The star attraction of Honda’s Tokyo Motor Show press conference is an all-new electric sports car concept. Initially billed as the Small Sports EV Concept, at it’s debut Honda is now referring to the car as the EV-STER.

The rear wheel drive two seater looks like a spiritual successor to the Beat sporty car. Measuring 3,570 mm or 140 inches it’s about two feet shorter than the Honda S2000. With a max electric output of 58 kW (or 78 hp) Honda claims a 0-60 time in 5.0 seconds. Sound too good to be true? It is. That’s 0-60 km/h, not miles.

Honda claims a 160 km (100 mile) range, roughly equivalent to its new Fit EV, with a 6 hour charge using a conventional plug and a 3 hour charge time with a 200 volt outlet.

GALLERY: Honda EV-STER

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One of Honda‘s numerous reveals today at the Tokyo Motor Show is a wild little concept car referred to as the “Micro Commuter Concept.” An EV designed for personal transportation it is a half-foot shorter in length than a Smart fortwo, but offers room for three thanks to a central diving position with a passenger bench area located behind.

The interior space can also be used to fit the Honda Motor Compo, an almost briefcase-sized box with wheels and handlebars that essentially works as an electric bicycle. It’s more than just that, however, also functioning as an electric power source.

Other features of the Micro Commuter Concept include a large heads-up display, with driver information projected onto the lower section of the windshield. As for operation, Honda has designed what it calls “twin lever steering” that is says uses natural arm movements to control direction. The body of the car covers over the wheels, both for safety and aerodynamics, while colorful panels can easily be swapped with others to help personalize the car.

GALLERY: Honda Micro Commuter Car Concept

With photos of Subaru‘s new BRZ sports car already floating around the net, perhaps the real star of the Subaru booth at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show is the BRZ Super GT race car. Built to compete in Japan’s Super GT series, in which cars often have little to do with their production versions, the car will compete in the GT300 class replacing the current STI Legacy race car.

As the name suggests, the class horsepower rating sits right around the 300 mark, a 50 percent increase over the production BRZ 2.0-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine.

GALLERY: Subaru BRZ Super GT Race Car

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Kicking off the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda unveiled a stunning new concept car that will eventually head to production as the next generation Mazda6 family sedan. A shot at the bold styling direction of brands like Hyundai and Kia, Mazda’s new Kodo design language is certain to bring much needed attention to Mazda dealerships with the sort of styling one might normally associate with a premium European brand.

Mazda first debuted the new design language in the Shinari concept with the first production model to be inspired by it being the CX-5.

This new family sedan rides on an all-new SkyActiv platform that sheds plenty of weight from the current model, while power comes from a new SkyActiv-D diesel engine. Mazda has yet to announce specifics on the new diesel engine, but it is capable of 165-hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. Mazda has said it will sell a diesel model in the US but has not confirmed if it will be the next Mazda6.

Adding to the substance and style is some added innovation on the Takeri concept with a new i-ELOOP regenerative braking system that uses a capacitor instead of a battery to store electricity, allowing quick charging and use of energy. Mazda claims this new system, when combined with its i-stop start-stop system can deliver a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy.

The all-new Mazda6 could arrive as early as the 2013 model year.

GALLERY: Mazda Takeri Concept

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Fuel Cell Vehicles that run on electricity and emit nothing but water vapor may sound like a pipe dream, but Toyota is reconfirming its commitment to making them a reality by 2015 with the new FCV-R Concept. Unveiled today at the Tokyo Motor Show, the FCV-R (Fuel Cell Vehicle – Reality & Revolution) is a strong hint that Toyota is far more serious about mass production hydrogen fuel cell vehicles than it was when it first began testing the modified Highlander FCHV back in 2007.

Toyota has said it will offer a fuel cell model for fleet use in 2015 and while that is still a ways off, this new car is a strong indication of the serious nature of the project, giving it a unique design language (similar to the Prius family). The car is also an original model in that it doesn’t ride on an obvious donor platform. Details are still scarce but Toyota has said the car is roughly 185-inches, which for a size comparison is 4-inches shorter than the current Camry. That said, it’s significantly more substantial a vehicle than the Prius.

Impressively, Toyota claims an emissions free driving range of 430 miles in the FCV-R Concept. We expect to see further renditions of this concept over the next few years, becoming increasingly closer to production at each stage.

GALLERY: Toyota FCV-R Concept

Proof that Toyota is serious about launching its own electric car is the FT-EV III Concept, unveiled today at the Tokyo Motor Show. The third in a string of such concepts this will be the last, as the near-production vehicle shows. A telltale sign of the vehicle’s roadworthiness is an interior not unlike that of a production model, sporting design cues from other Toyota products, while adding unique EV touches.

