FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Cutting-edge technology on show at Japanese expo

Cutting-edge technology on show at Japanese expo

Tokyo Motor Show highlights "super small mobility vehicles", while dual-fuel autos, sports cars and SUV concepts also vie for attention

The world is getting smaller, and so are the automobiles highlighted at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, which opens to the public tomorrow at Tokyo Big Sight. 
A total of 180 brands and suppliers are taking part in the 43rd edition of the show, which carries the theme “Compete! And shape a new future”. Although most are from Japan, there are also exhibitors from France, Germany, South Korea, the UK and USA. 
Apart from smaller and fuel-efficient vehicles running on various forms of energy including hydrogen, CNG and electricity, Japanese automakers are introducing a larger number of “super small mobility vehicles” that bring to mind recent science fiction movies. Yes, Japan is world-famous for creating small but cool stuff with cutting-edge technology, and this year’s Tokyo Motor Show is highlighting just that. 
Japan’s largest automaker Toyota is displaying the FV2, which carries one person and has a door that opens like a cover that is left open while driving. The surprising part is this three-wheeler doesn’t have a steering wheel or pedals – the driver controls the vehicle by leaning forward and backward to accelerate and brake, much like a Segway. To steer left or right, the driver leans in that direction, giving one the feeling of riding a horse. Another cool Toyota exhibit is the “i-Road”, which is smaller than the FV2 but seats two people and has a roof that stays on while it is driven. Automakers say that apart from crowded Tokyo, which slaps drivers with high parking costs, other cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong may also have demand for these vehicles. 
Meanwhile, Honda, another technology-based company, unveiled the Uni-Cub, which is even smaller than Toyota’s vehicles and is intended for more personal use at lower speeds, indoors or outdoors. Resembling a pod, the Uni-Cub can be used in several ways, including commercially. Light in weight and easy to store, it gives users a greater sense of security. 
Sports cars are always one of the highlights at the show, and there’s a good collection of them here. Honda is showing off the S660 concept, which is a “next-generation” open-top mini sports car that features a “super cockpit”, maximising interior space so that occupants do not feel cramped when seated inside. The car features a “midship” layout, and mass production is due in 2015. 
The next-generation NSX has also gone hybrid, with the concept version shown here featuring a direct-injection V6 and a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling-All Wheel Drive) system offering eco-friendly fuel economy. The production version is due to be launched in the US in 2015 under the Acura brand and will subsequently be available in other markets under the Honda badge. 
The Nissan Bladeglider is an electric car with a triangular-shaped, aerodynamically focused body featuring swept wings at the rear that results in ideal downforce, high cornering G and zero emission. It targets drivers who want to feel like a pilot of an airborne glider. 
The Lexus RC comes with a 3.5-litre gasoline or 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain and is one of the best-looking sports coupes on display this year. The Daihatsu Kopen is a mini sports car with body panels made from resin that can be removed and replaced anytime. Once you get bored with a colour, just remove the panels and replace them with a different colour. 
In terms of alternative energy, Toyota is displaying the FCV concept, which runs on a small fuel cell stack and two high-pressure hydrogen tanks. Toyota says it has a range of at least 500 kilometres and refuelling takes no more than three minutes. It is expected to go into production in two years. 
Mazda is highlighting the Mazda3 SkyActiv-CNG concept, which is a redesigned version of the facelifted Mazda3 and features a dual-fuel system (gasoline and CNG). Mazda said there is just a slight modification required from the base 2.0-litre SkyActiv-G engine due to the already radically high compression ratio of 14.0:1. 
Visitors will also see a good number of SUV concepts, both small and large. Small automaker Suzuki is showing the X-Lander, which is based on the Jimny and features a 1.3-litre engine mated to an electric motor built onto a 4WD system. Mitsubishi unveiled the GC-PHEV, a next-generation full-size SUV with a plug-in hybrid system and electronically controlled 4WD system. Subaru’s Crossover 7 concept is a seven-seater with elegant smooth tan interior seats, while the Viviz Evolution, first unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, features a plug-in hybrid system comprising a 1.6-litre horizontally opposed direct-injection system and three electric motors. 
German automakers, meanwhile, are putting emphasis on larger vehicles, many of which represent the super luxury side of the automotive world. BMW staged the world premiere of the 4 Series convertible and showed its M4 Coupe concept, along with the i3 full electric and i8 plug-in hybrid. 
The must-see at the Mercedes-Benz stand is the S 65 AMG, which is powered by a V12 bi-turbo, and the S-Class Coupe concept. 
Porsche, another popular German sports carmaker, also has a world premiere in the Panamera Turbo S Executive, which is the fastest and most luxurious model in the Panamera line-up, powered by a 570hp engine. The car’s top speed is claimed to be 310km/h. 
The leader in fuel economy from the German side is the Volkswagen XL1 – nicknamed the “1-litre car”. This doesn’t imply the engine size, but the fuel economy of 1 litre per 100 kilometres. Actually VW claims the XL1 has a fuel economy of 0.9 litres per 100km. which is equivalent to 111km per litre! 
American electric carmaker Tesla is also taking part at the show for the first time and is exhibiting the Model S electric sports car. But the Big Three American brands consisting of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have not been present in Tokyo for several years, and are instead scheduled to show their concepts and new vehicles at the Detroit Auto Show in January.
 
 
VW XL1
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