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The Japan Mobility Show (or the Tokyo Motor Show as it was previously known) might be the first great motor show since the pandemic.
Typically focused on the domestic market, 2023's instalment felt like a tipping point as Japanese carmakers flexed their next-gen electric car muscles and previewed new models.
This year's car news heavy instalment featured everything from exciting reinvigorations of iconic sports car names to mass-market EVs and motorised wheelchairs – there was even an electric LandCruiser.
Here, we've collected all the most important reveals at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show.
Read on for a brand-by-brand rundown on the show.
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Toyota
With Akio Toyoda sent away from the limelight, the 2023 Japan Mobility Show became the stage upon which new Toyota president Koji Sato would act out his electrified vision.
The Toyota stand was dominated by EV concepts with the FT-Se GR sports car and FT-3e SUV front and centre.
Along with the quirky Kayoibako (which means shipping container in Japanese), they share Toyota’s new generation slimline battery (set for production in 2025) and all-new modular platform.
The FT-Se is an all-paw sports car with sub-1500kg weight and 400km driving range targets.
The clean-sheet coupe (with no ties to prior nameplates, according to lead designer Hideaki Iida) celebrates cabin space and vision. The FT-3e uses the same battery technology and platform and looks to be a next-gen replacement for the existing BZ4x medium SUV.
An electric LandCruiser SE and EPU ute were tucked around the corner and proved controversial among the Australian contingent. They inspired comments about the unsuitability of EVs for the “silent majority” of Australians from the local sales boss Sean Hanley.
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Another utility vehicle, the IMV0 also featured – this near-production modular ladder-frame vehicle targets emerging markets.
Besides EVs, Toyota had a diverse powertrain strategy on show with plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell crown models, a hand-steer Prado, and a hybrid Century SUV.
The gently updated BZ4x – with improved battery conditioning and new ‘BEV’ badges – was located outside in the dynamic testing section.
Full model list
| FT-Se | FT-3e | LandCruiser Se |
| EPU | Kayobaiko | IMV0 |
| BZ4x | Crown Sport PHEV | Crown SUV FCEV |
| Neo-steer Prado (hand control) | Updated 70 Series | Century SUV |
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Mazda
If the FT-Se is a futuristic clean-sheet sports car, the jaw-dropping Iconic SP concept (a development on 2022’s Vision Study) embraces Mazda’s heritage.
A blend of ND MX-5 details and FD RX-7 proportions, the Voila Red coupe weighs 1450kg, measures 4180mm long and is powered by a 270kW twin-rotor rotary range-extender powertrain.
Alongside it were all kinds of MX-5s, including a shrunken one for kids, an original NA, and the updated ND model.
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Nissan
Nissan’s stand was the most conceptually clear at the show with four out-there Hyper models previewing the brand’s four pillars of expansion.
The Hyper Force caught our eye, essentially an R36 GT-R concept, it boasts 1000kW and all-wheel drive with solid-state batteries.
Aside from the obvious out-there bodywork, there are subtle touches, such as the circular rear lights that nod to the R32 and pixelated GT-R front emblem.
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The Tourer is a futuristic electric take on the Elgrand people mover with a spacious cabin, while the all-wheel drive Adventure potentially previews the Patrol’s very distant future, and the Urban represents the design direction of Nissan’s next-gen Juke and Qashqai.
All vehicles offer vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid charging, but there were no other details divulged.
Jump around! ⬆️ ⬇️
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Lexus
The all-electric BMW i3 (previewed by the Neue Klasse) hasn’t even launched yet but it’s already got a Lexus rival.
The LF-ZC is a medium sedan that promises up to 1000km driving range from new-gen lithium-ion batteries. A production version will launch in 2026 and become the first from the Toyota/Lexus vehicle on the new family architecture.
It’ll be followed by the brand’s new flagship model, the LF-ZL, a 5.3-metre long lifted fastback sedan.
Lexus promises the same underpinnings but with a more sophisticated version of the brand’s ‘Arene’ operating system with AI learning and myriad sensors that are said to be able to detect who’s onboard and what the conditions are like using digital ‘smell’ and seamlessly adjusting interior functions to enhance comfort.
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Honda
Punters expected another NSX reboot but instead, Honda revived a different name from the back catalogue.
The handsome hybrid Prelude coupe will begin mass production in 2026 and symbolises Honda’s move to lower emissions. It’ll have a simulated manual transmission and sporty chassis settings for a fun drive, says the brand, and there’s a good chance it’ll come to Australia.
Then there was the cute-as-a-button Sustaina-C concept that takes inspiration from the ’80s Honda City including Motocompo fold-up scooter. Its body is made from recycled acrylic.
Also featured on the stand was the new Prologue, a rather handsome electric SUV that will launch next year.
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Mitsubishi
A small but mighty showing, the wild D:X off-road van concept previews the sixth-generation Delica and it’s closer to reality than you might expect.
It features a development of the Outlander’s plug-in hybrid powertrain that ups the e-motor count from two to three for precise rear-wheel torque vectoring. Individual brake control, active suspension with 100mm of movement, and a spacious cabin with full-height doors were highlights.
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Subaru
The vigour of Subaru’s new product presentation was unmatched. A thunderous drum-and-bass track (beneath a five-rotor flying machine) accompanied the unveiling of the Sport Mobility concept, a two-door four-wheel drive electric sports car that sits somewhere between a WRX coupe and SVX.
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Suzuki
Concept by name only, the Swift’s mild changes preview a model that’s just around the corner.
It’ll be followed by a production version of the eVX – a Vitara-sized SUV targeted at Europe and Japan with around 500km of driving range and new interior design language – in 2025. A cute eWX kei wagon previewing an electrified micro-van also featured.
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Daihatsu
Gone from Australian dealerships but not forgotten. Along with a vintage first-gen Charade, Daihatsu had two micro-roadster concepts on display, the Vision Copen (which looked nearly production-ready) and the peculiar (but no less adorable) Osanpo off-road convertible.
And that's a wrap on this year's Japan mobility show!
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