Having made a name for eco with the Prius, now Toyota looks set to define ego with its new 2+2 coupe, the FT-86. And it looks superb.

Early pictures suggest a typical three-box center-line with pronounced hood, but the reality is remarkably compact with an assured volume that carefully balances macho cues with a more useable feel. From the front there is richness to the hood that would befit a von Hooydonk BMW; below is a five element DRG, the grille dropped to the dam leaving a hood that comes straight into the bumper. Either side long, slit-like lamps with carbon-fiber detailing are pushed into the arch, straining at diagonal tendons. It promises to be one of the most distinctive sights on the road.

From the front rearwards, the originality slightly decreases if losing none of its appeal: the body-side uses Porsche Cayman elements, while the rear is the closest we'll get to an Acura NSX. The roof is also appealing for at last resurrecting the pagoda-style last seen on the R113 Mercedes-Benz SL, and the negative fillets correspond to the contours of the parcel-shelf below.

It is inside too that the FT-86 shines, with an intense zipper-theme penned by designer Jaromir Cech at Toyota's France-based ED2 studio. Twin-levels to the IP split as it nears the dials, the seam-line containing hexagonal vents and cute zippers. This theme is carried to the door-pockets and satisfyingly the CD-slot too. The rest of the doors are fitted with a slim white trim indexing the seats and finished with ribbed grey inserts (though these had been for interior lighting before budget cuts). Though the front seats are skeletal for lightweight, details such as knurled hinges retain a quality feel.

In design terms, then, the Toyota FT-86 betters the Lexus LFA displayed nearby. Apparently Toyota is currently discussing production; to judge by the response at the show the conclusion should be obvious.

The Nissan Leaf is probably the most significant car of the Tokyo Motor Show. This will be the world's first mass-produced fully-electric passenger vehicle and has been designed to be compliable for global markets, when it goes on sale in 2010. Nissan expects to be selling 50,000 per year by 2012.

Designed in Nissan's Technical Center in Hon Atsugi, under chief designer Inoue Masato, the car is intended to be Nissan's green icon.

In profile, the Leaf is essentially a semi mono-volume hatchback, characterized by a very short hood, low cowl, large cabin and high rear. Interior space - and especially rear headroom - was high priority in determining this proportion. The car rides on 17-inch wheels, and whilst there is a lot of movement in the lines and surfaces the overall impression is one of a practical and useable vehicle.

The philosophy of 'smart fluidity' was used to direct the design team, who looked to natural forms and aquatic animals for inspiration, especially for ways to move through the air cleanly. Evidence of this is in the fin like rear lights and sharp edged bodyside lines used to break the airflow to assist aerodynamics.

Although at first glance it is not obvious what the power source of this vehicle is there are a few subtle clues as to the lack of an IC engine. The most noticeable is the omission of a typical grill, with the lower intake the only aperture to the front of the vehicle. The flat underfloor and small rear diffuser of this pre-production prototype also demonstrate an aerodynamic efficiency.

The large DLO, fluid forms and light colors lend the interior a spacious ambience with interaction based around the concept of digital control.  The contrasting flat information panel, use of touch sensitive switches, LCD readouts and a computer mouse like gear-shift add to the expression of being in an efficient electrically-powered car.

Forget the awkward iMiEV Cargo van that ruins the purity of the original city car from which it has mutated, Mitsubishi's most important concept at the Tokyo motor show from a design and technology perspective was its new PX-MiEV plug-in hybrid crossover concept.

Shorter and lower but a little wider than the current Outlander, the PX proposes a new type of off-roader powered by three modes: electric-only, electric with range extended by an efficient 1.6-liter gasoline engine topping up the battery, and for higher speeds, petrol/electric hybrid power in tandem.

In design terms, it's a much more cleanly and simply styled 4x4 than the brand better known for the bulky and bitty production Shogun. Despite its lack of stereotypical off-roader appendages, the PX still looks very solid, due in part to the very high rising beltline with a feature line running closely parallel to it. The distinctive turbine-like wheel design adds graphic interest to the side profile and also, says Mitsubishi, optimizes airflow over the brakes to improve heat dissipation and improve the vehicle's aerodynamic performance when driving faster.

The cabin is equally clean and pared down, with all the major instruments clustered around the driver and the center console within chrome-bordered panels floating in front of the smooth and sculpted one-piece purple IP. Neat metal-edged in-board vents help visually define the seat shapes and accent the off-white color scheme while another floating center console for the passengers in the back echoes the shallow ‘V' shape of the front version to create continuity.

Mitsubishi plans to put something influenced by this concept on the road by 2013 as part of its declared aim to make 20 percent of all its sales EVs of some description by 2020.