IN It's not customary in Japan to say no, but there are many other ways to say no. Here they talk confidentially, without looking into each other's eyes, nod in disagreement, bow at a meeting, but do not slap friends on the shoulder. In transport, it is not customary to give up your seat, at the door - to let women through, in a crowded place - to talk on the phone, in a restaurant - to leave a tip. In Japan, translation difficulties constantly await you, including when you get acquainted with the novelties of the Tokyo Motor Show. This parade of eccentric premieres can be viewed simply as an album of colorful inserts, but in fact they encode the DNA of the Japanese automotive market, which is commonly called the Japan Domestic Market - this is the JDM code for the internal structure of the third largest automotive power in the world.
The crew say goodbye to you
As you know, the average life expectancy in Japan is the highest in the world: 84 years. It’s hard not to envy this, but something else is even more impressive: those 14 years for which the average Japanese outlive the average Russian may become the most prosperous period of his life, because the social policy of the state for a long time was focused on ensuring that the older generation did not need anything. Those who are over 65 years old on the Islands now make up more than a quarter of the total population, and they do not sit in rocking chairs at all, but, being provided, lead, as a rule, an active lifestyle. Including driving.
According to 2016 statistics, the 65+ category in Japan accounts for 20% of all drivers - and this is 17 million people - and one could be happy for these respectable citizens, but there is an alarming nuance. The fact is that against the background of declining road deaths (a total of 3904 deaths in 2016), the number of fatal accidents involving older drivers has been growing in Japan for many years. Today they account for 13% of all fatal accidents, but simply taking and limiting the access of pensioners to the roads to the Japanese does not allow at least innate reverence. Therefore, since 2015, there has been a system of additional tests for those who renew their driver's license after 70 years, and in addition, the government encourages voluntary refusal to drive. For those who voluntarily decide not to drive again and get their license back, various regions of Japan are offering a free public transport pass, coupons for taxis and grocery delivery, or even discounts at funeral homes. But there is a much more tactful way around this problem.
The next time you stumble upon an endless description of automatic braking systems, tracking lane markings, driver monitoring, obstacle avoidance and insurance against accidental pressing of the accelerator in some new Japanese car, you know - all this was not invented at all in order to create the most boring cars in the world. It's just that the engineers here know exactly who will drive these cars. And even more so, they understand that when in a few decades almost half of the population of Japan will be over the age of sixty, there should be as many cars as possible on the roads that can drive independently.
It was these novelties that were most often encountered in Tokyo 2017.
The folding steering wheel seems to be the hallmark of Nissan's self-driving cars. As well as the “sofa” layout of the cabin and the “theatrical” instrument panel with a full-width panoramic screen. The concept car with this interior is the first of a coming population of electric cars to the rescue.
You can even say that the IMx is a Nissan Model X. After all, the concept crossover is based on a new electric vehicle platform, which differs from the current one in that it uses an independent rear suspension, all-wheel drive with a separate rear electric motor (on the concept, two engines develop a total of 435 HP) and the modular principle. Production models larger and smaller than the Leaf will appear on this platform.
In the first two years, we will see just a crossover, but before that, the Renault-Nissan alliance will have to decide what to do with the similar plans of the Mitsubishi division, because this company showed in Tokyo a crossover that almost exactly repeats the IMx, but was created on its own basis. Electric traction, a coupe-shaped silhouette, all-wheel drive, but there is no autopilot, and not two, but three electric motors - this is. And if it had a different name, there would be no headache: the future serial crossover would be transferred to the Nissan platform in the name of unification. But the catch is that this electric car is the heir to the Evo dynasty, and the second motor on its rear axle is needed in order to control the thrust vector, like the S-AYC active differential on real Eviks. Nissan doesn't have that technology, and Mitsubishi's hopes are apparently fueled by that. In any case, while representatives of the Renault-Nissan “fraction” are cautiously talking about exploring the horizons of synergy with a new partner, Mitsubishi itself has already launched, which promises nine new products in the next three years. It is not clear who exactly the new electric Evo is intended for: nostalgic pensioners or screeners who only met this name in video games?
Toyota's autonomous program is worded more precisely, its future conceived for those who are "fun to drive" - it's just the ability to move in space, plus safety and ease of control. The Concept-i four-seater monocab is equipped with artificial intelligence and an interactive interface to not only move independently on the roads, but also communicate with passengers, monitor their well-being and act as an assistant in communication with the outside world. And the two-seater Toyota Concept-i Ride is a transport capsule that is easy to use even for a person in a wheelchair. And finally, Concept-i Walk as a hoverboard for driving in pedestrian areas. In 2020, Toyota promises to begin road testing of these vehicles.
Toyota Concept-i Ride (left) and Toyota Concept-i
Lexus will also be transferred to autonomous driving, although this has been going on for a long time, and four years ago prototypes of GS sedans with autopilots drove around Tokyo. True, during this time, both Mercedes and BMW managed to launch cars with initial autonomy functions, and Lexus just now showed, which portends the facelift of the flagship sedan and the appearance in 2020 of the Highway Teammate serial complex, capable of fully taking control of the car when driving on the motorway .
The Japanese would not be themselves if they only thought about self-driving cars. Unmanned motorcycles, motoroids and motobots - this is what the automotive world will soon have to meet. A motorcycle that rides itself and does not fall is a lofty goal, but it’s not only about safety, but that everyone can transfer to two wheels with it, regardless of age, physical fitness and driving skills. Isn't it great?
In Tokyo, Honda and Yamaha showed their latest developments. The experimental Honda Riding Assist-e is an electric motorcycle that keeps its balance by constantly shaking the steering wheel both on the go and in the parking lot, with a person in the saddle or on its own. And he can move independently at low speed and follow the owner. The Yamaha Motoroid concept bike can do the same, but balances not by steering the front wheel, but by tilting the rear, along with part of the frame, suspension and transmission. In addition, Motoroid can recognize gestures and voice commands of the owner. By the way, Yamaha is already using a humanoid motobot to test its technology, which is programmed using Valentino Rossi's ride telemetry and is able to drive along the test track without fear and fatigue.
Young people everywhere are dearer to us
A rapidly aging population is also skewed in the distribution of wealth. According to Japanese tradition, salary in any company depends more on age and length of service than on position and skills, and the pension system is designed in such a way that during the rest of the retirement period, the Japanese in total receive several times more income from the state than his deductions for the entire career. As a result, it turns out that the current able-bodied generation pays for the well-being of their parents, but due to the low birth rate, they will not be able to count on the same pension. And that's why the "young" - and here they are people under the age of 40 - began to save a long time ago. Including cars.
Studies show that 50% of Japanese under the age of 30 have no intention of buying their own car - primarily for economic reasons - and 30% are not even interested in cars. The result is obvious, or rather, it is clearly visible in the premiere program of the most important Japanese car dealership.
If Nissan showed daring IDx concepts with “mechanics”, a turbo engine and rear-wheel drive based on the iconic Datsun 510 sedans to interest young people, now these projects are frozen, and top managers argue that an electric car can be quite driver-friendly. Toyota in Tokyo has an almost finished rear-wheel drive S-FR mini-coupe to counter the Mazda MX-5, but it has not yet turned into a production model. The debut of the revived Supra sports car has also been postponed: now it will obviously be shown in the winter in Detroit. BMW didn't bring the X2 to Japan, and Porsche didn't bring the new 911 Carrera T to Japan. All these cars don't have enough audience in Tokyo. But here are the Toyota Century and Toyota Crown sedans.
This is the Japanese Tuple project. The imperial garage will receive the flagship version, while the base sedans will go on sale in limited editions. But at the same time, Toyota captivates with a democratic appearance and a rather modest interior - passenger number one will live a completely earthly life. Plastic, leather, some wood and wool upholstered chairs. Old-fashioned buttons, simple appliances, CD changer, TV, curtains - comfort and no megalomania. The Century is now larger than the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series in stretched versions, although its wheelbase shorter than the "Germans": 3090 mm - but still 65 mm more than before. It's a pity the V12 engine has been retired: instead, a hybrid installation from the previous generation Lexus LS 600h sedan with a 5.0 V8 engine. The start of production is scheduled for the summer of 2018. As before, Century will be assembled in small quantities and only for the Japanese market. Pricing has yet to be announced, but the previous generation sedan cost around $100,000.
