An Observation for Japanese abundant drive in design and innovation creativity, the Tokyo Motor Show has been a location symbolizing forward thinking. The Tokyo Motor Show has served as a unique showcase of cars, trucks and motorcycles depicting bold ideas along with the occasional bizarre attraction. Giving consumers a peek at new arrivals for dealerships, the 2011 show is presenting the world a look at new production vehicles such as Toyota GT-86, Subaru BRZ and Mazda’s car displaying I-ELOOP hybrid technology. Cars like Volkswagen’s Cross Coupe Concept and the most extreme design study of the year, the Toyota Fun-Vii provides a strong statement to a wide-open vision for global motoring. Presenting the future of motoring, the 2011 edition auto exhibition at Tokyo’s Big Sight venue serves importantly in the recuperation during a difficult present.

Held first in 1954, the Tokyo Motor Show was held to highlight the products created by a people recovering from their imperialistic errors of the 1930s that ultimately led to direct combat with the United States during World War Two. Demonstrating modest and utilitarian vehicles for an new, evolving culture, the Tokyo Motor Show beginnings would see Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi (a diverse corporation that debuted their very first vehicle at the 1959 event) gain steps into the Japanese marketplace. As Japanese auto brands became increasingly more global, the Tokyo Motor Show grew into a spotlight event for the car business when European and even American manufacturers fought for exhibition space. The precursor vehicle to the Audi R8 (the Avus concept sports car) was a significant world premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1991. In recent years, the Honda FCX and the Nissan GT-R were some of the high-profile production cars the Japanese exhibition brought to light.

As automotive entities arrived at the Tokyo Big Sight venue for the 2011 exhibit, this show staging came just short of nine months after Japan’s worst environmental disaster. On March 11, a 9.0 magnitude underwater earthquake shook the Asian country violently. The Earthquake spawned an equally as destructive tsunami that ultimately led to the lives of almost 16,000 people being lost (including an employee at the Honda R&D Center in Tochigi). Placing second below the human loss of Japan’s worst natural event, a country’s massive industrial complex was brought to a halt due to damage and power interruptions.

The Japanese auto industry shutdown not only slowed productivity on the Asian island but surged worldwide as vital vehicles and parts were unable to flow out of the country for almost a month. Possessing large North American assembly capacity, American and Canadian workers at Honda as well as Nissan plants operated under reduced capacity for months following the disaster. For Honda, it wasn’t until August when Honda’s supply to North American plants for the Civic and Accord returned to full capacity. Toyota, Subaru, Suzuki, Mazda and Mitsubishi also suffered global productivity setbacks throughout 2011 year.

Nearly nine months since the disaster, Japanese auto companies have returned to full operations for the most part but continued to haunted by sales sheet declines through 2011. With production hindrances more than likely playing a role, many of the leading Japanese automakers are heading into the end of the year posting regional and even global losses. Toyota has recorded a 7.5 percent decline in United States vehicle sales in 2011 compared to previous year. In the 11 months of this year, the top Japanese automaker’s Lexus division (consisting largely of cars built in Japan) holds a 14.2 percent drop over 2010. Honda’s tightened supply through much of this year has also been a contributing factor to a 5.5 percent drop in American sales for the 11 months of 2011. Mitsubishi Motors production for the first six months within the country of Japan fell by 12.6 percent. One of the few bright notes was Nissan that actually bettered Japan corporate rivals by increasing global sales by 18.8 percent for 2011. Nissan’s success could be owed to sizeable amounts of part and vehicle sources outside of Japan. However, the electric Nissan Leaf’s production in Japan slowed the distribution of the very hot new vehicle.

