5 highlights from the 2025 Japan Mobility Show
What used to be known as the Tokyo Motor Show was rebranded Japan Mobility Show in 2023. This timely evolution of the traditional motor show came to encompass all manner of mobility solutions (as opposed to just the basic automobile).
Naturally, for many of us enthusiasts, the main event is still the cars, with a diverse smorgasbord of the futuristic, the fun and the functional. If anything, the JMS 2025 is a salve to many petrolheads who are getting tired of the relentless onslaught of homogeneous China EV brands.
Not that this stopped BYD, which used the occasion of the JMS to unveil its Racco kei-car offering, no small feat (no pun intended!) especially with Japan the heart and soul of the kei-jidosha segment of cars.
Mazda Vision X-Coupe
This crossover-coupe vision of sporty sophistication embodies the next evolution of Mazda’s ‘KODO-Soul of Motion’ design language and is expected to set the aesthetic direction of future models.
The sporty cabin is tastefully executed in a dark green, which makes for a classy contrast with the liquid silver exterior.
Like the Vision X-Compact you’ll read about below, the 510hp plug-in hybrid X-Coupe channels the brand’s theme for this year’s exhibition, “The Joy of Driving Fuels a Sustainable Tomorrow”.
Subaru Performance-B STI Concept
Subaru brings back its hot-hatchback and saves the manuals with the bodacious Performance-B STI Concept. Finished in a luscious World Rally Blue, the wide-of-arch and big-of-wing Performance-B is tricked-out in all the fun bits that should make the Subie family happy. Forged rims, huge STI brakes, a flat-four engine matched to a six-speed manual and Recaro sports buckets up front are a familiar recipe for tarmac terrorising thrills.
Mazda Vision X-Compact
We like to think the X-Compact city-car channels the spirit of the Demio / Mazda 2. It is pint-sized and cherubic, but like all compact Japanese cars, is intelligently packaged in the cabin for optimum usability. Its AI acts like a close friend and engages in natural conversation to connect with the occupants, as well as helps broaden one’s horizons by suggesting destinations.
Honda Super-ONE Prototype
It is often said that the coolest Honda models (Honda e, S660, N-Van) never make it officially into Singapore, so we’re not holding our breaths for the production version of the Super-ONE. The all-electric chunky-dory city-car, which is built on the lightweight N series platform, won over a lot of hearts with its honest-to-goodness charm. A key element was for the Super-ONE to be infused with the “fun of driving” characteristics so dear to Honda fans.
Century
Formerly the flagship, high-luxury model range under the Toyota umbrella, Century has now been spun-off into an ultra-luxury brand of its own that will see it sit above even Lexus. The range of Century models shown includes a limousine (in menacing GRMN guise no less), SUV and now, a glorious concept crossover called, “One of One”, with which Century intends to tackle Bentley and Rolls-Royce. According to Akio Toyoda at the 2025 JMS, the “Century” brand – which was started in 1967 – is about forging a path forward on its journey over the next one hundred years.
