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The Mitsubishi TETRA was a concept car first exhibited by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors at the 32nd Tokyo Motor Show in 1997. The name is an acronym of Thoroughbred styling Ergonomic multi-function interior Technologically advanced sporty performance RISE & All-round information system. The TETRA was an attempt to combine the traditional benefits of a sports utility vehicle with the more performance-biased handling of a car by lowering the ground clearance and overall height, and thereby the center of gravity while using a wide track and wide, low profile tires. Under the skin, it utilized a 6G72 24-valve 3.0 L DOHC V6 with gasoline direct injection, mated to an INVECS-II five-speed semi-automatic transmission. The electronically controlled, full-time four-wheel-drive system was heavily based on the high-performance Legnum VR-4 wagon, incorporating a center differential and Active Yaw Control (AYC). The same car was the donor of the four-wheel multi-link suspension, rear self-leveling mechanism, and RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) passive safety construction. Styling details included: A vertically split rear tailgate. Center-opening suicide doors at the rear. A two-piece split-opening hood. Source: Wikipedia Images: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

1997 Mitsubishi MAIA was Powered by the GDI engine and developed for the 21st century. This 4-seater multi-use minicar is friendly to all: the environment, occupants, and pedestrians. The design is solved in the same "cubic" style: the exterior panels of the body are flat, and their intersections form characteristic "ribs." Again, it is based on a spatial frame, and the new GDI engine with direct fuel injection has a volume of only 1.1 liters. (By the way, six different Mitsubishi models, including Pajero SUVs, are already equipped with GDI engines of different volumes, and the total output of cars with GDI has exceeded 120 thousand). The MAIA was also interesting in seats that move back and forth and rotate and move in a transverse direction. So a small car has a huge number of combinations of interior transformation. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com; Газета «АВТОРЕВЮ», 1997 / №21 (160) (translated from Russian) Images: Mitsubishi; www.motorbase.com

The 1997 Mitsubishi HSR VI was designed for both driving pleasure and the automated traffic systems of the future. This car features two driving modes: Driver Operated and Automated Driving. The Mitsubishi HSR (Highly Sophisticated-transport Research) is a range of concept cars exhibited by Mitsubishi Motors through the late 1980s and 1990s. Six distinct iterations of the vehicle were released biannually to coincide with the Tokyo Motor Show, with each model after the original identified by a Roman numeral suffixed to the name. Fitted with a 2.4 L version of the GDI engine, the sixth HSR concept featured four-wheel steering, active yaw control, traction control, and an automated driving system. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com Images: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

More demented signs of what Longbridge planned for the Mini appeared at Geneva's auto show in 1997 - the Spiritual concept shunted the engine to the rear and shrank output to 800cc from just three cylinders. The Daewoo Matiz-lookalike was held together by a steel frame garnished with plastic paneling. Widely slated as personality-free, is this the nightmare vision of what Mini would become, had BMW not held on to the brand? Source: Simon Hacker/MSN Cars Images: https://www.carstyling.ru/en/car/1997_mini_spiritual/

The year 1997 saw the arrival of not one but three new MINI concept cars – the first was the ACV30 (for Anniversary Concept Vehicle – 30 years on from the original Mini’s 1967 Monte win), which was fittingly announced at the Monte Carlo Rally. This coupe-like model sat on an MGF chassis, making it an unusual mid-engined Mini, and was based on a Dreamworks proposal for the car – that had first been shown at the famous Gaydon shootout in 1995, which was when the BMW Board and Rover management chose the shape of the 2001 MINI. If the ACV30 added nothing to the development of the new MINI per se, it did publicly showcase the fact that Rover was now seriously in the process of developing a Mini replacement after years of inactivity. And even if this was not the car to do it, the ACV30 did begin the process of softening up the public. The Ivan Lampkin-styled interior formed the basis of the production R50’s set-up, sporting a prominent centrally-mounted speedometer and lots of bare metal. The ACV30 might not have looked like a MINI R50, but as well as its interior concept, the concept’s floating roof, chunky wheel arches, and white top were solid visual links. The exterior styling of the ACV30 concept was attributed to the BMW Designer Adrian van Hooydonk and Frank Stephenson. Source: https://www.aronline.co.uk/cars/bmw-mini/concepts-prototypes-mini-acv-30/

