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The 1997 Toyota e-com is a concept car that was unveiled at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. It is a compact, two-passenger vehicle with a total length of 2.79m. It can run for 100km on a single charge and produces no emissions. The e-com is quiet, features excellent maneuverability, and can be parked in tiny spaces, making it an extremely convenient vehicle. In addition, the e-com can be charged using household 100V AC, offering a new form of convenient, urban transport. Painted silver with a blue roof, fenders, and bumpers, the tiny egg-shaped Toyota "e.com" concept car brought smiles to people who attended the 1998 Chicago show. Stored under the floor of the e.com electric vehicle (EV) prototype were 24 sealed nickel-metal hydrides (NiMH) batteries linked together to produce 288 volts and offered approximately a 60-mile range. The e-com made a second appearance the following year during the 1999 Chicago event. Still, this time the vehicle was painted in a 2-tone combination of silver with green accented roof and body panels. Source: TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM; www.chicagoautoshow.com Images: Toyota Motor Corporation.

The 1997 Suzuki UW-1 was a multi-purpose compact wagon with futuristic urban styling; the UW1 was seen at the Tokyo Motor Show in November 1997. Central to the design of the UW1 are the concepts of improved cabin space, light, and visibility. All of the UW1 windows - from the windscreen, sides, rear quarters, and the rear are made as large as possible to allow maximum light penetration into the cabin. Above the driver, a double sunroof opens to access still more daylight. The UW1's four-cylinder DOHC fuel injected engine is mid-ship mounted under the rear of the long-wheelbase vehicle. The UW1's tires are placed at the very corner of the chassis, providing a spacious, fully flat cabin and luggage area. Driver visibility is also aided by a unique "bridged" dashboard, allowing outside light to be drawn from above and below the shelf-style instrument panel. The space-age dash also houses the vehicle's pull-down computerized nerve center, controlling the UW1's onboard navigation and safety systems, all operated from a center console command pod. The LCD computer screen incorporates an advanced collision avoidance driver warning system, and radar forward monitoring equipment performs vehicle navigation functions and enables an anti-collision alarm. Other safety features in the UWI include: Dual airbags. A reinforced cabin safety shell. A technical design emphasis on a light and airy cabin to reduce driver fatigue. The suspension comes from MacPherson struts up front and five-link coil rear suspension. Transmission is a four-speed automatic, in dial-type column shift configuration, mounted on the steering column. The UW1 is just one example of the company design team's projections for the urban car of the future, as Suzuki strives to meet consumer needs into the next century. Source: www.autowww.tokyo-motorshow.com; web.com.au Images: Suzuki; www.ritzsite.nl

Suzuki CT1 is an electric van with nickel hydride batteries (mileage up to 240 km). According to the designers of Suzuki, this is how small delivery cars of the near future will look like. The sliding screen door will allow unloading of the car even in a narrow passage between houses. This city transporter had the loading capacity of a truck and the utility of a van. This ecological electric vehicle also features the most advanced on-the-car multimedia equipment. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com; Газета «АВТОРЕВЮ», 1997 / №21 (160) ; За рулем 1997/12 Images: Suzuki

Suzuki's super-sport provides excellent fun to drive with a compact body. It followed and developed the basic concept of Suzuki "Cappuccino." The Suzuki C2 was a promising and well-proportioned two-seat sports car concept first revealed at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show. Mounted up front was a complex 1.6-liter V8 engine that produced 250 horsepower @ 4,000 rpm and 283 Nm of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Considering the C2 was designed back in 1997, the styling has stayed remarkably fresh. Yes, the wheels look a little bland, some of the minor details look dated compared to modern cars, and the black-colored wheel arch extensions would have to go, but with just a few minor tweaks, the C2 could easily match some modern sports cars for style. The grille's basic shape and clean lines coupled with the triple beam headlights are particularly successful, as is the rear section with its twin exhausts neatly tucked into the rear bumper. The roof system of the Suzuki C2 offered flexibility due to its clever design. It could be either a fully enclosed vehicle, a full convertible, or by removing the center panel, it was a targa top. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com; conceptcar1.blogspot.com Images: Suzuki

