Mitsubishi will premiere a new, slabsided minivan concept that looks like a cross between a 1972 Dodge Tradesman 300 and a new Nissan Pathfinder. The Concept D:5, the company says is a go-anywhere, high-performance concept car that embodies the company’s ‘utmost safety’ ideal. We think it could redefine the minivan genre backward, to the era when vans were vans and **** carpeting was second only to a chain-link steering wheel and prophylactic devices on customers’ options lists.

With a theme of “long-weekend gataways get aways for couples” Subaru is introducing a new concept, the B5-TPH, at the Tokyo motor show. The concept — which Subaru also says expresses the pleasure of driving, and of being driven (ooh, kinky) — combines a hybrid powertrain with Subaru’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive (AWD). Like just about every other concept shown this year, Subaru says it’s of the crossover SUV construct, though to us it looks more like a premium hatchback with high ground clearance. Maybe we’re in for that new hot hatch after all.

Nissan’s new Pivo may appear to be just a string and a handful of colored ***** short of a pull toy, but it’s a truly high-tech showcase vehicle. It’s got a rotating central pod that obviates the concept of “reverse,” and and a wrap-around monitor (and see-through pillars) that eliminates blind spots. Even cooler, using a dash-mounted infrared interface a driver can operate many controls by pointing a finger; to choose the third of, say, four items on a menu, you’d hold up three fingers (or, say, one finger to register displeasure with a random audio selection). The drivetrain is a space-saving testament to the possibilities of lithium-ion batteries, with two axle-mounted electric motors set to be independently controlled to fine-tune torque distribution. To give the concept an aura of high-art cred, the company commissioned Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami, creator of Teddy Bear 2 to launch the concept at Nissan Ginza Gallery in downtown Tokyo.

At the Tokyo Motor Show later this month, Suzuki will unveil a funky minivan (never thought I’d use those two words in the same sentence) called P.X.
Designed for mid-aged Japanese men tired of the routines of everyday life (ever see that movie ”Shall we dance?” — no, not the Hollywood knock-off with J. Lo, the Japanese original), P.X ‘s Bauhaus inspired exterior styling is retro-futurism applied to the classic Airstream trailer, and its interior is equally cool, with retro styling cues abound wrapped in white leather and blue electroluminescent lighting. And yes, those are 20 in. rims on this minivan — or shall we say, G-G-G-G-G-G-GEEE-WAGON.

In addition to the P.X concept, Suzuki will also be showing this sleek MPV concept called Ionis at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.
The 134 in. long MPV is a super-green fuel cell vehicle with an electric motor driving its front wheels and features an interior that’s all show-car. The most eye-catching part of this concept is probably its trick exterior shell designed to emulate the flow of water and changes color to lighting conditions.

This rear engine concept also looks like a lot of fun.
A blend of old European designs, with a bit of 60's Hondas and a sprinkle of Columbo's car.

Mazda’s new Senku concept is the company’s vision of a rotary-powered four-seat sports car for adult drivers. The official line, however, is basically a throwaway: “The concept clearly demonstrates how Mazda continues to offer new and unique Zoom-Zoom driving qualities in the face of increasing environmental and safety requirements and diversifying customer demands posed by societal changes.” Yawn. When’s the press conference?