The Hindu Business Line : Tokyo Motor Show 2007 — Performance and power on display

This year’s Tokyo Motor Show is unique in the sense that it debuts a mixed variety of cars — from the high performance, hi-tech hybrids to the utterly cute but bizarre ultra-super-mini concepts.

S. Muralidhar

The biannual Tokyo Motor Show has always had a dominant Japanese presence. But it still does attract the biggest names in the business from around the world and features automobile manufacturers across the whole gamut of products, from cars, bikes, and commercial vehicles to components.

During the past few editions of the show, the strong central theme of both domestic and overseas participants has been gasoline hybrids.

This year’s Tokyo Motor Show, however, is witnessing a mixed debut of cars — high performance, hi-tech hybrids and the utterly cute, but bizarre ultra-super-mini concepts.

There were also roadworthy small cars, hybrid sedans and hybrid luxury SUVs that will make it to the market next year, and super luxury saloons and iconic sports cars.

The crowd pullers

The crowd favourites were the much-awaited Nissan GT-R R35 super coupe sports car, the Lexus LF-Xh hybrid concept and the limited edition Lamborghini Reventon super car, which is priced upwards of €1 million.

Japanese carmakers have always had a penchant for coming up with cars that focus on the environment and which explore every possible technology that can enable them stretch the litre.

While the dimension of fuel-efficiency and the environment continued to engage the big Japanese brands, there was also enough on display at this year’s Show to indicate that they are keen on keeping up their offensive at the performance sports car segment, which used to be a European stronghold.

The Nissan GT-R R35 apart, the other Japanese performance cars at the Tokyo Motor Show, which is open to visitors till November 11, are the Subaru WRX STI, the new Impreza sports and the Lexus LF-A exotic sports car concept. Another exciting sports coupe concept at the show is the Honda CR-Z. The CR-Z, which supposedly stands for Compact Renaissance Zero, is a futuristic sports coupe powered by Honda’s version of petrol-electric hybrid. The vehicle is expected to go into serial production within the next two years.

There is also a strong German presence this year. Audi had an interesting hybrid concept vehicle called the Metroproject Quattro. A pillarless, monobloc, three-door, four-seater, this concept vehicle comes fitted with a dual power source — a 1.4-litre TFSI engine and a 30kW electric motor and, of course, Audi’s famous Quattro system. In addition to this extremely stylish concept, Audi has its R8 and the 3.2 Quattro TT at the stand.

Homeward bound

There were a few cars at the show that may actually make it to India in their current form or may be launched here with modifications with the same platform as the basis (yes, you guessed right, all of them are sub-compacts). For example, the new version of the Honda Fit or Jazz is most likely to be rolled out in India next year.

The other cars which may debut here within the next few years are the Volkswagen Space Up, an extension of the Up featured by the German auto group in Frankfurt this year, the Suzuki Splash and the Toyota IQ, which was also unveiled at Frankfurt.