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It’s too bad we can’t get ticket to the 45th Tokyo Motor Show, because we feel like we’re missing out on some really interesting vehicles. One such vehicle is the Yamaha Cross Hub Concept.
Yamaha, ever the visionary, has been known to off-roaders for years now. It’s been successful in the motorcycle business, and more recently, the UTV business with the YXZ1000R. However, the Cross Hub looks to be the next logical step – compact SUV.
The goal of seating four people and storing multiple motorcycles led to an interesting concept.
“As a manufacturer of a diverse range of products,” says the company webpage, “Yamaha knows the potential and possibilities for fun through mobility. We are able to offer the joy of riding in all types of environments. This vehicle is aimed at connecting the ‘active’ and ‘urban’ in the lifestyles of Yamaha enthusiasts.”
“It has a unique, diamond-shaped seating layout for the cabin,” the description continues. “This enables a compact vehicle package. Not only that, but it also has the capacity to carry up to two motorcycles in the rear. This makes the Cross Hub a design concept model that takes occupants straight into the world of Yamaha recreation.”
Further exploration into the Cross Hub helped us figure things out a little better. With the goal of “making everything just the right size,” Yamaha went with the diamond-shaped seating arrangement. This gives the rear some more room to store things, like motorcycles.
From there, the design team wanted to mesh several elements together: open fields, busy streets, active and energetic, premium and relaxed. Whether or not they succeeded, they’ve at least captured our attention.
How does the Cross Hub strike you? Let us know in the comments below.
At roughly 14 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 6 feet tall, the Cross Hub's dimensions are on par with a late-model Ford Escape.
Images: Yamaha