The Subaru Exiga is a mid-sized MPV that debuted as a concept car during the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. According to the Japanese Subaru press introduction materials, the name "Exiga" is a neologism combination of the words "exciting" and "active." The Exiga name was taken from two unrelated Subaru concept cars: the Alpha Exiga from 1995 and the Exiga from 1997. The vehicle boasts a supersize panoramic glass roof and theater-style seating, with rear passengers sitting slightly higher than those in front. The rear seatbacks incorporate fold-down tray tables, similar to those on airplanes. Seats in the concept vehicle were upholstered in leather and trimmed in pearl, white and blue. The instrument panel in the concept vehicle offered displays from eight monitors, providing excellent visibility around the car, and also housed a clear blue multi-display zone. There continues to be indirect lighting in the side doors and ceiling in the production vehicle, providing soft ambient light at night. The engine is a 1994 cc turbocharged H4 based on the Subaru Impreza WRX coupled to Subaru's 5EAT automatic transmission used in the Subaru Legacy and Subaru Tribeca. According to Autoblog, Subaru introduced the seven-seat wagon in the Japanese market on June 18, 2008. Subaru never sold the Exiga in North America, having opted to sell the similarly-sized Subaru Tribeca 3-row crossover instead. However, both the Exiga and Tribeca were sold in Australia and Singapore. With Subaru having ceased production of the Tribeca in 2014, it was expected that the company might bring the Exiga to North America as a replacement and entry into the seven-passenger crossover SUV market. Still, Subaru chose not to because of the Exiga's size and intent to produce a Tribeca successor in the United States, called the Ascent. Sources: Subaru releases Exiga teaser – Autoblog; "SUBARU : 車種紹介 > レガシィ". Subaru.jp. Retrieved 11 October 2010. Image: www.subaru-impreza.de

The Subaru Elten was a concept hybrid 4WD hatchback manufactured by Subaru and introduced at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. The vehicle was a successor to the 360, taking many design elements from even a similar grille. But the design was later scrapped for a different model. Subaru's original compact hybrid power system powers this vehicle designed for urban lifestyles. Running performance is remarkable, while its height and reduced length and width make it ideal for a town car. Representing a new vision for the 21st century, this town-use car represents a new standard in enjoyable driving and ownership. The Subaru Hybrid Power System (SHPS) is based on a high-efficiency gasoline engine and i-CVT, with two electric motors, a torque divider built into the transmission assembly, and nickel hydride batteries. Its charmingly curved design appeals to a compact car with a sporty image, while overall styling speaks of comfort. The battery is located under the rear seat, enabling a spacious interior where four adults can ride in complete comfort. Bold, bright colors give the car a pleasant character, with a delightfully coordinated interior to match. Source: http://archive.tokyo-motorshow.com/show/1999/English/BOOTH/FUJ/guide.html Image Sources: Subaru; www.subaru-impreza.de 1997 Subaru Elten 1997 Subaru Elten Custom

The Geneva Salon of 1997 was marked by a fireworks display of new products from Sbarro. The most interesting were Formule Rhin, Grand Angle, and Ionos. The godfather of Formule Rhin was Marco Rinaldi, an exclusive dealer of Ferrari in Alsace, who has his trademark, L'anneau du Rhin. He rightly considered learning to drive a sports car, especially a Ferrari, on European public roads is dangerous. "If you have enough money for a Ferrari, it doesn't mean you can drive it," Rinaldi explains. The 1320 lb (600 kg) Formula Rhin had a ferocious 200 bhp Peugeot 3.0 liter V-six engine behind the seats, while the B Twin, at under 990 lb (450 kg), had a Lotus Élan style backbone chassis, stressed mid-mounted engine (a 140 bhp 1.6 liter unit from the Citroen Saxo Cup racer), self-ventilating disc brakes and double-wishbone front suspension. Source: www.is-it-a-lemon.com; "Человек, придумавший колесо" Дмитрий Георгиев, Журнал "5 Колесо" 5-2002 (translated from Russian) Images: Espera Sbarro