Using a lithium-ion battery pack mounted below the floor and with an electric motor, Toyota claims a total driving range of 65 miles with room for four. Toyota refers to the FT-EV III (Future Toyota – Electric Vehicle III) as a “near future” concept and we expect to see a production version, branded as a Scion iQ EV sold in the U.S. next year.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-EV III Concept

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show Coverage here

We’ve already seen one result of the joint project between Toyota and Subaru, the Toyota GT 86, and now we have the official photos of Subaru’s variant, the BRZ. By now, nothing about the BRZ is much of a surprise even though we anxiously await the world debut at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The rear-wheel-drive BRZ will be powered by a 2.0L Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine with 200-hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options will be either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual and the sports car will weigh in at 2,689-lbs. More of the focus of the BRZ however is in its handling capabilities and its lightweight chassis, as Subaru aimed for “Pure Handling Delight” with their new sports car.

Throughout the design, Subaru focused on an ultra-low center of gravity, allowing for a low hood design and a perimeter-type body frame layout. On the inside, Subaru gave the BRZ a fun-to-drive notion, outfitting it with a smaller steering wheel, a tachometer with digitally displayed speedometer in the center of the gauges and bespoke sports car seats.

All BRZ models will come standard with 17-inch wheels and tires and electronic stability control. Stay tuned as AutoGuide will be at the Tokyo Motor Show for the official debut with plenty more photos for you to indulge in.

Get more Subaru BRZ news and info at subarubrzforum.com

GALLERY: 2013 Subaru BRZ

After revealing the first photos of the GT 86 sports car yesterday, Toyota has now released a selection of pics from the car’s first live showing. We expected the initial reveal to take place at the Tokyo Motor Show, but Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda apparently couldn’t wait, showing off the new light weight sports car at the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival at Fuji Speedway.

See full details on the car here and look for more with AutoGuide’s 2011 Tokyo Motor Show coverage starting Nov. 29 here.

GALLERY: Toyota GT 86

It’s been two years since Toyota first revealed the FT-86 concept, and after numerous leaks, and even more concept teasers, the production version of the most highly anticipated car in years has been revealed. The very first photos of the production model also come with an announcement of the car’s name: the GT 86. Revealed in Euro-spec, the GT 86 will come with a dual exhaust, a rear spoiler, 17-inch wheels and an ’86 piston’ logo on the fenders.

Inside the cabin is a three-gauge cluster with a larger tachometer, with carbon fiber styled trim, an all black roof, red stitching, aluminum pedals and “aviation-style” switches. Also of note is a 365mm steering wheel – the smallest ever fitted to a Toyota.

With a total displacement of 1,998 ccs, the 4-cylinder direct-injection boxer engine produces 197-hp thanks to twin-injectors and a 12.5:1 compression ratio. Full power comes on at 7000 rpm with 151 lb-ft of torque at 6600 rpm. Toyota promises instant throttle response, with steering to match and, “the kind of performance that appeals to those for whom driving is a passion, not a necessity.”

Look for live photos from the car’s official reveal later this week at the Tokyo Motor Show.

GALLERY: Toyota GT 86

Discuss this story at FR-SForum.com

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When Mazda unveils its new Takeri concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show next week, the company will be showing off more than just some shiny sheetmetal. Underneath that sleek new bodywork will be a new engineering solution in the war to conserve fuel and boost fuel economy.

Called i-ELOOP, Mazda’s new regenerative braking system, like much everything the Japanese automaker does, will differ significantly from those of its rivals. Rather than use a dedicated electric motor and battery, Mazda engineers have developed a solution that uses a variable voltage alternator, a low-resistance Electric Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) and a DC/DC converter. The result is that the i-LOOP (Intelligent Energy Loop) can be fully charged and depleted in just seconds.

In daily driving the system begins to charge as soon as the driver lifts off the throttle. The electricity is gathered and sent to the EDLC in 25V for storage. When required, the DC/DC converter converts the energy to 12V before sending it to the car’s electric system to power components such as the climate control and audio system.

The ability to quickly generate and use the stored energy, when paired with Mazda’s i-stop start-stop system, means the gasoline engine can be shut off for longer periods of time in stop-and-go traffic, thus resulting in a fuel economy improvement by as much as 10 percent.

Mazda has said the new system will be coming to production models in 2012.

