this two-door drop-top proves that is ok to be small. The car is attractively styled and features a striking pearlescent paint job. Other than that Honda hasn’t revealed much about this vehicle.
Searching for a solution to the world’s finite fuel problems, Toyota unveiled its FCV concept. The car should be able to travel 500 kilometers (about 310 miles). It uses a pair of high-pressure hydrogen tanks mounted under the car and can carry up to four passengers.
It isn’t the most exciting car to debut in Tokyo this year, but it’s probably one of the clearest previews of what could be a practical shot at green transportation.
The 2015 Nissan GT-R benefits from numerous enhancements that make an amazing car even better. It’s been treated to a wide array of improvements, things like a retuned suspension setup for more grip and enhanced straight-line stability; the brakes have been recalibrated for smoother operation and of course the steering has been tweaked as well.
Among numerous upgrades there are minor exterior changes as well, including the addition of LED headlights and some new body colors. The car is set to go on sale in Japan on December 2; global markets will follow.
The latest in Lexus’ line of rear-wheel drive vehicles was unveiled during the Tokyo Motor Show with both a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 314 hp or a 2.5-liter mill mated to a hybrid drivetrain. The 3.5-liter powered model comes with an eight-speed automatic pulled from Lexus’ scintillating IS-F. Despite the apparent similarities with the IS sedans, this car actually shares its platform with the larger GS.
If the hybridized version of the LF-NX concept shown in Frankfurt was a little too heavy on the greens for your pallet, Lexus is ready to offer another solution. Its upcoming compact crossover will offer not one but two drivetrain choices. The first will – of course – be that 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine helped by electric motors, but there will be another version available for the hybrid averse with a two-liter turbocharged four cylinder. Despite the missing specifications, the LF-NX Turbo is still making a splash because of its extreme looks.
Yes, it’s been shown before and no it isn’t boring. Even with Toyota hemming and hawing over whether or not the drop-top version of its sensational entry-level sports car should be built, the thing is still gathering attention.
The Internet practically lights on fire every time someone releases a “rumor” that an FR-S or GT86 is coming. That seems like a strong enough business case by itself, doesn’t it?
The Nissan GT-R is an already stunningly amazing, awesomely fantastic machine but that hasn’t stopped engineers from cranking things up. The 2015 NISMO verson packs a 600-horsepower wallop along with 481 lb-ft of torque. Other enhancements include retuned springs and custom-developed Bilstein dampers. It also rides on exclusive Dunlop tires that grip the road like a bear’s claws digging into the torso of a small child. The body shell is also more rigid. Proving its performance prowess the GT-R NISMO just circled Germany’s legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than seven minutes and nine seconds.