The radically styled Mercury MC4 concept car sported "gull-wing" style truck lids raised from just above either rear wheel well to allow easy access to stored items. Video-imaging cameras replaced conventional side and rearview mirrors. Side rear doors were hinged at the rear, eliminating the need for a center pillar. Cast 19-inch five-spoke wheels wrapped in Goodyear low-profile tires were pushed to the edge of the body. In theory, the MC4 would be powered by a V-8. Source: www.chicagoautoshow.com Images: Ford Motor Company

The MC2, on the surface, was just another concept car from Mercury. However, it was a thinly disguised front-drive 1999 Cougar. Styling was hailed as "New Edge," a moniker that stuck with the 1999-2002 Cougar. It was almost the anti-aero Cougar: a solid wedge shape with harsh sculpts instead of rounded edges. In a word, it was truly fresh for its time. Not only did the MC2 have the nearly identical side sculpting to the production 1999-2002 model, but the rear also made it virtually intact, save for a smoother bumper cover. The triangular door handles survived as well. The MC2's interior featured plenty of nickel plating and unique shapes. Nothing made it to the production car, though, since a lot of it would be impractical. A cool feature of the MC2 was its venting glass roof panel. While this function's quality would be nearly impossible to create in mass production, it looks absolutely trick on the show car. Source: www.coolcats.net Images: Ford Motor Company

"Mercury takes on a new L'Attitude - The Mercury L'Attitude, a concept car that combines the practical spaciousness and refinement of a family wagon with the robust off-road capability and fun-to-drive aspects of a sport utility, makes its world debut at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. Mercury L'Attitude is a new breed of vehicle intended to suit the needs of today's dynamic lifestyles. "The Mercury L'Attitude is a fresh interpretation of a family adventure vehicle," said Jim O'Connor, Ford Motor Company vice president in charge of Mercury. "It takes some of the best features of the current Mercury Sable wagon, such as design flair, precision driving dynamics, plus excellent interior comfort and space, yet stretches the envelope by giving the vehicle a definitive off-road look and feel." The innovative tailgate design is one of the vehicle's most prominent features. A molded spare tire well has been designed into the center of the tailgate, which frees up cargo space inside the vehicle. The tailgate and window open as a single unit from the side, providing drivers easier access to the spare, which stores about waist high. The round outline of the spare storage compartment and the tailgate's integrated bumper contribute to the rugged look of a sport utility vehicle. The compartment's lower half drops below the load floor, and with the tailgate open, a circular depression is created in the bumper. Three step pads along the depression allow easy access to the roof. The roof also can be reached from two exposed step wells built into either side of the lower bumper, which allow access without opening the tailgate. The theme of versatility and flexibility is carried over into the roof system. The roof consists of a three-panel glass sunroof system from Rockwell International. The front and middle panels operate as dual sunroofs that can be raised for venting or slid back to an open position. A roof rack system extends the length of the roof and uses two sliding crossbars that stack in the back when not in use. In keeping with the L'Attitude's adventure theme, rear seat passengers can stand with the middle panel open for photography or getting a better view of the great outdoors. Camera mounts equipped with Nikon cameras have been added to enhance the vehicle's versatility. High-intensity discharge headlamps, marker lamps and rear taillamps increase visibility at night. Projector beams located below the headlamps direct high-beam light long distances for off-road use. Sweeping neon turn signals, consisting of two horizontal neon tubes in the rear and a u-shaped neon tube in the quarter panel, illuminate more quickly and with more intense color than conventional bulbs. This allows the turns signals to stand out from the brake lights making them more visible to the other motorists. A chrome-plated grille boldly accentuates the vehicle's Mercury heritage. L'Attitude's off-road ability is improved by the 17-inch, six-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in custom-cut Goodyear tires. The large wheels and tires help to give the concept wagon its purposeful stance and are housed beneath accentuated wheel flares. Olive-pearl metallic paint gives the L'Attitude a sophisticated air. The 3.4-liter, V-8 SHO engine provides refined power to cope with performance demands on the street or off-road. Interior flexibility is a main theme of L'Attitude. The backs of the taupe leather rear bucket seats fold forward to further extend the rear cargo space, and the bottoms lift and lock in an upward position to expose a flat observation platform. Passengers can stand comfortably on this floor space with the middle roof panel fully open. To keep up with the active lifestyles of Mercury drivers, L'Attitude is equipped with a portable Apple Newton global positioning system navigational unit housed in the front console. It offers a map display, directional guidance, a telephone dialing device and mobile office capabilities. Side air bags join the list of safety items on the L'Attitude, which include slow-speed impact-resistant bumpers, dual air bags and side door beams." Source: Ford Press Release Image: Ford Motor Company

