All the major international auto shows are taking a hit from the poor economy and the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show is no exception. With only limited participation from American and European companies, this year's show is expected to be dominated by hometown favorites.
No problem, though, as all the major Japanese companies have plenty of interesting new hardware to unveil. On the high end, the 2011 Lexus LF-A will finally make its official debut after a never-ending series of concepts. There are also rumors that the long-awaited sport coupe jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru might make an appearance, too.
Other possible debuts include a production version of the Honda CR-Z coupe shown at the last Tokyo auto show and the next-generation Nissan Fuga which is the basis for our Infiniti M sedan. Additional debuts from Suzuki and Subaru are also planned for the press days which start on October 21. Look for our live coverage starting Tuesday night straight from the show floor.
The Daihatsu Deca Deca, debuting at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, is a delightful family-oriented microvan. It's really not much more than a box on wheels but one with such clever touches as slim fold-away seats and flip-out doors.
The Deca Deca is ultra-compact, measuring only 133.7 inches long overall more than a foot shorter than a Mini Cooper.
The Deca Deca resembles a cargo van from the driver side, with a single door and a massive sheet-metal panel with a tiny horizontal window at the top, and a more conventional people mover from the passenger side with a set of doors, hinged at the front and rear.
The load floor is low and flat, the seats are reconfigurable and the passenger-side doors swing out wide to provide easy access to the cabin. A turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine drives the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The Daihatsu e:S concept, set to debut this month at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, looks fairly conventional and virtually production-ready. Perhaps the most remarkable feature about the car is its projected fuel economy: 71 miles per gallon on the 10-15 Japan test cycle, which is achieved not through the application of exotic materials or cutting-edge technology, but through lower weight, smaller exterior dimensions and enhancement of the existing internal-combustion engine.
The small gasoline engine is fitted with EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) and a stop-start system but is otherwise relatively conventional.
Daihatsu built the e:S the name stands for "eco & smart" on its existing minicar architecture, shrinking the wheelbase to 85.6 inches and reducing the weight to 1,543 pounds through such techniques as the use of slim, lightweight seats and lighter materials.
The three-door hatchback seats four adults and looks as if it would fit comfortably into Japan's kei jidosha (minicar) category.
The aptly named Daihatsu Basket doesn't look so obvious when its removable front hardtop and removable rear canvas roof are in place. Pop the tops over the front and rear seats, and the "basket handle" roll bar becomes the most prominent feature on this tiny retro-styled four-seater. The car debuts at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, which starts on October 24.
Resembling sort of a scaled-down International Scout, the Basket also sports single round headlamps, ribbed body sides and linen seat fabric. The boxy two-door is designed for "full enjoyment of life, such as for trips to the family vegetable plot out of the city," according to Daihatsu, an affiliate of the Toyota group. Tools and other gear can be stowed on the rear deck behind the second row of seats.
Honda is set to unveil the Honda CR-Z sports hybrid coupe next month at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, as the small, fun-to-drive machine moves one step closer to production.
Compact and sleek, the 161-inch coupe, which has been two years in the making, is now reportedly "95 percent" representative of the final production product which is set to be unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January.
We have now learned that this 2010 CR-Z will be powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC + IMA hybrid powertrain, tied to a six-speed manual shifter, the first time Honda's offered such a sporty combo in the hybrid class. There's no word yet on power.
So it'll be a lot sharper than the 1.3-liter Honda Insight on which it's based and with a shorter 96-inch wheelbase and sportier suspension, the CR-Z will do its best to live up to the sublime handling of the classic 1983-'92 CRX.
The CR-Z's busy, compact 2+2 cabin is now virtually production-ready and it's believed the car's NiMH battery pack lies beneath the rear floor, same as in the Insight. The first market to get the CR-Z will be Japan in February 2010, with the U.S. set to follow soon after.
Honda is set to unveil a trio of concepts at the upcoming 2009 Tokyo Auto Show in mid-October, including the EV-N, a small electric city car concept that revives the look of the N360 minicar from the '60s. Honda is no stranger to EVs. It had the electric EV Plus on the road back in 1997, but this tiny retro EV-N could be Honda's electric answer to the Fiat 500.
