Motorshow>> Tokyo Motorshow 2009 – In More Detail

After 100 years of mass production it's not surprising car companies are looking to the future of the automobile, more specifically propulsion. Japanese manufacturers at the Tokyo Motorshow were keen to show their interpretation of future technologies that will evolve the car for the next century.  It's all interesting stuff but I think that change is not as imminent as they would all like us to think. So to keep things real I have dug up some more "conventional" machinery that still retains that all-important feel of excitement, and what better car to start off with than the matte-black Exige Stealth from Lotus.

Not sure if Lotus was going for a Lamborghini Reventon look, but whatever their intentions were it sure worked out as it looked really mean. The glossy racing stripes were a nice touch too but are not actually stripes. Chatting to the Lotus representative I found out the car is actually first sprayed in the glossy black used for the central stripes and then roughed up and finished off with the matte coats. The actual satin finish is something Lotus have worked on for some time, trying to come up with a durable paint which is supposedly far more resistant to stone chipping and scratches. It felt almost rubbery and very smooth.

The Stealth, actually called "Scura" in other markets (Scura means "dark" in Italian), weighs in at 10 kg less than an Exige S thanks to lightweight carbon bits and pieces like the rear spoiler and side scoops…

…as well as lighter alloy wheels, again finished in matte black. Don't worry if it seems to sit too high however, as the Stealth comes with Öhlins dampers which also come with height adjustment. Only 35 cars are being built.

The Lotus Evora looks so great from the front…

…but as always it just doesn't convince me from any other angle. 

I'm sure it will be very exciting to drive and one ride we should definitely try to feature in the future.

Following the Furai Concept of 2007 I was really hoping for a surprise from Mazda, something that would tell rotorheads out there that the RX-7 is not totally dead. That didn't happen, but seeing the current economic situation I'm sure a niche sports car like the RX-7 is not exactly what Mazda is prioritizing. More hope for the future! They did keep enthusiasts happy with the little Roadster…

…as well as the 2.3L tubro MazdaSpeed Axela (Mazda3).

That is indeed a carbon fiber roof you see fitted to this A-line Impreza, a Japan-only automatic version that packs the same 2.5L boxer-4 as used on USDM and European spec cars. The carbon roof helps lower the center of gravity, but why they chose to fit it to a 5-speed auto version of the STi and not the lightweight Spec-C is something I don't quite understand.

The Tokyo Motor Show was actually the debut of the Caterham CSR, packing a slightly wider body than their regular cars. Finally a Caterham I can fit in! The CSR uses new inboard mounted push-rod front suspension, which join the fully independent rear.

Underneath the Caterham carbon engine cover is a Ford Duratech 2L, developing almost 200 HP, more than enough to make the 575 kg CSR a hoot to drive. 

For those seeking even more of a thrill this smaller R300 weights 60 kg less!

Alpina is one brand that has always done very well in Japan, so didn't miss out on the opportunity to show off its new cars for 2009 to potential customers…

…like this B7 Bi-turbo based on the new 7-series.  This is a car for those that don't want to sacrifice performance for luxury, as the twin turbocharged 4.4L V8 develops 507 HP and 516 lb/ft, enough to allow it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 sec.

The turbine-blade wheels have always been a trademark of Alpina, fitted in 21-inch size to the B7.

Manufacturers are always keen to show off race cars at car shows and I was impressed Alpina brought over their FIA GT3 B6, the same car Rod and I saw earlier in the year at Adria. Under that aggressively vented hood is a supercharged 4.4L V8 kicking out 530 HP.

The Legacy GT300 Super GT race car, sporting the usual cut & drop body found on GT cars. Just look at how high the fender arches flow over the regular body lines! Too cool!

The Subaru girls however were stealing all the attention from the GT300 Legacy! 

This row of iQs almost seemed a line up of house hold appliances on display at an electronics shop hehe

As I was making my way through the various booths I stumbled upon Rays Engineering who were displaying a new forged magnesium version of its new Volk Racing G2 wheels. These are considerably lighter than their regular aluminum counterparts and obviously a bit more expensive. If the old TE37s are anything to go by you can expect the price to be almost double.

Carrozzeria Japan showed off their extensive product lineup of Öhlins suspension kits for both cars and bikes. These are for an FD2 Honda Civic, hence the separate damper and spring for the rear.

Bosh had the Peugeot diesel V12 Le Mans winning engine on display from the 2007 908. Those massive silencer looking things are particulate filters that clean up the exhaust gasses the 700HP motor throws out.

Kei-cars make up a large percentage of overall car sales in Japan and Suzuki's Alto concept is set to retain strong sales in this segment thanks to a fresh new design and an economical 660 cc engine. A turbocharged rally-style Alto Works would be cool to see in the future! BTW that is the original Alto from the late 70's next to it.

The Honda U3-X, a kind of more advanced take on the Segway. Its actual use is yet unknown but it employes some pretty advanced technologies like a self balance system that finds its roots from the Asimo robot project. The girl here was exhibiting its capabilities, which with a simple tilt of the body move in any direction thanks to a special one wheel drive system.

The U3-X is light enough to carry around like a suitcase…

…and can be customized like an iPod with different skins. Honda will continue to research this kind of device and see how practical it may be in the real world.

I wanted to take a more in depth look at the Honda EV-N as I really like the whole idea of a retro styled electric car.

The simple exterior design is carried through in the interior where the minimalist dash only incorporates the main instrumentation along with a multi function touch-screen display.

The seating arrangement offers enough space for four adults but not much in the way of trunk space, unless you fold the rear seats flat. More to come from the motorshow, starting with a detailed look at the Toyota FT-86, a car media around the world are calling the new Corolla or Celica.

-Dino Dalle Carbonare

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1

Is always a pleasure to see your pics!!!

2

Cant wait to see the Motor Show tomorrow

3

Anybody notice the Honda U3-X inside the EV-N's door? Very clever touch! Reminds me of the Honda Todays and Civics that come with a Motocompo in the trunk!

4

Anything from Daihatsu?

5

more like the honday U3-X moving coffin

6

Great shots, thank you, I really like the Honda U3-X, really neat, I wonder how well if works. I also love the EV Honda, this would be really cool to have here state side, as long as you don't get hit by a truck.

Thanks for posting

Quilmes

Martin

7

Motocompo????

8

Fantastic pictures. Thank you for a great write up on the show. I think I need to read it again!

9

Subaru's booth girls > Subaru's cars

.

(^_^ )

10

I'm going to the Tokyo Motor Show either Thursday or Friday... I like what I'm seeing so far, I want to go see the LF-A and FT86.



Dino, can you tell me if the Show seems a bit more empty than in 2007 and 2005? Just from looking at the list of the booths on their site I can tell that some of the bigger makes aren't even AT this year's TMS. Can you confirm this for me?

11

Photos are kinda dank but the article is like pretty lame-o av. dude.

12

The show was very empty, kind of sad to see. I went to the 2007 Auto Show and that was by far bigger, more people, more slick, it just wasnt "there" this year. The Lexus area was pretty cool thou, click out the Lexus art gallery for the LF-A, its kind of cheesy but its ok for a look.

13

I'd take the Caterham R300 over the two Lotii any day. Though would be nice to pair with the Evora as a daily driver ;) The Alpina B7 is quite nice, I've always loved the turbine wheels. Those Ray's wheels are nice, too, just don't get them too hot! I had no idea the Peugeot V12 was such a wide angle! Almost is a flat twelve, I guess to lower the profile, improve aerodynamics. Tokyo is still on my bucket list, though it may not be the glory days of wacky Japanese concepts and huge participation anymore.

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