Luxury finds a new language with the 1997 Mercedes-Benz Maybach presented at the Tokyo Motor Show. It was a chauffeur-driven ultimate-luxury limousine equipped with a four-stroke, twelve-cylinder gasoline engine, 6.0-liter displacement, rear-wheel drive, six-speed automatic transmission. Technical highlights Reclining seat with ample thigh support and swiveling footrest -> introduced 2002 in the Maybach (W 240) Electrically adjustable single seat with thigh support -> introduced 2002 in the Maybach (W 240) Rear-seat entertainment system: 20-inch flat TV/video screen, high-performance sound system with radio, CD changer and mini-disk player, functions controllable via two small six-inch monitors -> introduced 2002 in the Maybach (W 240) High-end communication system with three mobile phones -> introduced 2002 in the Maybach (W 240) Electrochromic roof -> introduced 2002 in the Maybach (W 240) Headlamps with adaptive lighting technology -> introduced 2003 as bi-xenon headlamps with Active Light System in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W 211) V12 engine with automatic cylinder cut-out -> introduced 1998 in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W 220) Active suspension with electronically controlled springing/damping system -> introduced 1999 in the Mercedes-Benz CL (C 215) Sequential turn signals LED taillight, brake light, rear fog lamp, reversing light, and turn signal -> introduced 2003 in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C 199) Hybrid body construction consisting of fiber composites, aluminum, and magnesium At the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented a highly distinguished new concept vehicle, the chauffeur-driven Maybach limousine. The Maybach offered the fullest and most exclusive possible range of in-car amenities, including a reclining seat and a state-of-the-art rear-seat entertainment and communication system. The engineering was also of the highest standard, including features such as electronically controlled adaptive headlamps or a V12 6.0-liter engine with automatic cylinder cut-out. Both the vehicle and its name were a tribute to Wilhelm Maybach, the inspired engineer who worked with Gottlieb Daimler when the automobile was still in its infancy, as well as to his no less gifted son Karl Maybach, who in the 1920s and 1930s built luxury automobiles of the highest distinction and reputation. The Tokyo concept was also, however, a salute to the many Mercedes customers who demand ultimate luxury because, quite simply, that's their way of life. The Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept was enthusiastically received by the public, ensuring that this model too could move forward to volume production. The first hand-finished models left the Maybach manufacturing facility in Sindelfingen in 2002. Their radiator grille was graced not by a Mercedes star but by the Maybach "double M" insignia. Mercedes-Benz has decided to revive the renowned name as a brand in its own right. The Maybach gave the engineers and designers a rare opportunity to follow up on all those ideas that they would normally reject as too extravagant. The result was a car that represented the absolute ultimate in ride comfort, timeless styling, and consummate engineering. At 5.77 meters, the exterior length of the concept exceeded that of the long-wheelbase version of the Mercedes-Benz S 600 by almost 56 centimeters. Its wheelbase was precisely 40 centimeters long, and it was also six centimeters taller and six centimeters wider. The regally spacious interior was used to full effect, since the Maybach was designed as a chauffeur-driven car. The styling had been honed at the Daimler-Benz Design Center in Japan and was based on a perfect balance between two dimensions: tradition and innovation. Two-tone paintwork, fine metal fittings, refined interior materials, and numerous special high-tech features all helped to define the ambiance of this unique sedan, whose elegant silhouette was emphasized by a luminescent strip running along the waistline. This took the form of an extremely thin luminescent film whose color and brightness could be adapted to suit the owner's tastes and gave a dynamic light sculpture. The driving area showed careful attention to the person's needs at the wheel, not only in the actual driving task but also in ambiance. However, most pampered of all were the rear-seat passengers, whose first impression was one of extreme spaciousness. The sumptuous interior, with plush materials like cream-colored leather, select wood, subtly smoked glass, and high-grade metal trim, created a lounge-like environment. The two individual seats were independently power-adjustable and invited their occupants to sit back and luxuriate in their surroundings. The right-hand seat, which reclined like a first-class airline seat, featured large thigh support and swiveling footrest. This seat went into production in the long-wheelbase Maybach 62, while the left-hand seat, which likewise featured a comfortable reclining position, was adopted in the Maybach 57. The high-class luxury furnishings of the Tokyo concept also included a bar from which the passengers could help themselves with hot or cold drinks, a humidor for cigars, and a high-end communication system comprising three telephones. One of these served exclusively as a data line enabling the onboard personal computer to access the Internet, e-mails, or an office network so that passengers could carry on working while they were in transit. The second telephone allowed the chauffeur to take calls and route them through to a separate receiver in the rear. The third telephone was exclusively for the private use of the rear-seat passengers. The lavish Maybach entertainment system included a roof-mounted 20-inch flat-screen for unspoiled TV/video viewing. A high-end sound system provided excellent sound quality for this equipment and the radio, CD player, and mini-disk player. Rear-seat passengers could control all functions using two small six-inch touch-sensitive monitors on the passenger compartment's left- and right-hand sides. The well-thought-out menu structure was intuitive and easy to use. One elegant piece of technology was the electrochromic glass roof. When passengers looked out from the vehicle, the glass could either appear completely clear and transparent, producing a natural daylight ambiance, or at the push of a button, could become translucent like a gemstone. The transparent or translucent effects were activated by a voltage to a conducting polymer layer situated underneath the glass. Maybach's high-tech engineering included an active suspension system featuring electronically controlled springing and damping at each wheel. The active suspension system provided excellent ride comfort and counteracted all roll movement when cornering. The lighting technology at the front and rear of the Maybach was ground-breaking. The front headlamps incorporated different reflectors for different operating conditions, such as urban driving, driving in bad weather, or motorway journeys. An electronic system controlled the headlamps adaptively, matching the light direction to different driving situations. The sequential turn signals were more visible to other road users. In all the various segments of the rear lights, the tail light, brake light, rear fog lamp, reversing light, and turn signal technology were used. The bodywork of the luxury concept car was an innovative hybrid construction that achieved significant weight savings by using fiber composites, aluminum, and magnesium. The Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept car exhibited at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show offered a future perspective on the technology and equipment of luxury cars of tomorrow. Today, the Maybach has long since moved out of the future and into the present, even if it does still sometimes seem as if it were a car from another world. Source: DaimlerChrysler AG Press Release