The four-seater has a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery pack that can be partly charged from solar panels in the roof. It also features a new technology called HELLO that allows it to communicate electronically with the outside world and with other Honda cars.
Just for fun, this "design study" also mounts the unicycle-like U3-X "personal mobility device" in the door.
The Honda Skydeck is the Japanese automaker's vision of what a future six-seat hybrid minivan might look like, with styling inspiration that appears to be drawn in part from the sporty CR-Z coupe. It will debut at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.
Honda wants to take the Insight hybrid formula and expand it into new areas of the market, and the attractive Skydeck is one possible solution, although, right now, it's a pure auto-show concept with no word of what's under the hood.
The Skydeck has an all-glass roof and three rows of super-slim "floating" sport seats.
The doors are a bit special, too. The front doors hinge up and forward, supercar-style, while the rear doors slide backward to open out on a cool and airy three-row cabin.
The Skydeck could be more significant than it first appears, because it re-sites the Insight's hybrid system battery to sit within the center console that runs along the cabin floor. Could this be a clue about a
next-generation IMA hybrid system designed to power bigger vehicles? As to size, at 182 inches overall, the Skydeck is a bit shorter than the U.S.-spec Odyssey, but its 114-inch wheelbase goes well beyond that of the Accord.
At the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, Mitsubishi is showing a concept that turns the production i-MiEV into a more spacious and commercially usable vehicle. The i-MiEV Cargo, as its name suggests, has a space-efficient rear cargo area that is especially suitable for small business use.
Mitsubishi says the cube-shaped and flat-floored luggage compartment, which contrasts with the sleek rounded front of the car, lets the user fill up "every inch" and provides ease of loading and unloading. The i-MiEV Cargo, like the production i-MiEV, is powered by an electric motor that makes 64 horsepower and has a driving range of nearly 100 miles.
The Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV builds on the automaker's i-MiEV electric vehicle, embracing the "Smart Grid" concept and offering an interior with glass that protects skin from UV-A radiation and an oxygen enricher to "reduce fatigue." The PX-MiEV and its companion i-MiEV Cargo will take center stage on the Mitsubishi stand during the upcoming 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.
For the record, Mitsubishi says the PX stands for "plug-in hybrid crossover," while MiEV stands for "Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle." The concept is fitted with a 1.6-liter DOHC gas engine and has front and rear wheels that are powered by two motors.
The Japanese automaker positions the four-passenger concept as a fighter in the war against global warming. "[It] subscribes to the 'Smart Grid' concept," Mitsubishi said in a statement. "[It] allows the owner to store electricity at night and then use that electricity via the normal charging connector to power home appliances during the daytime when domestic electricity consumption is highest. This allows the drive battery to be used as a power source in the event of a natural disaster."
The interior should be a real pleaser for hypochondriacs. Seat upholstery "deactivates allergens, breaks down VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and offensive odor molecules as well as killing bacteria," said Mitsubishi. It points out that the concept's glass "shuts out UV-A radiation to protect skin from darkening and aging; and a negative-ion aroma humidifier and oxygen enricher [improves] comfort and [reduces] fatigue."
Other high-tech touches include a Driving Safety Support System with an onboard receiver that picks up signals transmitted by Japan's roadside optical beacons. This system urges the driver to be careful when the sensors detect vehicles or pedestrians.
The concept also gets an electronically controlled suspension with three ride heights and a Driving Monitor System that detects drowsiness and "emits a distinctive aroma to alert him/her to the situation."
If the Nissan Roox, debuting at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show, looks vaguely familiar to Japanese consumers, it's because they've seen the shape and design details before in the Suzuki Palette.
Under a contract deal, which is something widely practiced in the Japanese auto industry, Suzuki will provide Nissan with a version of its Palette minicar in December. The Nissan-branded variant, dubbed the Roox, will make its public debut later this month at the Tokyo show.
Nissan says the name Roox was derived from "room" and "max" two words that it uses to describe its new "super space" minicar. Passengers can easily access the rear seats through the sliding rear doors on either side, which can be opened by remote.
