Top 10: Tokyo Auto Show Cars We'll Never Drive

By Thomas Bey

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show is a showdown of the nation’s big players, all trying to outdo each other with leaner, greener products -- mostly. There are a few performance models thrown in too, just to keep the spark alive. Just don’t expect a Detroit presence, because they’re cutting costs and watching the show from home.

We know all about long-distance voyeurism, because there are a lot of Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive. Several reasons account for this: Some of these cars won’t be produced for North America, others probably won’t be produced at all. We wouldn’t be caught dead in a couple. There’s even a supercar that we’ll never drive, even though the opportunity will present itself.

Start with No.10

No.10 - Nissan Land Glider Concept
Aside from the public’s first chance to see the Nissan Leaf we previewed a while back, the Tokyo Auto Show also includes a glimpse of the electric Land Glider. It’s supposedly capable of about 60 miles per charge, with a top speed of over 70 mph - theoretically well-suited for commuters. Nissan implies it’s a production possibility. So why is this tandem-seater one of the Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive? Even if it’s launched in Japan, there are serious doubts about American acceptance. That, and it wouldn’t pass U.S. crash regulations as it is. You know, minor details.



No.9 - Subaru Exiga 2.0GT Tuned by STi
America doesn’t get the base seven-passenger model, and that’s not going to change with the upcoming Subaru Exiga 2.0GT Tuned by STi. Other than the most exhaustive name since The Moe Szyslak Experience featuring Homer, the 300 examples will include unique body effects and upgraded trim inside. Underneath, a five-speed automatic and all-wheel drive distribute the 2.0-liter turbo’s 221 horses. For that power to move that mass with a $40,000 admission price, we’re not missing much.


No.8 - Honda EV-N Concept
If the Honda CR-Z hybrid concept looks great with its contemporary style, the electric EV-N concept takes a step forward by looking backward; that is, appearing to have come from the past and been reborn as a green version of the little 600. However, that’s kind of the problem: It’s small. A Fit seems like a Ridgeline by comparison, and that’s pushing the limits of American acceptability. We’re not necessarily deterred; it looks like it would be great, silly fun -- and responsible -- to drive. Still, we won't be holding our breath on this one.


No.7 - Lotus Exige Scura
By this point, you probably noticed a theme. The Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive are all Japanese; green and polite. The Lotus Exige Scura is none of that, and we absolutely love it. It’s a pity our love will go unrequited. Only 35 copies of the matte-black Scura (“dark” in Italian) will be sold for the equivalent of $75,000 -- none of them in the United States. Mechanically similar to the Exige S on which it’s based, the 257-horsepower Exige S260 Sport supercharged engine is no slouch in this lighter, 2,040 pound car.



No.6 - Suzuki Swift Plug-In Hybrid Concept
We’ll give Suzuki a mulligan for attempting to sneak false advertising past us with its Swift Plug-In Hybrid Concept. To break it down, it is a concept. It is a hybrid. It plugs in. However, the Swift bit is only by name, not by nature. The car (known here as the SX4) is intended, according to Suzuki, for folks trekking no more than about 12 miles daily. And close-to-home bodies wouldn’t get anywhere quick even with the gas engine running, which is more or less a 660cc onboard battery charger. That's roughly the same as your high-powered electric shaver.


No.5 - Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept
Cool-looking hybrid concepts are plentiful in Tokyo, and Subaru’s stylish Hybrid Tourer is a standout. Forget L.L. Bean; an A|X edition would suit this Subie better. Under the pleasantly unexpected bodywork, a direct-injected, 2.0-liter boxer turbo and twin electric motors (one front, one rear) divvy the all-wheel drive. So, why must it be one of the Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive? Because Subaru says so, that’s why. They’re more likely to feature the concept’s hybrid powertrain and style elements on future cars -- minus the gullwing doors, we reckon.




No.4 - Suzusho Supasse V
Lust is alive. We don’t expect to see the Suzusho Supasse V come to America; we just don’t care. We want it, period. This Japan-only car kind of comes off as a shrunken Pagani Zonda, complete with a shrunken engine. The mid-mounted, 2.3-liter turbo is nestled into an aluminum monocoque chassis and comes straight from the MazdaSpeed3, putting 260 horsepower to work on moving just 1,870 pounds.



No.3 - Honda Skydeck Concept
Unless Volkswagen ever imports one of its real minivans to the U.S. (sorry Routan) then the Honda Odyssey stands as the best of the bunch. And “best” is a relative term. The Honda Skydeck hybrid concept, on the other hand, almost has us wanting to take a drive. Rolling up to your kid’s soccer practice and exiting through the Lambo-style door would either be marginally cool or mildly disturbing -- we can’t decide. We won’t ever have to, because this is very likely to remain one of the Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive.


No.2 - Daihatsu Basket Concept
We’re warning you now: If the Daihatsu Basket Concept ever made it to production and came to the U.S., you would get your ass kicked for driving it. Even guys in smart fortwos would point and laugh. It is rightly among the Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive -- not even on a triple-dog-dare. Its kei-car size and engine, a 660cc three-cylinder, further guarantees the Basket will never have a case for sales here


No.1 - Lexus LF-A
The car that has others in a tizzy slots foremost on our Tokyo auto show cars we’ll never drive -- even if we had the money. Fine, so the Lexus LF-A is here at last, after years of teasing, minimal details and excessive hype. Now that it’s here, all we can do is shrug. The V10 coupe runs 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and taps out at 202 mph. That’ll be $350,000 please. No thanks. For a real Asian sensation we’ll stick with the Nissan GT-R.

If you're not done dreaming about cars you'll never own then check out our Top 10: 2009 Detroit Concept Car Reveals list or the Top 10: 2009 Geneva Concept Car Reveals.


source: askmen.com