A is the local Toyota anti-Camry. In the summer of 2018, the fifteenth generation of this model will appear in Japan, but now the car has been spotted in Tokyo. Because of the extra side windows, the Crown has become a bit like a liftback and a bit like, but in fact there is much more in common with the new sedan. It is based on the same version of the TNGA platform with a classic layout, designed for hybrid units and a ten-speed (!) “automatic”. In the range of engines, a turbo four 2.0, aspirated V6 3.5, as well as a hybrid installation from a coupe are expected. The wheelbase has grown by 7 cm, it has become more spacious at the back, although handling is also promised to be more interesting than before: the chassis was supposedly tuned at the Nurburgring.
The coupe looked like an island of design courage against the background of Toyota, although its appearance is a nostalgic remake Civic models and City from forty years ago, but in light of the current brand aesthetic, this is almost the pinnacle of style. Alas, Honda promises that the first thing on the new electric platform will be a serial city minicar, but the Sports EV is still a big question mark.
Subaru Viziv Performance Concept
Pleasant exceptions to the general rule are Mazda and Subaru. in a year or two it will turn into serial subaru sedan WRX, and he, fortunately, does not promise to be either an electric car or a crossover. Well, Mazda does not seem to pay attention to the surrounding reality at all. Burning design - clearly for the young and hot, new two-liter engines with mechanical supercharging - for those who are worse than the gallows electric cars. - this is Mazda 3 of the next generation, they even promise not to change the appearance much. The Skyactiv-X 2.0 engine runs on Mazda's innovative SPCCI cycle with a compression ratio of 15:1 and compression ignition via a pilot charge around the spark plug electrodes. And the “treshka” should be a little more spacious, quieter and softer, but also retain bright handling. It will become serial in 2019.
The future of the sedan is more vague: judging by its appearance and size, it could turn into a production car under the name, say, Mazda 9, but the Japanese do not make any promises about this, although they do not deny that the minimalist aesthetics will become the new hallmark of all cars Mazda.
Both the village and the city
Japan is still the third largest car market in the world, with 4.2 million new cars sold in 2016 and another 5.6 million used cars. But it is curious that the picture of the country's motorization is directly opposite to that to which we are accustomed. The most populous cities - Osaka, Yokohama, Kyoto and Kobe - have the lowest density of private cars, with less than one per family and Tokyo with less than one per two families. Whereas in remote provinces, each family has an average of 1.7 cars. The reasons are clear: where there are crowds, traffic jams and many metro stations, personal car need not. And vice versa. Therefore, among the premieres of the showroom, novelties for the metropolis and for the periphery clearly stood out.
It will definitely be the most popular and mass model, because the number of taxis in Tokyo alone is about 50 thousand. So far, archaic, but very soulful Toyota Comfort sedans with liquefied propane-butane engines are still working there, but this spring they were discontinued, and JPN Taxi station wagons with a huge interior and a hybrid power plant from the new Prius are being replaced, although the 1.5 engine is all also converted to gas.
And another Toyota for city service is the business shuttle. This could be the future minivan Alphard, which in the current generation is most often used as a VIP crew or transfer. The only difference is that the Fine-Comfort Ride is a hydrogen car that can move autonomously.
Toyota Fine-Comfort Ride
But other cars are needed in the provinces, so next to the business shuttle at the Toyota stand is an unusual crossover. He also has sliding rear doors, but the clearance is like a serious SUV, and the dimensions are like a golf crossover. Toyota is looking for new formats in the utility vehicle segment, and the Tj Cruiser may well appear on the Japanese market, because it is based on the TNGA serial platform and power unit based on the same Prius, but with a two-liter engine.
Toyota TJ Cruiser
And Suzuki is exploring how much in the future the Japanese will need a real “rogue” like the Jimny all-terrain vehicle. The concept car shows how it could adapt to the new world of electric vehicles and self-driving cars. Military design, frame and dimensions are from the past, and even portal bridges have been added to them. But the drive is electric with four motor-wheels, monitors are all around in the cabin, and, of course, there is an autonomous driving mode, albeit only for asphalt.
Suzuki e-Survivor
Roughly the same genre is being probed by Yamaha: the desire of the motorcycle company to enter the automotive market gradually transforms into the idea of offering cars for suburban life. For example, this is a compact four-seater pickup truck with a central driver's seat, because only with such an arrangement a motorcycle is placed in a small body.
Yamaha Cross Hub
Kei acceleration
Over 28% of Japan's new car market is tiny kei cars up to 3.4m long with engines up to 660cc. But two years ago, the government raised taxes on the purchase of such cars, and the demand for them sank sharply. Now the situation has improved, but some manufacturers are thinking about moving to the senior classes.
But if Suzuki has a wealth of experience in building “big” cars and its new crossover smaller than the three-door Mini based on the Hustler kei car looks organic among brothers and competitors, then Daihatsu’s initiative to launch is a little surprising right away. But only if you do not know that this company is a "daughter" of Toyota. It was the parent concern that shared the platform for the crossover, sedan and compact van - all of them will use the DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) architecture, which is a “lightweight” version of TNGA.
The four-meter crossover DN Trec promises to become the heir to the small Terios SUV, but the units will be received from cars - turbo engines 1.0 or hybrid plant. The outrageous sedan DN Compagno was created on the same basis, and its design was inspired by the model of the same name of the 60s, however, the body length of 4.2 m is arranged according to the modern fashion for four-door coupes. And the single-volume DN Multisix is addressed to the countries of Southeast Asia, but so far it is far from serial implementation.
The Tokyo Motor Show is considered one of the most anticipated events in automotive fashion, not without reason. Photo: letanovosti.ru
A bit of history
The first such auto show in history was held in 1954 in Hibiya Park. 257 cars from national manufacturers were demonstrated, most of which were trucks and motorcycles. A year later, a re-show was held, which lasted for 12 days, new Toyota and Nissan were presented.
From 1973 to 2001, it also took place every two years, the annual cycle was activated only in the interval from 2001 to 2005, after which the organizers returned the old schedule. The largest number of people on it was recorded in 1991 - over two million. During this time, the exhibition featured a huge number of cars that went into series, as well as many unique exhibits.
What made you happy in 2017
The recent show in 2017 featured many concept novelties from this season.
Mitsubishi e-Evolution
This is not the full return of the famous sedan with a powerful drive expected by many, but its experimental prototype, made in the form of an SUV, and powered by electricity. Photo: ar-revs-daily.com
Among the technical nuances, it is known that the developers hid the power source for traction under the floor.
The reason was the need to service as many as three electric motors, one of which is located near the front axle, and two at the rear, without violating the alignment, but only reducing its center of gravity as much as possible.
The rear motors are interconnected by an electronically controlled active type of differential. This makes it possible to distribute traction force or braking force evenly between the two wheels, which allows much more efficient use of motor power and facilitates control. The brakes have also been upgraded. – Removed standard hydraulic calipers. Instead, their place was taken by their electric version..
The second feature of this car is the special design of the doors, which gives excellent access to any of the four comfortable seats. Photo: otodriver.com
Of the novelties of the appearance, one can note the new appearance of the radiator grille, now, as it were, covered with glass, large air intakes behind the headlights, which serve for the brake cooling system, and a windshield located at an angle. Representatives of the manufacturer said that this model will have "a fairly smooth movement, and a decent power reserve." The power of the battery installed on it is not yet known.
A small screen installed in the cabin is connected to two special cameras that provide excellent visibility when reversing. Photo: performancedrive.com.au
A large width is given to the instrument panel, and a special shape to the steering wheel. The creators decided to simplify the appearance as much as possible, and therefore there are practically no various keys, knobs and switches.
