Tokyo Motor Show 2007: Concept Cars

Motoring Channel Staff - 24/October/2007

Tokyo, Japan — Once every 730 days, the Tokyo Motor Show occurs. In a reflection of Japanese culture and tradition, it's a motor show like few others on the planet. It's unique a ways that often cannot be aptly described in English.

Japan is one of the world's largest car producers, and the car makers take their jobs incredibly seriously. But when they get to cut loose, to use their imaginations, the results are often amazing and sometimes intensely bizarre.

It's one of the most amazing automotive events you're likely to find, with hundreds of futuristic cars that demand attention, pushing the envelope of design and creativity.

The best aspects - apart from seeing production cars like the Nissan GT-R and Subaru WRX STI - are the concept cars.

Toyota has eight of them at 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, and most Japanese marques have at least of the couple of vehicles that some punters would call strange. We'll also include the non Japanese concepts, like the Audi Metroproject quattro Concept, which is our first look at the new Audi A1 design.

Here we have a list of the various concept cars that appeared at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show with all the Japanese locals and even a few European marques too:

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Space Up! Concept: VW has confirmed it's pushing ahead with plans to build the new Up! range of cars, and this is the latest one - a tiny van with a rear-mounted engine that would right at home in Tokyo city.

Toyota

Toyota FT-MV Concept: This one is a super-luxury mini van with automatic folding ottomans and LCD screens for all six passengers.

Toyota 1/X Concept: Think of this concept as a next generation Prius, or the super Prius.

Toyota Hi-CT Concept: Possibly a rival for the smart car, this thing is tiny and super cool.

Toyota RiN Concept: Built for easy entry and exit, this vehicle is tailored for Japan's ageing population.

Subaru

Subaru Exiga Concept: This svelte seven seat wagon looks like a futuristic version of the Liberty.

Subaru G4e Concept: Subaru's has one of the most conservative designs, but this electric vehicle looks to be the blueprint for a production model. Very sleek.

Daihatsu

Daihatsu Mud Master-C Concept: This concept wins the award for the best name. It's a purpose-built mountain bike transporter with massive off-road potential.

BMW

BMW 1 Series Coupe tii Concept: Another European concept this one, which uses light weight body panels to reduce mass and increase performance. Looks good.

Honda

Honda CR-Z Concept & Puyo Concept: Honda fans are already praying that Honda develops the CR-Z into a production model, as it's the spiritual successor to the beloved CR-X compact sports coupe of the 1980s. Update: Honda plans to build it.

 Honda EVO6 Concept Bike: This naked motorcycle has a 6-cylinder boxer engine! Enough said.

Nissan

Nissan NV200 Concept: One of the coolest concepts we've seen. It's the van with a plan, and well worth a look.

Nissan Pivo 2 Concept: This blob on wheels can swivel 360°. It's totally bizarre, but has some good ideas.

Nissan Round Box Concept: Not sure what this one's about, but it certainly gets points for design.

Mazda

Mazda Taiki Concept: This concept gets a brand new 1.6-litre rotary engine and a gob-smacking manta-ray inspired design.

Lexus

Lexus LF-Xh Concept: Not as wild as some of the other concepts, as this will be the design blueprint for the next generation RX series luxury SUV.

Suzuki

 Suzuki Crosscage Concept: Using an aviation inspired steering design, this is a hydrogen powered motorbike.

Audi

 Audi Metroproject quattro Concept: Mini Cooper watch out: this chic little Audi is on the war path!