Tokyo Motor Show 2013: the top 10 cars
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Nissan BladeGlider
Ignore its road-going, jet-fighter looks. The decidedly triangular Nissan BladeGlider three-seater is more eco-supercar than bullet-from-a-gun sportscar. As Satoru Tai, design director for Nissan's product design department, puts it: 'We wanted a less aggressive and more peaceful feel. This car doesn't attack anything. It's about a coasting feeling - gliding, in fact.' Despite its ultra-aero shape, scissor doors, unusual central driving position and full-electric powertrain, Nissan has strongly suggested a car quite like this concept will go on sale in a few years, with good range potential to boot. Exciting stuff.
www.nissan.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Nissan BladeGlider
Toyota FV2
This awesome front-hinged, canopy-opening, four-wheel pod concept is controlled not by a steering wheel but by a standing driver shifting his body intuitively in the intended direction. It 'talks' with nearby vehicles via sensors to avoid accidents and encourages an emotional relationship with the driver like a horse and rider - but in this case it uses voice and image recognition to ascertain the driver's mood before suggesting destinations and driving style. The car is intended to be hi-tech as well as personal. Replacing the conventional dashboard is a head-up display on the canopy windscreen, which features augmented-reality info, and exterior body panels that are customisable with a roster of projected digital images, like an automotive screen saver. It's a far-off concept in packaging terms, we suspect, but the accident-avoidance and head-up displays with augmented reality showcase interesting nearer-term tech, too.
www.toyota.com (opens in new tab)
Toyota FV2
Daihatsu FC Deck
Having withdrawn from so many markets in the past few years (including Europe and Australia), the Daihatsu brand is becoming something of an enigma to Western eyes, but it always makes a strong showing at its home car expo. Our favourite was the FC Deck, a kei car-sized cubic truck cab with a ridged-back chassis housing a flatpack fuel cell system. As far-fetched as that sounds, the tech behind Daihatsu's concepts should not be dismissed lightly, considering Toyota Group is its parent company.
www.daihatsu.com (opens in new tab)
Daihatsu FC Deck
Honda Uni-Cub β
Honda showed its cute EV-N electric city-car concept back in 2009 with an 'electric unicycle' strapped to the door for traversing city streets too narrow for four-wheelers. Its 2013 version, UNI-CUB β, improves on the unicycle idea. Here the rider still moves north, south, east or west by gently leaning in the intended direction, but with improved usability, a lower seating position and reduced weight and size. It's classic Tokyo show stuff and, we can confirm from a test drive, a hoot to pilot.
www.honda.com (opens in new tab)
Nissan iDX Freeflow
Denim-clad cars can be counted on the fingers of one hand, the most notable being the rather special 1970s AMC Pacer Levi's edition. So it was with considerable pleasure that Wallpaper* noticed the seats of the 2013 iDX Freeflow concept car, zipped up in authentic Japan selvedge denim. Moreover, the dashboard and transmission tunnel were wrapped in thick cream leather, with exposed stitching of the kind you might find on an designer handbag or even a saddle. With a beige and white exterior of unusually sawn-off saloon proportions and a 'broken' rear-pillar that makes the roof appear to float, the Freeflow was one of the unexpected stars of the show.
www.nissan.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Nissan iDX Nismo
In case the denim car interior isn't your thing, Nissan offered up another iDX concept called Nismo, named for its motorsport division. Using the same basic proportions as the Freeflow, the Nismo overhauled the look with traditional motor-racing details made contemporary, like pronounced side exhausts, go-faster numbers, carbon-fibre surfacing and cool interior switches in white, red and black.
www.nissan.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Lexus RC Coupé
Barring its wonky LF-NX compact SUV misstep at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show, Lexus has been on a conceptual-design roll. And the production-ready RC Coupé proves its concepts are turning into products you can buy. This sporty 2+2 retains the essence of the excellent 2012 LF-LC and LF-CC concepts, and is slated to go on sale from late 2014 in hybrid and go-faster V8 F variants to rival the BMW 4-series and M4.