At the 1997 Geneva Motor Show was a pair of sportscars called the Formula Rhin and Be Twin. They were conceived to teach rich kids how to drive and were fitted with two sets of controls. The 1320 lb (600 kg) Formula Rhin had a ferocious 200 bhp Peugeot 3.0 liter V-six engine behind the seats, while the B Twin, at under 990 lb (450 kg), had a Lotus Élan style backbone chassis, stressed mid-mounted engine (a 140 bhp 1.6 liter unit from the Citroen Saxo Cup racer), self-ventilating disc brakes and double-wishbone front suspension. Source: www.is-it-a-lemon.com Images: Espera Sbarro

The 1997 Renault Pangea is a purpose-built scientific and environmental exploration vehicle. It features an integrated trailer to provide an independent power source for the electric-LPG hybrid drive unit. The exterior styling of the Pangea provided the template for the Renault Kangoo that went into production the same year. Features" Satellite antenna for communication with the whole planet External temperature, relative humidity, and air quality sensors 360° panoramic camera in the roof-mounted turret for all-round vision On-board analysis lab and communications center 60/40 split rear doors and sliding side door Hybrid drive unit using batteries or alternator driven by LPG turbine Two-box architecture Built-in winch in the front spoiler Lighting by directional spot lamps and ceiling-mounted soft-light mini-spot lamps Source: www.conceptcar.co.uk Images: Renault

The Pontiac Rageous debuted at the 1997 North American International Auto Show. It had a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 315 horsepower and 335 pound-feet of torque, a five-speed manual gearbox, 4,600-pound weight, 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Why remember it? It’s a weird-looking thing, a V8-powered hatchback with suicide doors and a drop-down tailgate on top of which is sitting a rather tacky fixed rear wing. Even though overall it looks pretty funky (and not necessarily in a good way), Pontiac should have made this instead of the dreadful Aztek that arrived a couple of years later. Getting back to the Rageous, Pontiac called it a ‘fiery red sports machine’ and envisioned the performance hatch with practicality in mind by giving it a foldable front passenger seat. The aforementioned drop-down tailgate provided access to a massive 49 cubic feet (1,387 liters) cargo area featuring a washable dirt-resistant rubberized material on the floor to make cleaning a breeze. It also had ten net pockets and several U-shaped tie-down hooks to secure the items being transported. According to interior designer Tim Greig, all these goodies opened up "a whole new world of functionality for a high-performance sports car." Speaking of the cabin, the dashboard layout and finish are too fast and too furious for our tastes, but kids probably liked it back in the day. Although it looked a tad childish, the cabin did have a few aces up its sleeve, such as the head-up display along with a trackball mouse in the steering wheel to control many of the car’s functions. Those four bucket seats weren’t too bad, either. Although peculiar, the Rageous is in many ways interesting as it tried to be the jack of all trades by offering a high level of practicality and some severe performances. The 5.7-liter engine pushed out 315 horsepower (235 kilowatts) and 335 pound-feet (454 Newton-meters) of torque sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. The hardware was punchy enough to enable a 0-60 mph (0-96 kph) run in only five and a half seconds. For obvious reasons, the Pontiac Rageous did not make it to the assembly line. Even if it did, the model wouldn’t have been enough to save the brand from extinction in January 2010 when the last car was built. Source: motor1.com; www.welovepontiacs.com Images: General Motors Corp.

The affordable five-door four-passenger 1997 Plymouth Pronto concept sedan was, according to John Herlitz (VP of Product Design), "another clever response to Plymouth's calling for unique, affordable transportation...Before setting out to create Pronto, we gathered guidelines and specs for designing traditional four-passenger sedans. Once we studied all of this information, we threw it out and built a new vehicle from the ground up for our next generation." Pronto had a spacious interior, roll-back fabric roof, and distinctive stand-alone bumpers. Its tall architecture seats passengers higher within the vehicle and gives them more of a command-of-the-road feeling. Styling was "New Plymouth:" "Much in the same fashion that we seasoned the Dodge brand with Viper cues, we will seek opportunities to season the Plymouth brand with Prowler cues," said Chrysler VP Walling. (This would lead to the PT Cruiser.) Body panels would be made of Acrylonitrile/Styrene/Acrylate (ASA) plastic and have a single molded-in color which would simplify assembly and eliminate the painting process. The exterior would also feature stand-alone, blow-molded front and rear bumpers, which, along with plastic trim, offer two molded-in color options compatible with interior trim. Source: www.allpar.com Images: Concept Car Central

