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Nissan spread out its reveals leading up to the Tokyo auto show, saving its edgy electric sports car for last. All five concept cars shown made use of proposed electric power, with focuses on commuting, off-roading, and racing. The Nissan Hyper Force shares several visual cues with GT-R models of the past, but it’s clearly focused on the future. There was a huge crowd around the Nissan booth for the unveiling of its final of five concept cars at the 2023 Tokyo auto show. The final vehicle hidden under the drape was clearly something low and sporty with a giant wing, so expectations were high for high performance, and Nissan didn’t disappoint. While some concept cars play it safe, the Nissan Hyper Force is as high-energy and aggressive as its name suggests. Neither gloss nor matte, its bare metal finish gleams like an expensive carving knife, and some of its edges seem sharp enough to kill. The Nissan’s lower fascia juts out like a steam train cow catcher, or a severely pouty lower lip. Its headlights are sunken deep within a set-back grille, and sit far to the side like the eyes of a hammerhead shark. The body lines towards the rear manage to be both geometric and organic, with a hard triangle of flared fender capped by a flowing rise over the tire. NissanThe Hyper Force may be somewhat brickish in overall profile but Nissan says the design was done with input from the NISMO racing team, and that it will cut through the wind like the knife it resembles. The stepped front end and the comb-like rear diffuser provide downforce and control cooling airflow. The big wing offers active aero, while a plasma actuator—which uses an electrode to control air flow—fine tunes airflow around the forged carbon wheels for better grip during cornering. That’s clearly not the only electricity being put to use. The Hyper Force gets a (theoretical) solid-state battery making 1341 horsepower, which will hit the ground via a beefed-up version of Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel drive. Behind the Hyper Force’s vertically opening doors is a cockpit made of more forged carbon, with floating laid-back racing buckets with four-point belts, and a hint of backseat. The squared-off edges of the exterior repeat in the concept’s narrow steering wheel and surrounding screens. Those screens move towards the driver in R mode, displaying systems data like tire pressure and temperatures. In GT mode, the interior lighting goes blue rather than red, and the interface focuses more on infotainment and cabin comfort. When not being driven, the Hyper Force can be used as a VR gaming room, with modes that allow racing without even leaving the garage, which is the high-tech version of sitting in your parked car making vroom sounds, only now you can do it with friends around the world. NissanIf you’re getting GT-R vibes from the concept’s quad round taillights and particular badge formatting, you’re not alone. While representatives at Nissan wouldn’t quite admit that the next GT-R will be all-motor, they did say that the responses to the Hyper Force concept would be closely monitored as the company makes its plans for the performance cars to come. More Nissan ConceptsSenior Editor, FeaturesLike a sleeper agent activated late in the game, Elana Scherr didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. She painted images of cars, but did not own one. Elana reluctantly got a driver’s license at age 21 and discovered that she not only loved cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them. Since receiving activation codes, Elana has written for numerous car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports, and new-car reviews.     More

Honda has revealed a new EV concept with the iconic Prelude name.The Prelude is a two-door coupe that looks remarkably production-ready.We don’t have any details on its powertrain, but we’re hoping it becomes a reality soon.The Integra is back, and now so is the Prelude. Another exciting name from Honda’s past has returned, this time applied to a sporty-looking two-door coupe concept with an electric powertrain. Revealed at the Tokyo auto show, the Prelude concept supposedly previews future Honda EVs, specifically sports-car models that promise to prioritize driver engagement and performance.We don’t have any details on the Prelude’s powertrain or which platform it will use, but we suspect it’s one of Honda’s upcoming proprietary EVs rather than a shared GM-supplied platform like the upcoming Prologue crossover. Sadly, we don’t expect to see any sort of manual transmission, not even a simulated one, as Honda’s CEO said the company wasn’t considering this