Over the past couple of months, car manufacturers like Honda, Toyota and Subaru have slowly but surely been revealing to the public what they plan to bring to the 2017 Tokyo Auto Show. Sure, there’s plenty of talk about hybrid powertrains, but the half-electric powerplants aren’t the weaklings they once were — so stop bringing up the Prius. Manufacturers are now hiding the efficient, yet powerful technology in sportscars and off-roaders, where the instant torque from the batteries can be put to use. It’s an exciting time for the industry and this year’s Tokyo Auto Show is poised to provide the best glimpse of the future yet. Here are five of the most hotly anticipated cars making their way to Tokyo later this month.
Subaru Viziv Performance Concept
The next-generation WRX that this concept might hint at isn’t expected on the road until 2020. When you consider the current WRX only went on sale in 2016, it makes sense. What Subaru really wants to show off with the Viziv Performance Concept is the evolution of its design ethos — and, most importantly, its driver-assist technology, which should be road ready by 2020. Coincidence?
Toyota GR HV Sports Concept
What you’re really looking at here is Toyota hinting at the direction it would like to take its sports cars. Toyota is drawing inspiration directly from its Le Mans racer: the headlights and a few aero tweaks to the state-of-the-art hybrid powertrain, to name a few. The looks are debateable, but possible performance is not.
