Autoblog

Click the image above for a gallery of live and press shots of the Toyota Hi-CT.

Toyota's presence at the Tokyo Motor Show has been markedly unremarkable, with four concepts debuting that have done little to excite those of us in attendance. One of the more interesting, and to an extent, plausible models is the Hi-CT concept, which we originally described as the unholy union of a Mac truck and a locomotive. Seeing the Hi-CT in person provided a better perspective of what Toyota was after – namely an economical way of getting a couple of people to and fro along with their "active lifestyle" accoutrements. Of all the concepts shown by Toyota, the Hi-CT was one of our favorites, if for no other reason than it had a clear purpose that was thoughtfully and originally executed.

Our original post has more details and we've added a handful of live shots to our press pic gallery.

Click the image above for more live and press shots of the Honda PUYO.

Honda hyped up its PUYO concept here in Tokyo, showing video of the misshapen blob inhabiting the streets of a futurist metropolis, pleasing bystanders and children along the way. Unfortunately, they never showed what would happen if the PUYO had a close encounter with the pedestrian kind, but it's glowing extra-terrestial haze was eye candy enough. Oh, and Asimo says, "Wazzup?"

You can get the skinny on the PUYO in our original post and check out the gallery below for more live pics.



All live photos ©2007 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

Over the course of the last few weeks, we've been constantly updating our comprehensive list of debuts slated for the Tokyo Motor Show, but one glaring omission continually jumped out at us: BMW. We know they'll be showing off the M3 Sedan, but it was rumored that something else would grace the Bavarian's show stand. Automotive News finally shed some light on the mystery model, but it doesn't reveal much.

BMW will be showing a concept built atop the 1-series platform, but when AN quizzed a BMW spokesperson, all they would say is that the unnamed concept won't be the X1 mini 'ute. Our first suspicion was the 1-series convertible, but that's far too dull for Tokyo. We'll let the relentless speculation begin below.

As for the rest of the Germans, we know Audi is bringing the A1 concept to the show, which should be close to the production model set to debut in 2009, while Volkswagen will be releasing its first Up! variant in the form of a five-door minivan concept.

We'll be on a plane to Tokyo this time next week, so expect more to follow soon.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Click the image above for 20 high-res pics of the Nissan NV200.

We've finally found the ideal mobile Autoblog HQ. The NV200 is aimed at small business professionals that are constantly on the move, and although the boxy, panel van exterior doesn't do much for the eyes, it's what's on the inside that counts.

The interior is a rolling job site, with everything from equipment-specific storage to a full computer workstation. This particular model is supposedly built for a professional oceanic photographer, with all the gear and toys necessary to make that hard existence livable.

We want one now, and we're taking donations. Before you start rummaging through your seat cushions to help the cause, check out Nissan's press release after the jump and our high-res gallery below.

Click the image above for more high-res pics of the Nissan Round Box.

Sure, the name "Round Box" might be oxymoronic, but Nissan's take on open-air motoring in the 21st century more than makes up for it's odd nomenclature. The concept is all about interaction, be it with the surroundings or other occupants, with a "right sized" cabin that allows easy communication inside and "road surface windows" that show the tarmac rolling beneath.

The styling is far from conventional, with its platypus-meets-Zed front clip, deep swage lines and upright rear playing nicely with the pushed out wheels and flared fenders.

We'll be sure to snap off a ton of photos while we're in Japan, but in the meantime, check out the gallery below and Nissan's press release after the jump.

Click the image above for over 20 high-res pics of the Nissan Intima.

Among the concepts from Nissan set to debut in Tokyo, the Intima may be the closest thing to a production-ready vehicle we'll see. With an emphasis on Nissan's "Modern Living" design theme, both the interior and exterior benefit from a high-class aesthetic that mates clean styling with luxurious appointments, right down to the matching toiletry set included inside.

The exterior styling takes all the familiar Nissan design cues and stretches them across acres of sheet metal, from the headlamps to the windshield. Inside, Nissan touts an eclectic mix of highly stylized components, including a front passenger seat that swivels 80-degrees to allow better ingress and egress.

Nissan's full press release is after the jump and be sure to check out the huge gallery of images below.

The full-size Toyota Crown has been available in Japan for the last 50 years, and Toyota is driving the car into the 21st century by adding its highly touted hybrid drivetrain to the royal sedan. In addition to receiving a combination gas-electric system under the hood, the Crown Hybrid Concept comes equipped with plenty of high-tech features that we've either seen before or are likely to see in the future.

The THS II system features a two-stage "motor speed reduction device" that combines smooth acceleration with high fuel economy, low noise and lower CO2 and exhaust emissions. It's equipped with VDIM traction control, active steering and 10 airbags, along with a thin film transistor (TFT) LCD "Finegraphic Meter" that displays important information to the driver in an easier to see and understand format.

We'd expect the production version of the Crown Hybrid to come to showrooms in Japan later next year.

[Source: Toyota]

click above image for 12 more images of the Toyota Hi-CT Concept

Toyota's Hi-CT aims to be the youthful, edgy, cool kid on the concept block. With a front end only a Mac truck and a locomotive union could love, the Hi-CT has an over exaggerated beltline and short overhangs that can easily dispatch the tight corners found in Tokyo proper. The rear deck can be used for weatherproof cargo or can house either a pair of seats while lounging on the beach or a small-size trunk.

Power comes courtesy of a 1.5-liter engine mated to a hybrid motor, complete with plug-in capability, while a AC100V accessory socket lets users plug in their favorite portable electronics once they've arrived at their destination.

Designers have lofty goals for their concepts, and the Toyota RiN is no different. With a massive greenhouse, seats that keep your spine in its proper position, an oxygen-level conditioner and humidifier, plus a meter that gauges your mood through the steering wheel and then displays a color based on your psychological state, Toyota thinks it can make better, happier motorists, that are more aware of nature and the society that infuses it. Hyperbolize much?

Other interesting features include the leaf-shaped gas and brake, glass that makes the world outside seem brighter and sliding doors with glass that wraps underneath the floor providing a view of the road below. Plus, you can motor along (supposedly) knowing that when your headlights are on, you won't blind any pedestrians or oncoming motorists because the light is thoughtfully being distributed to avoid such stresses.

Toyota's take is after the jump and the gallery is below. Feel better?

Click the image above for a gallery of the Lexus LF-Xh concept.

Lexus plans on unveiling two concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, and while one of them is the LF-A that we've seen before, the other may foretell the future of the next RX-series crossover.

Naturally, Lexus is touting the L-finesse design theme with the LF-Xh, but first impressions aren't particularly pleasing. It's somewhat blocky, and although the lines are clean, it strikes us as a bit too derivative to change the game in any substantive way.

The "h" designation affixed to the nameplate indicates that Lexus will be employing its Hybrid Drive system, which mates a gasoline-powered V6 to a high-output electric motor that then sends power to all four wheels.

Lexus' press release on both vehicles is posted after the jump.