Automotive Insider

The coolest concept cars from the Tokyo Auto Show

The coolest concept cars from the Tokyo Auto Show

The 2009 Tokyo Auto Show had its share of concept cars. Their sleek lines and futuristic styling show us the future of the automobile industry. With cockpits instead of front seats and highly stylized seating and embellishments, it is easy to forget that the year is 2009. These cars belong in the future! Toyota, Mazda, Honda and Subaru all showed concept cars that are out of this world.

Toyota FT-EV II
Toyota’s latest concept car, the FT-EV II, is an electric car that is ultra compact. Toyota designed this car with the city dweller in mind. Small, with a top speed of 62 miles per hour, this car seats four.  Both speed and breaking are controlled by joystick like controls. A unique futuristic interior with a nod towards the past completes the package.

Mazda Kiyora
Mazda has updated their Kiyora, which was first released as a concept car in 2008. The car boosts a miles per gallon average of 75, made possible by advanced systems like regenerative braking and an automatic shut off when the vehicle stops. A futuristic look is highlighted by curving lights and flowing glass panels.

Honda Skydeck
This unique hybrid minivan has suicide front doors and sliding back doors. Ultra thin seats with a retro feel mean this car seats up to six. The roof is a single sheet of glass and the wheels are translucent. This hybrid is comfortable and economical!

Honda EV-N
With a nod to the styling of the Honda’s from the 60’s, the Honda EV-N is anything but old fashioned. Some of the unique features of this care include a battery-powered motor that is recharged by a solar roof panel, car-to-car communications located in the bumper and seat fabrics that can be easily changed.

Honda CR-Z
Honda plans to begin full production on their CR-Z concept car sometime in the next four years. Sleek lines and a powerful six-speed transmission make this care well rounded and easy to drive.

Nissan Land Glider
The feel of a motorcycle ride meets the comfort of modern styling in this concept car by Nissan.  Ultra-small, the Land Glider seats two. The driver sits in cockpit, with room for a passenger directly behind it. The car actually ‘leans’ into turns just like a motorcycle.

Nissan Qazana
Designed with masculine appeal, the Nissan Qazana draws heavily on motorcycles and dune buggies for it design and feel. Rough and rugged, it is still environmentally friendly. A futuristic consol with full display rounds out the car.

Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
The perfect concept car for a cross-country trip, the Hybrid Tourer seats four. The car is environmentally friendly and has gullwing doors. Low speed driving is performed via two batteries.

Mitsubishi PX-MiEV
This gorgeous hybrid SUV relies on magnet motors and a 1.6-liter gasoline motor for its power. The ‘brain’ of the car efficiently switches between the two as required, saving both gas and the environment!

It will be interesting to see which of these unique and futuristic cars make it into production over the next few years. Who knows, we may all soon be driving one of these highly stylized concept cars.