approach and would instead use other performance metrics for imbuing engaging dynamics into its forthcoming EVs.More on Honda Sports CarsThe Prelude concept looks about exactly as you’d imagine a 21st century interpretation of the coupe from the 80s and 90s to look. It’s not radically low-slung, but instead looks somewhat like a sleeker version of an Accord coupe—which itself was discontinued a few generations back. We’re hoping that this means a legitimate two-door is returning to Honda’s lineup, as the automaker hasn’t produced a true sports car since the S2000 or even a coupe since the Civic and Accord dropped their two-door variants.Though billed as a concept, the Prelude doesn’t appear to have any overly fanciful features that would have to change for production. We’re hoping that Honda decides to make this car a reality sooner rather than later. The company has indicated that EV sports cars are in the pipeline, and the other may be a spiritual successor to the Acura NSX. We’re excited to hear more about the what’s to come, and to get more info on the resurrected Prelude.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Senior EditorDespite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.   More

The newly revealed LF-ZC concept previews a luxury electric hatchback/coupe that will go on sale in 2026. All-wheel drive and steer-by-wire will be standard. Next-gen Prismatic battery packs promise serious range.Lexus has already launched its first EV, the underwhelming RZ. But now the Japanese brand is showing a much more promising electric future with the LF-ZC concept, freshly unveiled at the Tokyo auto show. The company promises that a production version of this car will be hitting the streets in 2026.Presented by Lexus chief branding officer Simon Humphries as “a fusion of physical and digital technology,” the LF-ZC is a strikingly styled concept that will sit on an all-new electric architecture. The company has also shown a concept version of an even larger and grander sister model, the LF-ZL SUV, that will share the same platform. Details, Specs on Lexus VehiclesProvocative SimplicityThe LF-ZC’s design is based around a new philosophy that Lexus describes as “provocative simplicity.” From the front it certainly looks like a Lexus, with a new take on the brand’s elongated-check-mark headlight design and triangular black shapes in the bumper that are reminiscent of the apertures of the LFA supercar. From the side it becomes much more elaborate, with concave and convex shapes incorporated into fenders and doors. The roofline is low and coupe-like, falling gently toward the back of the car. Lexus has not released any performance numbers or claims but says that the LF-ZC is 187.0 inches long, 1.6 inches longer than the previous Lexus IS sedan. A height of 54.8 inches makes it impressively low by EV standards. The targeted drag coefficient of 0.20, if realized, is impressively sleek too. On the InsideThe concept’s interior seems to be further from production reality, unless Lexus is intending to follow Tesla with a cut-down yoke in place of a conventional steering wheel. Although not clear in the images, Lexus promises that controls have been concentrated into two touch-sensitive digital pads, with vehicle functions including drive mode selection done by the one on the left and infotainment by another on the right. LexusLexus says that both the LF-ZC and the larger LF-ZL will use a next-generation prismatic battery pack that will allow it to “achieve approximately twice the range of conventional EVs, alleviating range anxiety concerns.” That’s a big claim, and one we’d expect to come with an EPA rating of over 500 miles. E-Sports and AIThey will also come with the new Arene OS, which offers a high level of adaptability and even the possibility of mixing up the real and virtual worlds. Lexus’s promise that “customers will be able to engage in e-sports using steer-by-wire technology inside the vehicle” sounds close to terrifying. Arene will also bring an AI-enabled virtual function called Butler that will use self-learning functions to help customize vehicle settings for owners, and the LF-ZC will also be able to project information onto its windshield. The LF-ZL is bigger and larger than the ZC at a substantial 208.7 inches long and sitting on a huge 131.9-inch wheelbase. The images released show the combination of conventional front doors with sliding rears. It would sit at the top of the range. The clock is already ticking on Lexus’s race for electrification; the brand has committed to be EV only by 2035. In Europe, the company recently trademarked four names—LF-ZC, LF-ZL, LF-ZV, and LF-ZA—suggesting that this story is only half told at this point. We look forward to bringing you more. Senior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

