After so many European and North-American shows being held on the other months, it’s always interesting to see how the car world is seen from the East. The Japanese event will have its 43rd edition from November 20th to December 1st, with the first two being press days. This article will show quick texts about the most important releases of the event and display links to the ones which have already received their own article. You can also check them out at a small photo gallery at the blog’s Facebook page clicking here.
Daihatsu Honda Lexus Mercedes-Benz Nissan Porsche Toyota Subaru Volkswagen
Kopen Concept: After starting with a capital “C”, Daihatsu’s kei roadster is about to reach its new phase with a “K”. The concept-car features a very interesting design, with strong lines and aggressive shapes that appear at the Japanese event in two versions: while RMZ uses two-tone interior and other accents in order to look sporty and somewhat luxurious, XMZ uses unpainted external parts and more colorful internal coating to look more playful. Kopen’s 660-cc engine is expected to offer 64 hp.
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S660 Concept: Before you start to remind of S2000, Honda already announced this will be a compact roadster, probably another Japanese kei car. However, just like most concept cars, S660 features a very interesting style, filled with aggressive shapes and some futuristic accents that make it very attractive – the interior seems to have replaced the central console with two touchscreens, one at each side of the steering wheel. Its name leads to guess it’ll use a 660-cc engine, but there isn’t any official information about that.
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Complete articles: CT 2014, RC.
LF-NX Turbo Concept: Do you remember seeing this concept at the last Frankfurt show? Well, now Lexus replaced its 2.5L engine for a turbocharged 2.0L unit, in order to achieve higher efficiency. The same very aggressive set of strong creases are still there, but now with a new lower front spoiler and a redesigned interior, whose central console features a touchpad. The concept-car’s structure was reworked in order to lower the gravity center and reach much better fuel consumption numbers.
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S65 AMG: Why choose when you can have both? Mercedes debuted the new version of its flagship sedan both in Los Angeles and Tokyo, which comes to show even better performance than S63’s. The 6.0L V12 brings two turbos and achieves 630 hp, which makes it one of the fastest sedans in the world. However, it still shows all the qualities that made its previous phases sell so well: sold only in long wheelbase, the new S65 adds items such as Magic Body Control suspension, Burmester audio system and two LCD screens for the rear seats.
SLS AMG Final Edition: The other double-feature German debut was a farewell edition, unfortunately. After almost five years of production, SLS AMG will end its lifecycle with a 350-units series. As the very first vehicles entirely developed by Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance division, both coupé and roadster now feature front and rear spoilers, mirror caps and even the hood made in carbon fiber, which is combined to stylish black wheels in order to compose a very distinguished look. The powertrain remained untouched.
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GT-R Nismo: This is what a “sporty version of a sports car” looks like. Instead of hiding under the shadows and just wait for its next generation, GT-R faces the second hald of its life with a change of path. The standard coupé will become a little quieter and softer in order to suit a daily use… and clear up some space for the 595 hp and more than 480 lb-ft that compose its brand new variation. With stiffer suspension and improved aerodynamics, even the damper settings were renamed: now they are Track, Race and Race Plus.
IDx Concept: This one is intended to show the different possible variations of a same car, according to Nissan. Both Freeflow and Nismo remind of Skyline, but the dimensions suggest a compact coupé. They start to differ at the exterior, with Freeflow’s classic and somewhat elegant lines being dropped by the Nismo sibling in favor of stickers, multiple-tone painting, bigger wheels and aerodynamic accessories. Freeflow would use from 1.2L to 1.5L engines, while there would be a turbocharged 1.6L for the Nismo.
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Panamera Turbo S: Like what was done with 911, now it’s time for the four-door Porsche to “upgrade” its own Turbo version. However, the changes remained very discreet for Panamera. You won’t see any exclusive design elements, extra aerodynamic items or anything like that. The only difference is that the 4.8 V8 engine received some tweaks, in order to produce 570 hp and 73.7 kgfm. It still takes 3s6 to go from 0 to 100 kph, but the top speed now reaches 309 kph. Once again, there will be available items like the Sport Chrono package.
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BRZ Premium Edition: Combining luxury to high performance is what Subaru has done with GT 86’s brother. The exterior starts to attract the attentions with a beautiful blue paint and STI 17” alloy wheels, in the same black as the mirrors come. Entering this coupé reveals an exclusive coating composed of caramel Alcantara and black and chrome accents which includes the steering wheel. Everything else in this BRZ remained untouched, but this special edition will be offered exclusively in Japan, for 3,034,500 yen.
Cross Sport Design Concept: While the name couldn’t me any less creative, the intention will surely impress many people: this could be BRZ’s shooting-brake variation. The overall shape reminds much of Ferrari FF’s, but Subaru’s concept goes much further into the crossover trend. There are wider wheels and a discreet off-road set of items, such as the front protector. The concept-car’s cabin used piano-black accents and two-tone Alcantara leather for the seats, while the powertrain must be the same used on the original coupé.
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FCV Concept: If the exterior already attracts enough attention, with fluid creases and unusually long front and rear overhangs, what Toyota’s futuristic electric-blue concept wants to impress with is the powertrain. As its name suggests, this sedan is moved with a fuel-cell system based on an electric engine with battery and fed by two hydrogen tanks. Such complex system enables the car to reach 500 km, while a full recharge is done in about three minutes. Toyota expects to release this car’s mass-production version in 2015.
Noah and Voxy: These ones are much closer to the reality – to the point of being expected for the next months in Japan. Judging by the pictures, the biggest difference between these minivans concerns the front design, which looks more classic in Noah and sportier in Voxy. However, they’re essentialy the very same project, with sliding seats for the rear occupants and a 2.85-m wheelbase to ensure plenty of space for everyone. Powertrain will always be hybrid for them, pairing the electric engine to a 1.8L or a 2.0L gasoline engine.
JPN Taxi Concept: What would you say that a car needs to have in order to be a good taxi? Plenty of internal space with easy access? Efficient engines? And what about some entertainment for the passengers? Well, Toyota’s concept has it all. The 2.75-m wheelbase with flat floor is accessed through very big sliding side doors with electric power opening, while there are LCD screens for everyone: three of them go only for the dashboard, while a bigger one shows information about the trip for the passengers.
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Volkswagen
twin-up! Concept: After receiving sporty, fake-off-road and electric versions, it doesn’t surprise that now it’s time to see a hybrid up!. Likely to hit the streets soon, the new supermini combines the XL1’s electric propeller to a diesel 800-cc engine, in order to reach a combined 74-hp power. twin-up! has a double-clutch, seven-speed transmission and goes from 0 to 100 kph in 15s7, with 140 kph of top speed. However, the truly impressive numbers are 27 g/km of CO2 emissions and 90.9 kpl of fuel consumption.
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Daihatsu Honda Lexus Mercedes-Benz Nissan Porsche Toyota Subaru Volkswagen
