Mitsubishi Concept-D:5

The D:5 is the second concept shown here by Mitsubishi and quite different in every way from the aggressive Concept-X. The D:5 is a next-generation study for the popular Delicia Spacegear 4WD monobox model sold in Japan, which was first introduced as the Delicia Star Wagon in 1982. The design references this original 1980s style, with a functional, geometric look and black graphics for the windows, lamps, bumper and grille. The 4WD capabilities are hinted at through the use of 20” wheels, a high ground clearance and upswept overhangs.

The Concept-D:5 is more subtle up close than appears in photos, with some delicate sculpting of many surfaces and piercing LED lamps in the corners of the distinctive graphic bands at the front and rear. The interior continues the hard geometric look with an exposed metallic 'rib bone frame' structure and predominantly rectangular shapes, including the centre console inspired by a computer tower form.

Mercedes F600 HyGenius concept

The Mercedes F-Series of show cars are predominantly engineering research studies rather than pure design concepts and the F600 HyGenius is no exception. The car is a showcase for Mercedes latest fuel cell and safety technology in a roughly B-Class sized vehicle of 5.3 meters.

The exterior design comprises two elements: a lower section defined by the wheelarches and connecting chassis and an upper body with a very low beltline, strongly raked screen and B-pillar together with an undercut body section. It's a bit uncomposed and relies mainly on contrived graphics rather than form for its basic character. The apertures are interesting: doors open upwards at roughly 20° and the tailgate has a 3-piece construction: the upper folds in two, while the lower part rotates within the bumper. The interior showcases two additional PreSafe crash ideas: active knee protection plus head restraints with extending side bolsters. Design input was by Mercedes Tokyo studio for the exterior and the Como, Italy based studio for the interior. While the package and engineering are impressive, one can't help wishing the wrapper was a bit sexier.

Daihatsu Costa concept

The Costa is one of four concepts shown here by Daihatsu and is probably the most straightforward vehicle of the group. It's a simple beach car in the spirit of the Mini Moke or Citroën Mehari with high sills, open sides and is based on the Move 4x4 platform. That European link is no accident: the concept was designed and built in the UK.

Daihatsu has a commitment to non aggressive, inoffensive design that is widely misunderstood outside of Japan. The Costa retains this innocence but combines it with a European architectural approach, in the style of Le Corbusier or Gropius cars of the 1930s. Pure geometric shapes based on straight lines, arcs and lozenge motifs are used throughout. An unusual centre pillar provides a mounting for seatbelts and the long seat armrests and broad sills provide a sense of security for occupants. The interior features mesh covered hammock-like seats and wood deck flooring for all-weather utility.

Subaru B5-TPH concept

Subaru is an esoteric car brand in its devotion to all-wheel-drive and to turbocharged boxer engines, but not in its design heritage of dowdy sedans and estates (frameless windows and bizarre XT and SVX coupes excepted). The B5 TPH (what a name…) goes some way to showing how this might be redressed with a coupe body configuration that fits the brand’s sporting orientation, and a relatively high ground clearance that combines with grey lower section to connote four wheel drive.

The design also underscores the esoteric values of the brand with many unusual design features such as: green alligator skin look material on the seats and door inners, very dominant tachometer, doors with an angled lower shut, clear door mirror stalks, DRG and B-pillar translucent blue covers, and small hexagonal rear lamps - that appear stuck on and fail to relate to the rest of the rear elements.

A softer and smaller interpretation of the new corporate front graphic demonstrate Subaru reacting to criticism, although this, along with rather calm surfacing, has left the B5 TPH lacking the potency necessary for a sports coupe from a brand famous for performance and motor-sport success.

Nissan Pivo concept

The Pivo is classic Tokyo Motor Show: conceptually and aesthetically extreme; clever and yet fun; packed full of technical innovations. The central idea of the car is that a spherical cabin sits on a symmetrical trolley base, and can turn through 180 degrees to face either way and thus dispense with the need to reverse. The Pivo has an appearance of an egg in a nest which is picked up as a graphic element in relief on the ends of the trolley.

Inside the cabin there are three seats with the driver in the centre ahead of the two passengers – aka McLaren F1 – on seats made of multicoloured laminates. The large glazing area and centre seating affords good visibility augmented by displays on the broad lower sections of the A-pillars of the view outside to eliminate these blind-spots.

A large reconfigurable digital instrument display, a new type of more compact electric motor, infrared remote control interface for some features and four wheel drive and steer, are the core technical concepts that the Pivo showcases.

The Pivo is the third and most extreme concept from Nissan’s central Tokyo studio, Creative Box (the Foria and the Amenio were the other two), and perhaps the most extreme of the show.

Suzuki LC concept

For a short period in the late 1980s Nissan produced a series of exceptionally unusual small cars including the retro Pao and Figaro. It is these that immediately spring to mind when looking at the LS which is similarly a pastiche of a 1960s European small car.

This bizarre but charming design has a ‘push me, pull me’ exterior that folds over the shoulder to encircle the cabin on the inside of the delicate chrome edged glasshouse. Its white rimmed chrome wheels are also echoed inside with a white steering wheel that features gear shift paddles disguised as an old style chrome horn rim. Mesh covered air vents, a rainbow coloured speedometer numerals, instrumentation hung off the steering column and foot shaped pedals are other fun details.

Only oddly massive seats and an unnecessary horizontal feature depression along the flanks perhaps compromise the LS which is otherwise a refreshingly fanciful design that is a unique counterpoint to the other cars at the show.

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