Cars are Adult Toys! — Five Selections by Takeshi Takahashi, Editor at OPENERS
Cars are toys for adults!
Tokyo Motor Show: Five Picks from an Openers Editor (Part 1)
Lamborghini, Countach, Ferrari...
While not from the heart of the 70s generation, perhaps due to childhood admiration, the many supercars on display are captivating.
And beside these high-performance machines stand alluring women.
Here are five cars, filtered through the personal lens of Openers editor Takeshi Takahashi, based on the principles that 'cars are toys' and 'personal opinion only'.
Cars are men's toys!
Judgment based 100% on looks
Buying a car is a major event for a family, but I didn't compare this car with that car...
Because for men, cars are big toys!
My own car is a second-generation BMW MINI COOPER. Apparently, it was the first in Japan!
I fell in love the moment I saw it at the dealership and immediately placed a reservation. I'm the kind of foolish man who acquires things like a child throwing a tantrum in a toy store.
This is my report from the '2007 Tokyo Motor Show', where I, with my particular tastes, ventured to the 'Motor Show' event.
Please enjoy this selection of cars, chosen with 'personal opinion only'.
Takeshi Takahashi's Five Picks from Openers
1/5 Too new, rejected
MINI COOPER CLUBMAN
The new model of the second-generation MINI has finally been unveiled! Bearing the name 'CLUBMAN', also used in the 1960s model change, this so-called 'van' type MINI is certainly noteworthy. Naturally, I'm curious about upgrades to the car I drive. The body is 240mm longer than the current MINI COOPER and features split rear doors instead of a hatchback... but the design, which feels too futuristic, is a 'reject' for me. The elongated body also feels unrefined. The charm of the MINI lies in its newness yet perceived old-fashioned feel.
The maximum luggage capacity of 1000 liters is quite appealing, though.
2/5 Worth 20 minutes
BMW Concept CS
I generally love concept cars. Cars that are too far into the future, regardless of the manufacturer, always excite me. Lately, cars that look ready for production are being displayed, which is a bit uninteresting.
However, the mainstream designs of today's production cars would probably look like future cars to people from the past.
This is a BMW concept car. Its complex, undulating body lines, low center of gravity, and commanding presence – its refined 'design' is breathtakingly beautiful, and I found myself gazing at it intently for about 20 minutes. If I were to own it, I would build a perfectly lit garage just for this car. It's enough to just look at it. Because it's a toy.
3/5 Near future meets old town?
MAZDA "NAGARE" Design Series
The "NAGARE" series, developed by MAZDA in pursuit of a 'new expression that conveys movement even when the car is stationary'.
It looks like it could fly through the air.
It reminds me of vehicles from movies like 'Minority Report' or 'Star Wars Episodes 1-3'. I wonder if a world where such cars actually run will ever come?
But I can hardly imagine this car driving around Asakusa.
4/5 I want to perfect my 'play'!
DAIHATSU MUD MASTER-C
Honestly, 'Daihatsu' wasn't on my radar, but they presented such an interesting concept. As someone who loves outdoor activities, I've always thought it would be great to have a car like this for playing around. It would be perfect for a man serious about 'play' to own as a second car with friends. With 370mm of ground clearance, you can play freely in the mountains and rivers. Plus, it can 'transform' into a pickup type with attachments. If I could add one thing... it would be incredibly useful to have a car like this that could accommodate a 125cc off-road motorcycle. I use a small van, but transporting it is inconvenient...
5/5 I want to drive around with a beautiful woman!
Lamborghini Reventón
My final selection is, as a man's ultimate desire, a sports car from Lamborghini, possessing a body line more beloved than any woman. This Reventón, in particular, has a body made entirely of carbon fiber. It's a monster with a 12-cylinder engine producing 650 horsepower, accelerating to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, and reaching a top speed exceeding 340 km/h. Only 20 people worldwide are permitted to own this car. The fact that it eschews futuristic, flowing lines for a strictly angular design exudes a certain masculine spirit. Does the Lotus Esprit – the Bond car – come to mind for anyone else? If the woman posing beside it in the photo were willing to be my Bond girl, I'd spend all my fortune to buy it... And the price? 1 million Euros (excluding tax). Converted to Japanese yen, including tax... approximately 174.3 million yen, you say? Ah, I see.
Special Mention
The Women of Ferrari
While possessing a charm no less than the cars themselves, they beautifully adorned the booths.
This motor show featured many glamorous companion models who enlivened the venue, but I was particularly impressed by the Ferrari companion girls.
Of course, their beauty was a significant factor, but I was captivated by the carefully selected women who seemed to perfectly embody the allure emanating from the Ferrari brand...
I ended up aimlessly wandering around the Ferrari booth for an hour or two.





