Together with the S-FR, Toyota is set to premiere two other radical concept cars, the Toyota FCV Plus and the Toyota Kikai, at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.
The Kikai is an intriguing concept that underlines the beauty of automobiles, and was designed to explore and emphasise the fundamental appeal of machines. The unique three-seat triangular layout (reminiscent of the McLaren F1) and stripped away open body places the driver at the very heart of the machine. Instead of the conventional wisdom of hiding the inner workings of the car beneath smooth sheet metal, the Kikai concept encourages drivers to appreciate the complex beauty of the mechanical aspects of cars, a reminder of the physical and tactile in the digital age.
Joining the S-FR and Kikai will be the FCV Plus, a fuel cell concept that looks straight out of a science-fiction omvie. It is powered by compressed hydrogen (which has a higher energy density than electricity), and designed to not only run on hydrogen in its own tank but also from exterior containers, allowing it to provide power to homes. The fuel cell is mounted between the front wheels, juiced by a tank behind the rear seat, and powering four individual electric motors.
Toyota's aim is to turn fuel cell vehicles from eco-cars into energy-cars, making local, self-sufficient power generation a global reality, as fuel cell vehicles will take on a new role as power sources within their communities.
