The Japan Mobility Show (formerly the Tokyo Motor Show) took place at Tokyo Big Sight this week, providing the world’s leading automotive brands a chance to showcase their newest products and future technologies through concepts big, small, wild and cute.
The GOOD
Toyota Corolla
This future Corolla gathered huge attention in Tokyo thanks to a radical restyling. Generally, the Corolla is a boring car bought solely for practicality and reliability – hence why over 50 million units have been sold since 1966. But this concept completely overhauled that with a wild, edgy exterior which turned Toyota’s ‘hammerhead’ styling to the extreme, and spliced it with fighter-jet aesthetics to contrast the sterile, minimalist interior. Never before has a Corolla gathered such attention!
Hyundai INSTEROID
Alongside introducing the INSTEROID in the drift racing game JDM: Japanese Drift Master, Hyundai showed off this crazy little electric concept at the Japan Mobility Show. Sadly, this ”daring and visionary design concept” will not go into production, but the budget-friendly city-going version, the INSTER, is already in showrooms.
Hyundai NEXO
Hyundai also unveiled the NEXO fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) which is actually hydrogen-powered. Anything chasing hydrogen power as an alternative fuel is a win, given just how resource-intensive the process can be. Hyundai’s bumph the NEXO is insane: it purifies air by collecting dust and can receive over 826 km of range from a five-minute charge. The exterior design could be considered ‘safe,’ but that only means it is closer to production-ready status than you think…
Mazda Vision X-Compact and X-Coupe
Simple and elegant. That is the modern Mazda way – and these two examples strike those words perfectly. On the left is a cutesy compact hatchback touted as the successor to the Mazda2, integrated with AI “like a close companion… capable of engaging in natural conversation and suggesting destinations, helping expand the driver’s world.” On the right is a 503-hp rotary-engined-battery-hybrid “coupe” (although not technically a coupe as it has four doors) featuring an evolution of Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ design philosophy. Both very attractive cars in their own ways, yet remaining simple and elegant.
Honda Super-ONE
This super-awesome Super-ONE kei car is actually confirmed to be coming to the UK under the ‘Super-N’ nameplate (for copyright reasons). It also technically infringes the dimensions of a kei car, so in essence is an exciting compact EV designed to uplift the driving experience. It’s fun just to look at – so Honda has ticked that box quickly – and should be fun to drive too thanks to a virtual engine, simulated seven-speed transmission and ‘Boost Mode’ button. If only all EVs were as cool and quirky as this.
Honda 0 α
The Honda 0 Series, more specifically the Honda 0 α (Honda Zero Alpha, on the right) took to the stage at the Japan Mobility Show. The 0 α is a prototype electric SUV, tipped to release in 2027, which aligns with the previously revealed 0 SALOON and 0 SUV concepts in their “Thin, Light, and Wise” development approach.
Lexus Sport
Although it first broke cover earlier this year in Monterey, the Lexus Sport Concept remained a blockbuster showpiece at the Japan Mobility Show for its low-slung, lean and agile nature. The hype surrounding this “LFA successor” is certainly valid: while the powertrain specs are still undisclosed, a power figure around 600 hp with hybrid assistance and an approximate weight of 1300 kg is something to be excited for.
The BAD
Mitsubishi Elevance
Mitsubishi teased a return to the UK with a radical SUV – the Elevance – featuring a trailer with the same geometric shaping and architecture straight from a sci-fi video game. If you look at the image hard enough, you can see a black Range Rover with some copper cladding. Unfortunately, Mitsubishi will need more than just another crossover or SUV to raise interest.
Subaru STI concepts
The above image requires a disclaimer: it’s an EV. As with all car companies, bringing a legendary nameplate into the modern world requires it to be slated with a battery-operated powertrain and STI is no exception. Subaru has manifested its own downfall for years and this feels no different. Especially when they paired the EV concept with an ICE hatchback which already looks 10 years out of date.
Nissan
Nissan appeared with a range of uninspiring facelifts, including (from left to right) the Patrol, the Elgrand, the new LEAF and the ROOX kei car. An updated version of the Ariya moneypit and the new Micra also made appearances.
The UGLY
Toyota Century Coupe
The whole idea of Toyota’s Century return feels both aiming and aimless. This Century Coupe is glaring down the barrel at the Bentley Continental GT with a vast, stately appearance. But at the end of the day, it is still a Toyota – and how many Bentley owners would fancy the switch? It’s simply too much risk. When Toyota launched Lexus in the 80s, they were on the money. Meanwhile this feels rushed and short-sighted.
Honda Micro EV
This adorable tiny dishwasher on wheels has no space inside except for a Honda skateboard under the seat (yes, that is a thing). The Micro EV features a yoke steering wheel to hold a phone and is equipped with a dashboard-width screen to provide the user with information.
Lexus LS and LS Coupe
Lexus caught the Japan Mobility Show by surprise with a six-wheeled minivan concept, the LS, fitted with the wildest possible look. I would understand if the designers looked to animated films for inspiration, given the crazy proportions and sci-fi aesthetics. The toned-down (yet still radical) sibling, the LS Coupe, looks to put the ‘sports’ back in ‘sports utility vehicle’ with a low-profile sportback roofline stretched over a lean and aggressive body.
Toyota IMV Origin
It is ugly by nature, but also cute, in a way. The point of the IMV Origin is to be customised to fit the user’s needs across a wide range of situations. Generally, this rugged kit is aimed at helping communities in remote areas.
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