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January 21, 2015
Kumiko Shimizu Selects! The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011 Best 10
The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011
Kumiko Shimizu's Best 10 Picks: The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011
The Tokyo Motor Show returned to the capital for the first time in 24 years, moving its venue from Makuhari Messe in Chiba to Tokyo Big Sight.
Our BlogAfter thoroughly enjoying the show over two days, Kumiko Shimizu—a businesswoman and skilled amateur racer who also writes for our blog—has selected her top 10 cars from the impressive displays by each manufacturer. What were her choices, and why?
Text by Kumiko ShimizuPhotos by Hirohiko Mochizuki
Reflections on the 42nd Motor Show 2011
The Tokyo Motor Show always showcases cutting-edge automotive technology. Have you visited yet? With the show open until 8 PM on weekdays, many of you might have stopped by after work.
This year's theme was 'The World Can Be Changed by Cars'.
Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in March, there has been a growing focus on EVs, systems that can supply power to homes, and many concept cars pursuing 'eco-friendliness' and environmental consideration. I felt this motor show marked a turning point, prompting reflection on the very purpose of our automotive society in the near future.
What's more, even the eco-cars featured many innovative designs that evoked a sense of the future. As someone who loves fast sports cars, I found it to be a motor show I could truly enjoy!
I'm eagerly anticipating the next generation of car manufacturing!
From this year's show, I'd like to start by sharing my personal top 10 picks, from 10th place downwards.
10th Place: Feeling Subaru's Passion!
Subaru BRZ GT300 Version
The much-anticipated FR sports car 'Subaru BRZ,' jointly developed with Toyota. This is the GT300 racing version! Its headlights have a unique design. The sharp, determined look is incredibly cool! Tuned by SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL, this GT300 version, with its design and logo stickers, truly conveys the passion of the Subaru brand.
9th Place: What About Its Driving Performance?
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC
Characterized by its lightweight interior and futuristic design. This eco-friendly racing car, pursuing environmental consciousness, retains the distinctive image of the Leaf in its headlights. It seems like one could race without worrying about fuel consumption. I'd be delighted if it offered the kind of driving performance found in the GT-R. I'd love to test drive it.
8th Place: French Flair!
Citroën DS5
In 8th place is the 'Citroën DS5,' a five-door mid-size crossover that comfortably seats five adults. The interior is inspired by an aircraft cockpit. The 'watch strap' seats, designed to resemble a watch strap, are incredibly stylish. Even I, who previously had little connection with French cars, was captivated by the unique world of the DS.
7th Place: The Dream of Ultimate Luxury
Maybach 57 S
The 'Maybach,' a top-tier luxury saloon developed with the full extent of Mercedes-Benz's expertise and experience in luxury car manufacturing! Although Daimler's withdrawal from the 'Maybach' brand was announced for 2013, it remains one of the few luxury cars that allows one to dream of being chauffeured in such a vehicle once one becomes wealthy.
6th Place: I Want My Own Panamera!
Porsche Panamera GTS
The 'Panamera GTS,' a 4WD grand tourer that just had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, made its appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show! When it comes to Porsche, I prefer the four-door Panamera over the 911 for its imposing presence. This GTS model fulfills the desire of users who don't need 'Turbo' levels of power but want more than the 'S' version. As it's a vehicle that can be highly customized with options, I'd love to create my own unique Panamera!
5th Place: A Premium Supercar, Limited to 50 Units Worldwide
Lexus LFA Nürburgring Package
All planned production units are already sold out! Opportunities to see this car in person are rare. It's even more finely tuned for circuit driving than the standard model, and reportedly boasts the highest price tag in Japan. I'm already looking forward to seeing its performance.
The yellow body looks great too!
4th Place: Overwhelmingly Cool!
Audi R8 GT Spyder
Its appearance is overwhelmingly cool! It's a form that makes you instantly want to drive it. With a lightweight body extensively using carbon parts and being a limited production of just 333 units worldwide, handcrafted—this is an unprecedented level of luxury for Audi! I'd love for a date to pick me up in this. I imagine driving along the Wangan expressway, speeding over the Rainbow Bridge, and heading to a place like Minato Mirai in Yokohama!
3rd Place: The Fusion of Eco and Sport!
BMW i8 Concept
This hybrid supercar, whose styling captivated me at its unveiling, makes my top 3! It's a plug-in hybrid that achieves both speed and eco-friendliness. I used to associate eco-sports cars with a less-than-attractive image, but this one is simply cool! The fact that it can travel about 35 km on electric power alone is also a big plus!
2nd Place: Cute Rear End
Mercedes-Benz F125!
A future S-Class Coupe. This is the culmination of Mercedes-Benz's fuel cell vehicle concept, looking 15 years ahead. It features gullwing doors that open and close automatically with a wave of the hand, a 3D rear-view mirror, and the ability to recognize objects inside the car remotely via smartphone, as well as control door locks and entertainment systems! This is an undisputed ultimate machine packed with advanced features! Its exotic appearance is also incredibly cool!
1st Place: A Tomboy's Best Choice
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
The beautiful yet overwhelming presence of the new SLS AMG Roadster, characteristic of Mercedes-Benz. It's truly magnificent! I want to drive this monster machine with its 6.3-liter V8 engine and make a stylish exit through the gullwing doors! In the unlikely event of a rollover, the system that automatically releases the door hinges within 10 seconds for escape is perfect for a tomboy like me (laughs).
Kumiko Shimizu
A businesswoman and GT-R enthusiast. She tuned a third-generation Nissan Skyline GT-R and competed in amateur races at circuits like Tsukuba. She also participated in drag races at Sendai Highland. With deep knowledge of tuned cars, she had a two-year serialization in 'Option' magazine. Currently,Our Blogshe is also writing for. Her experience includes event reporting and serving as a Fuji Race Queen. She owns an R35 GT-R, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and a Toyota Prius, among others.
