Tokyo motor show’s craziest concept cars

Japanese car makers are a conservative bunch but every two years they let their hair down and things get weird.

Honda Sports EV Concept from the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Picture: Supplied.

The Tokyo motor show always throws up some weird concept cars and this year was no exception.

From cars with foam panels to others that read their drivers’ emotions, the biannual look into the future of the Japanese car industry was full of surprises.

Here are some of the whackiest concepts.

Foam alone: the Flesby concept car. Pic: Richard Blackburn.

Flesby

Remember Nerf toys from your childhood. Well meet the Nerf car, complete with soft foam panels to cushion the impact on pedestrians in an accident.

The Felsby, a creation of Toyoda Gosei, also communicates with other road users via LED lights that shine through the foam on its panels.

One of Toyota’s three Concept-I vehicles. Picture: Richard Blackburn.

Toyota Concept-I

The Concept-I uses artificial intelligence and cameras to analyse facial expressions, voice tones and body language.

By using the three parameters it can pinpoint a range of emotions from happy to neutral, irritated, nervous or tired.

The concept car can then try to change the mood of the driver via scents, lighting, airconditioning and seat movement.

Honda’s NeuV can tell when its driver is stressed. Picture: Richard Blackburn.

Honda NeuV

A similar concept to the Toyota, the NeuV can pick up on its driver’s stress levels by watching facial expressions and listening to changes in voice tone. It then provides suggestions for coping with different situations. It can also loan itself out, with its owner’s permission, when it’s not being used.

The Daihatsu U-Space is the ultimate car for the school run. Picture: Richard Blackburn.

Daihatsu U-Space

This Toyota offshoot has been producing quirky highlights at the motor show for decades. The latest is the ultimate car for the school run.

The boxy shape means plenty of room for the kids, while the front passenger seat swivels to make it easier to climb in and out.

Slick in the city: the Toyota Auto Body Wonder-capsule.

Toyota Auto Body Wonder-Capsule

This ultra-compact two-seater EV is designed for city commuting and car sharing. The panoramic front windscreen displays information on tourist spots, car speed and remaining battery charge.

The steering wheel and pedals automatically adjust to suit different drivers, while the single door provides easy access to seats and the luggage area at the same time.

Nostalgia meets hi-tech: the Suzuki e-Survivor.

Suzuki e-Survivor

The e-Survivor is a modern, zero-emission take on the Mini Moke.

With electric motors built into each wheel, it makes light work of off-road work while providing quick acceleration for darting in and out of city lanes.

While the exterior is nostalgic beach buggy, the cabin is thoroughly modern, with a large spherical monitor displaying traffic information.