Yamaha CROSS HUB
The second noteworthy exhibit was the Yamaha mini-concept car, made in the style of an SUV with a pickup truck body.
Such a model, according to experts, is ideal for residents of big cities who have the opportunity to go on vacation somewhere outside the city. Photo: badmoto.ru
The following technical details of the machine deserve attention:
- The parameters of the SUV itself: length - 4490 mm, width - 1960 mm, height - 1750 mm.
- In the luggage compartment, you can place either all the necessary things, or even a motorcycle. This is due to the unusual arrangement of seats in the cabin, which allowed increase its volume.
Despite all the advantages of the exhibit, V serial production he will appear next. In any case, no such statements have been received from representatives of the manufacturer.
If you want to learn more about this interesting concept, check out the video:
Updated IMX Nissan
The next car that caught the attention of the automotive community was Nissan's updated IMX crossover, also equipped with an electric drive. The manufacturer announced the following features:
- Completely redesigned platform designed specifically for electric vehicles. The result is a compact and at the same time massive neat appearance. , low center of gravity designed to provide, according to employees, "smooth and precise control."
- Separate novelties from designers are visible in the car interior. It practically there are no conventional controls, replaced by a single panoramic panel.
The design is made in a sporty format, with a minimalist-style cabin, a wide windshield that smoothly passes into a completely transparent roof. Photo: blogspot.com
Its uniqueness lies in the ability of the driver to control all the mechanisms using only eye movements and gestures. It is planned to implement it in future production cars.
- A separate article in equipment this crossover goes automatic control system similar to autopilot. When activated, the steering wheel disappears inside the dashboard, and the seats recline slightly from it, increasing the space in the cabin. When switching back to driver control mode, everything returns to its place.
- The auto giant itself calls its electric car “smart” for the opportunity not only to take its own place in the parking lot after it has delivered the owner to its destination, but also to be connected to the power grid in the house as a source of electricity for household appliances.
The power reserve is set by the manufacturer at 600 km, which is provided by two batteries with a total capacity of 320 kW.
DN Trek by Daihatsu
Not so long ago, Daihatsu celebrated its 110th anniversary since its founding. At the described motor show, she decided to present several samples, including a practical crossover called the DN Trek.
The appearance is characterized by the presence of calm forms in the design and a modest style of decoration details. Photo: autonews.ru
The cabin has digital and multimedia panels. In the interior, the developers adhere to the most simple style, but no less technologically advanced: everything plastic parts made from its hard look, and the upholstery of the doors contains a small number of details. Some design elements are also made in the theme of the cellular network.
Main settings of this experimental car: length - 3980, width - 1695, height - 1600 mm. Apart from some unusual elements, such as doors that open in the opposite direction of movement or cameras installed instead of side rear-view mirrors, this car is almost ready for mass production.
In this experimental configuration, the DN Trek is equipped with a mixed propulsion system that includes a 1.2 liter gasoline engine and an electric power generator.
According to information received from the press service of the company, a 1.0-liter engine will be installed on the serial line. The company keeps the planned type of drive and the size of the ride height a secret.
Toyota TJ Cruiser
Another noteworthy participant in this event is a Toyota product, released under the name Tj Cruiser. He is regarded as one of the most anticipated premieres at the Tokyo Motor Show.
The developers position it as something between a minivan and a light truck. sports type, which can be used as a passenger transport. Photo: usedcars.ru
Deciphering its name consists of two English words "toolbox" - "tool box", and "joy" - joy. On the one hand, this crossover is very practical, on the other hand, it is the best choice for lovers of countryside holidays.
Outside the body is made of durable composite materials, not afraid of blows and other varieties of external influences. This model is small in size. Its length is 4300 mm, width - 1775 mm, height - 1620 mm. Base wheelsets- 2750 mm. The cabin has 4 seats.
Features can be include ample opportunities for the transformation of the cabin. The steering wheel is on the right, so if you fold the seatbacks on the left side, there is a place to carry long and bulky items that you may need on a picnic or vacation. There are two modifications: with front and all-wheel drive.
In general, many other extraordinary models of cars were presented at the auto show, but these were the most convenient and practical.
In 2017, the Tokyo Motor Show will be held in the Japanese capital from October 27 to November 5, and it will be a truly grand event for all car enthusiasts in the world. News from the showroom is already exciting the minds of mankind, because unique novelties, developments from the best automotive companies peace. The advantage of the Tokyo Motor Show 2017 will be the fact that the exhibition will feature car models not only from Asian brands, but also from manufacturers from other continents. Let's take a closer look at the most anticipated novelties of the Tokyo Motor Show 2017.
And, for starters, let's indulge in a sports car in the face Toyota Supra, which was developed on the basis of the German BMW Z4, together with German engineers. The hybrid sports car will become a new milestone in the world of sports roadsters, and Toyota, thanks to this novelty, will revive the legendary Toyota Supra model, which gradually faded into oblivion against the backdrop of the latest developments of competitors. With a high degree of probability, this car will have more BMW than Toyota, but this does not make the Toyota Supra boring German.
The Mazda RX-9 is even more anticipated at the Tokyo Motor Show, as the RX is loved all over the world, especially by fast drivers. At the moment, you can find only a few pictures of the novelty on the network, which the developers carefully hide until the official presentation in Japan. The main highlight of this car will be the likely appearance in motor range rotary engine, which was revived by Japanese developers.
Lexus RX will be a prominent member of the family of crossovers (recall that Lexuses are consistently among the safest cars in the world), which will be presented in Tokyo 2017. At this stage, a restyled version of the crossover is expected from the developers, which, according to preliminary data, will go on sale in 2018 year. Also, there is a possibility of presentation at the exhibition of a new, seven-seater Lexus RX model with seats arranged in three rows, which will make the crossover as close as possible to a family car.
The Lexus LC, a luxury sports car, will be introduced in Tokyo to accompany the RX model from the premium brand. Japanese engineers did a great job on a stylish sports car, and got a real handsome man at the exit. Lexus LC is equipped with a 5.0-liter engine that produces 471 "horses". And most importantly, the Lexus LC will also be presented in a hybrid version, created specifically for environmentalists.
The Nissan 390Z concept car will be the successor to the famous 370Z, which has already bored motorists. The Nissan 390Z is under active engineering development and Tokyo 2017 will feature an all-new vehicle built on the latest platform and with truly unique features in terms of tooling. However, with a high degree of probability, this will not be the final version of the Nissan 390Z, but really only a concept car, and some improvements will still change this car in the future.
One of the most anticipated models of the Tokyo Motor Show 2017 will be the German development - BMW M2 CS. Unfortunately, the presentation of the BMW M2 CS in Tokyo has not yet been officially announced, but otherwise, this model will not receive the attention it deserves. This is a brand new car that is not a direct successor to the M series. According to preliminary data, the BMW M2 CS will be one of the most powerful cars in the history of BMW, and will be equipped with an engine that produces 400+ "horses". Also, the novelty promises to be equipped with a lightweight body, which will further improve its driving characteristics.
Another guest from Germany at the exhibition in Tokyo will be Porsche Macan, which is now undergoing final testing from Porsche engineers. It will be a restyled model that reviewers originally expected to see on Frankfurt Motor Show, but the model turned out to be unfinished, and the presentation was moved to the Japanese capital.
In contact with
A colleague from another media, whom we met at the Tokyo Motor Show, complained: “Can you imagine, in our editorial office before a business trip we divided - who to write about, I got concepts. And it turns out that there is practically nothing else here. Serial novelties - the cat cried, some cars of the future! Indeed, at their home motor show, the Japanese traditionally try to look ahead. At least for a year or two, but more often - much further. Thanks to this, we also managed to peep the prospects for the development of the global auto industry
To paraphrase a well-known saying, then about the 45th Tokyo International Motor Show, which ended in November, we can say this: the concept sits on the concept and drives the concept. Whatever the stand, then a real riot of imagination of designers, designers, interior layout designers. No wonder, apparently, the organizers chose a short but very capacious phrase as a slogan for the current motor show: Beyond the motor - “Except for the engine”.