While Japanese auto companies returned to normality over the summer of 2011 in the production of vehicles, the effects of the earthquake and tsunami left these companies in-line with their national community. Five of the major Japanese auto manufacturers immediately donated the equivalent of over 13 million dollars US of aid on top of other provisions including blankets, generators and forklifts. Showing unity, autoworkers and other individuals of regions outside of Japan were also generous to their colleagues. American Honda Motor Company and the Red Cross teamed up to raise money to help aid the Japanese people. For days following the earthquake, Nissan provided their headquarters in Yokohama City as a temporary shelter. A wonderful scene of humanity overcoming the typical coldness of corporation allowed the first steps following this natural disaster aftermath to be made for all Japanese citizens still dealing with hurt.

A much-needed public celebration of engineering marvels, Japanese auto companies are seeking a lot of support from the biennially scheduled world-class event. Similar to the auto shows proceeding after the government-assisted bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler little more than a year ago, the Tokyo Motor Show for 2011 is something more than a display of cars, trucks or motorcycles. The auto companies of Japan are the compilation of people who have committed themselves to move forward. Without forgetting the past, the present and future seeks to carry on an overall spirit of progressive innovation. The attending crowd for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show have witnessed first-hand the resilience of an auto market seeing the optimism with every vehicle presentation. Unlike several North American auto shows in Chicago and Los Angeles that remain secretive on actual event attendance, the 2011 Tokyo grandly announces the daily count at the turnstiles. After 8 days of public exhibition, the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show has entertained 513,200 admirers of the transportation culture.

Enduring from what has been a year of struggles, the auto manufacturers of Japan are positioning themselves to overcome hard times with a driven intention.

Information source: American Honda Motor Company, Nissan Americas, Tokyo Motor Show
Photo source: Unnamed photographers via Newspress UK

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The Tokyo Motor Show continuous theme of highlighting social relevance in automobiles makes the exhibition a definite anchor for motoring attention. It’s commonplace to find the most outrageous interpretations of transportation on display at the biennial event. The 2011 event is no exception as major vehicle producer Toyota leading the way. Reconstructing notions of mobile technology, the Toyota Fun-Vii concept is a three-person people mover completely consumed in the modern digital age.

A true intention of the Toyota Fun-Vii concept is to recognize how digital infotainment technology can be optimized through the motoring experience. A radical presentation inside and outside, the futuristic concept vows integrations with user lifestyles in an all-conquering way. A four-wheel transportation conveyance, the Toyota Fun-Vii is electric powered. Replenished via wireless inductive charging pads, the Fun-Vii fuelling method is absolutely not science fiction. While select General Motors cars will include the cordless charging system as an interior option for mobile electronic devices, a Rolls-Royce 102EX concept vehicle earlier this year profiled the solution for recharging the entire powertrain. The Toyota Fun-Vii can be manually driven or piloted automatically through city streets and roads.

A streamlined shape, the first thing immediately noticeable with the Toyota Fun-Vii is the lack of a windshield or exterior windows. Occupants vision inside is projected electronically throughout the cabin completely encapsulating the interior compartment. Without door handles, the entire body becomes a user interface. Beyond providing points to open doors, the surface becomes an interactive panel displaying requested information including maps.

Bodywork composition of the Toyota Fun-Vii allows the vehicle to become a digital billboard or even a chameleon. With the dictation of a user, the Fun-Vii exterior appearance can be adapted to any colour or scheme desirable. Dynamic presentations and messaging is also possible with the Toyota concept car unlocking what could be a wealth of potential ideas. Toyota reveals that exterior presentation changes can be initialized easily through a smartphone device in a near effortless manner. A novel idea promoting near endless creativity, the practical foundation for such a feature could provide some problematic circumstances if someone is attempting to evade law enforcement.

Inside, the Toyota Fun-Vii concept car explores near limitless potential for digital interaction with the vehicle user. Large console displays as well as holographic projections fill the cabin area providing important vehicle information and entertainment for up to three passengers. Featuring the flexible digital reach of any Apple iPhone or other smartphone device, the interior interface allows occupants to effortlessly communicate and amuse themselves. Amongst entertainment options when the Fun-Vii is engaged in autopilot is a virtual reality racing game.