Aimed at small families, the four-passenger Roox includes such features as flexible seating, a drink cooler in the upper glove box and an under-seat storage box for kid's toys.
At 133.7 inches long, it fits into Japan's kei jidosha ("light vehicle") minicar category.
Subaru Tecnica International breathed some serious life into the Impreza WRX. Now, the Japanese automaker's in-house motorsports arm hopes to repeat the magic with a new limited-production, high-performance edition of the automaker's home-market wagon, the Subaru Exiga 2.0GT STI for the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.
The seven-passenger people hauler will be unveiled as a "concept" at the show, but Subaru confirms that the Exiga 2.0GT STI is scheduled to go on sale shortly in Japan. Sadly, there appear to be no immediate provisions for a North American variant.
As the name implies, the hotted-up Exiga will feature Subaru's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with some STI secret sauce applied to the inner workings to tease out the boxer's full potential. STI also will apply the usual tweaks to suspension, steering and brakes to push handling to the limit. Subaru will further dress up the tall-roof crossover with a front spoiler, side skirts, alloy wheels and sporty exhaust tips.
The Suzuki Alto is known in many parts of the world by various names. Soon to enter its seventh generation in Japan, the Alto is approaching its 30th birthday in the home market. To celebrate the occasion, Suzuki is displaying the next-generation Alto in near-production-ready "concept" trim at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show.
The latest iteration of the popular minicar maintains a certain simplicity inside and out, while retaining its traditional compact dimensions. Overall length is 133.7 inches, while the wheelbase has been stretched a modest 1.6 inches to 94.5 inches.
Underscoring its reputation for frugality, the new Alto sports a tiny 658cc DOHC three-cylinder engine driving the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission. Suzuki also plans to offer a four-wheel-drive variant.
Suzuki will bolster its green credentials at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show with two clean-tech models: the Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid and the Suzuki SX-4 FCV, which features a General Motors-sourced fuel cell.
The front-wheel-drive Swift features a series-hybrid engine that mates a 40-kW electric motor with a tiny 658-cc gasoline engine. The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged from standard household current.
The hydrogen-powered SX-4 FCV marries a GM fuel cell with a Suzuki-developed propulsion system that uses a 68-kW electric motor to drive the front wheels. Suzuki claims a range of more than 150 miles.
Based on the Subaru Impreza WRX STI A-Line model with 5 speed automatic transmission that offers distinctive driving performance to a wider range of customers, the Subaru Impreza WRX CARBON features the use of carbon material in the roof to achieve both a significant weight reduction and a lower center of gravity. In addition, the suede fabric used in the interior enhances driving excitement and pride of ownership.
Here in the U.S., if you want a rear-wheel drive sedan from Toyota, you'll have to buy a Lexus. That's not the case in Japan. There the motor buying public can opt for the Mark X, the second generation of which will be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show this week. Based on the same rear-wheel-drive platform as our own Lexus GS, the new Mark X gets a redesigned exterior and interior, the latter of which also benefits from increased interior volume. Two engines will be available: a 2.5-liter V6 producing 203 horsepower and a new, larger 3.5-liter V6 reportedly producing a healthy 315 hp. Both models will come with a six-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters, though only the 2.5-liter model is available with all-wheel-drive.
It's pretty snazzy looking, no? Compared to the Toyota-branded large sedans we have to choose from here in North America (*cough - Avalon - cough*), we'd say the new Mark X is an exciting proposition indeed. Think of it as Toyota's answer to the Chrysler 300C or now-defunct Pontiac G8, or even the FWD/AWD Taurus. But alas, the big T would rather you look to Lexus and buy a GS than they spend the time and money to offer the Mark X to Americans.
PRESS RELEASE
Toyota Launches Redesigned 'Mark X'
<!--news entry subtitle--> <!--news entry body--> <style type="text/css"></style> Tokyo - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces the launch in Japan today of the redesigned "Mark X", which furthers the series' "sporty and luxurious" concept by offering enhanced quality in an authentic rear-wheel-drive sedan.