True, this applies only to local, Japanese brands. As in other years of the Tokyo Motor Show, companies from other countries were presented rather symbolically on its squares - sometimes their expositions could consist of only two or three models, moreover, they had already been shown earlier at other exhibitions. Yes, and the number of such firms is small - and in the premium segment, and in the "extras" for their transfer would be enough, perhaps, the fingers of one hand. Which, however, fully reflects the situation on the market: domestic automakers still dominate in the Land of the Rising Sun, while foreign cars are bought mainly by those residents of the island state who want (and can) emphasize their status, income level, or originality - not in vain, because the coolest cars here are still considered to be cars with a left-hand, American-European steering wheel. And preferably something from the "premium". In general, exotic.
Therefore, for us (and for sure for other visitors of the exposition) the stands of Japanese companies turned out to be much more interesting, which in Tokyo came off to the fullest. Here you will find the most bizarre body shapes, and all kinds of drive systems (among which electricity is almost commonplace), and unusual solutions for organizing the internal space of cars, and, finally, sophisticated electronic assistants closer and closer to full autopilot.
In addition, we - foreign journalists - were very curious to look at the developments of those companies that are rather modestly represented in Russia (and sometimes in Europe as a whole), which gives the impression that their model ranges are very limited, and engineers only periodically update several well-known products. Nothing like this!
For example, Suzuki was represented at a home exhibition no less than, say, Toyota and Nissan - we counted six world premieres for this brand alone! Well, what is not a reason for the pride of the “suzukovods” of the entire planet? A scattering of new products was also demonstrated by Daihatsu. The brand, traditionally focused on subcompact cars, once again proved that it's not about the size. His concepts and production models managed to surprise both with their practicality and variety: among them were a cute minivan, an almost brutal SUV, and even a small four-door coupe, with its style referring to the early 1960s.
Of course, other giants of the Japanese auto industry - Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda, Lexus, Subaru - found something to lure the public with. We present their brightest novelties and ideas on the following pages.
See and ... die
How many times has Mazda literally struck on the spot with the style of its models. Remember what a furor both Mazda 3 and Mazda 6, and more recently the MX-5 roadster, made in their time. And now - another shot right on target: the Vision Coupe design concept, eventually recognized as the most beautiful at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017. Swift, elegant, expressive, refined - what epithets this car has not deserved from journalists! And most importantly, they are all fair. As the representatives of the company explain, this product is a more mature reading of the corporate design philosophy "KODO - Soul of Motion", it demonstrates the vector of development that the brand's stylists have chosen for the exterior of its future cars. However, here we also see the groundwork for promising interiors, based on the traditional Japanese concept of organizing the internal space ma (in Japanese - “space”). In fact, we are talking about the fact that there should be nothing superfluous - only space and movement. It is easy to judge how Mazda's design idea can be implemented in the production version of the car by another concept of the brand - the Kai compact hatchback. It seems that we are almost ready to get on the conveyor Mazda 3 of the new generation.
Yasutaki Tsuchida, chief designer of the Mazda Kai concept car
At this motor show, we exhibited two purely design products at once. First of all, this is the Mazda Vision Coupe concept. It is an evolution of a stylistic line introduced a few years ago and is our take on how things should be in an ideal world. Thus, we demonstrate the direction of design, which we will try on all new cars of the brand.
The first one will appear in 2019. I can't say which model will get this right, but I'll be glad if it will be a car based on my design - the Mazda Kai compact hatchback concept. When I created it, there were no restrictions from either engineers or marketers, although I had to take into account new technology company - SkyActiv-X, also presented at this showroom.
Another problem became the main one - in the pursuit of the ideal, to stop in time in the process of cutting off everything superfluous. The fact is that we are now preaching the minimalism inherent in Japanese aesthetics. In my opinion, the current Mazda models have some extra lines. And so I had to get rid of them, maintaining an aesthetic balance and ensuring the play of light on the planes of the body, in order to fully express the beauty and organic nature of our product. At the same time, it clearly had to remain a Mazda car, the DNA of which is embedded in the existing models of the brand. This is a typical grille, and generally recognizable front of the car. But from the side, our concepts have changed a lot - just because all unnecessary lines have been removed and the light has played.
Five year assignment
The Mitsubishi e-Evolution concept electric crossover gives an idea of how the design and technology of the Japanese brand will develop in the next five years. Representatives of the brand call the novelty a technical prototype. This means that in addition to style, know-how is also being worked out on the show car. It is primarily about the development of the electric drive system. The crossover is equipped with three electric motors, one of which is on the front axle, and the two rear units are connected by an electronically controlled active cross-axle differential (AYC) unit. This scheme provides all-wheel drive capabilities and introduces a traction vectoring system: by varying the torque supply to each of the rear wheels, the electronics improve handling. The motors are powered by a capacious battery pack located in the floor panel. The appearance of the e-Evolution marks the transition to a more flamboyant style. The concept has a floating roof, short overhangs, high ground clearance, large air intakes for brake cooling based on electric calipers, and rearward opening rear doors. As for the current day, the main novelty of Mitsubishi is the compact crossover Eclipse Cross. By the way, we will soon fly to his first test.
Trevor Mann, Chief Operating Officer, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Will the e-Evolution concept car grow into a production model? Not yet ready to say yes or no. Showing it at the Tokyo Motor Show, we demonstrate the vector of our development, the strategic direction of ideas. And at the same time we monitor the reaction of people who visited this motor show. However, no less interesting is how they accept our serial news - in particular, the Eclipse Cross crossover. This is a global model that will be sold in many markets around the world, including Russia.
To make it clearer for whom it is designed, I will give an example. Imagine a young family with a small budget. For her, the perfect choice is Mitsubishi ASX. But the family grows, children appear. And the transition to Outlander is already logical - in many countries it is also available in a 7-seater version. When the children grow up and leave the family, parents will be able to buy the Eclipse Cross as a more technologically advanced, more modern and more expensive smaller car.
But this is just one of the options. In our opinion, average age the owner of the Eclipse Cross is a little over thirty. And if there are no budget restrictions, then the age audience of the model can be very different. The estimated demand for such a machine is from 150 to 250 thousand units per year, respectively, we can invest a lot in its creation and improvement in the future. As for the next generation crossover Outlander, then we will build it on a new common platform global Alliance Renault-Nissan. It will serve as the basis for the machines of the three brands, and we are working together in this direction.
Simply space!
Talking about the Nissan IMx concept car, you can get confused: there are so many innovations in this car that you don’t know which is more important. So, a completely new platform was created specifically for electric cars, and it is on it that a whole family of similar Nissan cars may soon appear. It is good, firstly, because it allows you to create electric models with a cruising range of at least 600 km. To do this, the Japanese seem to have a high-capacity rechargeable battery ready, which, moreover, can share electricity - for example, providing energy to your country house. Secondly, the platform made it possible to make the floor in the car absolutely flat, which means that new opportunities for interior layout appear. In addition, the four-seater crossover is equipped with two electric motors front and rear, capable of delivering 435 hp. and 700 Nm of torque. In addition, a production car made from the IMx concept will be able to offer the most advanced autopilot to date - up to the point that when it is turned on, the steering wheel will generally be hidden in the panel and the seats will recline. For those who need reckless driving, Nissan addresses sports electric car Leaf Nismo with improved aerodynamics and technologies from racing.
Ivan Espinoza, Vice President of New Product Planning, Nissan Motor Co.
Electric cars are Nissan's key trend for the future. At one time, we became pioneers in this segment at a global level, and the fact that 300,000 Leaf electric vehicles have already been sold speaks for itself. The IMx concept car presented in Tokyo is not just a potential new car, it is our vision of what a self-driving car will become in the near future. It is this show car that is designed to show what the brand's models will look like in just a few years, this applies to both the exterior and interior, and, most importantly, the technical component. Very soon, a finished product will appear on the basis of IMx. Although, of course, with the adjustments made at the end of the exhibition.
