2017 Tokyo Motor Show: Wild And Crazy

Head-Turners in Tokyo
The Tokyo Motor Show is famous for pushing boundaries of automotive technology and design, hosting a variety of unique and unusual automobiles — some pure concepts that will never reach production nor public roads, while others will never make it to the American market. After surveying several miles of the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, here are a few vehicles that were real head-turners.

Suzuki e-Survivor
Providing an interesting look forward, Suzuki refers to this e-Survivor as “the realistic vehicle of the future.” The 2-seat sport ute features raised ground clearance and an electric 4-wheel drive system with a motor on each axle. We especially like the see-through doors and wheels that change color. The press release also claims the e-Survivor is ready to support autonomous driving, which will “make driving more fun and more pleasant.” If they say so . . .

Suzuki e-Survivor

Daihatsu Move Canbus
We saw small people movers like this running on the city streets of Tokyo, but this Daihatsu is easily one of the cutest. With oversized headlights and a small footprint, the Canbus is like a miniature minivan. Sliding doors make for easy access, and seats fold down to provide a surprising amount of storage space. We also couldn’t help thinking that adding an ‘I’ smack dab in the middle of the name would make this the ultimate vehicle for Portland, Oregon (or Washington State, for that matter). Perhaps that would tie in better with the theme of the Daihatsu stand: “Light You Up.”

Daihatsu Move Canbus

Subaru XV Fun Adventure Concept
The name of this Subaru concept says it all — a special XV designed for fun adventures. Painted a bright yellow/green and sporting big off-road tires, the Fun Adventure Concept looks ready for anything. Of course, the coolest feature is a tent situated on the roof rack. The Denim-like material on the seats adds to the outdoorsy adventure theme. As the amusingly-translated press release states, “This is a special vehicle to encourage active life of all.”

Subaru XV Fun Adventure Concept

Toyoda Gosei Flesby II
Specializing in such goods as rubber, plastics and LEDs, Toyoda Gosei provided its look at the future of automobiles with the Flesby II. Called out as being a car for 2030, the Flesby II features a soft, cushy exterior so that it will protect any pedestrian that may get in its way. LED lights embedded in the body and wheels communicate with surrounding drivers. The company says the exterior shape of the car can be changed via electric power.

Toyoda Gosei Flesby II

Isuzu FD-SI
In addition to showcasing the latest in passenger transportation, the Tokyo Motor Show features the latest in commercial trucks. Isuzu brought this FD-SI concept, providing its view of the future for delivery vehicles. The FD-SI (Future Delivery Swarm Intelligence) has one central seat for the driver, with an array of windows that light up in different colors.

Toyota Auto Body Wonder Capsule
Another look at the future of mobility, Toyota Auto Body (an affiliate of Toyota Motor Company) created this fun little transport. With seating for two and big windows all around, the Wonder Capsule is designed for use as a ride share or car share. Not much information was available, but one could assume it would be electric as well as autonomous.

Toyota Auto Body Wonder Capsule Toyota Auto Body Wonder Capsule

Daihatsu DN Pro Cargo Concept
For the ultimate in small cargo vans, Daihatsu created the DN Pro Cargo concept. Small and boxy, the Pro Cargo offers impressive innovation. Side doors are huge, so basically the entire side of the van can be opened, and a power lift at the rear makes loading easy. The van also features rolling cargo trays that can be brought in and out via a ramp at the rear, providing impressive utility.

Daihatsu DN Pro Cargo Concept

HINO Dakar Rally Truck
If you’re looking to one-up that neighbor who drives a Hummer, this might be the way to do it. The HINO Dakar Rally Truck is designed to handle just about any terrain and do so at high speeds. The 640-horsepower turbodiesel engine delivers more than 1600 lb-ft of torque to all four extremely large wheels. HINO refers to this as the “little monster.” Monstrous? Yes. Little? No.

HINO Dakar Rally Truck

Ikeya Formula IF-O2RDS
Ikeya Formula is not a familiar brand in America, but props for the vehicle it brought to the Tokyo Motor Show. Basically a street-legal race car, this sleek exotic is powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces around 350 horsepower. Plenty, considering the whole car weighs a mere 2,500 pounds; however, there is an optional high-powered V10 engine as well.

Ikeya Formula IF-O2RDS Ikeya Formula IF-O2RDS

Honda S660
Now this looks like some fun. The Honda S660 is a mid-engine 2-seat convertible that is currently only sold in Japan. The S660 gets power from a tiny turbocharge 660cc 3-cylinder engine that puts out just 63 horsepower and 77 lb-ft of torque. But since it weighs only 1,800 pounds, it would still be fun to drive.

Honda S660 Honda S660

Micro EV Kitchencar
A unique take on the food truck, this tiny kitchen car expands to create a cozy little restaurant on wheels. Complete with stove, sink and counter space, this little vehicle could fit just about anywhere, making it a versatile little food truck.

Micro EV Kitchencar

Yamaha Cross Hub Concept
Known for building motorcycles and other powersports vehicles, the Japanese manufacturer has created a way to easily carry Yamaha toys. Called the Cross Hub, this concept truck features a bed that can hold up to two motorcycles. The interior has an interesting layout with a driver seat in the center position with passenger seats set back slightly on either side of the driver — a configuration similar to the McLaren F1.