by Jonathan Day

    TOKYO, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009 which opened to the public on Oct. 24 and will run until Nov. 4, is heavily focused this year on next-generation, green-tech vehicles and technology.

    Despite the assorted displays and booths only occupying only half the space of the previous show held at the cavernous MakuhariMesse International Convention Center in Chiba City, just outside of Tokyo, Japanese automakers are offering a veritable and industrious display of cutting edge, eco-technology that fuses zero, low-emission and hybrid concepts, with sleek, functional, futuristic and, in some instances, quirky stylings.

The Mazda Motor Corp Kiyora urban compact concept car is pictured at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show in Chiba, east of Tokyo October 21, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    In comparison to previous shows, some of the ritz-and-glitz is sadly lacking as a number of high-profile, crowd-drawing, foreign automakers pulled out of the event due to the global economic turndown making the event financially unviable, but nevertheless the show, propelled by Japan's top automakers, delivers this year's theme with a punch: "Fun Driving for Us, Eco Driving for Earth, "grammatical dubiety aside, the show's theme is fairly self-explanatory and extremely relevant and expedient to this export-driven nation.

    THE CONCEPTS

    Honda's Skydeck is a sleek, eye-catching, six-seater hybrid vehicle aimed to appeal to a wide range of people of differing ages and lifestyles and effortlessly transcends the barriers between age and style.

    Powered by Honda's Motor Assist hybrid technology, the battery is positioned in the center console, running the length of the cabin floor, which allows for unhindered access to the interior that comfortably seats six people. The front doors open and close 'Lamborghini-style' (i.e. vertically) in a scissor-action while the two rear doors slide away.

    Also on display from Honda was their CR-Z Concept 2009, a hybrid aimed at making gasoline-electric hybrid cars more accessible, approachable and, in this case much easier on the eye.

A model poses on the Honda Motor Co U3-X "personal transporter" electric unicycle at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show in Chiba, east of Tokyo October 21, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Powered by Honda's compact, lightweight and efficient Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system, the CR-Z Concept 2009features a broad, low-slung stance with a short wheelbase, as well as interior styling that is modern, functional, stylish, yet inviting and genial. Featuring an environmentally-friendly power train, according to a Honda spokesperson the two-door CR-Z Concept 2009 offers a, "highly responsive and enjoyable driving experience that makes the driver truly feel at one with the vehicle."

    Powered by lithium-ion batteries, Toyota's FT-EV II is an electric vehicle designed to carry up to four passengers for short distances and can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h.

    The FT-EV II is as compact as they come, measuring 2730 mm in length, with a height of 1680 mm. The new concept uses a complete drive-by-wire system with joystick-like controls for the brakes, steering and throttle. The design includes large, almost panoramic windows increasing visibility for both driver and passengers. The shell-like seats are wafer-thin, giving this concept a deceptively large interior. The rear lights are powered by LED technology and power-operated sliding doors feature on both sides of the vehicle to facilitate easy access to the rear passenger seats.

    Toyota's Prius is the quintessential hybrid vehicle that has been in mass-production for years. In fact the third generation Prius topped the best-sellers' list for Japan's automakers this year.

    Toyota continues to teach automakers around the globe a thing or two about viable, affordable, eco-technology and has raised the bar this year with its Prius plug-in hybrid concept.

    The "ideal combination of an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid vehicle (HV)" is how Toyota Motor Corporation describes the Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV). According to sources at Toyota, this Prius plug-in hybrid concept is its first brand to use a lithium-ion battery as the drive battery -- effectively meaning it can be charged from an external power source such as household electricity.

    Due to its lithium-ion drive battery, the successor to its former nickel-metal hydride battery, Toyota has succeeded in increasing the vehicles cruising range.

    In comparison with its predecessor, the third-generation Prius' range is 38 km/l while the Prius PHV concept offers at least 55km/l, which is a significant improvement. By charging from an external power source the cruising range in 'Electric Vehicle Mode' is extended, maximizing the benefits as an environmentally-responsible vehicle. Since the cruising distance as an electric vehicle increases, the benefits to the environment do so commensurately, meaning the techies at Toyota have outdone themselves, once again.

    The car has lower CO2 emissions as well as reduced consumption of fossil fuels. Using regular household electricity, the car is fully-charged in 180-minutes at 100-volts and 100-minutes at 200-volts. Fully-charged the Prius PHV in 'Electric Vehicle Mode' has a cruising range of at least 20 km. As with all Prius' the car can function as an EV for short trips and as a hybrid (HV) for longer ones. Besides, its on-board computer will decide all your 'needs vs. efficiency' dilemmas for you -- seriously.

    The Suzuki SX4 is a fuel cell concept, which uses 80kW hydrogen fuel cells provided by General Motors. The production-version SX4, however, will make use of a hydrogen tank and capacitor from Suzuki engineering. The hydrogen storage tank compresses gas at 10,000 psi while the light-weight capacitor, in the absence of a battery pack, evens out the flow of electrons of the 68kW electric motor, which also helps with regenerative braking. Full production details have yet to be released but road tests by Suzuki on its SX4 are underway. Suzuki also showcased a hydrogen-powered 'Burgman' scooter at the Tokyo Motor Show.

    Mitsubishi intends to introduce a mass-produced plug-in hybrid to the market by 2013 and the PX-MiEV concept, unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show for the first time, will most probably get the green light.

    Beneath a minimalist, yet irrefutably attractive body lays not one, but two electric motors, one on each axle. This, combined with a 1.6-liter, four cylinder, gasoline engine offering 92 lb-ftof torque, provide the PX-MiEV with plenty of get-up-and-go.

    Under heavy loads, heavy acceleration or emergency maneuvers, another electric motor at the rear axle also kicks-in to provide extra power and help stabilize the vehicle. When the gasoline engine isn't needed, it either switches off or acts as a generator to recharge the battery or power the electric motors -- whichever is most efficient at any one moment. Each electric motorgenerates 60 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. Mitsubishi says the PX-MiEV can achieve a range of 60 km/l.

    As with all plug in hybrids the PX-MiEV can be used in electric only mode and has a range of 48 km, but hybrid mode can be called upon for acceleration, speed and for long-haul journeys.

    In addition to determining the most efficient way to propel the PX-MiEV in any given circumstance, the computer can also use the electric motors to dole out torque both front-to-rear and side-to-side for maximum stability and traction. Cameras mounted around the vehicle, meanwhile, give the driver a birds-eye view for navigating in tight spaces -- so no more trouble with parallel parking.

    Inside, the PX-MiEV features a futuristic design, equipped with touch-screen panels for all non-driving related controls. The minimalist interior comes with a horseshoe-shaped steering wheel crammed with buttons to activate the vehicle's many intramural systems (like navigation, temperature and entertainment) without the driver taking his or her hands off of the wheel. Heated and cooled seats in the car are coated with an anti-bacterial seat fabric. The PX-MiEV is coated in reflective paint and window coatings to keep interior temperatures down, thus reducing the energy needed for heating/air conditioning.

    The PX-MiEV can be charged from a standard 110-volt wall socket, a 200-volt socket or a special high-voltage quick-charger. According to Mitsubishi the vehicle can also act as a giant battery pack and power household appliances to cut home energy costs, or act as a generator to provide electricity during a blackout.