The 1997 Mercedes-Benze F-300 Life-Jet was a dynamic driving pleasure on three wheels. It was equipped with the cornering dynamics of a motorcycle and the safety of a passenger car. Body and front wheels tilt when negotiating bends. Three wheels, two seats, and a jet-design body are the visual characteristics of a research vehicle with which Daimler Chrysler surprised the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in autumn 1997. The F 300 Life-Jet is aimed at a market segment that does not exist yet, namely the niche between passenger cars and motorcycles. A new species of vehicle could establish itself here, which combines everything the modern motorist requires for the perfect driving experience: The fresh-air fun of a convertible The individuality of a roadster The performance of a sports car The comfort of a compact car and – not least – the safety of a Mercedes-Benz The F 300 Life-Jet offers all these attributes and combines them with an additional unique feature that car drivers have previously lacked: the driving experience and cornering dynamics of a motorcycle. Accordingly, this research vehicle reconciles seemingly contradictory characteristics: it is as safe and comfortable as a four-wheeled vehicle but as dynamic as a two-wheeler. Active Tilt Control (ATC) lies at the heart of the F 300 technology. This system is based on the lightning-fast interaction between electronics, hydraulics, and mechanics: sensors register the current driving situation and continuously feed the onboard computer with data indicating the yawing and linear speed of the vehicle, the acceleration, the current steering angle, and the position of the hydraulic cylinder which steers the front axle. The computer calculates the necessary angle of body tilt and sends the relevant control signals to the hydraulic system based on this information. As a result, the F 300 Life-Jet adopts a precisely calculated angle of tilt when negotiating bends, reflecting the current driving situation and offering the best possible resistance to overturning. For example, at maximum speed, the ATC computer allows only a minimal amount of body roll and provides additional stability but quickly allows the active control system to select a maximum angle of tilt of 30 degrees at non-motorway road speeds. Source: DaimlerChrysler