GALLERY: Takeri Concept

See AutoGuide’s complete 201 Tokyo Motor Show Preview here

At the Tokyo Motor Show next week, Subaru has announced that it will reveal the latest in a long line of limited edition JDM Impreza STI models; the S206.

In keeping with the theme of previous S versions, the S206 features a number of upgrades, including special STI springs and inverted Bilstein front struts and rear shocks, a flexible tower bar and draw stiffener designed to further tie the front end down, exclusive 19-inch wheels and Michelin Pilot sport tires, plus a tuned EJ20 engine delivering 316 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque with improved low and mid-range throttle response, largely thanks to a specific twin-scroll turbocharger, slightly revised induction system, lower restriction STI exhaust and specially calibrated ECU.

Other features on the S206 include specific front and rear spoilers, unique lower grille openings, while inside, there’s a leather wrapped steering wheel, Recaro seats finished in Alcantara with special trim and S206 logos, special seatbelts and a serial number plaque on the center console and under the hood.

Besides the “regular” S206, Subaru will also offer a NBR Challenge package (shown), commemorating the Scoob’s class victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. This will add a carbon fiber roof panel and rear deck spoiler, plus black finished 19-inch wheels and a NBR Challenge logo on the rear decklid. Subaru will build just 300 units of the S206 and all orders must be submitted by May 7, 2012. As for the NBR Challenge cars, which represent 100 units out of the entire production run, they’ve already all been spoken for, so no luck there unfortunately.

GALLERY: Subaru Impreza STI S206

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show Preview here

The original Audi TT was beautiful, a styling icon and a design study of the 21st century. Audi plans to do it again, with rumors surfacing of the unveiling of the third generation TT at the approaching Tokyo Motor Show.

Few details have been disclosed but we expect the TT to be taken slightly up-market in order to make room for a new entry level R4 mid-engine sports car. The TT will retain its front engine all-wheel-drive layout and will likely take new design influences from the Quattro Concept from last year.

If the next Audi TT does make an appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show, it will share the stage with the debut of the five-door Audi A1 Sportback.

[Source: AutoExpress]

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show Preview here

The BMW 5-Series ActiveHybrid will make its debut at this December’s Tokyo Auto Show, featuring BMW’s familiar twin-turbo I6 engine and an electric motor that will produce a total output of 340 horsepower. Backed by an 8-speed automatic, the car will be able to operate in pure electric mode up to 37 mph.

The ActiveHybrid’s 55 horsepower electric motor will be powered by a trunk mounted lithium-ion battery pack, and also allow the driver to coast with the gasoline engine shut off. A boost function will also enable rapid acceleration, though BMW did not elaborate on its exact nature. An energy management system is said to work in concert with the car’s GPS unit to adjust for road conditions.

BMW also markets hybrid versions of the 7-series and X6. A 3-Series Hybrid will bow in 2012, while the i3 and i8 electric cars will debut in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

Subaru has the Legacy and Outback and now Volkswagen has the Passat and the Passat Alltrack. Essentially a high-riding version of the Passat wagon (“Estate”) offered in Europe, the car will make its official debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Along with flared fenders, a stainless steel-look front bumper garnish and some matte-chrome detailing, the Passat Alltrack features VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive system, underbody protection and a raised ride height. VW says the car’s ground clearance has been increased from 135 mm (5.3 inches) to 165 mm (6.5 inches). The result is a ramp breakaway angle that’s increased from 9.5 to 12.8 degrees, an approach angle that increases from 13.5 to 16 degrees and a departure angle that’s up from 11.9 to 13.6 degrees.

In addition, there’s a hill descent assist setting, and an off-road mode with different settings for the dual-clutch transmission. VW will offer the car in Europe with a choice of two different 2.0-liter TDI engines. No plans have been announced to import the car to North America, and we wouldn’t count on it either.

GALLERY: VW Passat Alltrack

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show preview here

If you thought Google was the only one with an autonomous Prius, you’d be wrong. At the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota will show-off a self-driving version of its best-selling hybrid.

At this year’s show, Toyota will participate in the “Smart Mobility City 2011″ exhibit, designed to showcase the future of transportation. One of the highlights of the display will be the Toyota A.V.O.S. (Automatic Vehicle Operation System), a modified Prius that can drive by itself. Designed as a valet replacement, the car can park by itself, drive to the owner when requested and avoiding obstacles.

Toyota’s booth is themed “A not-too-distant future where society and transportation are linked” and will also showcase the Toyota Smart Mobility Park with new charging stations for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, using wind and solar power. In addition, Toyota will reveal its H2V (Home to Vehicle) Manager, which allows an operator to control charging times for an electric vehicle via a PC or smartphone, as well as check the house’s power supply.