Clearly a concept vehicle, the Toyota Fun-Vii design is meant as an inspiration in how the digital age could be fully harness in future cars. As time goes by, we will have to see if auto manufacturers and buyers alike will ‘friend’ such a vivid connection on wheels.

Information and photo source: Toyota Motor Corporation

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The most eagerly awaited since the partnership between Subaru and Toyota was forged in 2006, a development process creating a pair of entry-level sports cars evoked attention of both brand customers. Since October of 2009, the concept Toyota FT-86 made a strong indication for what Japanese motoring fans can expect from the anticipated sport vehicle. Presented as the BRZ STI Concept at locales including the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, the production Subaru sports car was finally introduced for this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Debuting at the same time show that the Toyota GT-86 (to be known as the Scion FR-S in North American), the Subaru BRZ two-door, 2+2 sports car is a bold presentation for the Japanese auto badge that had resisted this personal performance vehicle category for many years.

At a distance, the ability to distract the exterior differences between the Toyota and Subaru vehicles will only come easy to an astute automotive observer. Appearing very close to the concept version of the BRZ, the production sport car’s mature Subaru details are detected on the lower front fascia that includes a hexagon grille and distinctive fog light housings. Detectable ahead of the cabin doors are chrome, stylized side louvers. Just 170 inches in total length, the Subaru BRZ is 4 inches shorter than a Scion tC but 2.8 inches longer than the Nissan 370Z sports car. Weighing less than 2,700 pounds, the low, sleek look for the Subaru BRZ is intentional to foster a fun to drive, sporty feel. A set of 17-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped with the rubber of competent performance tires.

Compared to the vehicle that Americans will know as the Scion FR-S, the Subaru’s interior is likely going to be a slightly more upscale look. Driver-oriented, the BRZ’s tachometer with digital speedometer is planted in the center of the gauge cluster. Combined with a compact-sized, auto racing style steering wheel, the Subaru BRZ interior experience is also provoked with comfortable sport seating in the front.

Powered by a horizontally-opposed 2-liter boxer engine, the traditional Subaru engine design is reinforced by Toyota’s expertise in technology that includes direct injection. Cleverly positioned to optimize the lowest center of gravity possible, 200 horsepower and 151 pounds-feet of torque will be pumping from the BRZ’s boxer powerplant. Not incredibly peppy in torque development, the Subaru BRZ’s engine be companioned with a pair of transmissions insuring firm and smooth delivery. Certain to entice the sport compact crowd will be testing the performance limits of the Subaru BRZ is the six-speed manual gearbox designed for short stroke shifting. For drivers preferring a more relaxed experience behind the wheel, the BRZ will become the first North American release of a 6-speed automatic transmission on a Subaru. Selecting ‘M’ mode on the automatic will allow manual shifting of the Subaru BRZ sports car through the automatic transmission.

With introduction to the marketplace planned in spring of 2012, there are already rumoured plans relating to the two-door Subaru offering. Plans of adding Impreza WRX-style turbocharged power to the BRZ is believed to be on the tables for the next model year. Horsepower estimates for a turbocharged Subaru BRZ is around the 300 range. Prior to the Subaru BRZ sports car’s official presentation in Tokyo, some speculation had also insisted on all-wheel drive as a possibility. Thought to be a way of differentiating the Subaru version apart from the Toyota sports car, the production BRZ will arrive only as a rear-wheel drive.

For Subaru, the BRZ marks the brand’s first homecoming to the true sport car market since the discontinuation of the SVX in 1997. Accompanied by a drop in customer demand in its final year of production, the fact Subaru ended up producing their halo vehicle at a financial loss left the appearance of a sports coupe successor understandably off the books for the Japanese auto company.

Perhaps learning a lesson from the SVX, the Subaru BRZ joint construction with Toyota Motor Corporation assured financial violability retuning to the sports car marketplace. Estimated to have a starting cost below $30,000, the Subaru BRZ will be seen as a competitive entrant to a going sector of small sports coupes that includes the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda MX-5 and MINI Coupe.

