Yamaha Shows Motorcycle-Like Sporty Concept Car

Yamaha Motor Co. unveiled its Sports Ride subcompact concept car at this week’s Tokyo auto show.

The Japanese motorcycle maker partnered with British design house Gordon Murray Design Ltd. on the concept model, which borrows styling cues from Yamaha’s two-wheel lineup. Yamaha says the goal was to create a motorcycle-like driving experience, including performance, pointy front end, narrow LED lights, seating and the instrument panel layout.

The rear-drive coupe is built on a spaceframe chassis. Extensive use of carbon fiber and Gordon Murray’s iStream production process helps keep its weight down to 1,650 lbs. Media reports speculate that the two-seater is powered by a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine, which Yamaha used in its 2013 MOTIV.e concept minicar.

Earlier this year, Yamaha announced plans to launch a two-seat commuter car in Europe before the end of the decade.