The Nautilus is an exciting study of form meant to interpret the theme of large and high-class sporty sedans in purely stylistic terms. Realized in homage to the collaboration with Peugeot is a balance of sportiness, luxury, and innovation in a car with a lively personality that blended a passion for the Gran Turismo with the natural "importance" of a status symbol. If a car will mark the 1997 Geneva Motor Show for setting a new styling trend, this is the Pininfarina Nautilus. A very exotic four-door, four-seater, sport sedan with great charisma, a strong design character, and a unique style. With plenty of details that perfectly enhance its shape and highlights. The silk, almost matt, silver-colored paint to start with. A pure styling exercise that Lorenzo Ramaciotti, general manager of the company's "Studi e Ricerche" think thank, felt is needed at this time of uncertain transition from the abused "bio-design" age into a new "design age." As we had an opportunity to report on a previous occasion, Ford's designers saw this "hole" coming. They were first to take action, delivering what they call their "new edge" design philosophy. "After a phase through which it was difficult not to adjust to the bio-design trend, car design hasn't any strong reference, and there is a great freedom to look for new and individual aesthetic proposal," comments Ramaciotti. Nautilus is born from this newly found freedom. Unlike most of Pininfarina's recent research cars, it is more a dream car than a "concept car," such as the Ethos series, "Argento Vivo," Sing and Song, and Eta Beta prototypes. Listening to Ramaciotti, one understands that the design objective was to answer a question that may not be fundamental but is undoubtedly intriguing: must the stately flagships of the King Of The Hill be conservative and orthodox limousines, with classic, neutral and rational style or can they have the allure and style of lively sculpture. Capable of stimulating emotions and speaking of dynamic elegance? If the answer is "yes," then one might have found a way to challenge the German Three's German makers' domination (with few exceptions, such as Jaguar). In recent years, French makers believed to have found a way; they did not make it with the Renault Safrane, the Citroen XM, and the Peugeot 605. It doesn't take much to understand that one of the key reasons was the inadequacy of their style, not just nation, company, and product image. But the lack of design charisma. What Audi has eventually achieved with its latest A4 and A6, after a long series of failures (including their Audi 100), shows the difference and what needs to be done. Pininfarina's answer to the "if" and "how" the Germans can be successfully challenged is very encouraging and, as far as its style goes, it is convincing. With some exaggeration, we would say that they oppose a generation of Carl Lewis to an old and well-established class of Sumo players. The body style of Nautilus is new, solid, elegant, and expresses a strong sense of quality. It is original, even though the subject of a "luxury, high performance, sport sedan" was tackled and superbly developed by the 12 cylinders 1980 Ferrari Pinin project. That 1980 Pinin and this 1997 Nautilus share the classic architecture of a four-door, four-seater sedan and the overall dimensions of a large car but speak two very different styling languages. Other major differences include the chassis and powertrain. Nautilus is a running prototype built over the modified front-wheel drive Peugeot platform and is powered by the brand new 24 valves 3.0 liter V 6 French engine. This unique running prototype is impressive for its stance and style: it is significantly bigger than the Ferrari Pinin itself. It is 1948 mm. wide with 1650 mm. wide track (1640 at the front), and its huge 19" Bridgestone tires fitted on 9.5" wide rims are laid down on the ground to grant a 2,950 mm long wheelbase. The overall length is just 10mm. Shorter of the 5 meters. Wheelbase