Japan Mobility Show: your guide to the most important models being unveiled

The Japan Mobility Show kicks off in Tokyo this week. It’s the new name for the Tokyo Motor Show, and as the rebrand suggests it’s focused on all kinds of transport solutions, not just cars.

All the big-name Japanese car makers are there, and here are some of the highlights.

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Subaru

If you miss the days when Subaru was a force in world rallying – with the high-performance road cars to match – then you’ll be pleased to know that two STI concepts will be on show.

The Performance E-STI Concept is Subaru’s vision of a high-performance EV. Details are thin on the ground and so far we only have a teaser image, but Subaru says “this concept model offers intuitive, exhilarating driving experiences” and “evokes the brand’s heritage while providing a driver-friendly layout and a comfortable, spacious interior”. So, think ‘EV meets rally car’ with space for the whole family.

If you prefer petrol power, Subaru is showing the Performance B-STI Concept. Again, we only have a teaser picture for now, but the concept car features Subaru’s signature boxer engine layout (with two banks of cylinders lying on their sides). Subaru says the B-STI “achieves a balance of advanced performance and power with practicality”.

The Subaru E-Outback will be shown in its native Japan for the first time. The electric version of Subaru’s rugged estate car, the E-Outback has twin electric motors for 375hp and a 0-62mph time of just 4.4 seconds and a range of around 280 miles. It’s closely related to the Toyota bZ4X Touring and will be on sale in the UK next year.

Subaru is also showing Wilderness editions of the Forester and Outback along with a 1983 Subaru GL Family Huckster. While based loosely on a ’80s hatchback, the Huckster is a US-made rally car with an 862hp engine and carbon-fibre bodywork.

Toyota Century

Toyota already has a luxury brand with Lexus, right? Well, yes, but while Lexus competes with the likes of Audi and Mercedes it doesn’t have the clout to go up against Bentley or Rolls-Royce.

The Century brand could become the super-posh arm of Toyota, referencing the name of Toyota’s Japanese-market premium saloon and sitting above Lexus in the car-maker’s hierarchy.

The new Century 00 will be displayed at the Japan Mobility Show, with sleek Jaguar-esque styling and unusual forward-sliding doors. You might think a new Century would be electric, but we’re hearing that a hybrid V8 petrol is more likely.

Lexus

Perhaps the most surprising car at the show is the Lexus six-wheeler. We have a teaser image but no more details.

The as-yet-unnamed concept looks like it’s been driven off the set of Blade Runner 2049, and the way the wheels glow in the picture makes us wonder if the concept uses in-wheel electric motors. It’s clearly a large vehicle, and the boxy MPV-like side profile suggests lots of interior space and multiple rows of seats.

Mazda

A new concept car will be unveiled at the show. Mazda says it will represent “the vision for future Mazda vehicles”. We only have a teaser image, but the Mazda Vision looks to be a four-door with coupé-like proportions.
Mazda’s theme for the show is “the joy of driving fuels a sustainable tomorrow”, so don’t be surprised if the concept uses some form of sustainable e-fuel.

Elsewhere on the stand, Mazda continues to investigate alternatives to battery-electric power, showcasing its carbon-capture technology and an algae-derived carbon-neutral fuel. The new CX-5 SUV will also be shown in public for the first time.

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