Having shown the concept here, we want to evaluate the reaction of market experts and the general public to it, to see which solutions of designers and engineers people like and which do not. From how the visitors of the salon accept these innovations, we will understand what needs to be changed or finalized, in what form the novelty should be launched into production.
At the same time, we develop autopilot systems for various vehicles - trucks, buses, SUVs with pickups using trailers. There are also a number of partnership programs with taxi and car sharing companies. As for the accusations that Nissan is moving away from making models for reckless driving, I will answer: electric cars may well satisfy the needs of real drivers! This is confirmed by another exhibit of our exhibition - Leaf Nismo Concept.
Oh that retro magic
In the Honda Sports EV concept sports coupe, retro styling is complemented by futuristic solutions in design and technology. At the first glance at a good show car, the thought of potential competitors involuntarily arises - Mazda MX-5, Toyota GT 86 and Subaru BRZ. After all, the Sports EV has a similar appearance with a long hood and a cabin shifted back. However, unlike the named sports cars, Honda is positioned as an electric car. It is reported that an electric motor is responsible for the acceleration, which is powered by a battery pack located under the floor and provides the car with a low center of gravity. Autonomous control capabilities have also been announced - an electric car can replace a driver in city traffic jams. One can only guess about the interior: through the tinted glass, we could see two bucket chairs, a classic steering wheel and a widescreen information display on the front panel. But on-board electronics is able to recognize the mood of the driver and adapt to his driving style, and messages informing pedestrians and other road users are displayed on the external display between the front headlights. True, we still did not understand who and why such an exotic option is needed.
Plus autopilot?
In an effort to compete with executive sedans "big German troika”, the flagship model of Lexus still could not counter them with its own autopilot. This gap is intended to fill the Lexus LS + concept car, where the plus sign, apparently, just demonstrates an unmanned increase. It is called Highway Teammate and allows the car to perform a whole range of “exercises” on its own. In particular, keep a safe distance from the person in front of you. vehicle, move into the adjacent lane, overtake and re-integrate into the stream. All this is done with the help of radars and stereo cameras, and the regular “multimedia” when updating the software will be able to add additional functions and data about the road infrastructure to the autopilot skills. It is assumed that the LS model of the current, fifth, generation will acquire all this in a couple of years - just in time for the planned restyling. Then, apparently, the Japanese limousine will receive other updates presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. First of all, we are talking about improving aerodynamic characteristics, more efficient engine cooling and stylish head optics.
Not chasing fashion
While fellow competitors present one more intricate drive on non-traditional energy sources, Subaru designers continue to believe in proprietary symmetrical all-wheel drive and boxer motors. In any case, this is evidenced by the Viziv Performance Concept, which became the show-stopper of this brand in Tokyo. In addition, from its appearance and dimensions, it is easy to assume that this is the prototype of the next generation WRX model. Compared to the current car, the concept has noticeably grown in length and width, received an elongated wheelbase, but has become much more squat, which indicates the desire of engineers to lower the center of gravity. Dynamics and handling should also contribute to the reduced weight of the car, achieved through the active use of carbon in the bumpers, wheel arches, roof and a number of other body elements. Without demonstrating a particular desire for electric cars, Subaru nevertheless keeps up with the times. In particular, the novelty has some elements of the autonomous driving complex. First of all, we are talking about the EyeSight proprietary security system of the new generation, which should appear on the serial versions of the machines of this Japanese brand as early as 2020.
Survive through the outlet!
Suzuki e-Survivor concept car is electric all-wheel drive SUV With frame structure and a telling name. The letter "e" in it indicates an electric power plant, and survivor in translation from English means "who knows how to survive." The concept is equipped with four electric motors mounted in the wheel hubs. This scheme provides both all-wheel drive potential and high maneuverability. According to the release, the driver can vary the traction on each of the wheels with paddles and buttons on the steering wheel. There is a third-level autonomous control system and an adaptive suspension that adapts to the terrain based on data from video cameras and radars. A design feature was the extended wheel frames, high ground clearance, as well as the absence of a roof, full-fledged wings and external mirrors - the role of the latter is played by video cameras. The side doors are made transparent, and the illumination of the wheels and lighting equipment informs others about the selected driving mode. So, green means autonomous movement, blue means standard mode with a driver behind the wheel. The cabin of the e-Survivor has a pair of bucket seats and several touch screens, information displays and projectors.
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc. (JAMA) announces the 45th Tokyo Motor Show open to the press! Within two press days, as the organizers of the exhibition promise, we will get acquainted with the premieres Honda brands, the forerunner of the next Subaru WRX, two Mazda concepts and the new Skyactiv-X gasoline engine ... Suzuki and other brands are preparing their premieres - both for the domestic and global markets, and therefore for Russia too.
The solemn opening ceremony of the motor show will take place on Friday, October 27, in the presence and participation of Her Imperial Highness Princess Yohko. But we will learn all the most important much earlier - today. Don't miss the fun!
You will find all information from Tokyo in our.
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Maxim Kadakov
26.10 12:50 Electric envy
What time - such sports cars. Honda President Tahakiro Hachigo is confident that electric traction will restore his company's glory as a manufacturer of perky, moody cars. I don’t think that a sports car, in principle, can be (and should it?) be silent, but the appearance of the two-door Honda Sports EV is catchy and peppy.
Unusual for Honda, the nostalgic look is the development of design ideas embedded in the Honda Urban EV hatchback, which was shown at the September Motor Show in Frankfurt. And if it clearly gravitates toward European cars (for example, the rear roof pillar is like the Peugeot 205), then the coupe-like Sports EV reminded me of the Datsun concept cars two years ago. But that's not the point. The main thing is that the two-door turned out to be a truly catchy, bright car. The sports car needs it.
And you also need an appropriate chassis and power-to-weight ratio. This is more difficult. The Japanese did not disclose the details, but there is a suspicion that the filling is not fundamentally different from the “inside” of the January Honda NeuV concept car, which was also brought to Tokyo: it has a modest battery with a capacity of only 20 kWh (a power reserve of about 240 km) and a traction electric motor with a power of only 75 kW. Fundamental difference in that the coupe is rear-wheel drive!
How does it ride? Unknown. The car does not even have a full-fledged interior: the windows are tightly tinted, the doors are forbidden to open. Rumor has it that Honda can put a similar car on the conveyor - in two years. Whether with an electric motor, or with gasoline engine. If this happens, I will sincerely envy them - although calling the Sports EV a replacement for the deceased Honda S2000 roadster is not even close.
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Maxim Kadakov
26.10 11:43 Daihatsu tradition and modernity
Daihatsu, which is owned by Toyota, specializes in the so-called - up to 3200 mm long and with engines up to 660 "cubes". Their buyers have tax benefits. In Tokyo, keikars get lost in a sea of larger cars, and there are a lot of them in the regions.
New products in this segment do not appear as often as we would like. The development of a compact car costs a little less (or not at all) than golf cars, and the profitability is significantly lower. That is why badge engineering is popular in this segment of the Japanese market - when companies jointly produce cars that differ only in nuances and, of course, emblems.
So at the motor show, among the five new Daihatsu cars, there was not a single serial car - they were all concept cars! And the fiery red four-door Daihatsu DN Compagno occupied the central place in the exposition.
Even among the Japanese, there are few connoisseurs who will remember that half a century ago, a nice-looking compact Daihatsu Compagno machine was produced. More precisely, a whole family of cars: two- and four-door sedans, three-door station wagons, coupes and convertibles. So, the Daihatsu DN Compagno concept car is an attempt to play on nostalgic feelings.
