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2009 Tokyo Motor Show at a Glance

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show was held from 24th October to 4th November, 2009. The Tokyo Motor Show hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, is one of the most well-known auto shows in the world. It began in 1954 and is held once in every two years.

One hundred and nine car and motorcycle manufacturers and auto parts makers participated in the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, and 261 passenger cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles were showcased. 39 cars and motorcycles made their world premieres at the show.

It was an 'electric parade' at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show as many car makers announced plans to enhance their lineup of electric cars. Below is a list of ten cars that made its world debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show:

1. Toyota FT-86

The Toyota FT-86 was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show and is billed strictly as a concept car. This rear-wheel-drive coupe brings in a new production car from Toyota.

The question is what Toyota will call the final version when it hits the market. Some say that Toyota will revive the Celica nameplate while others suggest that when the production FT-86 reaches American shores, it will act as a replacement for the current Scion tC.

2. Toyota Prius Plug-In

The much-anticipated plug-in Prius hybrid made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. Using the Hybrid Synergy Drive system, Toyota hopes to launch the first 500 versions using lithium-ion batteries, instead of nickel-metal hydride, used in the existing Prius.

3. Toyota FT-EV II

Toyota has revealed its latest plug-in electric concept car the FT-EV II at the Tokyo Motor Show. It is a follow-up to the iQ-based FT-EV that was unveiled in Detroit earlier this year. The new concept uses a complete drive-by-wire system with joystick-like controls that feature a steam-punk design motif. The result is wide open space in the front, which conspire with the very thin-shell seats to offer decent room inside. The car also has sliding doors on both sides.

4. Nissan Leaf

This zero-emission car is slated to be launched late 2010 in Japan, the U.S. and Europe. The Nissan Leaf has a top speed of up to 145km/h and drives about 161 kilometres per charge. It takes about 4-8 hours to get fully juiced-up on a 220V home charging unit and 26 minutes to be 80 per cent full at quick-charge stations.

5. Nissan Micra

The Nissan Micra was showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show. Nissan has confirmed plans to offer the next generation Micra in India as well as in the United States.

The new model will be equipped with a three-cylinder engine. Three variants will be available - a four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and an MPV-like vehicle - all in an effort to sell one million "V" platform units globally each year. Nissan hasn't disclosed when the next generation Micra will go on sale globally. But it is believed that it will hit India in the first quarter of next year.

6. Nissan Land Glider

The Nissan Land Glider can be summed up as a lean, green machine. The Land Glider is tiny two-seater concept is 122 inches long, 43 inches wide, and 55.7 inches high. The electric car, which runs on a prototype that is part motorcycle, leans at a 17-degree angle when taking curves at full speed.

7. Lexus LF-A

The Lexus LF-A supercar, which made its world debut at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, reportedly cracks the zero to 100 km/h run in 3.7 seconds. With a price tag of $375,000, Toyota claims the LF-A is the most powerful car it has ever produced.

8. Lexus LF-CH

Lexus LF-CH hybrid concept has been billed as the green answer to BMW 1-Series cars. It uses Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive and comes with a V10 petrol engine. It boasts a top speed of 325 km/h, with an acceleration of zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds.

9. Honda CR-Z Concept

The first hybrid to come with a manual six-speed transmission, the Honda CR-Z Concept is said to have significantly better performance than the fuel-economy Insight. Using a 1.5-liter i-VETEC 4-cylinder, the car will be introduced to Japan next February and North America in the autumn of 2010. The CR-Z Concept is slated to be priced between $19,000 to $25,000.

10. Honda Skydeck Concept

Honda unveiled a sporty minivan concept called the Skydeck, a six-seater hybrid MPV that's best identified by its Lambo-style scissor front doors, glass roof and floating seats. The battery has been placed in the center console along the cabin floor which the seats are mounted to. This frees up more space inside and makes it ideal for a family car.

11. Mitsubishi Concept Px-MiEV

Mitsubishi has put its plug-in hybrid Concept PX-MiEV crossover concept on a pedestal here at the Tokyo Motor Show, touting the CUV's "environmental and on-road performance," as well as its serial and parallel modes and wireless charging capabilities.

The crossover's design language represents another refinement for Mitsubishi and it presents a pleasing collection of shapes and could point the way for a future iteration of the softroader. Inside is typical concept car fare for "linking man and car interactively." The Mitsubishi Concept Px-MiEV comes with a combination of a 1.6-liter gas engine and a hybrid system with lithium-ion batteries.

12. Subaru Hybrid Tourer

The Subaru Hybrid Tourer's flat floor hides two electric motors, one aft that powers the car in low-speed acceleration and assists with acceleration and one up front connected to a direct-injection turbocharged gas engine. The Tourer is also fitted with Subaru's trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive system and a Lineatronic CVT transmission.

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