www.lexus.com (opens in new tab)
Mitsubishi AR
Mitsubishi has had as many design misses as hits lately, but out of its three new concepts at Tokyo, the AR stood out for its mix of SUV design cues within a compact MPV package. Adventure-seeking young families familiar with the large MPV 4x4 Delica - a regular Japanese production car and a cult grey import in the UK - will be delighted to hear the news that this AR could morph into a mini-Delica production car in a few years' time.
www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Mitsubishi AR
Yamaha MOTIV.e
Another surprise at Tokyo was a two-seater designed by motorbike specialist Yamaha. Using the highly credible engineering platform of former McLaren F1 supercar-designer Gordon Murray, the MOTIV.e is smaller and 200kg lighter than a Smart and designed to European specifications. It's also manufactured with a lean, Murray-patented process that he says results in 80 per cent less factory space (and resulting emissions savings). Yamaha has some experience in four-wheelers, with a quad bike range and a history of forays into car production, so Gordon Murray hopes MOTIV.e will take on the likes of upscale city cars like Toyota's iQ and Smart's Fortwo. As he says, 'Yamaha's management seems pretty serious about it. They didn't engage us to do a show car. It's a fully production-intent vehicle, all the body engineering is done and it's drivable.'
www.yamaha-motor.eu (opens in new tab)
Yamaha MOTIV.e
Yanmar YT01 tractor by Ken Okuyama
The former Pininfarina creative director and talent behind the 599 and Enzo Ferraris, Ken Okuyama now designs everything from sportscars to eyewear to tractor concepts, like this one for Yanmar. Unfortunately the production version due in 2014 will see quite a few changes, although Okuyama's office says the overall aesthetic will remain - and beleaguered Japanese farmers may get financial assistance from the government to purchase one. Stylish ploughing with a discount - nice.
www.yanmar.com (opens in new tab)
Yanmar YT01 tractor by Ken Okuyama
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Photo book explores the messy, magical mundanity of new motherhood
‘Sorry I Gave Birth I Disappeared But Now I’m Back’ by photographer Andi Galdi Vinko explores new motherhood in all its messy, beautiful reality
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
Rimowa violin case with Gewa strikes the right note
This new Rimowa violin case created in collaboration with Gewa is made of hard-wearing grooved aluminium
By Hannah Silver • Published
-
Nordic Knots opens Stockholm showroom in a former cinema
New Nordic Knots Stockholm showroom makes the most of the dramatic interiors of the early-20th-century Eriksbergsteatern
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
Peugeot’s sparky 308 gets hybrid power and handsome lines
The Peugeot 308 proves that mass-market design needn’t be dull, blending hybrid power with sharp lines and excellent detailing
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated
-
BMW Motorrad brings out the big guns for its newest cruisers
BMW Motorrad R 18 Bagger and Transcontinental set the tone for high-voltage cruising with a brand collaboration with speaker specialist Marshall
By George Chapman • Last updated
-
Dacia’s new Manifesto concept is a true outdoor utility vehicle
Utilitarian auto brand Dacia sets a bold new agenda with its Manifesto, a concept car pitched at the active outdoor market
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated
-
The sun sets on traditional supercars at California’s Monterey Car Week
Monterey Car Week, the world’s most prestigious car gathering, is showcasing ever-more extravagant special editions, coachbuilt cars and all-new electric concepts. Here are seven key machines from 2022
By Rory FH Smith • Last updated
-
Is McLaren’s GT a sports car, a tourer, or the best of both?
The McLaren GT is a capable all-rounder dressed up in svelte supercar clothes. It might also be the last of its type
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated
-
Rolls-Royce puts the Phantom back on its lofty pedestal
A mid-life refresh ensures the flagship Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II is at the top of its game, a last hurrah for traditional engines before an electrified future
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated
-
Prodrive’s new racing simulator is shaped by Callum to be front of the grid
The racing simulator shapes up – this new design from Prodrive and Callum is honed for the high-end games room
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated
-
The Cupra Formentor is a dark star for bright minds
For all its moody styling, the Cupra Formentor – from the SEAT spin-off brand – is a compact, swift and fun-to-drive crossover
By Jonathan Bell • Last updated