This “four-door coupe” catches, first of all, with a profile: a sloping roof passes into the fins of the rear lights. For those who doubt the continuity of the image, a half-century-old Compagno was put up next to it - but, alas, not a coupe, but a two-door sedan. Whether there is anything in common between them in appearance, everyone will decide for himself. But it is immediately clear that the concept car is significantly larger: its length is 4200 mm. And the filling is the most modern: the DN index hints at the fact that the components and assemblies of the new DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, which is a derivative of the Toyota TNGA platform, are at the heart of it. On it, in particular, the new Prius and crossover C-HR. And the interior is notable for the combination of traditional round main instruments and a V-shaped center console that follows the shape of the lower spoke of the steering wheel.
The support group includes either a crossover or a compact van DN Multisix (six seats, separate seats in the first two rows and a sofa in the back) and a very remarkable DN Trec crossover, which is tipped to be the successor to the rather outdated Terios SUV. Do not look at swing doors without a central post: this tinsel will be shaken off before being placed on the conveyor. But the rigid rear axle, it seems, will go down in history - now forever: the modern DNGA platform does not imply such solutions.
And two more prototypes are “cubes” traditional for Japan. The principle is simple: if you want to make the most spacious car in the dimensions of a keikar, build a “refrigerator on wheels” - high, with vertical sidewalls and a rear wall of the body. Here is a "cube" Daihatsu DN U-Space is addressed to young mothers who take their children to nursery and school every day and wander around supermarkets. Four seats (in the parking lot, the front seats can be turned to face the rear), a flat floor, sliding doors without a central pillar, a huge display in front of the driver, and the same 660 cc gasoline engine.
And Daihatsu DN Pro Cargo, as you might guess, is a utility truck. As a reminder of the utilitarian nature of such cars, a three-wheeled Daihatsu Midget MP5 of the 1957 model was placed side by side. But the Midgets were equipped with single-cylinder two-stroke engines, and the Pro Cargo was powered by electric traction. The flat floor and drop down rear ramp allow both a heavy cargo cart and a wheelchair to be rolled in. And the exhibition car is in a medical version, which even has an X-ray machine.
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Artur Sarukhanov
25.10 18:09 Mazda Skyactiv-X engines will reduce consumption, but will not increase the cost of cars
Oddly enough, my question regarding the timing of the development of the new Skyactiv-X engine somewhat embarrassed Ichiro Hirose, CEO Mazda Motor Corporation responsible for engine development and product planning.
“Now it is difficult to say where the starting point was. We have gone through several stages along the way. Our new compression ignition system in bin zine motors is called SPCCI (Spark Controlled Compression Ignition). For the first time, we seriously thought about its implementation in 2015. But, believe me, this decision was preceded by multiple developments. As can be judged by the name of the system, the spark of a candle in it is not excluded at all - it is dosed by electronics if necessary. For example, when starting the engine (especially cold). All components of the Skyactiv-X engine are new if you try to compare it with current gasoline units. But do not worry about the cost of this unit for end users. After all, despite the uniqueness of its components, an already established chain is used in production. Most importantly, compared to the current Skyactiv-G gasoline engine family, fuel consumption has been reduced, according to our measurements, by 20-30%, depending on operating conditions,” says Hirose-san.
According to him, the introduction of the first Skyactiv-X engines into production models (apparently, we are talking about the new generation Mazda 3, although Mazda representatives do not directly comment on this fact) will take place in 2019.
When developing a new motor, it was possible to reduce investments compared to its predecessor, Skyactiv-G. Less money was spent on the production of prototypes, computer analysis was used more abundantly, which made it possible to minimize the cost of hardware.
It is noteworthy that the development of rotary engines is not abandoned, but continues. That's just a serial future for them in the Japanese company is not yet seen.
Recall that two years ago, here in Tokyo, the Japanese dedicated their own to the 50th anniversary of the Mazda rotary engine and called the issue of introducing rotary motors into future sports cars. But within two years, local legislation in Europe and other countries regarding emissions harmful substances noticeably toughened. So the implementation plans had to be postponed to a later date.
Mikhail Kuleshov
25.10 16:07 Holiday on our street
It's hard to look at the Volvo booth without crying. Three XC60 crossovers are displayed on a small patch under the escalator - as if this is a point for selling covers from AliExpress. This is the latest model in the line of the Swedish brand, but it debuted in Geneva six months ago and is hardly capable of surprising anyone. But! The first batch of 150 cars arrived at dealers exactly five days ago. The price in Russia is from 2,995,000 rubles. At the first opportunity, we will definitely collect a comparative test: no less new ones on the CLAR platform are ready to fight the new XC60.
Artur Sarukhanov
25.10 14:56 Suzuki: survive at all costs!
But at Suzuki, everything is strictly on the case. And for their own. The fact is that square practical cars are very popular on local Japanese roads, which you can stick into any hole (yes, there is trouble with parking in Tokyo and its environs). The Spacia kei car, which has been produced since 2013, is being prepared for a replacement - the concept presented in Tokyo is already almost a product version.
The machine remained true to itself: chopped edges (they decided to chop off the front even more, although the dimensions were saved), a minimum of frills in design (except that the side stampings that appeared look original) and roomy interior with seemingly small forms.
But what will come out of the buggy, even at the stand, no one really knows. So, another bold concept. True, frame and electric.
Another car on the Suzuki booth is a prototype. We are talking about the XBee model, the production of which will be launched in a month in Makinohara. The four-seater kid flaunts curious solutions for every day, such as a convertible trunk.
Mikhail Kuleshov
25.10 14:06 Better than the new two?
It was not easy to pass by the Porsche exposition even despite the absence of world novelties. The magnificent Porsche 356 Speedster attracted so much attention that the new Cayenne and Panamera 4 E-Hybrid choked with envy. Against their background, the 911 GT 3 and 911 GT 3 CUP seem to have gone unnoticed.
Mikhail Kuleshov
25.10 13:30 Fast wheelbarrow
It debuted a month ago in Frankfurt and a month later reached Japan. Megane RS is built on the CMF-CD platform, which it shares with the current Koleos. It is easy to distinguish a charged hatch from civilian versions by the characteristic diffuser in the rear bumper, gills in the front fenders and a three-section LED running lights, reminiscent of the finish flag.
Under the hood of the "ereski" is a 1.8-liter turbo engine with a return of 280 hp. and 390 Nm. Transmission - 6-speed manual or preselective EDC with two wet clutches. It is a pity that Megane RS will not reach Russia. As well as his younger brother Twingo GT. At least enjoy it!
Artur Sarukhanov
25.10 13:00 Subaru VIZIV Performance Concept: how long to wait for a production car?!
You feel déjà vu at the Subaru booth. Wait a minute, did we see it at previous exhibitions? And repeatedly! But the Japanese are adamant: you know, they rivet them one by one. Here comes another one. This time - a vision of the future sedan. The dimensions of our stand attendant are 4630x1950x1430 mm with a wheelbase of 2730 mm. The Japanese do not say whose continuation is in front of us - the look is applicable to all sedans of the future, without exception: both Legacy and Impreza.
Visually, the concept was based on the new Dynamic x Solid philosophy, which is proposed for future generations of sports sedans. Decided to play on a swift appearance. The sedan came out powerful (and therefore heavy) and striving forward, as if hinting at limitless driver's possibilities (the Impreza's victories in the WRC are obligatory). At the front, a three-dimensional grille, surrounded by faceted optics, hides a boxer engine, and athletic sidewalls - a branded symmetrical all-wheel drive.
By 2020, production models will see a new generation of radar-assisted EyeSight driver assistance systems, as well as advanced navigation with fine-tuned GPS, all of which will reduce Subaru's accidents, the manufacturer says.
Mikhail Kuleshov
25.10 12:12 Parquet and technology
Volkswagen did without world premieres, but pleased the Japanese. In the Land of the Rising Sun, the nostalgic Volkswagen I.D. buzz. Almost a five-meter show car is equipped with two electric motors with a total output of 374 forces. At the same time, its interior remains as toy and “plush” as possible, without hinting at any driving talents at all.
Like the Mitsubishi e-Evolution, it is equipped with cameras instead of side mirrors and is endowed with “artificial intelligence”. It is quite possible that a derivative of this cute bus will one day go into series. We wait?
