44th Tokyo Motor Show - Highlights

The Tokyo Motor Show is an opportunity for Japanese manufacturers to reveal their latest production-ready and concept vehicles.  Below is a summary of the vehicles which have sustainability in mind, with some noticeable introductions of 'Vehicle to Home' (V2H) energy systems. Amongst other applications, these can provide short-term emergency power - something Japan is very sensitive to, following the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima disaster.

Toyota FCV Plus (2015) - in 'power sharing' mode

Honda Clarity FCV

Honda's investment in hydrogen energy continues, with the Clarity saloon, the first to incorporate the entire fuel-cell powertrain in the space normally occupied by the engine and transmission.  It has a cruising range of 700km, and the Japanese version of the model can act as a mobile power plant, with an external power feeding inverter.

Honda FCV

Lexus LF-FC

Lexus have introduced the Lexus LF-FC, a fuel-cell powered flagship concept.  Here are the details of the powertrain:

"At the heart of the LF-FC is a high output fuel cell power system that energizes the rear wheels, and also sends power to two in-wheel motors in the front, making the LF-FC all-wheel-drive. This innovative drive system allows precise torque distribution control between the front and rear wheels, giving the full-size sedan exceptional dynamic handling and superior road stability. The strategic placement of the fuel-cell stack at the rear of the vehicle, power control unit at the front and T-formation configured hydrogen fuel tanks result in front and rear weight distribution optimal for a sporty sedan."

New luxurious Lexus Concept - teaser image

Lexus LC-FC

Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Concept

Mercedes have released their 'Tokyo Concept' vehicle, aimed at 'generation Z' (those born after 1995!), living in mega-cities.  'Deep machine learning' and an intelligent Predictive Engine means it adapts to its occupants' preferences over time.  It's assumed to be a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain under its sleek body.

Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Concept - pre-show teaser image

Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Concept

Mercedes-Benz Tokyo Concept

Mitsubishi eX

Mitsubishi are due to launch a new all-electric EV, the eX.

Mitsubishi eX

In the ever-increasingly competitive compact SUV market, the eX will have all-wheel drive, automated driving technologies, active safety and connected features.

An Outlander PHEV will also be demonstrated in a 'Vehicle to X' (e.g. home) setup, showing how the battery can be used to power the home.

Nissan Gripz

One of two EV concepts being introduced by Nissan at Tokyo this year is the Gripz.

Nissan Gripz Concept

An efficient gasoline engine powers the same electric motor used in the Nissan Leaf. 

Nissan Teatro for Dayz

Nissan's concept car has a peculiar name, 'Teatro for Dayz', and ahead of the motor show isn't giving anything away about its powertrain, except that it's an EV.  Hopefully we'll find out more soon...

Nissan Teatro for Dayz

Toyota FCV Plus

Hydrogen power is currently the underdog to be the dominant fuel source for mobility solutions in the future, but some manufacturers are investing huge amounts in the technology - see my recent blog to read about some examples (including the Mirai from Toyota).  Toyota has now taken this one step further, and sees hydrogen cars as being an energy source to share with the community.  Specifically, as well as its own hydrogen tank, it can also generate electricity from an external hydrogen source, allowing the power generated to be available at home, work, etc.

Toyota FCV Plus (2015)

Toyota FCV Plus (2015) - inside

Frankfurt Motor Show - Highlights

Here's a selection of the highlights from the Frankfurt Motor Show, where manufacturers have made significant incremental, or in some cases revolutionary, improvements to the sustainability of the automobile.  Although it's hard to avoid the launch the (hideous) Bentley Bentayga, the Rolls-Royce Dawn, the Jaguar F-Pace, and the Ferrari 488 Spider, it's the news below which is setting the future direction of the industry.

Artega Scalo

The Scalo offers 402bhp from two electric motors powering the rear wheels. 0-60mph comes in 3.6 seconds. A 37kW battery supports a range of up to 250 miles.

Artega Scalo

Audi Q6 e-tron

Audi has released a concept all-electric SUV, sized somewhere between the Q5 and Q7. Its figures suggest innovation in aerodynamics contribute to a claimed range of 310 miles.

Audi Q6 e-tron concept

BMW

BMW is the 'traditional' manufacturer which I predict will be the first to have an alternative powertrain available in all of its model series first.  And a pre-show announcement has helped them achieve this...

BMW 225xe Active Tourer

The Active Tourer 225xe mates a 134bhp front-mounted 1.5L petrol engine, with a rear-axle mounted 88bhp electric motor.  25 miles of electric-only range should be possible, courtesy of the 7.7kWh lithium ion battery.

BMW 225xe Active Hybrid

BMW 225xe Active Hybrid

BMW 330e

Also delivering a 25 mile all-electric range, the 330e has a different powertrain - a 2L petrol engine, alongside a 65kW electric motor.  A top speed of 140mph (75mph in electric only), as low as 44 CO2 g/km.

BMW 330e

The powertrain within the BMW 330e

BMW 740e

To complete the trio and with 25 miles of all-electric range again, the 740e will be available in standard and long wheel based version (the latter also available as an xDrive 4WD option). Claimed figures are 134mpg and 49g CO2/km.

