At the last Tokyo Motor Show,
it was the "Alfa 156" that
garnered the attention. This year,
the "Alfa 147" has the
popularity. Many of the visitors
were asking where they could buy
one.
The "Alfa
147" gets visitors' attention.
Alpina – high-performance
new models
At the Alpina booth, the highlight
is the "ROADSTER V8".
The booth isn't flashy, but the
crowds come to see it.
Renault
/ Alpine Renault – "Talisman" concept
car is a hit
Renault has become a household
word in Japan, and its booth is
very popular as a result. The "Talisman" concept
car has been lauded for its refinement
and high degree of perfection.
Another popular model is the " Avantime" that
combines the best features of the
coupe and the wagon. Many visitors
just sit and gaze for a while.
Renault is by no means just a "small
car" company, however, and
its luxury model "Vel Satis," which
is scheduled for launch in Japan,
shows just how deep the company
goes. The 3.5-liter V6 engine,
4,860 mm length, and 5-door layout
that brings a rear gate to the
sedan make this a very "Renault-like" offering
that is garnering a growing number
of fans.
The "Talisman" is
in the limelight.
Aston Martin – The
new flagship" V12 Vanquish"
The Aston Martin booth has 2 cars on display,
the "DB7 Vantage Volante" and
the "V12 Vanquish." Unable to
go in, visitors gaze on the cars from afar.
While it is not possible to try out the
new technologies in "Vanquish " like "drive-by-
wire," the unique composite structure
can be seen in a cutaway body in the center
of the exhibit.
The "VRSCA
V-Rod" is Harley's first water
cooled V twin model.
BMW – high-performance
new models
BMW features minor change versions
of its 7 and 3 series. The most
popular display by far is the "M3
CSL," which reduces the weight
of the M3 by more than 200 kg to
create a lighter, better performing
vehicle. Visitors comment, "This
is a man's car," and "This
is great. I'm glad I came." Visitors
to the BMW booth also want to see
the new "MINI". This
is the first time the "MINI" has
been on display in Japan, and BMW
has created a separate space for
it. You'll know you're there by
the crowd of people.
The "M3
CSL" exudes high-performance.
Ford – The
return of the American dream car
The exhibit on the front pedestal
is the "Focus RS WRC." The
fact that people are squeezing
in to try to see it shows that
Ford's participation in motor sports
has incresed its brand recognition
in Japan. The "Thunderbird" is
a reference exhibit that intentionally
recreates an early 1954 Thunderbird.
The compact, graceful body lines
are readily accepted by young people
who have (we suppose) no knowledge
of those times. But what visitors
are really interested in is the "Mustang
Bullit GT." As you go by the
exhibit, pay attention to the fathers
wistfully telling their children
about the late 60's movie hit of
that name.
Resurrecting
the "T-Bird" ( reference
exhibit ) .
Fiat – Wide
variations
The motor show is a great chance
to see, touch, and feel the real
thing. At the Fiat booth, families
are taking the opportunity to sit
in the "Punto," a small
car known for a high degree of
perfection.
The hot "Punto
HGT Abarth. "
Jaguar – Jaguar
R-Coupe, toward to the future
The overwhelming focus of popularity
is the "Jaguar R- Coupe" concept
car. This is a retro-modern coupe
that maintains classical styling
while providing 4 seats. If you
stand in front of the booth very
long, you are sure to encounter
a debate on Jaguar design philosophies.
The "XTYPE," which made
a dramatic evolution from FR to
fourwheel- drive, is increasingly
popular with young people, who
also like its compact exterior.
The impression of the viewers was
that Jaguar's popularity is growing
among an increasingly wide spectrum
of the market.
The "Jaguar
R-Coupe" has a V10 engine
made by Cosworth.
Land
Rover – Could drivers feel like star
in an action film
There are always crowds around
the special-order " Defender" that
was driven by the super heroine
in the movie "Tomb Raiders." This
is not a revival model. Land Rover
has the technical capacity to apply
1940 styling to modern needs. The
showroom assistants are dressed
in costumes reminiscent of starring
actress Lara Croft, and the camera
flashes never cease. Land Rover
is well known and increasingly
popular in Japan for its tough
on-road and off-road models, including
the " Range Rover, " "Discovery" and "Freelander."
The "Defender," the
icon of the Land Rover brand
( concept car )
Volvo – Not
just station wagons, check out the sedans too
The Volvo "S60" sedan series
was launched earlier this year in Japan
and shows unusual popularity for a "non-estate
wagon" Volvo. The series has been
universally applauded at the Motor Show.
Volvo has 3 specialty concept cars on display:
the "SCC" Safety Concept Car,
the "ACC" Adventure Concept Car, and
the "PCC" Performance Concept
Car. All of them have gained interest,
though the sporty "PCC" is generating the
most excitement. Volvo also has a popular
video on its safety efforts, "CLIVE
ALIVE ! " a love story featuring crash
test dummies.