JAPAN - TOKYO AUTO SALON 2025

[Tokion]

It’s Friday January 10 right before doors open to the public at 2PM (14:00)

How is the LOTUS / LCI (Japan Importer of LOTUS) exhibit. How is this wonderful show (MESSE in German and some other European languages). From previous experiences, this is a slightly “crazy” show with custom and modified vehicles,,new and old, but of corse regular unmodified stock brand new vehicles as well. It is a very popular show, and Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 will be crowded like oil sardines in a can.

 

[Tokion]

If space is a problem, or when you just love the smallest format; TOMICA may be your answer.

 

[Tokion]

Or perhaps your goal is to meet the Japanese champion

 

[Tokion]

LOTUS JAPAN (LCI) Introduces the EMEYA electrical saloon. Very peculiar & interesting paint-job

 

[Tokion]

HOWEVER, there is no Emira in sight. And a short walk away, Caterham (actually owned by the Japanese company VT Holdings that also run LCI, the Lotus distribution in Japan. (Small world)

A pearl white Caterham Project V is on display. Yes, this is an electric sportscar, but the weight has been kept under 1200 kgs.

Designed by JANNARELLY, whom I met here last year and who is the main designer, this time I met GARCIA who is the design head of ITAL DESIGN (from Italy) which has collaborated with JANNARELLY and Caterham in developing the Project V.

In many ways I really do feel this is one of the nicest cars in recent years, and it is a car for the not so distant future.

And I just discovered that the electric motor system will come from YAMAHA, and it is not necessarily designed for maximum power (200 kW according to the Yamaha staff that I talked to), but it is all about response and driving pleasure. There is also a very compact and light battery from a specialist Taiwan manufacturer

EXCITING

 

[idleuser]

Great photos, thanks for sharing.

 

[Beachbum]

That Caterham rear, is very old style Volvo.......nice

 

[Tokion]

And here comes the exhibited ELETRE (Bespoke). As you can see it is the classic black paint with gold decorations «JPS» theme. Personally not in agreement for that one on this car. I will spare that until I (maybe) make an investment in the Fittipaldi Evija However, the extremely tasty brown interior was to die for. Really classy.

I spoke to two Lotus Technology persons present, and I told them straight that it was a pity that no Lotus sportscars was displayed at this exhibit; only two very heavy ELETRE and EMEYA (SUV / sedan) that weighs between 2500 - 2700 kgs.

And Colin Chapman’s theme was to “add lightness”. The new Lotus owners may not find their path to success until they find a path towards lightness in their next models; one of which I pray is a designed and made in Hetgel , UK sportscar.

The person to the right in the first picture is Mr. Oliver Lee who is the CTO and one of the founders of Lotus Chapman Bespoke (located at the Lotus factory in Wuhan, China). He is a great person with a really good understanding, and he showed me (off the record) some astonishing work that he has done; also on classic Lotus sportscars like Exige. Yours truly on the left