The newly revealed LF-ZC concept previews a luxury electric sedan that will go on sale in 2026. All-wheel drive and steer-by-wire will be standard. Next-gen Prismatic battery packs promise serious range.Lexus has already launched its first EV, the underwhelming RZ. But now the Japanese brand is showing a much more promising electric future with the LF-ZC concept, freshly unveiled at the Tokyo auto show. The company promises that a production version of this car will be hitting the streets in 2026.Presented by Lexus chief branding officer Simon Humphries as “a fusion of physical and digital technology,” the LF-ZC is a strikingly styled sedan that will sit on an all-new electric architecture. The company has also announced that and even larger and grander sister model, the LF-ZL SUV, will share the same platform. Details, Specs on Lexus VehiclesProvocative SimplicityThe LF-ZC’s design is based around a new philosophy that Lexus describes as “provocative simplicity.” From the front it certainly looks like a Lexus, with a new take on the brand’s elongated-check-mark headlight design and triangular black shapes in the bumper that are reminiscent of the apertures of the LFA supercar. From the side it becomes much more elaborate, with concave and convex shapes incorporated into fenders and doors. The roofline is low and coupe-like, falling gently toward the back of the car. Lexus has not released any performance numbers or claims but says that the LF-ZC is 187.0 inches long, 1.6 inches longer than the previous Lexus IS sedan. A height of 54.8 inches makes it impressively low by EV standards. The targeted drag coefficient of 0.20, if realized, is impressively sleek too. LexusOn the InsideThe concept’s interior seems to be further from production reality, unless Lexus is intending to follow Tesla with a cut-down yoke in place of a conventional steering wheel. Although not clear in the images, Lexus promises that controls have been concentrated into two touch-sensitive digital pads, with vehicle functions including drive mode selection done by the one on the left and infotainment by another on the right. Lexus says that both the LF-ZC and the larger LF-ZL will use a next-generation prismatic battery packs that will allow it to “achieve approximately twice the range of conventional EVs, alleviating range anxiety concerns.” That’s a big claim, and one we’d expect to come with an EPA rating of over 500 miles. E-Sports and AIThey will also come with the new Arene OS, which offers a high level of adaptability and even the possibility of mixing up the real and virtual worlds. Lexus’s promise that “customers will be able to engage in e-sports using steer-by-wire technology inside the vehicle” sounds close to terrifying. Arene will also bring an AI-enabled virtual function called Butler that will use self-learning functions to help customize vehicle settings for owners, and the LF-ZC will also be able to project information onto its windshield. The LF-ZL is bigger and larger than the sedan at a substantial 208.7 inches long and sitting on a huge 131.9-inch wheelbase. The images released show the combination of conventional front doors with sliding rears. It would sit at the top of the range. The clock is already ticking on Lexus’s race for electrification; the brand has committed to be EV only by 2035. In Europe, the company recently trademarked four names—LF-ZC, LF-ZL, LF-ZV, and LF-ZA—suggesting that this story is only half told at this point. We look forward to bringing you more. Senior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

This lightweight two-seat EV has just been revealed at the Tokyo auto show.The small and sleek car shows the versatility of Toyota’s next electric architecture.It could be the one to deliver on Akio Toyoda’s promise for “three brothers” in its sports-car family, alongside the GR86 and Supra.Toyota dropped teaser images about an electric sports-car concept last week, and now the FT-Se has been fully unveiled at the Tokyo auto show. Having seen it up close, we can report both that it looks great, but also that—although there is no confirmation of any intent—aside from some outlandish details, it looks to be ready for production.While Toyota hasn’t released technical details, the fact that the FT-Se was unveiled alongside the FT-3e crossover concept indicates the adaptability of the company’s next-generation EV platform. Toyota has confirmed that both cars will share major components. Toyota has previously said it is working on a new ultra-compact battery architecture, with cells under 100 mm (3.9 