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AUTOSHOW-FACTBOX-Main show pieces at the Tokyo Motor Show

Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:30am EDT

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TOKYO, Oct 13 (Reuters) - The Tokyo Motor Show opening next week promises to be a subdued affair with just two small foreign carmakers attending, in a rare low turnout for what has traditionally been considered one of the five major international auto shows.

For a separate story double click: [ID:nT324556]

Below are the main, world premiere show pieces planned by Japan's eight carmakers:

TOYOTA MOTOR CORP (7203.T)

-- FT-EV II: The second version of Toyota's electric car concept, with a more futuristic edge. By-wire steering allows a lot more leg room in this stumpy microcar, which also comes with a solar panel on its roof. An idea of what Toyota envisages for this "urban commuter" beyond 2012, when it plans to launch its first mass-produced electric car globally.

-- FT-86 Concept: The first physical model of a planned rear-wheel-drive compact sports car that will borrow Subaru-maker Fuji Heavy Industries' signature flat-engine technology. An attempt to reignite interest in affordable sports cars, this Europe-designed concept car takes its name from the AE86 generation of the Corolla Levin sports car from 1986 known to Japanese fans simply as the "Hachi-Roku", or "eight-six". Production model will have a 2-litre boxer engine and cost far less than 3 million yen ($33,440).

LEXUS

-- Toyota is keeping details of a two-seater Lexus sports car under wraps until an on-site press briefing on Oct. 21. The model is widely expected to be a close-to-production LF-A super sports car, a pure concept version of which was first shown in 2005.

HONDA MOTOR CO (7267.T)

-- Skydeck: A futuristic, six-seater hybrid. A concept that pursues extreme lightweight technology with thin, floating passenger seats. Second-row seats can be tucked under the front seats to make room in the back. Other features include gull-wing front doors and a sliding rear door and carbon-weight wheels.

-- CR-Z Concept 2009: A close-to-ready model of Honda's planned 1.5-litre hybrid sports car due for launch next February.

-- EV-N: A four-seater electric car concept. To be featured in an all-electric zone at Honda's stand along with the EV-Cub scooter, the EV-Monpal wheelchair and the newly developed U3-X "personal transporter" unicycle, among other concepts.

NISSAN MOTOR CO (7201.T)

-- Land Glider: A compact, four-wheel city commuter, this concept car's starting point was a motorcycle. The electric motor-driven car has two seats in a tandem layout and a body that tilts when it corners, like a two-wheeler. "While Land Glider is a concept car, it should not be regarded as a mere design study," Nissan says. "This leaning machine gives a clear direction of how a future small car from Nissan could look in congested cities."

-- Roox: A "super-spacious" microcar to be supplied from Suzuki Motor, due for launch in Japan in December.

-- New Fuga: Production version of Nissan's top-of-the-line sedan to be launched this autumn. Also on display will be a hybrid version due next year -- Nissan's first time using its in-house-developed hybrid system and lithium-ion battery.

-- Visitors to the Tokyo Motor Show will also get their first glimpse of what will be Nissan's first mass-produced electric car, the Leaf, unveiled only to the media in August. [ID:nT31006]

SUZUKI MOTOR CORP (7269.T)

-- Swift Plug-in Hybrid: In-house developed system suited for short-distance commuting.

-- New Alto concept

MAZDA MOTOR CORP (7261.T)

-- Mazda's world premieres will be a gasoline engine, diesel engine and automatic transmission prototype, all under the "Mazda Sky Concept". The next-generation Sky-G gasoline engine achieves fuel economy that matches or exceeds that of today's diesel engine, while its new Sky-D diesel engine would raise fuel economy by 20 percent over its current diesel.

The Sky-Drive six-speed transmission improves fuel economy by 4-7 percent and achieves instant driving response that compares favourably against dual-clutch transmissions. The three technologies will be rolled out on all core models from 2011.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP (7211.T)

-- Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV: Powered by a new plug-in hybrid system, this concept crossover gets fuel economy of at least 50 km/litre. Also featured: a "cosy" interior with seat upholstery that deactivates allergens, gets rid of offensive odours and kills bacteria, as well as a negative-ion aroma humidifier and oxygen enricher for comfort and reduced fatigue.

-- i-MiEV CARGO: A stretched-out version of the electric i-MiEV microcar, already available to fleet customers in Japan. Perfect for self-employed corporate users, Mitsubishi says, with a cube-shaped luggage compartment at the rear.

FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD (7270.T)

-- Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept: A pure concept model of what a hybrid car built with Subaru's famous boxer engine and symmetrical all-wheel-drive powertrain could achieve.

DAIHATSU MOTOR CO (7262.T)

-- e:S: A tiny four-seater that weighs just 700 kg (1,540 lb). With improvements to the gasoline engine and a system that automatically shuts off the engine during idling, the concept car claims fuel economy of 30 km/litre.

-- basket: Open-top four-seater "slow-life vehicle" with a spacious deck suited for gardening. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Chris Gallagher)



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