The Mark X features a dynamic low center of gravity that is combined with powerful driving performance made possible by a new 3.5-liter V6 engine. The style and driving performance of this upscale vehicle are in tune with adult sensibilities, delivering in-touch-with-the-road steering that responds instantaneously to the driver's every wish, stability at high speeds and a smooth comfortable ride.
In addition, the vehicle's environmental performance is at the top of its class<sup>1</sup>. The fuel efficiency of the Relax Selection two-wheel drive models exceeds the 2010 standards by 15%, qualifying them for incentives and subsidies under the Japanese government's taxation system for environmentally considerate vehicles.
The new Marx X, starting at an appealing 2.38 million yen, comes in a diverse lineup-standard type, sports type and premium type-to allow drivers to show their individuality.
Monthly sales target for Japan: 3,000 units
Assembly Plant: Motomachi Plant, Toyota Motor Corporation
Vehicle Outline
Rear-wheel drive package offers dynamic styling and exciting cruising
The design concept behind the Marx X is "glam tech"-combining the visual "glamour" conveyed by the vehicle with the "high-tech" expression of its modern and precise feel. The result is subtle contrast as well as a dynamic and stylish form.
The vehicle's silhouette is smooth and elegant, with expansive front and rear pillars to emphasize integration with the underbody.
The 1,435 mm height and 20 mm expansion for both width and track give the vehicle a low center of gravity.
Rear-wheel drive allows a front-and-rear weight distribution ratio of 54:46 for stable driving.
The bumper's wide opening and deep-set fog lights emphasize the face's low center of gravity and wide stance, while the three-lamp linear layout of the headlights and a mesh grille enhance the sense of vitality.
The combination taillights also have a three-lamp linear layout, while lights built into the lid of the trunk serve as a statement of class.
Six refined body colors are available, including the new Ice Titanium Mica Metallic.
The interior is sporty and dynamic, combining quality and precision that evokes a feeling of driving pleasure.
The leather-covered steering wheel's thicker ergonomic grip and a leather-booted gearshift add to the sporty feel.
The angles of the seat cushion and sides of the front seats have been optimized for superior hold. The driver's seat also features a switch-operated motorized lumbar support function that shifts the seatback forward or back to improve back comfort during driving.
The shoulder portion of the door trim for the front and rear seats has been pushed outward by 25 mm (total for left and right), while the distance between the front seats has been increased by 20 mm, resulting in a roomier interior.
Sports type (250G S package, 250G S package Relax Selection, 350S)
Sporty feel enhanced through tinting of headlights and combination taillights and through spoilers on front and rear bumpers and trunk lid
Interior features modern and robust black theme
Paddle shifter gives feel of manual transmission
Premium type (Premium, Premium L package)
Special plating on front grille, rocker moldings and front bumper enhance upscale image
Steering wheel and shift knob ornamentation boast wood-grain finish
Heated front seats effectively warm shoulders, lower back and legs
Power Easy Access System slides driver's seat back and tilts steering wheel upward and forward, increasing ease of ingress and egress
Refined velour-moquette seat covers are treated with mite-suppressing agent that also prevents static electricity, adding to passenger comfort
Sporty cruising performance and high-quality, comfortable ride
The new 3.5-liter V6 engine is paired with a 6 Super ECT with a driving response and acceleration management system to provide the ample and comfortable cruising characteristic of a full-scale rear-wheel drive sedan.
The 2.5-liter V6 engine (two-wheel drive) models offer outstanding acceleration, going from zero to 100km/h in just 8.4 seconds<sup>2</sup>.
Reduced friction resistance in the suspension and higher arm rigidity enhance maneuverability and provide in-touch-with-the-road steering and a smooth, comfortable ride. The sports type models are equipped with Adaptive Variable Suspension, which combines mono-tube shock absorbers and computer control of damping force, delivering an exceptional ride, superior handling and stable cruising performance.
Depending on the driving conditions, the driver can-at the flick of a switch-choose between the Sport, Snow and Eco driving modes to optimally control drive force.
The newly adopted Variable Gear Ratio Steering system, which controls the angle of the front wheels according to vehicle speed to improve steering performance, is coupled with optimized electric power steering, resulting in outstanding handling.
Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management coordinates the drive power, steering and brakes to ensure excellent stability and improve preventive safety.