This 1997 Mazda concept is another study for a compact van (C-MAV), realized by the European Design Studio with more aggressive styling. This is a design study model for a compact space wagon in the near future—plenty of space and flexible seat arrangement for seven passengers or various sizes of luggage. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com Images: Mazda Motor Corporation

The 1997 Mazda MV-X concept was very close to what a future large MPV could look like for Mazda. This is a design study model for a multi-purpose vehicle in the near future. Sporty and active tastes are added for the people who enjoy their lively lifestyles. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com Images: Mazda Motor Corporation

Mazda's 1997 MS-X Multipurpose Sedan Experimental prototype was a design study that was a study model for one of the next-generation sedans. In a traditional "Sedan" style, the car provides special functions for safer driving and passengers and luggage space. Source: www.tokyo-motorshow.com Images: Mazda Motor Corp.

Lexus revealed its Sport Luxury Vehicle (SLV) concept on February 6, 1997, at the Chicago Auto Show. The SLV was a vision of a new blend of mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) for the driving enthusiast. At the show, company executives confirmed that Lexus would introduce a volume production model based on the SLV in the near future. The prototype predicted the styling and features that would appear on the Lexus RX 300. As an entirely new concept combining luxury sport sedans and SUVs, no comparable product existed on the market in 1997. Aggressive 17-inch wheels and tires and a rugged vertical bar grille design suggest the SLV’s tenacious traction. Low step-in height and low overall height ensure convenient entry. Based on the Lexus ES 300 near-luxury sedan and employing unibody construction, the SLV was powered by an all-aluminum 3.0-liter 24-valve V-6, featuring continuously variable valve timing (VVTi), a first for any V-6 engine. Source: www.chicagoautoshow.com

Presented at the 1997 Chicago Auto Show is the Lexus HPS. Comment below if you have more details on this rare Lexus concept. Images Source: Lexus

'A modern interpretation of the Stratos' powered by two Kappa 5 cylinder engines joined to form a V10. Porsche gearbox and 4WD system. According to Franco Sbarro's students, who designed the 1997 Ionos, this was how a latter-day Lancia Sbarro's joining of two Alfa engines to make a straight eight, the Ionos and two Lancia Kappa five-cylinder units joined together to make an upturned V-ten layout, with a Porsche gearbox between the banks. The transmission was Porsche four-wheel drive. The "crash helmet" window profile was reminiscent of the original Stratos. Source: www.is-it-a-lemon.com Images: Sbarro; Dingo

