Welcome to Autocar’s extended coverage of the Tokyo motor show, one of Japan’s biggest automotive events and the first chance to see many of the cars Japanese manufacturers will be bringing to Europe in the next few years. The 46th edition of the biennial show opens its doors on the 24th of October and will, somewhat unsurprisingly, highlight electrification. Most of the production and concept cars scheduled to break cover during the event will incorporate some degree of electrification, whether it’s mild hybrid technology or a battery-powered drivetrain. While doors officially open tomorrow, Autocar is already on the ground in Tokyo to bring you full coverage of the opening press day. Tokyo motor show live blog 17:30 Tuesday 22 October The show may not officially be under way just yet, but several manufacturers have pre-announced their new arrivals. Mitsubishi has teased a roofless electric SUV, Toyota’s self-driving LQ concept promises to add artificial intelligence to your dashboard, and Mazda has confirmed its first electric car is on the way. Several high-profile leaks seem to have given the game away for some of the biggest names at the show, with Japanese media revealing the updated Subaru Levorg and hybrid-only Honda Jazz before an official announcement, which is expected tomorrow. Every edition of the biennial Tokyo motor show explores a different facet of Japan’s unique automotive industry. Some put an unabashed focus on performance while others place technology front and centre. What never changes is that the event is dominated by Japanese carmakers – you won’t hear much from European, American and other Asian brands, and the companies that display cars in Japan’s capital are on a bold quest to show their wild side. This is their chance to shine on their home turf. What’s on Display in Tokyo With much more than simply Japanese market cars on display at this year’s show, there will be lots to see inside the Big Sight convention centre. Our A-Z list contains every major new car reveal from the show: Honda 2020 Jazz The next-generation Honda Jazz (known as the Fit in some markets) will exclusively be available with petrol-electric hybrid powertrains. Honda previously explained it developed a more compact version of the twin-motor i-MMD hybrid technology that equips the CR-V to use in smaller cars. While additional details remain few and far between, spy shots show a front end that falls in line with Honda’s current design language and familiar proportions. Jazz sales will begin in early 2020. Although it has historically lagged behind its rivals, it’s a hugely important model because it’s Honda’s best-seller in the UK. Lexus Electric car concept The concept Lexus will introduce in Tokyo will take it into the electric car segment for the first time. It’s a small, city-friendly model with a tall roof that clears up a generous amount of cabin space. Screens positioned on either side of the steering wheel display the infotainment system and the model relies on innovative in-wheel electric motors for power. While it will be presented as a simple design study, Lexus strongly hinted at least some parts of it will reach production in the coming years. “We feel that our future could resemble this design,” Lexus vice-president Koji Sato told Autocar. Mazda 2020 production EV Mazda’s Wankel rotary engine will make a long-awaited comeback in Tokyo but don’t look for a follow-up to the RX-8 on the show floor. It will perform range-extending duties in the company’s first series-produced electric car. We haven’t seen it yet, the test mules are all disguised as CX-30s, but we know it will arrive as a standalone model rather than as a battery-powered variant of an existing nameplate. It will be an SUV with a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack that zaps a 140bhp motor into motion. Mitsubishi MI-Tech Concept Mitsubishi’s Tokyo-bound concept will primarily serve as a preview of its next plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which swaps the traditional combustion engine for a gas turbine generator. The company pointed out it made the powertrain smaller and lighter than the one currently found in the Outlander in order to electrify more compact models like the Eclipse Cross. A selection of preview images show the technology will be showcased in a futuristic-looking SUV with externally-mounted speakers and carbonfibre inserts. Expect the powertrain, not the concept, to reach showrooms in the coming years. Nissan IMk concept As with most Japanese kei cars, Nissan’s new IMk concept is tall, boxy and geared towards urban mobility, but, in a break from convention, sits atop an all-new EV platform and showcases the firm’s plans for the future of small cars. The concept builds upon Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility programme with a lounge-style interior and lack of physical controls, and early suggestions are that it could be sold globally. Subaru 2020 Levorg The next
Origin: 2019 Tokyo motor show: live blog and pictures
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Frankfurt motor show 2019: Live blog, updates and pictures
