2023 Tokyo motor show preview
Yamaha has unveiled a radical electric three-wheeler, promising to bring "unfiltered joy" to urban driving
All you need to know about the most important unveilings at Japan's biggest motor show
The Tokyo motor show has returned, rebranded as the Japan mobility show to reflect the profound changes in the motoring industry.
We expect to see well-known icons switching from ICE to EV, with new-age electric cars going big on production sustainability and a healthy dose of electric scooters and tricycles to punctuate what will become a very different event to the one we’re used to.
Taking place from 25 October to 5 November at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition centre, the popular event will host to a multitude of unveilings, from a potential electric Honda NSX concept to the new Suzuki Swift and what is believed to be a first look at the next Mazda MX-5.
Read on for a detailed look at our show preview, with all the most important reveals you need to know about.
-*Honda CI-MEV*-
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A pint-sized two-seater built for those who live in urban areas where public transport is scarce and are unable to walk long distances. Expected to be fully autonomous, it combines “co-operative intelligence” with sustainability, the latter of which through the use of multiple production techniques. For example, it will use acrylic resin instead of paint so that it can be recycled and reused. It will likely be driven using artifical intelligence (AI) and be powered by swappable batteries.
-*Honda Speciality Sports Concept*-
Among a collection of electric concepts to be revealed by Honda at Tokyo will be a potential electric successor to the NSX supercar. Named the Specialty Sports Concept, the performance EV was previewed as an ‘electric vision design study’ at Monterey Car Week earlier this year.
Said by Honda to “enable the driver to experience the pure joy of driving”, it's expected to be developed with a strong emphasis on carbon-neutrality without sacrificing engaging driving dynamics as Honda phases out internal-combustion cars.
*Honda to unveil three concepts including electric sports cars*
-*Honda Sustaina C*-
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This Honda E-sized electric supermini has been developed to showcase the Japanese firm’s sustainability goals. It's made entirely from a recyclable acrylic resin to promote the concept of ‘resource circulation’.
Seen as the little brother to the E, its design will likely be an evolution with clean shutlines and wind-cheating body panels.
-*Lexus EV Concept*-
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This radical electric crowning glory to the Lexus range will be fully unveiled in 2026, pioneering a bold new approach to design, construction and powertrain technology. It will be previewed by a concept at Tokyo and promises to represent an all-out revolution in the way the Japanese firm engineers its cars. It's set to be the first of a new family of EVs that will eventually be direct rivals to those from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
*Radical new Lexus concept to preview long-range EV for 2026*
-*Electric Mazda MX-5*-
First reported by Autocar last year, this sleek two-seat sports coupé is thought to provide an early look at what the next MX-5 will look like. It's a hardtop with Lamborghini-style scissor doors, space for both a combustion engine and battery and an overall profile similar to that of the current car. It arrived as Mazda announced a near-£9bn spending plan to accelerate its electrification drive.
*Mazda set to preview electric MX-5 with radical concept*
-*Nissan Hyper Adventure concept*-
Majoring on vehicle-to-everything technology, this electric 4x4 has a high-capacity battery to enable it to supply power to any external device, from a kettle to an electric jetski or even the national grid. When demand is high, it could allow for the sale of electricity in the car’s battery back to the grid, thereby increasing the reliability of energy infrastructure. Elsewhere, you will find Nissan’s e-4orce four-wheel-drive system for all-weather traction.
It will be displayed digitally on Nissan’s stand alongside the Hyper Urban concept and two other models that are yet to be revealed.
*Nissan reveals rugged electric off-roader concept for Tokyo*
-*Nissan Hyper Tourer concept*-
Previewing a future high-tech luxury minivan to rival the Volvo EM90, the Hyper Tourer is an ultra-luxury people carrier featuring fully autonomous capability, high-density solid-state batteries, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology and a strong focus on aerodynamics.
Inside, its theme of luxury is punctuated by front seats that swivel 360deg, a floor made out of LEDs, virtual reality headsets for the rear passengers, and the use of AI to monitor the various aspects of the occupant's health, such as their heart rate.