The Timor/Lamborghini LM003 Borneo/Galileo was an off-road design study by SZ Design (Zagato) During the Indonesian group's ownership of Automobili Lamborghini SpA, a study was made to put the gargantuan LM002 off-road Lamborghini back into production. It was known that the LM002 had its flaws, but it still was a steady low volume seller. Therefore a United Kingdom-based company was contacted to design a successor to the LM002. Still, later this job was handed over to SZ Design, a company based on the remains of the Zagato Design Studio. This was to become the LM003, named Borneo or Galileo, depending on what market it was offered. The LM003 model was a confusing name because an LM003 did already exist in the past. It was, in fact, an LM002 with a Turbocharged Diesel engine installed into it instead of the massive V12. Still, because the complete car was very underpowered with this engine configuration, only one prototype was ever made and never left the factory. A preliminary drawing was made for the new LM003 project, which you can view at the top of this page, but an in-depth market research study revealed only a small interest would exist in the new LM003. Most Lamborghini customers or future customers were not exactly waiting for a new off-road vehicle from Sant'Agata; a more wanted car would have been an Espada successor like the L149 project or a new Diablo successor. Therefore the Borneo/Galileo never even made it into a prototype; this drawing and a few others made by Zagato exist, together with some technical proposals, were about all that ever came from this try out although an actual full-scale mock-up was created of the LM003. The shape of the Borneo looked much like the current Range Rover, probably to the biggest competitor for the new LM003 during that period. The Range Rover was about the only high-end luxury pseudo-off-road vehicle in existence. The Mercedes M-series, the Lincoln Navigator, or the Hummer did not exist yet. As you might notice, all cars in this market area use a similar layout, using a type of station car look, just like the LM003 was designed to, although Michael Kimberley decided the new LM003 would be presented with three different body configurations, one like the drawing shows here, a 'normal' four-door version like the previous LM002 and probably a third looking much like the open-top Hummer which appeared later. The new LM003 Borneo would become a joint venture between Timor, an Indonesian-based automaker, and Automobili Lamborghini SpA. The body shell would not be made in Italy but the Far East. The LM002 bodywork was made in Spain when it was still in production. A closer look at the LM002 Estate page will show you, in fact, a modified LM002. This LM was converted into a similar-looking shape to this LM003 and is currently located in the United Kingdom. In my personal opinion, the market is currently open for a new high-end luxury off-road vehicle. The Mercedes M-series and Lincoln Navigator sales are quite well, so a new Lamborghini Off-road vehicle could still make sense from a marketing point of view. Naturally, a small engined V-8 car to succeed the Jalpa would sell better, but the very high-end market is where Automobili Lamborghini SpA could make a difference. Source: lambocars.com Images: Zagato; www.lambocars.com

The 1997 Kia KMX-4 is an interesting 6-seater four-door minivan that features an original glass roof, a sophisticated digital instrument panel, a navigation system, and an automatic transmission with control on the center console. We are not talking about the mass production of such a minivan yet. Source: «Любви все возрасты покорны», АВТОРЕВЮ N 18 (157) 1997 (translated from Russian) Images Source: www.history-of-cars.com

The concept coupe Kia KMS III, without a doubt, was made at the peak of the Hyundai Coupe. Source: Seoul Motor Show

At the 1997 Detroit Motor Show, Karmann presents a most innovative study of a cross-country vehicle, the ”Open-View.” This car is equipped with a ”Rigid Retracting Roof,” a new and innovative roof system. It is made of three glass parts that may be folded together and stored in the luggage compartment. Except for the front window, all the other windows may also be lowered entirely into the body. Source: Karmann