2015 Tokyo Motor Show
As international motor shows go, the one in Tokyo doesn’t quite fit the norm. Sure, you have a wide array of fresh metal to look at and manufacturers that go overboard in cordoning off their newest creations. What’s different here, though, is that some of the cars and most of the concepts usually are either weirdly brilliant or downright preposterous. That being said, the fact that this year’s Tokyo Motor Show will display several new significant vehicles from Suzuki, Datsun, Subaru and the likes is good enough for us to take a brief look at what’s in store for developing markets including India.
Datsun crossover concept
Looking to make a big splash in the developing markets with its range of affordable compact vehicles, Datsun will be at it again in Tokyo with an all-new crossover concept. The Japanese low-cost brand, in fact, will preview a new city car crossover through this new concept.
Said to be based on the CMF-A platform that currently underpins the Renault Kwid, this new concept will be seen sharing a lot of components with existing Datsun vehicles, given its low-cost nature. Interestingly, it will be Datsun’s second crossover concept after the Redi-Go which debuted at the 2014 Auto Expo.
Toyota SF-R sportscar
If you think Toyota is done making small, rear-wheel drive sports car after the GT 86, think again. Come October 29 and the Japanese brand will unveil an even smaller fun to drive machine in the form of the SF-R.
Although still in concept form, the S-FR is being billed as a fun to drive lightweight sports car that’s an entry-level model. This means the production-spec model will be positioned below the GT 86 in case Toyota decides to make one soon. In that case, the car will source power from a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine developing 128bhp of power. The four-cylinder unit will be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox.
If Toyota ever decides to put the S-FR into production, the brand will end up with a highly desirable sports car line-up that will also include the GT 86 and the eagerly awaited successor to the Supra.
Suzuki Ignis small car
Named after Suzuki’s compact SUV that was sold between 2003 and 2008, the Ignis is the much-awaited production version of the iM-4 concept car. We have already seen the Ignis in the official pictures and can safely say that it carries over most of the design cues from the iM-4 concept in its overall design. Although, there are some fresh elements in the form of revised headlamps, wing mirrors and rear bumper.
While there is no official word on the drivetrain, the Ignis is believed to come with a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder engine as well as Suzuki’s all-new 1-litre turbocharged BoosterJet engine.
To be sold in select global markets, the Ignis will sell alongside the Swift and the all-new Baleno.
Next-gen Subaru Impreza concept
Let’s face it: the existing generation of the Impreza isn’t exactly Subaru’s best work. Despite its improved efficiency and bulletproof reliability, the car has been criticised heavily for its uninspiring design and low-rent interior. Subaru, then, is looking to improve things with an all-new concept for the next-gen Impreza.
The brand has even released a few teaser images showing the bold new look of its forthcoming model. We are expecting Subaru to come up with a significantly bolder looking and more luxurious Impreza with this new concept. Speaking of which, the cabin is also expected to benefit from a major boost in quality and style compared to the current model’s bland interiors.
BMW 7 Series
The latest-gen BMW 7 Series made its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier year and now, this highly improved luxury sedan is set to make its Asian debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. Codenamed G11, this all-new model is quicker, more efficient and expectedly, more luxurious than the outgoing 7 Series that’s sold here in India.
Design wise, the new 7 Series appears more evolutionary rather than a completely new vehicle, with its wider kidney grille, sleeker LED headlamps and a wider bumper. As for the side profile, the new 7 features flared wheel arches and a rear heavy roofline. At the rear, BMW has continued with the familiar wrap around tail lamps, thick bumper and chrome line running through the centre of the rear section.
Inside, the overall layout of the cabin is a familiar BMW affair although there are completely new bits such as the steering wheel and the gear stick. In addition to the standard luxury features already available with the car, BMW has fitted a new touchscreen infotainment system with gesture control. The instrument cluster is fully digital unit but has a smaller screen than the iDrive. Also included in the deal is a full-fledged rear entertainment package with screens that double up as tablets and can be used to control the various functions of the car.
The new 7 Series is expected sometime next year here in India in 750Li and 730Ld guises. When launched, it will rival the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8L and the Jaguar XJ L.
Yamaha's sports car concept
Yamaha is also expected with an all-new concept. The renowned sports bike maker will be seen with a new mid-engined sports car concept called the 4Wheeler.
Not much is known about the 4Wheeler although we do have a teaser image with a glimpse of a compact, mid-engined two seater model wrapped in what seems like a nicely designed profile. Now Yamaha is known for making four-wheeled concepts and chances are, the 4Wheeler is the brand’s yet another technical exercise in showcasing their expertise on four wheels.
Mazda rotary concept
Mazda’s showstopper at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show will be their new concept sports car that’s said to bring back the brand’s infamous rotary engine technology. Mazda has even released a teaser image that does a good job of concealing the details although design cues including a long hood, curvy glasshouse and twin tailpipes are quite apparent.
Besides this all-new sports car concept, Mazda will also show off the Cosmo Sport 110S which was the first rotary engine powered mass-production model. Speaking of which, it is possible for the brand’s famed Wankel engine to find its way into this new concept model.
BMW M4 GTS
After appearing online earlier this month, the new BMW M4 GTS is set to make its global debut in Tokyo. As you may have guessed reading the GTS tag, this new model is a stripped-out, more powerful version of the standard M4. Quite simply, it is the fastest production road car BMW has ever made. We say fastest ever because the M4 GTS has been recorded lapping the infamous Nurburgring circuit in 7 minutes and 28 seconds – nearly 28 seconds quicker than a standard M4.
Over the standard M4, the M4 GTS gets a manually adjustable front splitter and rear wing (both in exposed carbon), carbon fibre hood, wider front air intakes, titanium quad exhaust pipes and exposed carbon-fibre diffuser.
Under the bonnet is an enhanced version of the standard M4’s 3-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine, tuned to deliver 500bhp. The result is a car which accelerates from 0-100kmph in 3.8 seconds, and has a top speed electronically limited to 300kmph.