inches) in height. The FT-Se’s low, sleek lines suggest that it is designed to accommodate these. Mike Duff|Car and DriverThe FT-Se is a two-seater that is clearly in the tradition of the lightweight MR2 that was sold across three generations between the 1980s and the early 2000s. We don’t have dimensions, but it is low and visually wide, with wheels pushed out to the far corners of its bodywork. The front bumper incorporates sizable apertures for an EV, with more space beneath the rear spoiler with full-width strakes beneath this, which have us thinking of the rear grilles of the Ferrari 512. There is no doubt that something very like the FT-Se could fit easily into Toyota’s portfolio of performance models. The company’s previous boss, Akio Toyoda, spoke of his desire for “three brothers,” and we see the FT-Se as having strong potential to become the third of these alongside the Supra and GR86, completing that triumvirate. As befits a sporty Toyota model the FT-Se is shown wearing the GR branding of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing performance division.We haven’t been able to see inside the GT-Se yet, but Toyota promises both a new, lower instrument panel and knee pads to protect a driver from high g-forces while driving. Toyota has previously admitted to having built an EV sports-car prototype incorporating a virtual stick shift, and the production version of the GT-Se would seem to be an obvious candidate to give this its debut. (Hyundai has a similar system in the Ioniq 5 N, although that oneuses paddles for its simulated manual ratios rather than an H-gate.)Presuming the FT-Se does make it to production, it will likely find itself in a well-stocked pond. Porsche is working on an electric next-gen Cayman, Lotus has confirmed it will have an EV replacement for the retired Elise, and Renault subsidiary Alpine is separately working on another lightweight sports-EV. More Tokyo ConceptsSenior European CorrespondentOur man on the other side of the pond, Mike Duff lives in Britain but reports from across Europe, sometimes beyond. He has previously held staff roles on UK titles including CAR, Autocar and evo, but his own automotive tastes tend towards the Germanic, owning both a troublesome 987-generation Porsche Cayman S and a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16. More

Mazda has unveiled the Iconic SP ahead of the Tokyo auto show, providing more details on the streamlined sports car first seen virtually last year as the “Vision Study Model.”The Iconic SP is powered by electric motors, with a twin-rotor rotary engine acting as a generator to recharge the battery as needed.The concept is about 10 inches longer than the current Miata and features a simplistic interior with a small screen and few physical switches.A year ago, Mazda teased a slinky sports car concept called the “Vision Study Model” that we theorized was an early look at an electric MX-5 Miata. Now Mazda has brought back the concept for a proper reveal ahead of the 2023 Tokyo auto show. Dubbed the Iconic SP, the sports car is actually significantly larger than Mazda’s famous roadster and is powered by a hybrid rotary-engined setup.Mazda Iconic SP Details Mazda didn’t reveal a ton of details about the Iconic SP, but the automaker did publish dimensions. The concept measures 164.6 inches long, 72.8 inches wide, and 45.3 inches tall, with a nearly 102-inch wheelbase. This makes it about 10 inches longer than a Miata, four inches wider, three inches shorter, and with an 11-inch lengthier wheelbase. At 3197 pounds, it is also about 850 pounds portlier than a Miata.Under the hood lives a hybrid system pairing an unspecified number of electric motors with a twin-rotor rotary engine. Mazda says the rotary engine is used for power generation, implying that it is simply a range extender that charges the battery and doesn’t directly drive the wheels. Mazda uses a similar setup in the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, revealed earlier this year for global markets with a single-rotor engine serving as a battery generator. Mazda says the Iconic SP’s engine runs on a carbon-neutral fuel, but it can also “burn various fuels such as hydrogen.” The powertrain pumps out 365 horsepower, which should make the slinky sports car fairly quick. The concept also allegedly acts as a power supply, allowing you to run appliances while spending time outdoors or in the event of an outage.Mazda says the concept is designed for customers who “desire a car that simply embodies the joy of driving” and touts a low center of gravity and a 50:50 weight distribution. The sleek hood sits low between the front fenders thanks to the compact rotary engine, and