Information and photo source: Subaru of America

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Continuing down their road to recovery following the natural disaster that amounted in the sad loss of over 15,000 Japanese citizen, the spirit to endure from the troubles have seen industrial production return, stabilizing the traumatic experiences of millions. In only a month, many of the Japanese auto plants were operational again with at least some production.

Upcoming in December, the Japanese auto industry will have a moment to shed light on the greatness in their vehicle culture and technology with the biennial Tokyo Motor Show. Always a showcase for creative designs and high-tech innovations, the 2011 edition of the car exhibition will count upon the country’s major automotive companies to refresh some optimism in the population.

Mazda Motor Corporation is one automaker ready to demonstrate there is indeed brightness in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’. Showing off their Mazda CX-5 in the brand’s home country for the first time, the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show will perform the world debut of a concept car indicating direction for the next mid-sized sedan. The TAKERI concept embodies the two leading philosophies Mazda is touting as the future for their auto brand.

A concept car assimilating a good deal of production car characteristics, the Mazda TAKERI four-door sedan is said by the auto company “to bring a new level of strength and allure to sedan styling.” The latest vehicle to be crafted on the ‘KODO-Soul of Motion’ design language, loud tones of the Mazda SHINARI concept are telegraphed through the shapely sheet metal of the TAKERI sedan. Like the SHINARI, the front end features a large, upright grille opening complemented with a chrome accent sailing under and towards the headlamp housings. At the rear end of the concept vehicle, the Mazda TAKERI formulates a near fastback profile for what is likely superior aerodynamic balancing.

An elegant use of curves achieves a classically refined yet sporty appearance for the Mazda TAKERI concept which is said to provide a “comfortable ride feel”. While specific details are not provided on the interior accommodations, images of the Mazda TAKERI cabin leaves expectations of enviable comfort a real possibility.

First time being exhibited by Mazda, the TAKERI concept is a regenerative braking system designed to recycle kinetic energy into electrical energy. While the TAKERI is not a hybrid, the electrical energy will be channelled back into vehicle’s electric-powered systems. With the surge of energy into the electrical hardware, the engine will be less burdened to produce the electric power thereby allowing the engine to run with more efficiency. The powerplant attached to the Mazda TAKERI concept car is a diesel version of the engine using SkyActiv technology. The SkyActiv-D engine is a highly efficient, clean diesel powerplant likely to deliver outstanding fuel economy when combined with the benefits from Mazda’s regenerative braking.

Along with the SkyActiv technology undertaking, Mazda says the latest TAKERI concept is part of a three-step “Building Block Strategy” for electrically based fuel savings. With step one being stop/start technology and the second being regenerative braking, the TAKERI possesses two of Mazda’s Building Block Strategy. Full hybrid and other electric powertrain technology are on the horizon as the Japanese auto brand’s third step.

Receiving major retouch in the past 2011 model year, a replacement design to the current Mazda6 is not likely to occur until the 2014 model year in North America. Since the development process for most new vehicles is roughly two years, a production four-door vehicle based on the Mazda TAKERI concept is a likely. Disregarding production questions, the TAKERI concept’s presentation at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

Information and photo source: Mazda Motor Corporation

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OK all you Civic fan boys with large checkbooks and connections to the home market, get your browsers ready, because there’s going to be a whole lot of JDM parts for you to order up. At this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Honda rolled out a JDM only version of the Civic officially called Civic Type R Euro. But right off the top, let me just say that I’ve always been a little bit puzzled by Honda’s making JDM specific and Euro-market specific and North American market specific versions of these cars (or any other ride that’s sold in all three markets).

From what I can tell, the Civic as a nameplate is so beloved, and the aftermarket and tuner crowd is so smitten with these things, that they will go to great and expensive lengths (at least here in America) to find sources for, and import all the bits and bobs from Japan over here and install them in their stateside rides.