and width had to be massive because of the Nautilus's relatively low 1355 mm height and its small, curvy, and sloping roof. The silhouette is, no question about it, sleek and very dynamic, yet the cabin is very comfortable. Once the proportions have been set, the overall sculpture has been modeled to convey a strong sporty image. How do they do it? The car itself tells it all. Starting with the long bonnet, which central part dramatically hangs over the front axle as to bring forwards the Peugeot symbol as to announce the arrival of a king. On its turn, the lower part of the body sides, introduces a new way of holding together large steel panels in a very elegant and three-dimensional form originated by two overlapping sculptured volumes. Pininfarina designers first applied a very innovative approach to form shaping with the 1989 Ferrari Mythos Barchetta. With the difference that here the car is a four-door and the waistline is fairly high. This area is of great interest not only for its "structured shape," its crisp, headlight, and its physical dimensions but also because it does with no doors (integrated into the pillars, just above the waistline), without conventional rearview mirrors (replaced by a video camera). The doors take significant importance as they wrap the lower structure. To provide a strong feeling of protection (that looks real) to the passengers and limit the "fragile" but heavy glass area. The risk here is to reduce the sense of lightness inside the car (as delivered by the Audi TT), but this does not appear to be the case. Courtesy of the roof-colored glass roof. The rear of the Nautilus is also beautiful and exciting. Here one cannot but appreciate that the tail is a nice thing to look at to the advantage of those driving behind the car (actually seeing the rear for much longer than those crossing it). We leave pictures and captions to describe the car in detail for both the exterior and interior design. Here. we have to stress the reasons for the rather peculiar combination of material and colors for the cabin, which serves different purposes but primarily that of "communications." We are not just referring to the TLC (telecommunication) equipment fitted (or to be) inside the car but primarily to stress the designer's "user suggestions." According to Ramaciotti, "the concept that inspired the passenger compartment and guided the design of the interior refers to the type of use that a car of its class can be earmarked for: a sports car driven by its owner, or a chauffeur-driven limousine." For this reason, the front passenger area is very different from the one dedicated to rear passengers. The front passenger seat is sportier, while the rear seat tends to emphasize the living room aspect. Also, the instrumentation can be delivered in two different modes: digital for a more comfortable driving style, analog for a sportier style. At first sight, the concept sounds intriguing and attractive, but in the reality of the Nautilus, the outcome is not fully convincing. There is a lack of harmony inside the cabin and hence a feeling of disorientation. In a few words a wonderful opportunity for designers to refine a concept and work in an area where there still is a lot of room for improvements. Is this a merciless critic? Not at all. Just the rational observation of a research project that, as such, finds out about solutions or, on the contrary, shows that certain ways are not as good (or have not been implemented as well) as originally intended and anticipated when the project was launched. Probably the best performance of Nautilus is that if fully succeed in being that poetic automobile, reflecting the emotional and optimistic, romantic science described in his books by Jules Verne, the French author who dreamed and described a future that has become true. The question now is whether the Nautilus by Pininfarina will also become a reality in a not too distant future. Sources: pininfarina spa.; www.conceptcars.it

