Suzuki Prepares Four Unique Concepts for Tokyo Show
Upcoming 39th Tokyo Motor Show Looks to be as Wild and Wacky as Ever
If youre a concept car fan, then the Tokyo Motor Show is the one must-see event of the year. Press days for the 39th consecutive auto show begin Wednesday, October 19th next week, with the show opening to the public on Friday, October 21st.
A brand that is much more popular in its domestic market than here in North America is Suzuki, due to a leadership position within the microcar class. This target market is reflected in this years quartet of concepts, a particularly creative bunch of flyweights.
From smallest to largest, the LC should stir memories of similar concepts and production models from years past, such as 1991s Nissan Figaro and possibly the Daihatsu Copen. The LC, which taps into Japans love of all things sweet and lovely, is described as having "unpretentiously cute styling and charming details" in Suzukis press release; "...a friendly minicar thats ready to put a smile on your face." No doubt, its the "Hello Kitty" of automobiles, and with its "charmingly styled body, mirrors, switches, and seats" and "fun-loving personality" it should endear itself to young Japanese auto fans.
The next car in Suzukis conceptual foursome has what must be one of the oddest names ever used to designate a prototype, but at least "Moms Personal Wagon" is descriptive. At a time when most automakers are trying to appeal to soccer moms by providing wagons that look more like SUVs than kiddy haulers, the tiny MPW has been designed to stand out as a child-friendly vehicle. Even its grille smiles welcoming, beckoning kids aboard, while its color scheme, made up of various shades of brown, is ideal for hiding stains. There are handy storage trays throughout, one that pulls out from within the dash and another within the front passenger seat, along with a sizeable cargo bin, perfect for storing toys and other items for keeping the children quiet.
Also family friendly, Suzukis Ionis does more than preview a new stylish exercise in space optimization, but also integrates the automakers fuel-cell technology below its floorboards - similar in configuration to General Motors Sequel concept, introduced last year in Detoit. Also included is a state-of-the-art infotainment system, with wireless connectivity and satellite TV.
While hardly pretty, the PX is definitely bold and even intimidating in design. Suzuki says its for "people who want to indulge their sense of enjoyment without compromising family mobility." Fair enough, but it would only provide enjoyment for diehard fans of movies like Minority Report and Robocop. Although, the Japanese automaker has equipped it with a bevy of entertainment features, and its three rows of seats, made by Recaro no less, are supposed to include a second row that can create more space, although Suzuki isnt letting on just how that feature goes about this process yet.
No doubt well be told more about each of these vehicles next week when they debut in Tokyo, so for the time being we can all enjoy their oddness and hope for a day when our North American auto show entrants offer concepts as outlandishly creative as those that will be shown this coming week in Japan.