There’s no shortage of wild and cool concept vehicles at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. Here are five of our favourite edgy designs – and surprisingly, in a world of similar-shaped SUVs, many of them are sexy sports cars.
1. Nissan Hyper Force
This is the Nissan Hyper Force electric sports car concept designed for the ecoconscious racing enthusiast or gamer at heart. Inside, drivers can use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to drive in the real world or virtually when the vehicle is stopped or parked in the driveway. The driver can use a special helmet with blind visors for VR to race against the clock or other online drivers on a simulated track. Besides its breathtaking design, it has an all-electric powertrain, a solid-state battery that can produce up to 1,000 kilowatts and Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology. Design elements, such as on the front and rear lamps, pay homage to the Japanese automaker’s high-performance cars while materials such as forged carbon wheels and carbon fibre front seats keep the weight down.
Inside the Nissan Hyper Force, drivers can use augmented reality and virtual reality to drive in the real world or virtually when the vehicle is stopped or parked in the driveway.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
2. Mazda Iconic SP
No one could miss this breathtaking vehicle on the show floor. It’s the Mazda Iconic SP two-seater concept. It’s a compact package with beautiful butterfly doors, a sleek aerodynamic design, low centre of gravity and a vibrant shade dubbed “viola red.” Inside, a rich blue colour scheme complements the exterior. The cabin is clean and uncluttered with few buttons and dials. Slightly longer than the Mazda Miata MX-5, the Iconic SP is powered by a two-rotor rotary EV system. It can burn various types of fuels, such as hydrogen, but that’s not all. In a pinch, the rotary engine can act as a generator to recharge the battery when needed. This concept looks nearly road ready.
Slightly longer than the Mazda Miata MX-5, the Iconic SP is powered by a two-rotor rotary EV system.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
3. Toyota FT-Se sports car
Toyota took the wraps of this stunning concept called the FT-Se. And it, too, looks like a production-ready model. This high-performance battery-electric sports car is intended for driving enthusiasts who want a greener footprint. The design is stunning – wide and low with an streamlined silhouette, massive five-spoke wheels and a large rear spoiler. Engineering expertise came courtesy of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing, or GR, division. That’s why GR logos appear everywhere on its body. Inside, it has Toyota’s next-generation full-digital cockpit, newly designed knee pads to protect when cornering quickly and smart technology such as over-the-air software updates.
The Toyota FT-Se is a high-performance battery-electric sports car that looks like a production-ready model.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
4. Subaru Sport Mobility concept and Air Mobility concept
Like its Japanese counterparts, Subaru also unveiled a sports car concept called the Sport Mobility. It’s futuristic in its styling with sharper angles and a grey and blue exterior colour combination, similar to the blue shade found in Subaru’s logo. This all-electric concept comes with Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system and plenty of safety technology. Traditional side-view mirrors, for example, are replaced with cameras. And Subaru didn’t stop there. It reached new heights, showcasing a flying car concept called the Air Mobility. The single-seater, which resembles a large drone, is also electric. But as is, it’ll likely never take flight.
The Subaru Sport Mobility concept comes with Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system and plenty of safety technology.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
5. Mitsubishi D:X concept plug-in hybrid concept
It wasn’t all about sports cars in Tokyo. Even minivans made a brief appearance with this Mitsubishi D:X plug-in hybrid concept. But it’s not just a big people mover. It’s meant for adventurers who want to go off the beaten track. The cabin is spacious with swivelling front seats – even for the driver when the vehicle isn’t moving. And the two rear seats can recline nearly flat for taking a nap. A sliding side door makes it easy to enter the cabin and the front window wraps around to the bottom to improve outward visibility. Distinctive front T-shaped lights extend corner to corner for a wide look. A copper exterior colour with a semigloss texture looks attractive against the lighter, tan-coloured interior.
The Mitsubishi D:X concept plug-in hybrid is geared toward adventurers who want to go off the beaten track.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Petrina Gentile