TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Good things in small packages

The Tokyo motor show has something of a reputation for showcasing some zany design studies – usually of the puny variety – but the 2013 edition focused more on relatively sensible, mainstream vehicles.

One of the most significant was the pint-sized MOTIV.e from a company best known for motorcycles, guitars and pianos.

That didn’t stop Yamaha from rolling out one of the most stylish cars at the Tokyo show, conceived by the man who designed the hallowed McLaren F1 and various Formula One championship-winning racers, Gordon Murray.

The MOTIV’s real USP is that it pioneers a new production system – dubbed iStream – that could reduce the size of a production plant by up to 80 per cent, according to Yamaha.

Dispensing with conventional car-building norms, the new concept features wiring looms and control units that are fixed to pre-painted panels. These are then bonded together in an F1-like sandwich structure, reducing weight but actually boosting stiffness and safety.

Apart from being much faster than conventional production methods, this process is also claimed to generate less waste material.

It’s not just a bean-counter’s dream, as all-independent suspension and a perky electric powertrain are said to deliver enjoyable driving characteristics, as well as being friendly to the environment.

Yamaha claims the 730kg MOTIV.e can cruise at over 100km/h and achieve a real-world driving range of 160km.

This year’s Tokyo show also hosted a few other more left-field concepts that elicited ample rubbernecking from show-goers.

Among them was a trio of Suzuki show cars led by the X-Lander, a small but high-riding all-terrainer built around the current Jimny platform.

Propelled by a hybrid powertrain that mates a 1242cc petrol engine with an electric motor, the X-Lander features a speedster-style cut-down windscreen, angular roll-bar and see-through sections in the doors, with the huge all-terrain tyres and ample ground clearance offering the promise of great off-road ability.

Although not production-bound, the X-Lander is likely to provide a few clues to the look of the next-gen Jimny.

Suzuki also rolled out the Crosshiker concept, a striking coupe-crossover that turned heads with its curvaceous metallic-red bodywork and blacked-out chop-top roof.

Although again distinguished by a lofty stance, the Crosshiker has Mini Paceman-esque proportions, with the angry-looking snout concealing a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, which has the task of propelling just 810kg.

The Japanese brand’s third design study – dubbed Hustler – was also a Mini-inspired concept conceived for the ‘Kei’ car class in Japan. In keeping with the norms applicable to this segment, it’s powered by a 658cc three-cylinder engine hooked up to a CVT transmission.

Measuring a diminutive 3395mm in length, it’s claimed to still offer enough space for young families, and there’s even a ‘grip control’ function and hill descent control that would make it well suited to snowy climes.

Honda also got into the baby-car act with its S660 Concept, which is a spiritual successor to the 1990s Honda Beat and zingy S500, which was produced between 1963 and 1964 and packed a huge punch for its size thanks to its light weight and free-revving motorcycle-derived engine.

Due to go into production next year (albeit in all likelihood just for the Japanese market), the new S660 offers edgy and attractive roadster styling and is propelled by a mid-mounted 660cc three-cylinder turbo engine mated to a seven-speed paddle shift transmission.

Some sources have speculated the S660 can accommodate Honda’s new three cylinder 1.0-litre turbo engine, but the roadster has been conceived as a ‘Kei’ car, which means the 660cc unit is the biggest motor it will get.

Honda’s other micro showcar was the N-WGN, a sleeker new variant of the company’s Japan-only N Box minicar line-up.

The new four-seater gets a longer bonnet and lower roof than the N Box, which has the proportions (and possibly aerodynamic efficiency) of a Kelvinator fridge. The N-WGN is now on sale in its home market, powered by a 43kW/65Nm 660cc three-cylinder engine.

This year’s Tokyo show was graced by a startling number of personal mobility devices, with Honda’s contribution coming via the Uni-Cub ß, an improved version of the Uni-Cub released last year.

Seemingly melding a Segway with a bar stool, the Uni-Cub ß uses an omni-directional driving wheel system (pioneered on its ASIMO robot), which the user operates by shifting his or her weight.

Well suited to trundling around large warehouses and the like, the little runabout is powered by a lithium-ion battery, has a top speed of 6km/h and is capable of covering a range of 6km at 4km/h.

Where the Uni-Cub ß differs from its predecessor is that it is smaller and lighter, with the seat set lower to make it suited to a greater range of users.

There’s also a ‘stand’ function, which disables the driving system so users can step onto it more easily, and it’s encased in softer materials to lessen the impact if it hits other people or objects.

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