The Big Ideas

Tokyo Motor Show 2005 was a concept car bonanza

Motor shows are essentially trade and PR events. The car companies show off their current models, try to impress journalists and the buying public, throw loads of parties and try to sell stuff. One of the ways they attract people to their stands is by draping their cars with pretty girls (right, like that’s going to work), but the big pullers at motor shows are the concept cars. These are usually exercises in design—sometimes to show off, sometimes to try technological advances on a working car, and sometimes to see how the public will react to futuristic design changes. Some changes could then find their way into a real car; some are already there. Most of the concept cars at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show had single doors, gull-wing doors or sliding doors, which, while not common, can be found on production models. The theme for this year’s show was environmentally friendly power units, which are also starting to make an impression in the marketplace. Some ideas, though, are just fantasy, such as the Mini done out as a tea room. And fantasy is what the concept car is all about. Here are some of the major players from this year’s TMS.

Mitsuoka Orochi

Mitsuoka Orochi
Think that Japan can’t produce a real sports car? Think again. In the last few years, the Mitsuoka company, which is, ironically, best known for producing modern cars with replica/retro-type styling, has produced a number of sports concepts under the Orochi name. And the latest being the most stunning of all: the Orochi Nude-top Roadster. Although a test model has been put through its paces on a track, Mitsuoka isn’t giving away any details as yet, but this could be the first ever Japanese supercar, and I cannot think of anything out there to rival it in terms of sheer beauty.

Nissan Amenio
While the hip-swiveling Pivo grabbed the attention of the cameramen at the TMS, the Amenio took the MPV concept to new heights (although Nissan already leads the way with the Elgrand) with a very sporty design and a lush interior featuring real leather, rosewood and 20-inch wheels. The massive dash-mounted monitor and built-in cameras allow for 360-degree visibility (it will also project an image from space and images of space).

Mazda Senku

Mazda Senku
It is no secret that Mazda has some seriously clever designers working for them, but the Senku still managed to take a few people by surprise, especially with its huge, single “flying wing” sliding doors, solar sunroof, asymmetrical dash, and the fact that it’s a four-seat sedan (with hybrid rotary engine, of course). Simply stunning.

Honda FCX

Honda FCX
The FCX is all about fuel cell power, which Honda has been developing for a number of years. This concept car neatly puts the fuel cell stack under the passengers, has rear in-wheel motors, a compact front drive motor, and increased hydrogen storage capacity in the rear. Honda’s advances in space-saving means greater room and flexibility in the body design, which consists of a spectacular wedge-shaped four-door cabin with a glass roof.

Lexus LF-A

Lexus LF-A
While Toyota/Lexus designs can hardly be described as dynamic, at least they have everything else covered. The LF-A Concept intends to put Lexus’ awesome engineering in a body that’s worthy of it. Curiously, the LF-A’s strength is in its rear end (an area many designers don’t seem to bother about). Every great sports car should say “F*** you!” as it drives past; the LF-A’s brutal back shouts it as its V-10 engine leaves you in its dust. The front is cool, the interior groovy, the rear just loud!

Suzuki P.X.

Suzuki P.X.
If Suzuki’s new P.X. reminds you of a minivan married to a limousine—well, that’s the idea. A fantasy vehicle for those who desire space but don’t want to sacrifice style, the P.X. features a curvaceous body, a chic chrome-on-white-leather interior, sleek instrumentation and a funky center console-mounted LCD display. Three rows of plush Rearco bucket seats up the luxury factor, and for party situations, the middle row folds away. Oh, and there are even cup holders for your champagne flutes.

Mitsubishi Concept-D:5

Mitsubishi Concept-D:5
Based on the Delica platform, the Concept-D:5 is a next-generation SUV/minivan chock full of Mitsubishi’s latest design innovations. The brawny exterior is softened by a picture window-like glass roof that’s supported by a rib-bone frame, while a torque-happy 2.5-liter engine mated to a six-speed tranny and 4WD ensures go-anywhere capability. Safety features include a peripheral monitoring system and “lane trace assistance” to ward off collisions.

Daihatsu Costa
Most efforts to bring motoring closer to nature involve doing away with a car’s roof. The Daihatsu’s Copa takes a different approach, with a semi-open doorless frame that’s supported by a single pillar in the center of the vehicle. The 4X4 Costa resembles nothing so much as a dune buggy or the old Mini Moke, and the beach theme continues to the interior: the mesh-covered leather hammock seats sit atop a wood-deck floor.

Subaru B5-TPH
Subaru’s flagship hybrid is a cross between a sport wagon and an SUV, but what really got our motors running was the performance of its gasoline engine. The 2.0-liter Turbo Parallel Hybrid whips out a cool 250hp, resulting in get-up-and-go that should leave most teetotaling hybrids in its wake. An eye-catching exterior and Subaru’s customary AWD package would make this a dream car for environmentally conscious couples on the move.

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