Yes, I do understand concepts like marketing to individual markets, and that, in theory, certain variants of cars will play better in Japan than they will over here (or at least play better at a sales volume necessary to make those bits and bobs profitable), but still … can’t Honda put two and two together and see that there IS a market over here, even if it’s a small market, for stuff like the Civic Type R Euro?

Not selling JDM stuff here (besides legal concerns) is always attributed to things along the lines of ‘we’ve looked into it, but the American car buyer isn’t interested in XXX brand in sufficient number for us to sell it in the U.S.’

Yeah, that’s what Subaru said about the WRX, a car long available in the home market, that “didn’t make sense” to sell over here. Until Subaru did. And they couldn’t produce them and pack them on a boat quick enough.

Anyway, so Honda rolled out the Civic Type R Euro at Tokyo. Honda plans to have the car in Japanese showrooms in November. It’s a three-door hatch that’s built at Honda’s Swindon factory in England and it comes with 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four best described as “rev-happy”. The little mill cranks out 201 HP at 7,800 rpm and puts out 142 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm. The power and grunt gets to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

For some reason, Honda saw fit not disclose performance figures for the Home market-spec Civic Type R hatch, but we understand that it should be like it’s Euro counterpart, which potentially means zero to 62mph (100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 146mph or 235 km/h.

OK, so other than the right hand drive thing, why you keeping it away from America?

Source: CarScoop

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Normally, station wagons don’t do much for me. But station wagons that are tricked out by STI (Subaru’s skunk works/racing arm/rally parts bin) and trimmed out in WRC blue … OK, I might be interested, sure. Anyway, the wagon you see here just rolled out at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. It might get missed amongst all the general weirdness that is rampant at the show, or overshadowed by stuff like the Lexus LFA … but then again, a high performance wagon might go unnoticed by certain types of other people too.

“Why, no officer. It couldn’t have been ME that was speeding, it must have been those hoodlums over there with that racy looking car with the huge wing on it!”

First off, the Exiga won’t be coming to America. Which is unfortunate, because it seems to offer a bunch of nice practical stuff. It can seat up to seven passengers in three rows of seats and is powered by the ubiquitous 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine that Subaru must have sitting in warehouses by the millions. Seriously, I bet Subie has 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine powering their pencil sharpeners. Anyway, said mill cranks out a not-so-bad 221HP and is hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission.

The STI guys had a go at the exterior, dressing it up with new aero accessories such as a front lip spoiler and side skirts and also slapping some pretty nice 17-inch alloy wheels and some sporty exhaust tips out the back.

On the inside there’s STI sport seats in a combination of leather and alcantara with contrasting red stitching, nice, and carbon fiber trim all over the place. Naturally there’s an STI-badged steering wheel and gear knob, aluminum pedals and STI gauges on the instrument panel.

The Exiga benefits from the usual upgrades to the suspension, brake and steering systems, as smeared on by STI

Subaru is only going to make a ” strictly limited run of 300 units” for the Japanese market-only Exiga 2.0GT STI, which is a shame. It should just me an option, if you ask me. And if you ask me, Subaru should bring the Exiga stateside. The downside might be the pricing. Subaru wants 3,591,000 Yen for the car, which comes out to around $39,700 US. Which is too much. Now a lot of that might have to do with Japanese taxes levied on cars of a certain size or displacement, so who knows? If they were to bring it over, it could drop down to something more reasonable … like less than $30K

Source: CarScoop

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Today, Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn debuted their long-awaited GT-R Supercar. The GT-R features a hand-built, twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 480 horsepower.

This all-wheel-drive beauty can run from 0-62mph in 3.6 seconds. Take a look below for a few low-quality screenshots I was able to grab from the live debut…

Keep an eye out in the next few days for a photo gallery and much more information about the GT-R.

Nissan GT-R Debut – Tokyo Motor Show Photo Gallery:

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