Tokyo 2023 revisited: Every electric concept debut from the best motor show in years

It used to be called the Tokyo Motor Show, but in the new-speak 21st century automotive industry it is now the Japan Mobility Show.

Whatever the name, the verdict is this was the best motor show of the post-pandemic era as the Japanese auto giants delivered a series of stunning electric concepts.

The message from Toyota, Nissan, Honda and others was clear; we’ve taken a while to get our heads around this EV thing, but we’re coming now.

Of course, concepts are one thing and production cars another. But clearly many of these vehicles are intended for production and some of them will come to Australia.

Maybe Tesla and the Chinese aren’t just going to just roll over the rest of the auto industry after all.

So let’s look at all the Tokyo debuts from the Japanese brands. And if we missed any, shout out and we’ll add them in.

Daihatsu me:Mo

No longer in Australia, but Daihatsu is still an innovator. The me:MO is a modular mini-car with interior and exterior parts that can be swapped out to change its prime function as the owner’s priorities change.

Daihatsu Osanpo

A compact (3995mm long) convertible with a slightly raised vehicle height. Daihatsu says it combines the “comfort of open air driving with the ease of going for a walk”. Hopefully not because it’s run out of charge.

Daihatsu Uniform

A future electric truck shown in Tokyo as both a flat bed and a cargo van, has an external power function to enable it to be used as a mobile shop.

Honda CI-MEV

A self-driving micro-mobility vehicle, CI-MEV is designed to help ageing people stay mobile in their communities if public transport is not available.

Honda Prelude

The reborn Prelude was one of the unexpected sensations of JMS. Even as Honda introduced its plans for driverless robot vehicles, the Prelude was intended to remind everyone that it would not be giving up on its sports heritage. Related: Honda Prelude two-door coupe set to return as an electric sportscar

Honda Sustaina C

With body panels made from an acrylic resin that has been recycled and reused, the Sustaina C was intended to show a future for car-making beyond finite resources.

Infiniti Vision Qe

A preview of Nissan luxury brand Infiniti’s design future as an EV brand, the Vision Qe is a fastback sedan that reveals – probably pretty loosely – the looks of its first electric car.

Lexus LF-ZC

With the LF-ZC, Lexus is previewing a new premium electric sedan that will have up to 1000km range in top-spec form and come in a choice of single- and dual-motor powertrains. Expect it to arrive around 2026.

Lexus LF-ZL

The LF-ZL is the LF-ZC’s SUV sibling and capabilities and timing are much the same. Critically these are vehicles that along with Toyota adopt a new generation of technology the company has accelerated in recent times in response to the threat posed by Tesla, BYD and other disruptors.

Mazda SP Iconic

There were heavy hints this car previewed an electrified Mazda MX-5, although some still hoped it was a reborn RX-7 preview. Either way, the powertrain employed a rotary ICE range extender to keep the electric motors running. Related: Mazda rediscovers it stylistic mojo with its stunning Iconic SP concept. Could it be the MX-5’s electrified successor – or even the return of the RX-7?

Mitsubishi D:X

A plug-in hybrid powertrain borrowed from the Outlander PHEV was employed by this butch and boxy looking preview of the next-gen Delica MPV, a car Mitsubishi wants in Australia. Related: Mitsubishi’s new PHEV system.

Nissan Hyper Force

A 1000kW preview of the next generation Nissan GT-R sports icon, or some design excitement that was simply there to generate clicks and attention. You be the judge. Imposing in the carbon-fibre up-close though. Related: Godzilla goes green: Nissan unveils mega Hyper Force concept – just don’t call it a GT-R

Nissan Hyper Punk

As silly as it looked, apparently still very relevant to the next generation Nissan Juke compact SUV. The polygon surfaces were highlighted by Nissan designers as a future production car theme. By the way, there were two other Nissan concepts unveiled ahead of Tokyo, the Hyper Adventure SUV and the Hyper Urban small car, but they were never real cars, only digital renders.

Nissan Hyper Tourer

A preview of a future people-mover with the ability to read brain waves and set the cabin mood via lighting and music. Yes, Nissan really is working on this stuff. Related: Nissan Hyper Tourer concept is a people-mover that reads your mind

Subaru Sport Mobility Concept

Are we looking at the next generation BRZ sports car? Not sure, because Subaru wasn’t saying much about this coupe concept except to say it was electric. Related: Stylish Subaru Sport Mobility Concept gives us a sneaky peek at a future battery-powered BRZ coupe

Suzuki eVX

A near production-ready concept previewing an electric car that will launch in 2025. Expected to come to Australia, the eVX will arrive with only a single motor two-wheel drive powertrain.

Suzuki eWX

Cute preview of an electric kei car that will probably adopt the Wagon R moniker. Nissan Sakura kei (mini) car is dominating Japanese EV sales at the moment so every rival brand is rushing to get a competitor out there.

Toyota EPU

Fantastic looking small electric Toyota ute developed as an in-house study by engineers and designers in the USA. But now it looks likely to go into production to become a Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Fe fighter in North America. No word on Australian prospects as yet.

Toyota FT-3e

The FT-3e SUV concept is a preview of the next-generation technology Toyota has accelerated in a bid to catch up in the EV technology race. The FT-3e rides on a new platform, uses slimline battery packs and three-part gigacasting construction. Related: Toyota finally acts on electric vehicles: Can new battery-powered SUV and wild two-seat ‘Celica’ put Japanese giant back on track?

Toyota FT-Se

The FT-3e’s close relation in terms of underlying tech (along with the Lexus LF-ZC and ZL), the FT-Se is being reported as an electric successor to the MR2 sports car – or maybe the Celica?. It introduces evolving software that alters the car’s dynamics in accordance with the driver’s wishes.

Toyota Kayoibako

Another versatile box that can be used as a commercial delivery vehicle or camper van for your next holiday. Concept takes its name from customisable shipping containers. A different inspiration to the usual birds or fish…

Toyota LandCruiser Se

A preview of an electric LandCruiser, albeit one that likely won’t be seen in dealerships until about 2030. Toby Hagon delivers the lowdown on just how good it might be here.

Toyota Space Mobility Concept

Yet another Toyota foray into outer space (remember the Lunar Cruiser?), this extra-terrestrial buggy can climb boulders 500mm tall and tackle 25 degree slopes.

Yamaha Tricera

A rebuttal of autonomous driving, the three-wheel open-top electric autocycle (Yamaha’s own description) includes three-wheel steering – with a manual mode for the rear wheel to add to the challenge.