BMW 740e

Mercedes Concept IAA

Mercedes has introduced a new design language and world-beating aerodynamics in its IAA Concept (Intelligent Autonomous Vehicle')

Mercedes Concept IAA

Mercedes Concept IAA, with a Cd of 0.19

Its coefficient drag coefficient (Cd), is a mere 0.19, helped with automatic changes to the car's exterior above 80km/h.  And this isn't just about a rear spoiler which raises at speed... The changes are:

• Eight segments extend at the rear, increasing its length by up to 390 millimetres
• Front flaps in the front bumper extend by 25 mm to the front and 20 mm to the rear, improving the air flow around the front end and the front wheel arches
• The Active Rims alter their cupping from 55 mm to zero
• The louvre in the front bumper moves 60 mm to the rear, improving the underbody air flow

With a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, CO2 emissions can be as low as 28g CO2/km.


Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf has been a global success, in fact is the world's best-selling EV. And now Nissan have announced improvements, which include a 30kWh battery, increasing the motorway range to 250km, for only a 21kg increase in weight.

Nissan Leaf with 30kWh battery

Peugeot FRACTAL Concept

Peugeot have launched a new concept car, the FRACTAL, an electric urban coupe.  Its main focus is on sound, supporting their i Cockpit® sight and touch sensory experience.

Peugeot FRACTAL concept

"The 30kW/h lithium-ion battery powers the electric motors on the front and rear axles to provide a total output of 150kW/204hp and combined-cycle autonomy of up to 450km"


Porsche Mission E Concept

• 600bhp+
• 331 mile range
• 3.5 seconds to 60mph
• 800V charging capacity
• Tesla have some competition!

Porsche Mission E

Porsche Mission E

Smart ForTwo and ForFour

"Both vehicles will be fitted with an electric motor produced by Renault’s Cléon plant in France, the same one used in the Renault ZOE. The battery of the new smart electric drive will be produced by the Daimler subsidiary, “Deutsche ACCUmotive,” in Kamenz, Germany."

Thunder Power

A new entrant to the sector, from Taiwan, Thunder Power have introduced a concept car looking to take Tesla on with some impressive stats:

• 430bhp
• 373 mile range
• Top speed of 155mph, with a 0-62mph sprint in less than 5 seconds

Thunder Power Concept

It's set for a 2017 release in Europe, so it will be interesting to see how much of an impact it will make, as more established brands enter this segment.

Toyota Prius

Back in 1997, Toyota released the Prius... and started a revolution.  Well, it's time for an update, and although you can see some familiarity with the previous versions, it's fair to say the latest incarnation takes more than a little inspiration from the hydrogen-powered Mirai.

Toyota Prius through the generations

The 2016 Toyota Prius

The petrol engine now boasts a thermal efficiency of 40%, whilst the new nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery is more compact with its durability and charging performance being significantly improved.  It's claimed that there's a 10% improvement in efficiency overall.

Volkswagen Tiguan GTE Concept

Alongside Volkswagen's refreshed Tiguan series, they have introduced a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid GTE concept.

Volkswagen Tiguan GTE

A 1.4L TSI turbocharged petrol engine is combined with an electric motor to power the front wheels, generating 215hp.  CO2 emissions are expected to be 42g/km.  The 13kWh lithium ion battery can also be topped-up by solar panels on the roof, with optimum sun conditions extending the car's range up to 621 miles.


Summary

With a combination of existing models being upgraded, and some new concepts released, the Frankfurt Motor Show has clearly demonstrated we're accelerating towards more sustainable motoring.  And if you're in the UK, and would like to see what's available on the forecourts today, please check out my UK Sustainable Car Directory.

New York Motor Show - Highlights

The 2015 New York International Auto Show has introduced a handful of cars which are helping maintain the momentum towards a more sustainable form of personal transport. Predictably for a US auto show, most of the models are at the super-sized end of the spectrum.  Below are the highlights, in alphabetical order.

BMW X5 xDrive40e

Revealed a couple of weeks before New York started, the BMW X5 xDrive40e is a plug-in hybrid, mating a 242bhp 2.0 litre turbo-charged petrol engine with a 111bhp electric motor.

BMW X5 xDrive40e

It has an all-electric range of 19 miles, 85.6mpg fuel consumption and emissions of just 77g/km.  The 9kwH lithium-ion battery takes-up 150 litres of boot space.

Lexus RX

The fourth generation of the Lexus RX was revealed, with the hybrid version, the 450h, with the F Sport trim being available for it, for the first time.

Lexus RX 450h

A 3.5 litre V6 engine will be mated to an electric motor.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 500 e 4MATIC

The GLE 500 e 4MATIC is Mercedes-Benz's first plug-in hybrid SUV.

Mercedes Benz GLE 500 e 4MATIC

A 3 litre V6 twin turbo-charged engine, combined with a single electric motor provide 328 and 114 bhp respectively, and it can run for 18 miles in all-electric mode (one of three driving modes to choose from).

The emissions are 78g/km, with fuel consumption of 85.6mpg, albeit presumably less outside laboratory conditions.

Toyota RAV4

As the pioneers of hybrid technology, everyone takes note when Toyota releases a new model - and they've just done so with the new RAV4.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2016)

Toyota are mating a 2.5 litre petrol engine with an electric motor for the rear axle.

VW Camper

Volkswagen hinted at ongoing work to potentially bring back the classic VW Camper, but this time, as an all-electric version.  I believe it was at the 2012 Canadian International Auto Show that the VW Bulli concept was released, which may hint at some of the styling we'd see.

VW Bulli Concept (2012)