Daihatsu's Funky Little D-X Roadster

For this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Daihatsu brought along an innovative new concept for a multi-purposes kei car series called the D-X ("d-cross").While the car shown at the Japanese brand's booth is a two-seater roadster, Daihatsu says that its can be easily modified into different types of models by replacing or adding components on its resin-based body.

Among other body styles, the D-X can be transformed into a shooting-break-like hatchback with a hard top, a two-door crossover and a lightweight weekend-racer.

As you can see in the pictures, Daihatsu's roadster model is extremely compact measuring just 3,395mm in length, 1,475mm in width and 1,275mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,230mm.

Power for the D-X comes courtesy of Daihatsu's 0.66-liter two-cylinder engine with direct-injection and turbocharging technology, with the Japanese automaker saying that it "strikes a balance between the joy of driving and fuel-efficiency."

Nissan Juke Nismo Concept Sports

Nissan just couldn't wait for the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday to share the news on a fresh concept version of its Juke crossover prepared by its in-house motorsports and performance division, Nismo.

Unlike the extremely radical Juke-R project, which features the inner works of the GT-R sports car including its twin-turbo V6 engine and advanced all-wheel drive system, the Juke Nismo concept is a very realistic study for a down-to-earth sporty variant of the regular model.

“The global sales success of Nissan Juke has proved beyond doubt that customers are looking for something different,” said Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan. “The Juke Nismo Concept takes that idea to the next level. It’s energetic, distinctive and highly desirable.”

Nismo's technical team started out by tuning the Juke's 1.6-liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine that has been uprated to deliver more power and performance, though Nissan didn't provide any specific numbers. For the record, in standard JDM trim, the four-cylinder engine produces 190-horses.

They then proceeded with the chasses that was lowered and stiffened using parts of the same kind that will be available from Nismo’s parts catalogue. The 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels with wider tires round out the performance improvements.

No tune is complete without a visual makeover, and Nismo doesn't disappoint with a new aero kit that bundles a revised front bumper and grille, side skirts, wider fenders, side skirts, a new roof spoiler, different mirrors and a bespoke rear bumper that houses a diffuser and the twin chrome exhaust pipes. The Juke Nismo is finished in a white paint with red highlights.

We won't see the interior until Wednesday, but Nissan tells us that the Juke Nismo's cabin has been upgraded with several sporty touches that include the steering wheel, pedals, gauges, shifter knob, door trims and bucket seats.

Toyota Fun-Vii Concept

Crazy concept cars are something of a staple of the bi-annual Tokyo Motor Show, which takes place this year at the Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward from November 30 (press day) to December 11.

And while the star of Toyota's booth will be without doubt, the new 86 coupe (formerly known as the FT-86), Japan's top-brand has plenty more in store for us including the Fun Vii concept study.

The experimental model is described by Toyota as a "smartphone on wheels" and all for good reason as the Fun Vii functions a lot like a mobile phone. For instance, , the whole body of the vehicle as well as the interior can be used as a giant display space, with both the body color and display content changeable at will "with the same ease as downloading an application"

The Fun Vii also interacts and is able to link with surrounding vehicles and infrastructure, while Toyota says that a portion of the car's functions can be controlled remotely via a smartphone or any other mobile communication device.

We'll have more on the Fun Vii as well as the rest of the cars Toyota is planning to introduce in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Toyota and Yamaha to Jointly Display Concept Bikes

It's a very little-known fact, but one of, if not the most famous Toyota sports cars of all time, the late 1960s 2000 GT, was designed and manufactured in collaboration with Yamaha, which is mostly recognized as a maker of motorcycles, marine engines and pianos.

The two Japanese companies are now combining forces once again with a joint display of two concept models at this week's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show to highlight their new collaboration in the development of communications-linked next-generation vehicles.

The two concepts are the three-wheeler electric commuter "EC-Miu" and the electrically power assisted bicycle "PAS WITH".

As part of their broad partnership, Yamaha Motors and Toyota plan to build a charging infrastructure that can be shared by both two-wheeled vehicles and automobiles, and also establish common systems such as navigation and telematics services that utilize smartphones and Wi-Fi communications.