Expanded use of vibration-dampening materials limits noise penetration, resulting in a quiet and comfortable cabin.
Improved safety features
Outstanding safety performance is achieved by equipping all vehicle models with seven airbags, including SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) side airbags, SRS curtain shield airbags, and a driver's seat knee airbag; VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) to control skidding; TRC (Traction Control) to minimize wheel spin when accelerating; and Active Headrests up front to reduce stress on the neck in a rear-end collision.
The vehicle's Pre-Crash Safety System uses millimeter-wave radar to detect potential collisions and alerts the driver through a warning buzzer and display. In line with the possibility of collision, the Pre-Crash Brake Assist system, Pre-Crash Brake system and Pre-Crash Seatbelts minimize collision damage to achieve a higher level of safety.
When cornering with the headlights on, the Intelligent AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) shifts the low beams to match the steering angle and vehicle speed, thereby enhancing visibility in the direction the vehicle is moving.
The new Radar Cruise Control system, equipped with a brake-control function, detects and monitors the preceding vehicle, maintaining a fixed distance, in line with the preceding vehicle's speed, within a preset speed range.
Hill-start Assist Control prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when switching from the brake to the accelerator during a start on a steep hill.
Comfort features enhance driving pleasure
The multi-information display, which indicates average fuel efficiency, possible cruising distance and other data, features enhanced visibility through the adoption of a high-contrast white, organic electroluminescent (EL) display.
Fully automatic independent temperature controls for the driver and passenger sides-standard on all models-feature a function to remove pollen, dust and other impurities from the air in the cabin. Meanwhile, Plasmacluster Ions<sup>3</sup> technology combats bacteria and creates a comfortable cabin atmosphere through the balanced release of positive and negative ions.
The 480-liter<sup>4</sup> trunk is roomy enough to accommodate four golf bags.
An HDD navigation system (compatible with the G-BOOK mX telematics service) features multimedia and other advanced functions such as Map on Demand, which provides automatic map and information updates and door-to-door guidance that pinpoints directions to a destination.
The premium models come with a G-BOOK mX telematics service-compatible HDD navigation system with built-in terrestrial digital TV tuner and gear-shifting functions for driver support in merging and exiting and at intersections; 12 speakers optimally placed to provide sound quality comparable to a live performance.
The Intelligent Parking Assist system uses ultrasonic sensors installed in the front of the vehicle to detect parking-space parameters and help the driver parallel park or back into a parking space by informing the driver when to turn the steering wheel and where to start backing up.
Reduced environmental impact
Efforts were made to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. The 2.5-liter two-wheel-drive models have a fuel efficiency of 13.0km/l<sup>5</sup>, while the 3.5-liter two-wheel-drive models have one of 10.2km/l<sup>5</sup>, thus placing both at the top of their vehicle classes<sup>1</sup>.
All vehicles in the series achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 level required under the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.
The Relax Selection two-wheel-drive models have fuel efficiency that exceeds by 15% the level stipulated in the Japanese 2010 standards set out under the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy, thereby qualifying them for incentives and subsidies under the Japanese government's taxation system for environmentally friendly vehicles.
All 2.5-liter models meet the Japanese 2010 standards and qualify for subsidies<sup>6</sup>.
An Eco Driving Indicator that lights up to signify fuel-efficient vehicle operation and an Eco Zone Indicator that shows throttle use-standard on all models-raise driver awareness of environmentally considerate driving.
Eco-VAS (Eco-Vehicle Assessment System)-Toyota's original comprehensive environmental impact assessment system-was implemented to efficiently reduce overall environmental impact throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.
A review of the materials, processing methods and adhesives used for interior parts helped reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, as well as the discomforting odors sometimes resulting from such materials, to levels below those outlined in the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association's "Vehicle Cabin VOC Testing Methods (for Passenger Cars)", which are the industry's voluntary standards.
The door trim and carpet are made of low-VOC materials and the front console box is made from VOC-free water-based urethane synthetic leather.
so for the sti, you shave maybe 20lbs off the top with a cf roof but add 100 lbs for the automatic tranny......makes sense from a performance standpoint