the bodywork is incredibly smooth, like a piece of seaglass that has been polished by waves for eons. A version of Mazda’s smiling grille sits below what appear to be pop-up LED headlights.The cabin is simplistic, with a small screen to the right of the steering wheel and a series of sliders on the center console. A small digital gauge lives behind the steering wheel—displaying a track map of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit and a g-force meter—and the interior surfaces appear to be upholstered with a luxurious-looking suede. The concept is painted a vivid shade called Viola Red, matching the red stitching inside.It’s unclear exactly what the Iconic SP represents. Although the concept is bigger than the Miata and features a radically different powertrain than the MX-5’s 2.0-liter inline-four, Mazda’s Tokyo auto show exhibit will feature a variety of Miata models. Mazda has already said that the Miata would become electrified to some degree for its next generation, so it’s possible that the rotary-hybrid setup here could become reality. Either way, it is a reassuring look into a future where Mazda will remain committed to small, light sports cars. More on the MiataThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More

The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 plug-in hybrid crests the 500-hp threshold with an upgraded 3.0-liter inline-six and a new 134-hp electric motor. Peak output of 536 hp and 553 pound-feet of torque is enough to send the GLE53 PHEV to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds.The 31.2-kWh battery can charge at up 60 kW on a DC fast-charger, but Mercedes hasn’t yet released the plug-in GLE53’s electric-only driving range.There are changes afoot in Affalterbach, Germany. First, Mercedes-AMG ditched the C63 sports sedan’s roaring V-8 in favor of a four-cylinder plug-in-hybrid setup. Now, the Germans have set about hybridizing the rest of the lineup, and the latest to get the electrified treatment is the GLE SUV. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Hybrid, revealed yesterday, packs a 536-horsepower plug-in-hybrid powertrain and will reach the United States in late 2025.Meet the AMG GLE53 Hybrid Available in both traditional SUV and sloped-roof “Coupe” body styles, the GLE53 PHEV pairs the turbocharged inline-six from the standard GLE53 with an electric motor for a peak output of 536 hp and 553 pound-feet of torque; 443 of those ponies come via the 3.0-liter engine, which ekes out an extra 14 hp over the standard GLE53 thanks to revised software and an extra heat exchanger. The permanently excited synchronous electric motor contributes 134 horses and 354 pound-feet, receiving its electrons from a battery with an estimated usable capacity of 27.5 kWh. Mercedes-BenzWith the plug-in-hybrid powertrain motivating all four wheels, Mercedes claims the portly GLE53 will scoot to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The GLE53 Hybrid can drive on electric power alone up to 87 mph, with an 11-kW AC and 60-kW DC on-board charger replenishing the battery. Mercedes has yet to divulge an estimated electric-only driving range. Mercedes-BenzThe air suspension has been revised for the plug-in-hybrid model, which also adds new bump stops in the front struts and new dampers at the rear. Like the standard GLE53, the front brake rotors measure 15.7 inches, but they are now paired with six-piston fixed calipers versus the two-piston units on the nonhybrid model. The rear discs are also beefed up to 14.6 inches from the 13.6-inch units on the normal GLE53, but they still work in conjunction with single-piston floating calipers. Mercedes also says the all-wheel-drive system and steering have been retuned.Spotting the PHEV GLE53 The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Hybrid has a few subtle visual tweaks, with an extra opening in the front end to usher air to the new heat exchanger and new badges on the fenders and tailgate highlighting the SUV’s hybrid status. The infotainment screens also gain new hybrid-specific displays, such as a charging-status indicator and a gauge for the battery temperature. Mercedes hasn’t released pricing for the plug-in-hybrid GLE53, which should come closer to the SUV’s 2025 on-sale date, but we expect the PHEV model to cost more than the existing $87,900 GLE53. Mercedes wouldn’t clarify whether the plug-in hybrid would be sold alongside the current gas-only GLE53, stating that details on the 2026 AMG GLE lineup are “subject to future announcement.” More Hybrid AMGsThis content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.Associate News EditorCaleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan. More