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show Preview here and look for coverage starting November 30th.

In a week’s time at the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota will unveil what might just be the most important car it will launch in decades. Sure the Camry makes the Japanese automaker plenty of cash and the Prius points to the future of the automobile, but if Toyota is going to succeed it needs an enthusiasts following, and that’s just what the FT-86 was designed to create.

Billed as having the lowest center of gravity of any production car, with 200-hp and a 2,700 lbs curb weight it promises to be a back-to-basics type of motoring, giving enthusiasts exactly the car they’ve been asking for. And all at a very reasonable price.

In a new video released today, Toyota teases a little more of what is presumably the production version of the FT-86, looking a lot like the original concept. One big difference, however, are the circular taillights, much like the Nissan GT-R or Corvette.

While plenty has already been leaked about the FT-86 (Scion FR-S), stay tuned for the official reveal with AutoGuide’s coverage from the Tokyo Motor Show starting here November 30th.

Watch the video below:

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Toyota has revealed three new concept cars that it will officially debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, giving an indication of its green-car plans for the next few years – and beyond.

Up first is the FT-EV III (Future Toyota – Electric Vehicle III). Based on the iQ, it uses a lithium-ion battery and electric motor and can travel up to 65 miles on a full charge and has room for four. Calling it a “near future” concept, Toyota will sell an electric iQ next year.

Perhaps the most exciting of the vehicles is the “mid-term” FCV-R (Fuel Cell Vehicle – Reality & Revolution) concept. Looking like the future of the Prius, it’s a larger car measuring 185-inches in length (just 4-inches short of the new Camry). Toyota claims a total driving range of 430 miles, emissions free! As the word “reality” in the car’s name suggests, Toyota is serious about this new car with plans to offer a fuel cell vehicle to fleets by 2015.

And finally, there’s the Toyota Fun-Vii (Fun-Vehicle interactive internet), which the automaker says,” heralds Toyota’s vision of a future where people, cars and society are linked.”

GALLERY: Toyota Tokyo Motor Show Preview

Click here for AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show Preview

For European automakers, diesels may rule the road back at home, but they’ve had a challenge convincing North American consumers to adopt the gasoline alternative. And if that’s considered an uphill battle, selling diesel cars in Japan, the land of the hybrid, is a virtual Mount Everest. To date, BMW has never offered a diesel model in Japan, but that will all change at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

As a part of BMW’s Tokyo debut lineup will be the X5 xDrive35d BluePerformance with an AdBlue exhaust treatment system so it meets the world’s strictest emissions standards.

Much of the rest of BMW’s Tokyo lineup will focus on its new turbocharged 4-cylinder engines and hybrids with the BMW stand housing the new BMW 1 Series and X1 xDrive20i. In the hybrid camp will be the 7 Series ActiveHybrid as well as the new ActiveHybrid 5 – a 335-hp twin-turbo six-cylinder hybrid.

GALLERY: BMW Tokyo Motor Show Preview

Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu has announced its plans of bringing 12 vehicles to this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Four will be concept cars, three of which we can reveal already. Daihatsu’s slogan for this year’s show will be “Big Answer from Small”, which clearly emphasizes technological innovations in a compact car.

The first of the three revealed concepts is the D-X (d-cross), an aggressively styled new sports car powered by a two-cylinder engine with direct-injection and turbocharging.

The PICO is a newly-imagined EV commuter that Daihatsu wants to be the ultimate vehicle for short trips on a daily basis. It’s also geared towards functionality and accessibility, featuring a low, flat floor that makes it easy to get in and out of the car, and a front-and-back two-seat configuration designed for ease of use.

Lastly, there’s the FC ShoCase (above), which is developed as a zero-emission next-generation mobility solution featuring liquid fuel cells with no precious metals.

GALLERY: Daihatsu D-X

GALLERY: Daihatsu Pico

GALLERY: Daihatsu FC ShoCase

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show preview here.

Honda has revealed an extensive list of debuts for this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, with the main attraction being an electric sports car concept. Called the “Small Sports EV Concept” Honda promises it will be “fun to drive with excellent environmental performance”.  Apart from that teaser, little else has been divulged.

Two other concept cars will also make an appearance, the AC-X and a Micro Commuter Concept. The AC-X is a look Honda’s new plug-in hybrid technology, leaving behind the brand’s archaic Integrated Motor Assist setup. It will come with an “automatic drive mode” for regular driving and an “engine drive mode” for spirited driving.

