2017 Tokyo Motor Show
The Tokyo Motor Show, like the best things in life, comes only once a year but is significant enough to have a lasting effect on the automotive industry's collective psyche for the following year. Usual stomping grounds of some of yesteryear's biggest innovators, the Japanese manufacturers are focusing increasingly on making their cars more hip and trendy, with their own unique touch. These are the top 10 concept cars attempting to make the Japs cool again.
Mazda Vision Coupe
Mazda changes its design language. Again. Vision Coupe is an attempt at a sleek Euro style cruiser that likely wants to challenge the "coupe"-ness of four door coupes. With its elegant lines and perky rear end, it just might.
Mazda Kai
Joining the Vision Coupe is the Kai hatchback, which might just be the best-looking hatchback of all time. It's quite similar to the Vision Coupe, but the compactness somehow makes it look even better.
Lexus LS Plus
Take the recently revealed LS, add a weird alien face and a hopefully friendly AI that maneuvers the autonomous drive. This is one of the first times Toyota/Lexus have shown their abilities in autonomous tech, and it hopefully won't be the last.
Mitsubishi e-Evolution
The beleaguered automaker makes a wrong turn yet again and slaps the Evolution badge onto a crossover SUV concept instead of continuing their line of ballistic rally Lancers. The e-Evolution still looks interesting, even with its messy face. It also comes with AI, cloud computing and advanced connectivity.
Honda Sports EV
Honda visualises a retro-styled canyon carver with the Sports EV, which looks so good that even the most ardent Honda hater would lament it not being made. It's a stark contrast to Toyota's efforts with the hideous GRHV Sports Concept.
Toyota Fine Comfort Ride
The Fine Comfort Ride, despite the ridiculous name, is actually a pretty nifty urban concept that showcases Toyota's slowly expanding knowledge on Hydrogen Fuel Cell tech. It also has some interesting interior packaging solutions which we'll see in cars in about…20 years.
Toyota TJ Cruiser
It's not a truck, it's not a van. What is it? Toyota claims it's meant to showcase what a rugged urban crossover with high off-road ground clearance might look like. The T in TJ stands for Toolbox, which captures Toyota's idea of what their customers might do with it. It supposedly has the same carrying capacity as a cargo van.
Subaru VIZIV
No, it doesn't foreshadow the next Subaru Impreza WRX, because Subaru would never actually make it. It does find a cool way of combining traditional Subaru design elements like the hood scoop and the bulging arches with more forward thinking concepts.
Nissan IMx
Put the IMx next to Mitsubishi's e-Evolution and you wouldn't be able to tell them apart. The main difference comes in the tech offered – the IMx is mainly a platform for Nissan to display its autonomous tech. They're also looking into connectivity tech that goes far beyond what is available in today's market.
Nissan Leaf Nismo
Nissan and Nismo are trying to make it cool to customise electric cars with the Leaf Nismo. Featuring sport tuned suspension and computer tuning that delivers instant acceleration as well as bespoke body parts, the Leaf Nismo comes with the standard autonomous tech and zero emissions drivetrain that makes the Leaf a solid EV.