Japan strikes back as Toyota and its compatriots roll out the big guns

Much as how the Tokyo Motor Show has been renamed the Japan Mobility Show, the land of the rising sun has adopted the new notion that the combustion engine must make room for alternatives, writes Calvin Fisher.

Looking for your next Toyota? Find it here with CARmag

Mostly electric and with some fuel sources more exotic still. Four wheels are no longer the sole focus – here at the Japan Mobility Show, you’ll encounter more two-wheeled counterparts than ever before, a handful with three, and the occasional sliding, gliding robot chair too as mobility as a concept, wins. Oh and the occasional aircraft, courtesy of Honda.

European manufacturers were present, but like a sports team playing a home game, Japanese marques truly shone with stunning concepts and bold new technologies. And none were in ruder health than Toyota in combination with its sibling brand, Lexus. As each concept was unveiled, every one an absolute banger from the low-slung FT-Se to the origami sheet metal of the FT-3e, to the box-shaped Kayoibako – I couldn’t help but remember a time when we accused Toyota of churning out uninspiring cars.

I think the turnaround point must have been with the FJ Cruiser. Here was a retro-reimagining that weighed heavy in desirability, and was quickly followed by the GT86. Then in quick succession, we were dealt a bevy of exciting designs, a new performance badge with Gazoo Racing, the long-awaited fifth coming of the Supra, a ballistic Yaris and a Corolla hatch that could finally stand out from its peers.

Toyota has rediscovered its mojo, and from what was on display in Tokyo this week, we can confirm that the Japanese manufacturer has officially hit its stride. Defacto luxury arm, Lexus surprised and delighted the media with moving sculptures in the shape of the LF-ZC sedan and LF-ZL BEV concepts, each a head turner in their own right, taking centre stage among recently unveiled RZ Overtrail and H2 ROV vehicles, both dressed in off-road trim. Back at the Toyota stand, modern Land Cruisers and Prados were on full display alongside a variety of electric pick-ups, modular utilities, the Crown range, the Century luxury SUV and more. Add to an otherwise traditional line-up the likes of the Toyota Land Hopper (two wheels), JUU (think Professor X’s wheelchair) and a Space Mobility Prototype (an actual moon buggy). Very rude health, indeed.

Excitingly, all of Toyota’s compatriots had fantastic whips on display, from Honda’s new Prelude and Prologue electric concepts, Mazda’s Iconic SP, Nissan’s (not a GT-R) Hyper Force, Subaru’s Sport Mobility Concept, the Mitsubishi D:X Concept and more. Even Suzuki and Daihatsu had an adorable range of compact cars for onlookers to fall head over heels over, such as the eWX and Vision Copen respectively. Whether they’re powered by fossil fuels, battery packs or hydrogen – it’s a great time to be a fan of Japanese motorcars.

The post Japan strikes back, as Toyota and its compatriots roll out the big guns appeared first on CAR Magazine.