Even if the band Alphaville actually wanted to say something else with their 1984 hit: "Big in Japan" is a nice title for an all-round successful exhibition. Its exhibits are certainly not only big in Japan, one might add.
The latest special exhibition at Autoworld Brussels takes up the long neglected topic of "Japanese cars" with more than 40 exhibits, plus around 20 motorcycles. In terms of time, the exhibits cover well over half a century. The cars range from 1963 to the present day, while the motorcycles date back to 1959. The range of exhibits extends from off-road vehicles to racing cars, from tiny "kei-cars" with 2-cylinder engines to stately representative limousines with V12 engines. Of course, the rotary engine is not left out either.
Once again, the decoration deserves a positive mention. It includes information on Japan's history, symbols, anecdotes and, last but not least, the development of the Japanese automotive industry into one of the most important in the world. Visitors can expect atmospheric images accompanied by subtle background music from the land of the rising sun. Of course, cherry blossoms are not to be missed. But before we give free rein to our thoughts on the touching film "Cherry Blossoms - Hanami" (2008), let's take a short tour of the current special exhibition.
The special area on the first floor mainly shows motorcycles, starting with a Honda Benly from 1959 through to the so-called superbikes such as the Yamaha YZF-RA with 217 hp. However, two-wheelers are not the main focus here. Nevertheless, one "superbike" should be singled out: The Kawasaki H2R from 2023. The futuristically designed motorcycle is intended to represent what is currently technically feasible, so it was created "because you can". It weighs 216 kg and its engine produces 326 hp (which equates to 1.5 hp per kg), which should enable a top speed of 400 km/h. Of course, road approval is out of the question.
Three sports cars are also on display, each marking a ten-year leap in time: The Mazda Cosmo from 1970 represents Mazda's early involvement in rotary engines, and is accompanied by the luxurious Nissan 280 ZX coupé, ten years younger, with its removable glass roof halves (known as the T-top). The Honda NSX sports car, built almost entirely from aluminum, is a decade younger still.
Let us now climb up through a Japanese-style gate to the main part of the exhibition. On the left, we are greeted by a Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser, representative of its kind. The visitor is then presented with an unusual variety of Japanese car models.
Let's think back to the time when the first "Japanese" cars were offered in Germany. At the time, their styling was often perceived as taking a lot of getting used to. However, these "exotics" were largely fully equipped, quite unlike the local suppliers with their long lists of optional extras. Curiosity was also aroused. As the owner of a British "Urmini", I wondered at the time how it was possible for the Honda N 600 to deliver its maximum power at 8000 rpm. But that was a long time ago.
Today, it is a pleasure to see "old acquaintances" such as the Datsun Cherry, the Honda Civic, the Toyota Celica or Honda CRX coupés once again and also to discover unknown or forgotten cars - such as a Toyota Corolla from the first series or the mighty Toyota Century.
Diversity of content is also on offer: In addition to the Subaru XT 4WD Turbo with its typical all-wheel drive for the brand, there is the Mazda RX 8 with Wankel engine and the Honda Insight as one of the first hybrid cars.
Let's stay with the sports cars, which come in a wide variety of sizes and model years. On display are a Nissan 300 ZX Turbo, a Nissan Skyline GT-R 34, Honda NSX-NC1 and a Lexus LFA.
Of course, the Mazda MX5 Miata, which triggered a "roadster revival" in its day, is not missing either. Incidentally, its role model, the Lotus Elan S4, can be found a few meters away in the permanent exhibition. A beautiful example of the Datsun Fairlady Sports 2000 from 1968 is reminiscent of British roadsters. It is painted black and thus contrasts in color with the stars of the exhibition from the same year of construction.
At the center of the exhibition are two white examples of the rare Toyota 2000 GT, one of which is a Targa version. The sign commemorates the James Bond film "You Only Live Twice", in which the main actor Sean Connery drove a 2000 GT as a convertible. He was originally supposed to drive a Targa. But because of his height, his head stuck out, which was considered unflattering. In the end, a convertible is said to have been the result. Of the two examples of the Targa version, only one has survived and it is on display in Brussels.
There are also racing and rally cars on display. For example, the Mazda 787B with rotary engine, with which the Weideler/Herbert/Gachot team won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time with a Japanese car. Next to it is the second-placed vehicle in the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans, a Toyota 94C-V. Also on display is the Toyota Corolla WRC in which Carlos Sainz senior won the 1998 Monte Carlo Rally. A replica of the 1997 Subaru Impreza S5, whose most famous driver was Colin McRae, is also on display.
A special section is reserved for small cars and so-called "kei cars". This is a class of very small cars with size and engine capacity restrictions that is very popular in Japan. The author got to know some of these small-format rarities some time ago at the Lane Museum in Nashville/Tennessee (USA) and considers it commendable that Autoworld is now also making this subject accessible to the public in this country.
The Suzuki Fronte and the Honda N 360 from the early days of this class will be on display. No real "kei cars", but small and curious are both the "cube" Nissan Cube with its asymmetrical window arrangement and the Honda Jazz Turbo II. The latter's trunk has space for the foldable Motocompo compact scooter. The Nissan Pao with its retro design, which is rather little known in this country, deserves more than just a glance. This can also be found on the Nissan Figaro, which is strongly reminiscent of the Gutbrod Superior (1950).
This car also leads to the sports cars of the "Kei-Car" class. While you can sometimes find a Suzuki Cappuccino in the relevant portals, it is perhaps even rarer to find an Autozam AZ1 there. When viewed from the side, this small sports coupé may look like a shrunken Ferrari F40 to some observers. However, with its open gullwing doors, it seems to invite you to take a seat behind the tiny leather steering wheel. If the figure allows it...
Towards the end of the visit, one wonders whether the makers of this great exhibition might have forgotten something. Perhaps the little Honda S800 sports car? Not at all, it's just a few steps away in the permanent exhibition. So it's always worth taking a little tour here. And who knows, maybe you'll discover a small Ferrari exhibition?
Further information on the special exhibition, which can be seen until August 31, 2025, can be found on the museum's website.
