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Tokyo motor shows: past, present and future

By Tim Pollard Motor Shows 20 August 2009 09:30 As bets in this topsy-turvy, unpredictable industry go, it’s a banker: of all the motor shows on the global calendar, the Tokyo exhibit is always the barmiest. Although the Chinese shows are rising in importance – and amusement value –  there’s something peculiarly bonkers about the biannual Japanese bash held in downtown Tokyo. So strange is the exhibition at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City to westerners, that you don’t bat an eyelid at talking cars, vehicles with feelings, or cars designed for dogs.

Honda reveals Urban SUV concept

Honda's compact Urban SUV concept has been teased in a sketch ahead of its unveiling at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. From the sketch we can see pronounced wheel arches with a feature line flowing into the profile where it meets the concept's most striking aspect – an upwards-rising feature line that stretches until it meets the D-pillar. Although other details are sparse, the Japanese carmaker does say that the Urban SUV concept's interior is designed to maximize space using its center-tank layout.

Fiat Panda 4×4 & Panda Trekking: Price from £12,450

The 2013 Fiat Panda 4×4, revealed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, is now on sale from £13,95. It’s 2WD sibling – the Panda Trekking – costs from £12,450. Not only is the Panda 4×4 so called because it has 4WD, but because Fiat want to shout loud and proud that this little shopping car really does have credible four wheel drive underpinnings – almost unheard of in this sector.