Less Glitter

Less Glitter
Many European and American carmakers were absent at Japan’s biggest auto show
Text: Ravi.Chandnani
Photos: Newspress

Although Japanese manufacturers dominated the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, other carmakers who were regulars at the show were missing. The only excuse they came up with was the economic meltdown. This low turnout saw very few cars on display and most of them were Japanese.

Toyota had its superstar, the FT-86 concept on display. It features a rear wheel drive configuration with a coupe styling. Another great looking machine from Toyota’s Lexus brand was the LF-A, the sports car that has a hefty price tag of Rs 2.5 crores. For that kind of moolah, you get a V-10 that is capable of producing 560PS and is loaded with composite materials to maintain a lightweight profile. Another star from Lexus was the LF-CH concept, a hybrid vehicle for the C segment. Toyota also featured the FT-EV concept.

NISSAN LAND GLIDER

IMIEV CARGO

TOYOTA FT-EV

Honda, the company that promotes greener technology, came to Tokyo with an array of hybrids and green cars. They showcased the hybrid MPV Skydeck which features a glass roof and scissors cum sliding doors. Another interesting car was the E-VN that is an amalgamation of retro styling and modern technology. Honda also showcased the charming CR-Z concept at the event.

Mazda brought an assortment of cars which included hybrids and electric vehicles. They showed their new generation engines that are being promoted by Mazda as more fuel efficient and environment friendly as compared to the current lot.

The Nissan lineup included cars like the Fuga, the Land Glider, the Leaf, the Qazana, the Roox and the NV200 Vanette Universal design taxi. The most interesting car, however, was the Land Glider EV that has a tube like appearance. 

Ex-WRC champion, Subaru was also present at the show with an interesting boxer hybrid concept. Mitsubishi showed their regular lineup of MiEV vehicles though this time they also came up with two new cars that tell a lot about how future Mitsubishi cars would look like. The first is a SUV inspired hybrid, the PX-MiEV that runs on electric motors and has several modes depending on the type of terrain and conditions you’re driving on. It also features a 1.6-litre gasoline engine that helps drive the vehicle at higher speeds. The other EV was the i-MiEV cargo that is based on the regular i-MiEV but with more space in the back.

SKYDECK

MAZDANEXT GENERATION ENGINES

HONDA EV-N

Finally there was Suzuki. They, just like every other company, showcased hybrids and EVs. The Suzuki Swift was seen in a plug-in hybrid avatar alongside the SX4 fuel cell vehicle. Overall, the Tokyo Motor Show did not attract the kind of attention it usually does, probably due to the economic slowdown.