The stand of the German brand also adorns the Arteon fastback and the sixth generation Polo hatchback. We are already at the first. On the second - we'll train soon!
Maxim Kadakov
25.10 11:50 Toyota Century: the third generation in half a century
To the Japanese, the huge Toyota Century sedan is what the Rolls-Royce Phantom is to the British. It's more than a car. This is a symbol - success, prosperity, position in society. The Prime Minister drives a Century. There are four Century in the imperial garage, but made by special order: long-wheelbase, high-roofed Century Royal limousines, in which the driver's compartment is separated from the passenger compartment by a partition.
The history of the Century goes back to 1955 with the introduction of the Toyopet Crown sedan. In those years, political leaders and big businessmen used exclusively American large sedans. 1964 saw the introduction of the Crown Eight, Japan's first full-size sedan, a forerunner of the Century. And the Century itself was published in 1967 and was produced without significant changes for 30 years. The second generation machine appeared to the world in 1997. Therefore, the Century, which played its debut at the current Tokyo Salon, is a third-generation car.
Of course, the Century is slightly smaller than the Rolls-Royce: its length is 5335 mm, the wheelbase is 3090 mm. But he looks just as solid. Lines - traditional, noble. Headlights and rear lights remained almost rectangular, but all lighting equipment is now on diodes. It is easy to get into the back seat even in a kimono. The air suspension softens the ride to the utmost.
All machines are in the same design, with a full range of options. You can choose only upholstery - fabric or leather. I’m not looking for comrades for the taste and color, but the plush-woolen interior of the exhibition car is clearly an amateur, and a Japanese one at that. Because exactly fabric interior is considered more traditional for Century.
Until recently, Toyota was the only Japanese company producing passenger motors V 12, but their age has passed. Engineers do not even hide that they are sorry for the loss, but they immediately catch on and assure that the V 8 5.0 Hybrid is no worse, and even better. The return is the same, fuel consumption is less. I believe them, they don't lie. And the eyes are sad, sad.
The retiring Century sedan was produced for twenty years at an average rate of about 40 cars per month and gradually updated electronic stuffing so that the car more or less meets the standards of modern automotive life. New Century will also be made for about two decades - they say that this is a tradition and even a philosophy, and there is no need to change the foundations. Nevertheless, the car has the possibility of subsequent adaptation to new electronic systems. Engineers understand that the further, the more often they will have to upgrade the model, but they don’t have an exact plan for such updates now.
A huge number of engineers took part in the development of the new Century - they say, at least a thousand people. But there are very few people at the assembly. This is not even a conveyor, but a post assembly, when the bodies are gradually moved manually on rolling carts. Manual labor - mass. Only painting the body in seven layers with manual grinding and polishing takes about 30 hours! It is noteworthy that with this approach, the warranty for the Century is the same as for the rest of the Toyota.
The new Century will also remain a piece machine. You can collect no more than three to five cars per day. The annual production plan is about 600 vehicles. The first cars will appear next summer. Export is not planned. Prices have not yet been announced, but it is clear that the new Century will be more expensive than the previous one, which was sold for 12.5 million yen (about $100,000).
To direct questions about whether the production of cars in such volumes brings profit or turns into continuous losses, people from Toyota politely and smilingly do not answer. But they make it clear that Century for Toyota is more than just a car. But we do understand this.
Mikhail Kuleshov
25.10 11:13 Mitsubishi e-Evolution: Evolution
One of the most anticipated world premieres of Tokyo 2017 is on the account Mitsubishi. The Japanese for the first time showed live the e-Evolution concept, which in the next five to six years should be reborn into a production car and become the new flagship of the brand.
The current e-Evolution concept is a fairly large five-door crossover. The rear side doors are "half" and open against the move, as on the previous generation Mazda RX-8 or MINI Clubman. Inside there are four full-fledged places for people of any height and complexion. The third one behind is superfluous: the salon from nose to tail "flashes" the massive central tunnel.
The finishing materials of the concept are good: a lot of leather and Alcantara, nice plastic. However, before stock car this splendor, most likely, will not live. But "artificial intelligence" is promised to us. The crossover Evik will be able to track the traffic situation with the help of sensors and stereo cameras, and even “train” its driver through voice prompts.
The crossover is driven by three electric motors - one of them "settled" under the hood. Two more - those that control the thrust vector - on the rear axle. By the way, retrograde champions of internal combustion engines should hardly be depressed: there is no doubt that the freshly baked Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance will teach the new electric EVO to drive properly. Each of the three manufacturers has long practiced in the production of electric vehicles.
Maxim Kadakov
25.10 10:34 If only you knew which Sora!
The development of society can be judged by public transport. In our country, even in fairly large cities, the “grooves” of the Mesozoic era are actively exploited, and the Japanese look so far that it becomes embarrassing for our denseness. Here is a recent example - the Toyota Sora hydrogen bus.
It's not even about the hydrogen filling, which does not fundamentally differ from the one it has - adjusted for dimensions, of course. For example, a bus has a larger supply of hydrogen: ten tanks high pressure with a total volume of 600 liters. Fuel cells work on the same principle (electricity and water are obtained by decomposition of hydrogen), but the power of the plant is 9 kW, and if all the hydrogen is “burned out”, the plant will generate 235 kW. h electricity! It is no coincidence that the Japanese say that such hydrogen electric buses can be used as substations to power households in the event of power failures.
But, I repeat, this is not the point. And the fact that, thanks to the control electronics, the electric bus brakes at the bus stop with jewelry accuracy: the longitudinal error (underrun-crossing) does not exceed 10 cm, and the transverse error - 3–6 cm! This means that the electric bus parks almost very close to the curb of the stop - and it will not be difficult to roll a baby or wheelchair into it. Where can I get such stops, whose curbs are perfectly even, so as not to disfigure the electric bus about them? Like anywhere in Japan!
Sora with a length of 10.5 meters can accommodate 79 people, including the driver (22 seats). Toyota plans to begin production of the Sora next year and make up to a hundred cars in time for the Olympics at a cost of about 100 million yen each (about $900,000). Even Japanese transport companies cannot afford such expenses, so government subsidies are indispensable. And, of course, you need filling stations, which so far are not so many - there are about a hundred of them in all of Japan, and the construction of each costs two million dollars. Expensive, but the Japanese can afford it.
Maxim Kadakov
10/25 9:55 a.m. Back to front
No no, it's not truck tractor and not a car for the transport of goods in the port. Are you looking at the car from the wrong side?
When designers are given free rein, strange cars like this Wonder-Capsule Concept come out. A rounded “potato nose”, a completely flat windshield (aerodynamics? What are you talking about!) and a small two-seat capsule saloon with a flat seat, a steering wheel and a complete absence of instruments, since all indications, including a map navigation system are projected onto the windshield.
They muddied this machine together with Japanese brand designer clothes Anrealage, and it is addressed, as you might guess, to young people. More precisely, those who see the future in carsharing. I threw my backpack behind the seat (there is no trunk), adjusted the pedals and the steering wheel for myself - and forward, through the tourist sites of the city. The length of the machine is only 2.5 meters. Width - and does 1.3 meters! You can hit almost anywhere. Of course - the electric drive.
It remains to add that the Capsule was designed by Toyota Auto Body, which produces various special equipment (for example, for the disabled), as well as Land Cruisers of the 70 and 200 series. And it is obvious that this design fantasy will not move further than the exhibition podium. But the interior trim with a luminescent coating may well find application on mass-produced cars - again for young people.
Artur Sarukhanov
25.10 9:12 Mazda: "three", "six", aces
There are three world premieres at the Mazda booth at once: two concepts that represent a new vision of the Kodo design philosophy (it has already breathed life into such current generations of the MX-5 roadster and CX-5 and CX-9 crossovers) and a new line of petrol engines of the Skyactiv-X family . In addition, for local market and the Chinese market Mazda rolled out a new seven-seater crossover CX-8.
