Drifting time in Tokyo

Part 2

The Skydeck is a six-seater hybrid MPV which will metamorphose into a production version to compete with the Ford C-Max and replace the FR-V in European markets. The concept features slide up doors which resemble a Lambo and rear doors which pop out, drop down and slide back as well. But don't expect such lunacy in the production variant. Being a fuel cell vehicle like the FCX Clarity, the Skydeck utilises the centre tunnel to accommodate the key hybrid components, including the high-power battery, which until now had been stored under the boot or behind the rear seats. This clever packaging gives the Skydeck better cabin space and releases room for three rows of two seats each, which in turn offers the practicality you’d expect of a conventional MPV, and a low centreof gravity.

 

Honda might be hailing it as a concept but we are sure, this one's going into production soon. The reason is that Honda has given it subtle design changes (a slightly upright windscreen and a taller roof line) as compared to the 2007 version which willfacilitate the production process. Honda also claims that the CR-Z will be the world’s first sports hybrid car, and the first ever petrolelectric vehicle to employ a 6-speed manual transmission.

 

The EV-N is inspired from the N360, a 360cc engined micro car of the 1960s and is powered by lithium-ion batteries. This four-seater also has solar cells on the roof which can charge the batteries. Unfortunately Honda has signifi cantly announced that the EV-N has little chance of seeing mass production.

 

Mitsubishi is calling the Concept PX-MiEV a brand new hybrid concept but its resemblance to the Outlander is undeniable. Featuring Mitsubishi's plug-in hybrid system, the front and rear wheels are powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors. The PX is also fi tted with a 1.6- litre DOHC MIVEC petrol engine which can power the front wheels and work as a generator aswell. This concept car also gets an all-new Super All Wheel Control system that utilises Electric-powered Active Yaw Control to transfer torque to the rear left and right wheels when needed.

 

The Roox is Nissan's idea of its next minicar. It features remote operated sliding rear doors and a large interior. It is the most spacious four-seater in its class despite having a relatively small size, measuring 3,395mm long. To add versatility the rear seats can be folded down to aid cargo space. Othergizmos include a drink cooler in the glovebox and a storage bin hidden underneaththe passenger seat. The Roox will also be offered with dual airbags and front SRS side airbags. Engine details are yet to be announced, however expect it to comply to Japanese small car regulations.

Part 3

There's little to differentiate the i-MiEV Cargo with its hatchback sibling except for its fancy rear. The squarish compartment at the rear of the vehicle allows every inch of available space to be utilised thanks to its flat floor and also facilitates easy loading and unloading of cargo. The space can also be customised in a variety of options as per the owner's requirements.

 

The Nissan Vanette taxi is based on the Vanette launched a couple of months back. It is designed to suit the needs of any customer, including those on a wheelchair. Its low waistline and high seating position enhances the open, airy feel inside along with visibility, while rails and other details make it easy to enter and exit. In normal mode, this one seats fi ve, but in case a wheelchair needs to be accomodated, the count comes down to four.

 

The Nissan Qazana is a fivedoor compact sport crossover which was earlier revealed at the Geneva Auto Show. The The Japanese giant says its exterior and interior designs have been inspired by beach buggies and motorcycles. Hence the rounded panels on the exterior and the whacky LED lamps upfront and boomerang shaped tail lamps.Inside, the dashboard architecture you see on the concept car is what you'll see on the production car aswell, and that includes the motorcycle tank-inspired transmission tunnel and protruding dashboard.

 

The new Fuga is offered with two engine options – a 3.7-litre V6 or a 2.5-litre V6 unit. Along with the production version of the new generation Fuga (which ispositioned above the Teana) there was also Nissan’s Fuga hybrid vehicle at the motor show, which will be launched in Japan in 2010.The hybrid is equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, high-power lithium-ion batteries and a highly effi cient one-motor-two-clutch parallel hybrid system developed solely by Nissan. The Fuga alsofeatures a variety of gadgets like lane departure warning system, cruise control and an Eco-pedal which helps in extracting better fuel economy from a large car.

 

True to chief Carlos Ghosn's promise of viable production options for zero emission vehicles, Nissan unveiled the Leaf which is a near production ready prototype. It looks like a five-door hatchback and has LED headlamps that slant upwards. It is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which generate over 90kW, while its electric motor, which drives the front-wheels, delivers 80kW.

 

The Land Glider is powered by two electric motors in the rear that run on lithium- ion batteries, which are mounted under the fl oor. The car also features a non-contact charging system which might become atechnological marvel enabling better range for electric vehicles as it can charge the batteries without a cable. It also features steering-by-wire and a lean capability when cornering that enables the vehicle to lean by upto 17 degrees. It can turn sharply at nearly any speed, as sensors instantly calculate the level of lean required.

Part 4

Suzuki got the new reworked Alto to the show. It gets a new face which is more toned down and the tall boy stance is back again. The shoulder line too has been redesigned and as a result it is looking a lot neater. However the return of the conventional design at the back has taken away the glitz from the concept. For the Japanese version, Suzuki is offering it with 658cc water-cooled, four-cycle, inline-three-cylinder petrol engine mated to a CVT.

 

The Swift Plug-in hybrid concept is aimedat urban buyers and Suzuki claims that if the owner limits his driving to 20km a day, he willnever have to use any petrol as the generator is required only after that. The concept car will carry its lithium-ion batteries in the centre console, allowing it to have a pair of rear seats. Under the hood will be a 658cc engine as well as an electric motor capable of delivering 20bhp, taking total output to 74bhp.

 

Suzuki also displayed the SX4 based FCV. While GM supplied the 80kW hydrogen fuel cell used by the SX4-FCV, the hydrogen storage tank that compresses the gas at 10,000psi was designed by Suzuki itself. Instead of a battery pack, the SX4-FCV has a lightweight capacitor that evens out the fl ow of electrons to the 68kW electric motor.

 

The FT-86 (“86” is pronounced “hachi roku”) announced Toyota's return to the world of sportscars and the motoring press is hailing it as the next generation Celica. Presented in a fl ashy red, the car concept didn't seem like it was far away from the production lines. The FT features a rearwheel-drive, four-seat layout and is the result of Toyota’s collaboration with Subaru. Propulsion comes from a 2-litre boxer engine, paired to a 6-speed manual transmission.

 

The Subaru was surely a showstopper at Tokyo with its gullwing doors. The Tourer concept was designed to be as aerodynamic as possible with a bright, airy interior. Its hybrid powertrain powers all four wheels and consists of a 2-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors – a 10kW one at the front, and a 20kW one at the rear. The concept uses lithium-ion batteries.

 

FT-EV II or Future Toyota Electric Vehicle is the future of city travel according to Toyota. The FT-EV II is clearly based on the iQ but is shorter. Thanks to some clever packaging, including the lithium-ion battery pack being located under the fl oor, it can seat upto four. It has no accelerator or brake pedals. Instead of conventional controls there is a joystick that utilises drive-by-wire technology.

Part 5