*Nissan Hyper Tourer concept is ultra-luxury Volvo EM90 rival*
-*Subaru Sport Mobility concept*-
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Heading up Subaru's stand is a concept electric sports car designed to preview what the company's cars will look like as it heads towards electrification. It's designed to be a car that will go "anywhere, anytime" and that you should be able to "drive at will" no matter where you find yoursef on the road. Few details have been given away, but it appears to have taken some design inspiration from the SVX, Subaru's 1990s sports coupé.
-*Suzuki EWX*-
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This Nissan Cube-esque concept is a futuristic EV designed to make the urban driver's life as easy as possible. It's described by Suzuki as "a crossover of fun and practicality".
Clean shutlines and a relatively simple, featureless body help it achieve a range of 142 miles, while on the inside, it has been designed "to make people feel at home".
Tehnical details aren't yet known, but it could use a smaller version of the 60kWh battery used in the similar-sized EVX.
-*Suzuki eVX*-
Suzuki’s first EV will be an S-Cross-sized crossover that aims to “carry forward the brand’s 4x4 legacy”. Previewed by a concept shown at Auto Expo 2023 in Delhi, India, it featured a 60kWh battery, allowing it to drive 550km (342 miles) between charges.
Suzuki is aiming for a budget-friendly positioning for the eVX, likely around £30,000, meaning a single-motor, two-wheel-drive powertrain is expected to feature in the majority of variants. A global launch is scheduled for 2025.
*New Suzuki eVX concept previews 342-mile electric crossover*
-*2024 Suzuki Swift*-
The next generation of Swift is being developed with a particular focus on engaging dynamics and charismatic performance, with the firm saying the Dacia Sandero rival has been conceived with "drive and feel" in mind.
The construction of the supermini is also said to put much more of an emphasis on sustainability.
We have only seen one teaser picture of the car so far, but more information is expected before its global launch in 2024.
*First look: new Suzuki Swift majors on efficiency and engagement*
-*Toyota FT-Se concept*-
Expected to be unveiled as Toyota GR's first electric sports car, the FT-Se shares its underpinnings with the FT-3e SUV and appears to be a development of the MR2 concept revealed in late-2021.
Each car is expected to draw power from Toyota's new 'Performance' lithium ion battery pack – set to arrive in production cars in 2026 – which is claimed to increase range to around 497 miles and cut costs by up to 40%.
Inside, it is designed to be be as driver focused as its ride and handling, with two smartphone-style display screens flanking a narrow yoke steering wheel.
*Toyota to show first electric GR sports car next week*
-*Toyota FT-3e concept*-
Toyota's second electric SUV paves the way for a radical electric 4x4 touted to introduce a new era for the brand where it will “go beyond providing physical transportation tools". Arriving alongside the FT-Se sports car, it will be fully unveiled at the Tokyo motor show and preview a sharply styled five-seat 4x4 with a design language unique to the brand's EVs.
It has been designed with the help of AI and is said to be "as simple as possible", with clean, aero-optimised lines and a prominent belt line in the same vein as the Land Rover Defender.
According to the company, the vehicle has been designed as a "lifestyle parter" to make the driver's life as "stress-free" as possible, allowing them to adapt the ride quality to their preference and find out information about their local area via the infotainment screen to make it a "one-of-a-kind cherished vehicle".
*Toyota FT-3e concept teased as brand’s radical second electric SUV*
-*Toyota IMV 0*-
This new concept based on Toyota's adaptable IMV platform previews the breadth of customisation set to become possible with the firm's next-generation Hilux pick-up truck.
It can transform into vehicles as varied as a motorhome, a mountain-rescue ambulance, a street-food stall and an off-roader.
Toyota will feature several IMV 0-based attractions on its show stand, including a café and a gacha-toy stall.
*Toyota IMV 0 previews adaptable Hilux of the future*
-*Yamaha Tricera*-
Industrial giant Yamaha will display its take on the popular three-wheeler on its stand.
Dubbed the Tricera, it's powered by an electric powertrain and features a novel rear-wheel steering system that's intended to provide "unfiltered joy" in urban environments.
The firm said: “Modern mobility is shifting toward automated driving, but that's precisely why Yamaha Motor is going back to basics.”
*Yamaha brings three-wheel sports car and hydrogen buggy to Tokyo*