2015 Tokyo Motor Showcase Preview: ten cars and concepts to look out for
The Japanese car market is vastly different from our own: the driver sits on the right, pint-sized kei cars predominate city streets, and some models and concepts range from quirky and adorable to downright bizarre.
This year, the Daily News Autos team will be on palm at the two thousand fifteen Tokyo Motor Display, and we’ll bring you every wild, wacky, and wonderful concept and debut you can treat, but for now, take a look at the ten most anticipated exposes of Tokyo 2015.
Nissan Concept two thousand twenty Vision Gran Turismo
Nissan’s Concept two thousand twenty Vision Gran Turismo, a concept supercar developed for the Playstation racing movie game Gran Turismo, is set to make its real-life debut at the Tokyo Motor Showcase later this month.
While this isn’t the very first concept to come from Sony’s popular racing movie game franchise, it is one of the most titillating, as we could be looking at a very close preview of the next-generation Nissan GT-R. The brand’s legendary supercar is due for an update in the coming years, and all signs point to a hybrid drivetrain, just like the Gran Turismo concept. If lighter, swifter, and more efficient are all in the cards for the next “Godzilla,” sign us up!
Lexus LS Concept
Lexus’s venerable LS is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and a concept or even an outright debut could be in store for the fresh generation of luxury sedan at the Tokyo Motor Demonstrate.
The LS is the veritable Mercedes-Benz S-Class of the Eastern world, and has provided value and reliability seeking buyers with comparable convenience and luxury for its entire existence. For Tokyo 2015, Lexus is rolling out a concept for the fresh LS that will eventually go toe-to-toe with its German rivals once more, including the much-improved BMW seven Series. It’s also the LS’s 25th anniversary, so the switches in styling and technology for two thousand sixteen could be big.
Mitsubishi eX
Mitsubishi announced that it will showcase the eX, an electrified SUV crossover concept, during the Tokyo Motor Showcase.
The eX has calmly flown under the radar before its Tokyo debut, but could end up being one of the most significant exposes of the showcase. With dimensions smaller than the Outlander and an all-electric drivetrain, this sleek crossover could be a close preview of what Mitsubishi intends for the not-so-distant future, both in the U.S. and globally.
Mazda Sports Car Concept
Mazda is bringing a brand fresh sports car to the two thousand fifteen Tokyo Motor Display media preview on Wednesday, October 28. The Daily News Autos team will be in Japan to cover the launch live, as it happens.
We won’t go as far as to say that this is a fresh RX-7 or RX-8, but Mazda certainly has our enthusiast interests piqued. Rotary-engined sports cars were Mazda’s bread and butter for over three decades and the subject of many fans’ fantasies, but hard economic times killed off the high-revving RX-8 and any hope of a successor. If this concept is the next rotary Mazda, we might just lose it! Don’t taunt us, Mazda…
Nissan Teatro for Dayz
The oddly-named Teatro for Dayz has an infinitely-configurable interior made almost entirely of display screens.
Yes, that is what this concept is actually called. Despite the cringe-worthy name, the Teatro For Days previews some of the things that Nissan thinks will be significant to buyers in the very near future. We’re of the opinion that nobody truly wants their car to be a rolling smartphone, but at least the screen-lined cabin is a cool and undeniably Japanese touch.
Subaru Viziv and Impreza concept
The Viziv concept should be sure to turn goes at this months Tokyo Motor Showcase.
Subaru suggested up some concept art of the Impreza 5-door concept that gives us a slight peek behind the curtain.
Subaru is bringing two reserved, albeit good-looking, concepts to the demonstrate, and they could likely be very close previews of the next generation Forester and Impreza, their best-selling models in the U.S. The Visiv gives us a look at what an off-road Forester would look like, while the Impreza concept cleans up the lines and turns up the aggression on the hatchback Impreza. We dig it.
Toyota Kikai
The fuel tank, reserve tank, and harass pipes, the analog-style meters and switches are all exposed on the KIKAI concept.
It’s not often you can look at a car without knowing whether it’s coming or going, but the wild Toyota Kikai pulls that feat off with flying colors. Inspired by hot-rodding culture and featuring three-abreast seating like a McLaren F1, the Kikai is on of the wackiest concepts coming to Tokyo this year, and that’s telling something.
Honda FCV
Honda is rolling out it’s all-new hydrogen fuel-cell-powered FCV, which they hope will spur the fuel cell movement on to more potential customers.
It may look like the offspring of an Accord and an Insight, but the FCV is one of Honda’s most significant upcoming vehicles. Powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology, the FCV is the successor to the FCX Clarity, a fuel-cell vehicle that Honda sold in petite numbers around the world. If it takes off, hydrogen power could very well be the future of the automobile. Stay tuned…
Toyota S-FR
The S-FR is billed as a fresh entry-level vehicle for Toyota, as well as a lightweight sports car.
A rear-wheel-drive, Two+Two, Toyota sports car that’s smaller than a Mazda Miata? Heck yes! Meet the S-FR, a car that we will likely never see in the States, but one that has our hearts racing. With a 6-speed manual and adorable-but-angry styling, the S-FR could be the ideal city sports car, something that our Manhattan-bound lives could certainly use. Send it over, Toyota!
Yamaha Sports Car Concept
Long-time makers of motorcycles, power equipment, and musical instruments, Yamaha are attempting their forearm at a lightweight sports car concept for Tokyo 2015.
We won’t blame you for doing a dual take when you read the word “Yamaha” on this post. Despite its long history of making everything from formidable motorcycles, ATVs, and boats to musical instruments, Yamaha has a long automotive history as well. The last-generation Volvo XC90 and several Formula one cars have Yamaha to thank for their engines, so a petite sports car certainly isn’t out of the question for the Japanese jack of all trades.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it using the “Join the Conversation” buttons below, and thank you for visiting Daily News Autos.