Tokyo show: Mitsubishi's crystal ball concepts

Harking back to the 1950s Renault 4CV in style and configuration (Mitsubishi’s design boss Olivier Boulay is French, after all), the egg-shaped Smart-based "i" mini car concept features a mid-engine rear-wheel drive layout.

The company says it uses the Smart configuration for maximum driver enjoyment, increased crash worthiness (a five-star crash rating has already been achieved) and efficient space utilisation.

Mating a 1.0-litre variable-valve four-cylinder engine to a new CVT automatic gearbox, the concept has returned an impressive 3.8l/100km fuel consumption average. According to Mitsubishi, some of the i Concept’s ideas will be incorporated in its new sub-light “Kei” class contender due in 2005.

Whether the Smart rear-engine/rear-drive platform is included is as yet unknown. European sales are also likely, since the i debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Another Smart-based concept, the SE-RO may be Mr Boulay’s homage to the 1950s Fiat Multipla, since both look like two front halves of a car stuck together.

The Fiat feel continues with the rear-engine/rear-drive layout, so the SE-RO should also be considered to be the wagon version of the aforementioned i concept.

Touted as a lifestyle minicar despite its long wheelbase, the SE-RO is aimed at outdoorsy males over 35, and features flexible seating that folds into "a hobby workspace" to prove it.

The outer panels are aluminium, while motivation comes courtesy of a turbocharged 0.6-litre three-cylinder engine tied to a CVT transmission. The CZ2 Cabriolet is a drop-top version of the Mitsubishi’s Mirage replacement, primarily aimed at women.

And unlike the strictly 2+2 Peugeot 206CC and Nissan Micra steel-folding roof convertibles, the CZ2’s traditional canvas roof allows for two adult-accommodating rear pews. A production version is likely.

Finally, one of the stars of the 2001 Tokyo Show was the Tarmac, a stylish coupe built on the contemporary Lancer EVO VI platform.

As the Spyder name suggests, Mitsubishi simply removed the coupe’s roof for this year’s event.