Presented at the 1997 London Auto Show, the Runabout was a leisure-time proposal for ocean-goers worldwide. Based on Peugeot's 806, the nautical Runabout was an open-top convertible/pick-up crossover with seating for two people. The dashboard, pedals, and steering wheel all carried the maritime influences found throughout the car. A cover could be drawn over the top for rainy weather, and the removable rear deck allowed storage for a jet ski. The rear panels opened outwards to enable the ease of storage entry. The tall automatic gear shift lever placed inside a chrome-accented cylinder was a notable feature of the interior design. Source: Concept Car Central Images: www.auto.com

The 1997 Peugeot 406 Coupe was built by Pininfarina in Italy and launched at the 1996 Paris Motorshow. Pininfarina, responsible for all the recent Ferrari road cars, used many of the styling cues also used for the Ferraris. If there is something like a "poor man's Ferrari," this should be it. Not only did consumers find the 406 Coupe very attractive, but the "experts" were impressed by design and received many awards in 1997 and 1998. Most notably, "The most beautiful Coupe of the world 1997" (Milan Triennale), "Car design award" (Turin), and "The most beautiful car of the year 1998" (Festival of Chamonix). At its introduction in 1997, two powerplants were available for the 406 Coupe, a 2-liter straight-four engine and a 3-liter V6 engine. Since 2001 the 406 Coupe is also available with the 2.2 liters HDi Diesel engine, the much-praised direct injection "common rail" Turbo diesel engine also found in the large Citroen and Peugeot saloons. The V6 engine was also revised to give ten additional horses. Source: Wouter Melissen - www.ultimatecarpage.com Images: Peugeot

The Signum was a concept for an elegant sedan with a long wheelbase and very spacious passenger compartment, featuring an interior arrangement with unprecedented flexibility in a car of this kind. The new idea became a reality in 2003 when Opel launched a Signum that reflected the principle and innovation of the initial concept: maximum interior size and flexibility. Source: Opel Images: General Motors Corp.

The Oldsmobile Alero Alpha was a 1997 concept car built by Oldsmobile. The Alero Alpha was a 2-door coupe, and its design was inspired by the earlier Tube Car and Antares concepts and the Aurora production car. Many of its design elements were seen in the 1999 production version, simply called "Alero." Like the Alero Alpha, the Alero was available as a 2-door coupe, plus a 4-door sedan. The Sedan version was sold under the Chevrolet brand in several European countries and Israel. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Alero_Alpha

The 1997 Nissan TrailRunner was a coupe concept with the Nissan-developed ATTESA 4-wheel drive and an advanced Hyper CVT-M6 (continuously variable transmission with a manual shift mode) for multi-role capabilities on or off the road. Power comes from a NEO VVL engine with a 1.8-liter displacement, and for top performance, this engine has a 3-stage Variable Valve Lift and timing system. The inside of the TrailRunner, which rides on large 18-inch wheels, is distinguished by M-shaped lines and has a new human-machine interface concept developed specifically for such a vehicle. The secondary controls are carefully positioned for easy operation and quick recognition, while driving controls are clustered on the Multi-control Grip. The interior trim has bright yellow colors to complement the sporty exterior, and the two front seats are body-hugging. Source: www.conceptnissan.com Images: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

The Nissan Stylish 6 is, according to Nissan, their "new wagon proposal for the future." It was also an attempt to combine the size of a station wagon with the room and styling of an SUV. A hybrid-engined car, its powerplant consists of a direct-injection 2.5-liter V6 petrol engine combined with an electric traction motor. Combined with Nissan's advanced CVT, this hybrid system is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by about 50% while also generating cleaner exhaust emissions. The extended exterior means a very spacious interior, and there are three rows of seats in the cabin. Moreover, by keeping the floor height low, access is easy, and there is plenty of space within to walk around, from front to back. Nissan likens the cabin to that of an executive jet, with top priority given to the comfort of each occupant. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com; www.conceptnissan.com Images: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

The 1997 Nissan Hypermini was a completely novel city driving experience with this ultra-compact electric car beyond the conventional. The Hypermini is a two-seater electric vehicle that can travel 100 miles on one charge, with a top speed of over 60 mph. The car features an in-car navigation and automatic location system handled by an operations control center. If the driver becomes lost or a vehicle runs low on power, the driver can contact the control center for assistance by pushing a single button on the dashboard. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com; www.conceptnissan.com Images: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Presented at the Tokyo Motor Show was this 1997 Nissan AL-X. The designers went even further, emphasizing the "cubic" idea with rectangular headlights, rectangular rear-view mirrors, angular bumpers. Even the vast glass hatch in the entire roof is divided into four square windows — all in the same style! It remains to make the wheels square - and there will be complete order. Aluminum space frame, hybrid engine system, and CVT combine in a compact, environment-friendly car offering carefree, enjoyable driving. The latest technical solutions support the avant-garde design. The car is based on a spatial aluminum frame, and a 3-liter V-shaped gasoline engine with direct fuel injection fits under the tiny hood (length AL-X - 3750 mm)! Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com; Газета АВТОРЕВЮ - N 21 (160) 1997 Images: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.