Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
We hope that most of you, our dear readers, opted to stay safe by staying home despite the easing of the government lock down measures. Even with the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (M-ECQ) in Metro Manila and the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in some provinces, we hope most of you opt to remain home unless it’s absolutely important to go out, and thus, avoid a second wave of COVID-19 infections. To entertain you while you’re at home, here’s Part 2 of our trip to the 46th Tokyo Motor Show at the Tokyo Big Sight convention hall in Ariake, Tokyo, Japan last October 2019 (before the new Corona virus pandemic). And as promised, here are the displays of Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Renault as well as the displays of French sports car maker Alpine and exotic car maker Dallara.
We start at the pavilion of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. with the 50th Anniversary Nissan 370Z. Will we see one here in the Philippines any time soon?
The Nissan GT-R also celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a special model decked in a unique color scheme.
Nissan did not give a lot of info about this Nismo race car except that it’s built with the same technology as their Formula e electric racers.
The new Skyline Hybrid features Pro-PILOT 2.0, the world’s first driver assistance system to combine navigated highway driving with hands-off capabilities.
The Serena minivan showcases Nissan’s advanced new technologies such as Pro-Pilot and e-Power electric drive.
The battery pack of the Nissan Leaf e+ has increased energy density that allows a higher power output and 40% additional driving range.
This Note e Nismo is a dressier e-Power Nissan that could be the popular tuner cars of tomorrow.
We don’t know if we should be dazed or if we should count the days with Nissan’s e-Power mini Dayz.
The IMk is Nissan’s concept electric vehicle with cutting-edge technologies and powerful acceleration in a compact body…
… while the Ariya Concept features a spacious, premium cabin, high-tech features, and a pure, clean design.
Nissan showcased an NV200 taxi model that offers more space and convenience for its passengers.
The NV350 high-ceiling ambulance for first responders features Nissan e-Power and high-tech life-saving equipment.
Aimed at the active lifestyle youth market, the dressed-up NV350 “Black Gear” looks the business outside…
… and fitted appropriately inside. Oh, to be young and active!
Surprisingly, Renault occupied a small area and displayed just a coupe of cars including the cute Twingo 3-door hatchback…
… and the new Lutecia 4-door hatchback.
Nearby, Alpine showed their A110 S, a retro modern version of the 1961-1977 A110.
At the Mitsubishi pavilion, the Engelberg Tourer spearheaded the company’s EV line-up…
… along with the MI-Tech convertible SUV concept.
Their Dendo Drive House is powered by the battery pack of their Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Stylish large families will love the 3-row Mitsubishi Delica DS van…
… while smaller families will love the Super Height K-Wagon Concept.
Mazda created excitement in their crowded pavilion with the launch of their MX-30 SUV…
… and with Mazda Philippine’s president Steven Tan in the audience, we think this model will be in the Philippines soon.
Mazda also showcased their luxurious CX-8 SUV…
… and of course, their highly-popular MX-5 “Roadster” in a subtle shade of blue.
There’s no better expression of open-air opulence than this Lexus LC convertible concept…
… that looks ready for production…
… especially after you see the aggressive yet elegant Lexus LC 500 coupe.
Lexus’ central turntable display showcased the luxury brand’s LF-30 Electrified Concept…
… that is said to push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology and design…
… as well as the pursuit of space, luxury and comfort. You had me at gull wing doors!
Daimler-Benz smartened up their Smart car with the EQ fortwo electric vehicle.
This racy-looking AMG A35 4Matic 4-door sedan targets the hard-driving youth market…
… while this S500 Long targets the chauffeured affluent buyers.
The Vision EQS is Mercedes-Benz’s vision for an electric future of ultra luxurious mobility.
The luxurious high-tech interior is matched only by…
… the futuristic ovoid exterior that features miniature tri-star LED lights at the rear.
And finally, we go to the display stand of the Italian exoticar maker, Gian Paolo Dallara…
… where his carbon-fiber tub/frame supercar, the Dallara Stradale is showcased.
Its carbon-fiber interior is in the main tub of the body while all of the main controls are integrated into the steering wheel.
Power comes from a 2.3-liter turbocharged Ford EcoBoost inline-4 tuned by Bosch to produce 395 hp at 6,200 rpm and 500 Nm of torque between 3,000–5,000 rpm.
Bosch also worked on the aerodynamics of the Stradale’s berlinetta body to generate 820 kg of downforce with its optional rear wing.
Dallara plans to produce only 600 Stradale supercars from 2017 to 2022 at US$236,000 (P11.8 Million) before taxes. I don’t think I can even afford the miniature Stradales on display.
Join us next time as we go to the second floor of the Tokyo Big Sight Ariake Convention Center. Yes, Virginia. The vehicle displays you’ve see so far are on the first floor halls of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. There’s also the display pavilions of the other car manufacturers in another venue, the Aomi Exhibition Hall, and the Future Expo at the Toyota Aomi mega dealership, as well as the vehicle displays on the 3-kilometer long walkway connecting the two venues. Whew!
And you thought we were just on a junket when we go to foreign assignments, did you? Covering the Tokyo Motor Show actually involves a lot of hard work, a lot of walking and sore feet!
