Concepts from 2003 Tokyo Motor Show

Environmental, safety, and information technology were strongly emphasized in an impressive array of fuel-cell, hybrid, and pure electric concept cars.

Sturm und drang and a couple of hurricanes landed on these far eastern isles of Japan in full force. The Mercedes-Benz SLR, Audi LeMans Quattro, Bentley Continental GT, Porsche Carrera GT, Ferrari Enzo, Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Bugatti Veyron, Ford GT, and Cadillac Sixteen, to name some, made their imposing appearances at the Hakuhari Messe, the site of the biennial Tokyo Motor Show.

The Japanese chose not to resort to Kamikaze (literally means “God's wind”) tactics to fend off those exotic offensive weapons. In fact, Nissan president Carlos Ghosn let it be known that the company's next-generation ultra-high-performance GT-R coupe would not happen until 2007, an unusually long lead-time in the industry where months are normally quoted. Toyota kept mum on a rumored super sports car project powered by a Formula One-inspired V10 engine.