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Tokyo Auto Show: Here Comes The Cute!

The Tokyo Auto Show is here! Finally! The one show we look forward the most is finally here! We can’t deny it, we are positively giddy. Then again, is there such a thing as negatively giddy? And why wouldn’t we be excited. Every year we get the zaniest concept cars known to humankind. And this year is no exception. Bring on the cute!

hondapuyo_photos.jpg

Japan’s “Big Three” automakers Toyota, Honda and Nissan have done it again. And this year’s concept car theme - cute. You see, that’s supposed to make us forget that our vehicles are big, ugly energy guzzlers. According to USA Today

Sporting whimsical names — Rin, Puyo and Pivo 2 — the toylike “concept,” or show, cars appear to be inspired more by the iPod, futuristic space capsules and Japane0se manga animation than what we are used to associating with vehicles.

Honda Puyo. The hydrogen fuel cell-powered, white bubble-shaped rubbery-surfaced Puyo, equipped with a panoramic window, is supposed to be a pet. And get this, the cabin part of Puyo, a fuel-cell vehicle, rotates so it never has to go into reverse. The body glows in various colors of lighting under the car’s silicone body surface to communicate with people, such as turning green when it’s happy about its condition.

Toyota Rin. Similar in look to the Puyo, the Rin has some dashes of green on white to highlight its serenity so the driver feels at one with nature. It even has a transparent floor and big windows, with seats designed to improve posture. And, it’s a plug-in gas-electric hybrid.

Nissan Pivo 2. The cabin of this electric vehicle can rotate on its wheel base so that it can face the opposite direction. The vehicle’s tires can also turn 90 degrees, allowing it to move sideways into tight spaces.



 
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