Welcome to Autocar’s extended coverage of the Frankfurt motor show, one of Europe’s major motoring events and the place to see an extensive list of new cars make their debut. Traditionally the world’s largest motor show, Frankfurt sees the automotive industry descend on the city every two years to see new metal for the first time. This year is no exception, with game-changing unveilings from, Volkswagen, Land Rover and more. Electric cars promise to be big news at this year’s show, with the Volkswagen ID 3 having made its global debut, along with the Honda E, Porsche Taycan, Peugeot e-2008 and more all making an appearance. That said, there will no doubt still be quite a crowd gathered around conventionally fuelled new cars – especially the reborn Land Rover Defender, which is almost certain to dominate proceedings. We’re on site in Frankfurt to bring you every single reveal, so be sure to follow along with our live blog, and on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels for up-to-the-minute news and images. Frankfurt motor show 2019: Live blog 07:15 Tuesday 10th September First announcement of the morning comes from Hyundai, with the 1970’s-inspired 45 Concept. Expected to eventually enter production, the electric crossover uses strong angles and lots of LEDs to make a visual statement while the interior hints at an autonomous future. Even before last night’s big ID 3 reveal, it was clear this year’s Frankfurt show was going to heavily feature electrification. With tough new emissions targets about to be introduced, car firms are having to push EVs and alternative powertrains like never before, argues Hilton Holloway. Environmental protestors have pledged to picket the show for weeks now, and it appears Greenpeace are leading the way this morning at the event entrance in Frankfurt. Further demos have been pledged throughout the day, with more disruptive protesters having hinted at picketing some of the press conferences. Kudos then to VW Group boss Herbert Diess, who went head to head with one of the protest group leaders in a live web debate on the subject, outlining why he believed a world without personal transport was unviable, how cars like the ID3 can be part of the environmental solution. 07:00 Tuesday 10th September Welcome back to our Frankfurt coverage. The show floor officially opens this morning, and we’ll be there to see all the new reveals. Overnight saw Audi announce the redesigned RS7 Sportback, which shares its 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 and 48v mild hybrid powertrain with the RS6 Avant. In the RS7, it results in a 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds and 189mph top speed if you opt for the derestricted Dynamic Plus pack. “The beauty and the beast” is how Audi Sport managing director Oliver Hoffmann descries the new RS6 and RS7. Which one’s which, you ask? Anything and everything appears to be on the cards for Audi Sport as part of its expansion plans – even an RS8. “We have the S8, but there’s no decision yet on an RS8,” said Oliver Hoffmann. Nothing has been ruled out at Audi Sport for now. 21:00 Monday 9th September With all the covers at VW’s Group night now removed and all the cars on display, we’re nearing the end of the first day at Frankfurt – but there’s plenty more to come. Make sure to set your alarms as tomorrow morning sees new metal from BMW, Audi and Hyundai. It’s Land Rover that’s almost certain to steal all the attention, though. It is set to reveal the all-new Defender at 9am BST. We’ll have all the details here on the site, and you can watch the livestream right here: 20:30 Monday 9th September News editor Lawrence Allan says he is “certainly impressed by the cabin tech of the ID 3”, but thinks the material quality (traditionally a VW hallmark) doesn’t seem up to Golf standards: “There’s more hard plastics and plain surfaces than I expected – but maybe that’s the price to pay for an EV offering of relative value. Hey, it’s worked for Tesla…”. 20:15 Monday 9th September The Volkswagen ID 3 was the big star of the traditional pre-show VW Group Night, but once the new EV had its starring moment, those in attendance got to glimpse some of the other new machines from the group’s various brands. They included the new Porsche Taycan, which was revealed last week but is making its public debut in Frankfurt. Also on display was the new Audi Sport RS7, which hasn’t actually been officially revealed yet. So while we can show you a picture, we can’t give you full details yet (we suggest you keep an eye on autocar.co.uk for full details soon. 20:00 Monday 9th September Hybrid and electric car customers typically need more support from retailers before they commit to a purchase, according to Mercedes-Benz’s head of sales and marketing Britta Seeger. “While many are very well informed, we take the time to identify if the car really suits their needs,” she said. “These are big changes, and it is right that customers take their
Origin: Frankfurt motor show 2019: Live blog, updates and pictures