The final concept is the “Micro Commuter Concept” and is the sort of strange concept car we’ve come to expect from the Tokyo Motor Show. It’s a look a a futuristic personal commuter and takes personal commuting to the next level, fitting the Honda Motor Compo two wheel electric bike (also debuting in Tokyo) inside it.

One production model that will be revealed is the N BOX, the first from a new ‘N Concept’ line of mini cars.

In addition to these three cars (and the Motor Compo), Honda will also show off the E-Canopy, an electric version of the automaker’s three-wheeled scooter, the Townwalker (essentially a foldable electric personal wheelchair), plus the stunning RC-E, an electric super sports bike.

GALLERY: Honda Tokyo Motor Show Preview

GALLERY: Honda AC-X Concept

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show preview here

While Suzuki cars might not be very popular in North America, in its home market of Japan, they are a very big deal indeed. So to serve their home market, Suzuki is bringing a trio of concept cars for the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. These are the Regina, Q Concept and the Swift EV Hybrid.

The Regina is a lightweight city car that can seat four, and despite just having a gasoline engine, should manage 72.3-mpg. Apart from the low weight, its low drag co-efficient also helps it achieve its impressive fuel economy figures. Suzuki didn’t mention the exact Cd figure but says its 10% lower than similar sized city cars.

GALLERY: Suzuki Regina Concept

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The Tokyo Motor Show, held only once every two years, marks its return for 2011. After the nation suffered severe destruction from earthquake and tsunami, Japan intends to show the world the resilience of Japanese industry and manufacturing. Moreover, as previous shows were held at Makuhari Messe, a convention center located in the Mihami-ku ward of Chiba City just outside Tokyo, the Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Koto-ku, marks the return of the Tokyo Motor Show to the city of Tokyo for the first time in 24 years.

Held from December 2 to December 11, the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011 will feature a total of 176 exhibitors from 12 different countries, which is a significant 36 percent increase than the previous 2009 Motor Show’s 129 exhibitors. Moreover, exhibition space has grown from 35,151 sq. meters from 21,823 sq. meters of 2009, a whopping 61 percent increase. Of note, all 14 of Japan’s automakers will be exhibiting, with 20 foreign brands, a big increase from just 9 foreign brands at the last show.

As Asia is experiencing a rapidly growing China and India market, there has been a sharp spike in interest for motor shows held in Beijing, Shanghai, and New Delhi. However, as a symbol of Japan’s technological powerhouse, the city of Tokyo strives to remain the foremost leader and demonstrator in technological innovation.

The theme of this year’s Tokyo Motor Show is “SMART MOBILITY CITY 2011.” The project focuses its attention to “next-generation automobiles and the social systems with which they interact,” highlighting the role of innovators of the car industry as they tackle the growing concerns over matters of global environment and energy conservation.

Notable debuts at this year’s show include the Toyota FT-86, Subaru BRZ and Mazda Takeri Concept. See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Motor Show preview here, with coverage starting November 30th.

Later this month Mitsubishi will officially unveil its PX-MiEV II concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. The second version of plug-in hybrid crossover, it’s one that points directly towards a production model in the near future.

Using a plug-in hybrid system with a lithium-ion battery pack and a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the unique hybrid system allows for gasoline to power the front wheels with electricity powering the rear wheels. Mated to Mitsu’s S-AWC (Super-All Wheel Control) setup, the automaker not only claims excellent vehicle control and dynamics, but promises that acceleration matches that of a 3.0-liter V6.

On startup the gasoline engine comes on automatically with a Battery Charge Mode acting as a generator for the electric motor. By pushing a button on the dash, a Battery Drive Mode allows for engages just electric power and shuts off the gasoline engine

The concept allows for 31 miles of emissions free travel and Mitsubishi is targeting a 140 mpg rating – although that number is based on the Japanese cycle and isn’t really relevant. What is important is that Mitsubishi claims a total driving range of 500 miles.

Mitsubishi is looking to re-enter the sub-compact segment in the U.S. and will do so in the near future with an all-new global small car, which will officially be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in just a few weeks.

Using a tiny 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine and stop-start technology, as well as extensive weight savings, Mitsubishi believes the new Mirage will achieve a 70-mpg rating in Japan. Though much more generous a number than in the U.S., this should still result in something well above the 40-mpg mark by EPA standards. It’s not yet clear if Mitsubishi intends to offer the 1.0-liter engine in North America.

Mitsubishi will begin production of the new Mirage soon, with sales pegged to begin in Thailand in March of 2012.

See AutoGuide’s complete Tokyo Motor Show preview here, with coverage starting November 30th.