WTF! Yamaha Teases New Sports Car Concept Ahead of Tokyo

[gytr done]

Yamaha spends money on stupid #*$&@ like this concept car but wont give us snowmobilers one iota of concept drawings or sleds. Typical Japanese


Yamaha has dabbled in cars before, having designed a supercar concept inspired by its Formula 1 efforts in the early '90s and engineered and manufactured engines for a number of cars. Now the company best known for sport bikes and pianos is trying its hand at the four-wheeled game again, readying a new sports car concept for this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

Yamaha hasn't revealed any details besides the shadowy profile image above, which we can glean a few things from. The car appears to be a small coupe, possibly of a mid-engine design. According to Autocar, the vehicle may be called the "4Wheeler" when it's finally unveiled next month. It's also believed Gordon Murray, the man behind the McLaren F1, is involved with the project. Murray previously worked with Yamaha on a small city car concept called the Motiv back in 2013.

Given Yamaha's expertise in building sport bikes, it's possible the car could be powered by a high-revving, small-displacement engine. The Motiv was shown in both 1.0-liter gas three-cylinder and all-electric versions. At the time, Yamaha said different body styles, including a coupe and convertible, were possible. Could this new car simply be the Motiv with a different body shell over it, or something else entirely?

In addition to Yamaha's new car, the manufacturer will show off electrically assisted bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, and Leaning Multi-Wheelers at its Tokyo auto show booth. It will also unveil an autonomous motorcycle-riding robot. As for this mysterious sports car, we'll have to wait until we get closer to its November 8 debut to see what Yamaha is cooking.

Source: Yamaha, Autocar

 

[super_rash]

what can you say, snowmobiles are probably lessthen 1% off their gross income..

 

[MrSled]

what can you say, snowmobiles are probably lessthen 1% off their gross income..

Exactly!!

 

[gytr done]

True, but if they continue to treat it as 1% it will always stay at 1%. Hopefully the future will be brighter

 

[gytr done]

Seems like a big waste of money for something that they are never going to produce beyond concept.

 

[gytr done]

what can you say, snowmobiles are probably lessthen 1% off their gross income..

And what percentage is there car business ? It will be a flop and a big waste of RnD money, just like ther last foray in the concept car world, talk about beating a dead horse.

 

[natedawgedog]

And what percentage is there car business ? It will be a flop and a big waste of RnD money, just like ther last foray in the concept car world, talk about beating a dead horse.

they make ALOT of motors for the vehicle industry! anything that generates a "buzz" in the car business creates tones of revenue for said company, probably way more than any snowmobile business could even dream of!

Yamaha Motors is an engine building company they just happen to make awesome motorcycles and powersports equipment on the side

 

[super_rash]

yep, they already make car motors , so its good for their car engin department thats for sure..

 

[gytr done]

Spin it however you guys want, it still a waste on money for nothing. Not like it's going to improve there car sales LOL

 

[cnybrian]

Here it is

Link to article:
http://arstechnica.com/cars/2015/10/lexus-mazda-and-yamaha-wow-tokyo-with-stunning-concept-cars/

 

[gytr done]

Wow, so that's where the all the RnD money for snowmobiles went in the last 7 years. so much for the future of snowmobiles at Yamaha, the 2018 sleds better wow the faithful.

 

[InRBigness]

According to their 2014 Annual Report the motorsports division (All-terrain vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles, snowmobiles, golf cars, generators, small-sized snow throwers and multi-purpose engines ) of Yamaha Motor is only 9.3% of the company's sales. Motorcycles accounts for 64.3% of the yearly sales. The rest is Marine. Yamaha Motors has only 18.7% of its sales in North America in total. North American snowmobilers are really not the engine that drives the company.

 

[Yamadog]

Yes they make more money off of drums and pianos than any of this stuff... but news flash they are listening they just released the new snow machine concept drawing

by the way I want the car!! please build it!!

 

[InRBigness]

The drums, pianos, electronics etc are whole different company.

 

[Yamadog]

The drums, pianos, electronics etc are whole different company.

Just being funny the drawing of the new sled is not theirs either