[motorcycle.com] - Yamaha Sports Car Concept for Tokyo Motor Show

[Ninjette Newsbot]

Yamaha will debut a new sports car concept at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the month. A teaser image of the concept, dubbed the Yamaha 4Wheeler, shows the silhouette of a sports coupe with very pronounced fenders.

The Japanese manufacturer isn’t saying much about the 4Wheeler yet, only saying “the car design concept is inspired by motorcycles and expresses the Unique Style of Yamaha.” Colum Wood, editorial director of the our automotive sister sites, says the teaser suggests a model that looks destined to enter production, citing the rear view mirror and the rear section as details unlikely to be shown at this stage if the 4Wheeler were to remain just a concept.

Yamaha has a long history with automobiles, having developed components including engines for Ford, Volvo and Toyota.*Wood says he would not be surprised if Toyota had a hand in the 4Wheeler’s development.

This also isn’t the first time Yamaha has produced a sports car. In 1992, Yamaha introduced a prototype called the OX99-11 (seen below). The OX99-11 was supposed to enter production in 1994 but the project was canceled over budgetary concerns.

The Yamaha OX99-11 had a two-seater cockpit with the passenger slotting in behind the driver. Photo by Morio


In recent years, Yamaha has discussed plans to introduce a two-seater automobile, to be powered by a 1000cc engine. Those plans were announced in late 2013, however, so it remains to be seen if the 4Wheeler concept will also use a liter-sized engine.

Yamaha also revealed a concept car called the Motiv, a lightweight compact two-seater resembling a Smart car.

We’ll have more information when Yamaha debuts the 4Wheeler to the press in Tokyo on Oct. 29.

[Source: Yamaha]

Yamaha Sports Car Concept for Tokyo Motor Show appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.



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