Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
With the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (M-ECQ), we are all advised to remain home unless it’s utterly important to go out in order to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 infections. But as the crowd gathered in the malls last Sunday (May 17, 2020) without observing social distancing, we’re afraid that a second wave will be inevitable. So, instead of going out, or even just thinking of going out, come with us as we look back at our trip to the Tokyo Big Sight convention hall in Ariake, Tokyo, Japan last October 2019 (before the new Corona virus pandemic) and view the displays at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show.
Because Japan is the land of Voltes V, Gigantor, Mazinger Z and giant Gundam robots, we figured they have a gigantic carpenter robot and this must be its saw…
The Tokyo Big Sight is a huge convention center with two floors of several large display halls. This is just the center lobby that connects two halls.
The Suzuki display pavilion greeted us at the very first hall we walked into…
… and the Suzuki Jimny was the first vehicle we saw.
Capitalizing on the popularity of the Jimny, Suzuki introduced the Hustler Concept, an adventure kei-car.
The Suzuki Waku Spo is a subcompact coupe with plug-in-hybrid technology. We love the retro-looking fender-mounted chrome side mirrors, err… cameras.
The Hanare concept could be Suzuki’s first step toward full autonomy…
… with its large gull wing like door opening…
… it is quite unnerving to see that there’s NO driver’s seat, just seating areas for the passengers.
We went to the Honda pavilion and found the Honda e concept car, which is an electric car with rear wheel drive and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Honda also launched the all-new Fit, which is the Jazz here in the Philippines.
Here’s a front view of the new Fit/Jazz that’ll be coming soon to our local Honda dealers.
Honda also showcased their all-new “low and wide” Accord…
… and their drool-worthy super car, the Honda NSX.
Honda paid special tribute to their CB motorcycle line up as the CB750 as its celebrates its 50th anniversary.
This red CB1100 caught our eye…
… as did the CRF1100L Africa Twin with the dual clutch transmission.
Honda was teasing the crowd with this modern Cub…
.. and this new (?) Monkey Mini Trail bike.
Honda also showcased their Motorcycle Grand Prix heritage…
… and paid tribute to former MotoGP World Champion, the late Nicky Hayden….
… and the current MotoGP World Champion, Marc Marquez.
Honda brought out the 1.5-liter V12 Grand Prix race car of Richie Ginther…
… the McLaren Honda MP4/4 of Ayrton Senna…
… the BAR Honda 007 of Jenson Button…
… as well as the Honda Hybrid-powered Red Bull RB15 of Max Verstappen.
We passed by the Kawasaki motorcycle display and saw their vintage 500cc Meguro K2…
… vintage 650 W1…
… and modern W800.
Kawasaki showcased the Ninja ZX-10RR that dominated the Suzuka 8-hour endurance race.
We wandered into the Yamaha display area and saw their latest YZF-R1 super bike…
… their MW-Vision 3-wheeler that leans the cockpit when cornering…
… the Tricity 300 with Blue Core engine technology…
… the Yamaha E01 electric vehicle that’s compatible to a 125cc scooter…
… and E02 EV bike that’s compatible to a 50cc scooter.
Yamaha also showcased some 4-wheeled vehicles including this autonomous Land Link concept with 4 independently steerable wheels…
..this electric YNF-01 with off-road capability (!)…
… and the JWX-1 Plus+ that converts manual wheelchairs simply by adding the wheels and the power pack.
Further down the hall was Alpina, the BMW tuner company, which displayed the XD3 based on the new X3…
… and the ultra luxurious, ultra fast 608-horsepower B7, based on the 7-Series.
Tomorrow, we will continue wandering around the halls of the Tokyo Big Sight, and look at the displays of Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Renault as well as the display of super car maker Dallara. So, stay tuned to this website, and for God’s sake, stay home!
