KL International Motor Show 2013 - The Concept Cars

The Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013 (KLIMS13) is underway with public viewing beginning today. One definition of a 'motor show' is that it is a public exhibition of concept cars, model debuts, a showcase of current models as well as one which features out of production models or classics. KLIMS13 is a motor show where there are concept cars and new model debuts. We may not be in the forefront of first debuts internationally, but KLIMS13 does showcase some concept cars. We have compiled all the concept vehicles (not current production models but futuristic ideas that manufacturers are toying with) that are displayed at KLIMS13 for your viewing pleasure.

Lets start with Perodua again. Note that only Perodua has come up with a totally original concept car that you will never find anywhere else in the world except at the KL Motor Show. Of course, sometimes we can see why. The 2013 BuddyZ is actually quite horrid. But let's give Perodua an 'A' for effort as without Perodua, there wouldn't be a totally new, totally original concept car (and totally engineered locally) for KLIMS13. You will see that the concept cars from the next manufacturers are from motor shows from a few years ago.

Next we have Toyota. Toyota has brought in two concept cars – the Toyota NS4 which is a next generation plug-in hybrid saloon concept which was first shown at the 2012 North American Motor Show and the Toyota Fun-Vii (below), first debuted at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The Toyota Fun-Vii is an information hub vehicle concept where people, cars and society interact. It has panels on both sides which can project photos of anything the driver programmes it to do. We've seen its panels in action at KLIMS13. The car is a moving light show and would bring a smile to the faces of people around it/ Provided the picture displayed isn't some horrifying scene from some horror movie.

Honda has decided to bring in the Honda EV-STER pictured right above. First debuted in 2011, this is an all-electric concept roadster that can reach 160km/h. It is steered by two joysticks for each hand. Very Playstation-like. Anyway, the EV-STER shows what a new version of the classic 1990s Honda Beat could look like. In fact, this car's exterior styling is also featured in Honda's latest concept car, the S660 which was shown at this year's Tokyo motor show. That car has a normal steering wheel and could be a sign that Honda wants to produce a new Honda Beat for a new generation of fans.

Hyundai has brought in its 2012 European concept car called the Hyundai i-oniq (HED-8). The concept is a coupe styled 4 passenger hatchback with Lamborghini-esque swing doors. It has an extended range electric vehicle that has a 1.0liter 3 cylinder petrol engine with an 80kw electric motor which allows it to have a range of 700km at a top speed of 145km/h producing only 45g/km of CO2.

Citroen has brought in the Citreon Numero 9 from 2012. This is a concept car with a Shooting Brake or wagon styled body that is extremely elegant in the flesh. It is a plug-in hybrid yet produces 295 combined horsepower as well as being able to run fully electric for at least 50km. Power, economy and style is combined. It also reminds us of Citroen from days gone by - low and elegant. Unlike these days where the current batch of DS cars seem round, luxurious, stylish but a little high off the ground. Citroen needs to incorporate the Numero 9's styling into its current crop of cars as soon as possible.

KLIM13 may not be the latest in concept cars (with the exception of Perodua). But the general public gets to have a glimpse at what automotive manufacturers are doing.