8th Singapore Motorshow 2006 Highlights

If this year’s Motorshow is any indication of a future direction for the local motoring industry its quite clear that the Italian makes are experiencing a renaissance, with all the brands except Lancia being on display.

OneShift Editorial Team

09 Nov 2006

Concept Cars

Looking lean and futuristic, the Lexus LF-A is probably a projection for the replacement of the present SC430. With its long bonnet housing an F-1 inspired 500bhp 5.0-litre V10 engine, the LF-A has been designed to hit a maximum speed of 322km/h. Some of the LF-A’s more dramatic styling details include its 3-piece exhaust and huge rear extractor vents that are needed to cool the rear brakes.

1. Lexus LF-A

The electric blue Fine-S is a Toyota concept car that uses hydrogen powered fuel cells as its primary power plant. This radical ‘engine’ emits just water vapour as its exhaust and many carmakers see this as the powertrain of the future. As the Fine-S uses fuel cells to generate power to drive electric motors, Toyota has re-thought and re-packaged all the drivetrain components. The fuel-cells, for example are housed under the floor and the electric motors have been moved into each wheel. This allows the Fine-S, which is just 1250mm tall, to have a spacious cabin that takes four passengers in comfort.

Inspired by the 1955 Suzulight micro-car, Suzuki’s first car, the LC is a retro-styled concept car powered by a 3-cylinder 660cc engine. With an undeniably ‘cute’ face, the LC’s is instantly charming. The tartan seat covers and minimalist interior are also reminiscent of the mid-50s. While the original Suzulite had a rear engine, the LC has a front engine and drivetrain. Will the LC go into production? Do you want one? Vote for it, and oneshift.com will forward your requests to the local Suzuki importer.

Combining the characteristic circular and organic forms of the Nouera and Galut cars, the Mitsuoka takes its bizarre mixture of old shapes on new mechanical components to the next level. Orochi is the Japanese name of a mythical multi-headed serpent. When this exotic 2-seater roadster was first shown, it was based on the Honda NSX, but after several rounds of evolution, a 230bhp 3.3-litre Toyota engine now resides in a mid-ship position immediately behind the driver and passenger. According to oneshift.com’s sources on the internet, the full name of this high speed 2-seater is Mitsuoka Orochi Nude.

2. Toyota Fine-S