Tokyo Motor Show 2015

Some of the best concepts of the year were high-end sports cars pointing to the future of performance driving. Here are our picks for the best of 2015.​

Daihatsu is not an automaker we talk about all that often, but when we do, it's usually because of a very interesting concept car or two. For this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Daihatsu has dedicated its concept cars to rethinking the vehicle interior.

The concept car that Yamaha had teased two weeks ago has been officially unveiled at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show. Built on Gordon Murray's innovative iStream Carbon platform, the Sports Ride Concept attempts to convey the feeling of riding a motorcycle to a lightweight two-seater sport car.

Kawasaki offered a glimpse of it's future supercharged bike line-up at the Tokyo Motor Show when it showed a sketch of the Spirit Charger Concept, a softer version of the 200 hp Ninja H2, plus a newly-developed version of it's supercharged engine aimed at increasing efficiency and fuel economy.

Nissan has rolled out the funky, high-tech Teatro for Dayz concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. Designed to engage younger potential drivers that Nissan frames as "share natives," the car is packed with unlikely technologies like exterior LED displays and an interactive interior display system.

STI​ has pulled the covers off of a special-edition WRX STI, designated the S207. With just 400 units to be produced, the S207 begins as a WRX STI, then receives several upgrades, including exclusive engine and suspension tuning along with unique design elements inside and out.

Subaru has unveiled its new Impreza 5-Door Concept. Focussing on the design features of the next-generation Impreza, rather than the drive-train or tech, it has a compact, streamlined and sculptural look​ aimed at reinforcing the Impreza's sporty reputation.

Tilting three-wheeled motorcycles seem certain to go mainstream with the showing by Yamaha of a sporting MWT-9 concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. The MWT-9 uses a three-cylinder 850 cm3 engine and is likely to extend the existing 125 cm3 Tricity into an entire family of three-wheelers.

​Yamaha surprised at the Tokyo Motor Show today when it showed a motorcycle-riding robot along with images showing the robot riding Yamaha's 1000cc R1M. The motorcycle-riding humanoid is part of an R&D effort aimed at creating advanced rider safety and rider-support systems. ​

Along with several prototype motorcycles that were unveiled ahead of the Tokyo Moto Show, Honda has announced updates to its Crossover X-models. The NC750X and CB500X have undergone a major redesign, while the VFR1200X Crosstourer receives some practical updates.

With the 44th Tokyo Motor Show coming in two weeks' time, Yamaha offers a glimpse of the world premieres that will be on display in its "Yamaha Motor Product Orchestra" booth. Headlining its line-up is a hybrid car/motorcycle concept, escorted by a leaning multi-wheeler​ concept.

Subaru is debuting yet another Viziv concept. All the Viziv concepts of the past have been forward-looking, but none more so than the Future. The new concept car is infused with next-generation technologies and design solutions inside and out.