The first concept - Mazda Vision Coupe - a prototype of the future "six". It was presented personally by the chief designer of the brand, Ikuo Maeda, at a private party yesterday. The four-door impresses with its aerodynamic forms, brought to perfection during two years of work on the concept. Separately, the sidewalls were finished, playing with the refraction of the light falling on them. Solutions like missing door handles(doors open automatically by pressing a button) and video cameras instead of exterior rear-view mirrors are unlikely to survive to serial production. It's a pity, because all this gives a special charm to the car.
The second concept is . According to it, it is already possible to predict the appearance of the new generation of Mazda 3. Moreover, this concept has the same streamlined shapes (of course, the Kodo philosophy is right there again!), And the same stylistic decisions. For example, vertical stoplight stripes at the top rear window and foglights - in the bumper. Kai is built on the new Skyactiv Vehicle Architecture platform. Little is known about it yet, except that it allows you to concentrate everything important in the car around the driver and passengers.
Masamichi Kogai, President and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation, during a press conference, recalled his company's recently adopted Zoom-zoom 2030 strategy. In the coming years, bet will be made on "green" technologies, which will give birth to hybrids and electric cars under the Mazda brand.
However, traditional internal combustion engines have not been forgotten, but only transformed. Under the hood of the Kai concept is a representative of the new Skyactiv-X gasoline engine line. Thanks to high degree compression in its cylinders, it became possible to ignite the mixture due to compression, as well as reduce consumption, like diesel units. I'll be back with news on this unit after talking to Mazda's technicians here at the booth.
Finally, there was a place at the stand of the Japanese and serial premiere. This is a seven-seater crossover CX-8, outwardly very similar to the new Mazda CX-5. Its dimensions are 4900/1840/1730 mm (for comparison, for the "nine" they are 5096/1936/1728 mm). Here at the motor show, it is presented in a six-seater version with a second captain's row of seats. The car will go on sale in the Japanese market in December. The price has also been announced - 4,066,200 yen (exactly half in rubles) for an exhibition car with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel.
Maxim Kadakov
25.10 8:45 New Japanese taxi: they changed everything!
Still, the Japanese are an incomprehensible people for us. At least take a taxi. For many years, taxis in Tokyo, and in other cities and towns, have been large Toyota Comfort sedans, which have been produced since 1995 (Toyota holds about 90% of the Japanese taxi market). In fact, this is an old Toyota Crown sedan with an increased wheelbase, a simplified interior (to make it cheaper) and a stunted two-liter gasoline engine, although there are also LPG versions running on liquefied gas. The driver is in indispensable white gloves. Using a remote linkage, he swings open the left rear door (the one facing the sidewalk) to reveal a spacious interior with lacy white seat covers. Milota!
In the trunk with a margin fit two huge suitcases and there is even room for a couple of bags. And one more suitcase can be taken into the cabin if there are few passengers.
The life of the driver is arranged simply, in a working way. On the center console - a map of the navigation system, a taximeter and a cash register - they are clearly visible to the passengers sitting behind. And the climate control unit is lonely located on the right, between the steering column and the driver's door.
The one and a half liter engine is powered by liquefied propane-butane: the tank is located between the rear seat and the trunk. The transmission is interesting with an electromechanical variator, as on. The declared fuel consumption is about 5.2 l / 100 km.
The debut of the new taxi is timed to the upcoming Olympic Games - 2020, which will be held in Japan. By that time, Toyota plans to produce many of these cars - so that the guests of the Olympics will remember them. The price is 3,277,800 yen (about $30,000).
No doubt: comfortable, roomy car. It's entirely possible that one day Toyota's JPN Taxi will become as iconic as London's black cabs. But I will desperately miss the simple and so cute Toyota Comfort sedans, which I first drove back in 1995, when they were just put into production. Goodbye era...
Kirill Mileshkin
25.10 8:37 New head of the Datsun brand - about the third model in Russia
As part of the motor show, I met a new leader brands Datsun Jose Roman. The top manager did not make sensational statements, but he revealed some plans for the future. The young brand is changing its strategy somewhat. Initially, the idea was to offer cars for each major market on its own platform, completely locally developed or localized. Now the company is going to make more use of global carts. This means that there are chances that the model line will undergo a major revision in a few years.
There is another prerequisite for this. The young brand is still gaining experience, gaining credibility and clientele. This means that work on mistakes and course corrections is inevitable. The novel does not harbor false illusions: it will take two or three generations of models to develop, that is, about twenty years. In the meantime, it is worth rejoicing at the successes that we have. Although, of course, the Japanese do not stop working to increase sales of the existing range.
Russia, according to Roman, is not the most difficult market for Datsun. There has been a trend towards recovery, but there is no specifics about the third model - the crossover. The brand does not refuse it, but does not want to force events with the launch of the sale. It can only be assumed with a high degree of probability that it will turn out to be, and not an SUV. The new top manager called the scale of the dealer network the main problem for our development. In a country with vast distances, it takes a lot of representatives to gain popularity. But to interest them in a crisis is not so easy. And Datsun, we recall, debuted with us exactly at the beginning of the collapse in sales.
Summing up, we can say that Datsun is still in search of the right strategy, including in Russia. This means that we are in for major changes.
Kirill Mileshkin
25.10 8:23 Nissan IMx - electric future
Look how prettier electric Nissans are! The new Leaf is quite good, and the IMx concept is just great. It is the carrier of a new modular platform for electric vehicles. By 2022, 70% of the electric cars of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance will be based on it, and they are planned to be strong more than a dozen. There are no details about it yet, only general words about excellent handling, a decent power reserve, design flexibility and an outstanding level of safety.
The IMx itself is armed with two electric motors and can cover more than 600 km between charging stations. This is even a slightly better indicator than the 500 km that have become generally accepted in the last couple of years. How true are all the promises of automakers, it will not be possible to check until the end of 2018: not a single “truck driver” has yet gone into the series.
Nissan IMx, as usual, drives without human intervention. Switching to autopilot, the car hides the steering wheel under the dashboard, and invites the entire crew to have fun. You can control a variety of functions with gestures, voice, touching the touchscreens, or even changing the direction of your gaze. The car can even offer a projection of tourist and any other information on the entire area of the windshield: IMx will tell you about what you are now seeing outside the window.
And the electric crossover can become part of a stationary power system. How do you like this scenario? IMx drops you off at the airport terminal and drives off to the parking lot and connects to the charging terminal. Those few days that you spend on a business trip or vacation, he will be “socially responsible”: he will give the electricity stored at a reduced rate at night to the network during the day. For such work, the owner can receive a bonus with real money or at least the right to park for free.
Kirill Mileshkin
25.10 8:02 Nissan Leaf: progress on all fronts
Nissan's main premiere is, of course, the second generation Leaf electric car. The first since 2010 has sold over 280,000 copies, becoming one of the most popular electric cars in the world. Progress in seven years is obvious: the battery capacity has grown from 24 kW. h up to 40 kW. h, power reserve - from 200 to almost 400 km. And this despite the fact that the Leaf remained a relatively affordable car. Thanks to government subsidies in some countries, it costs less than Qashqai!
Along with the regular version, a performance of Nismo was shown in Tokyo. At the moment, this is a concept, but a “charged” electric car will be launched into the series with a guarantee. When and with a battery of what capacity, the question is still open. But the base Leaf is not bad either: it takes 7.9 seconds to accelerate to a hundred.
Nissanovtsy do not hide that they would like to see the Leaf and on Russian market. The predecessor was also brought to us for testing, but things did not go beyond the tests. There are more than enough serious obstacles in the way of an electric car: the canceled grace period with zero customs duties on electric cars, the mandatory ERA-GLONASS system, which seriously increases the price of an unpopular model, the rudimentary state of infrastructure, the complete lack of incentives to buy an electric car (except for paid parking, where there is no overpayment for high technologies beat off). So it turns out that we only have to lick our lips on the Leaf.
