Yamaha Cross Hub concept is a motorbike-carrying SUV

Yamaha has once again branched out from motorcycles to showcase a new concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show. The latest vehicle, called the Cross Hub, is a combination of a pick-up and an SUV, and follows on from the 2013 Motiv and 2015 Sports Ride concepts. 

Very little detail was given about the Cross Hub concept at Yamaha’s show conference, but we do know that it’s targeted at Yamaha enthusiasts who lead an active, urban lifestyle. The 4.5m long SUV features an open, wood-trimmed loadbay that’s capable of carrying two of the brand’s motorcycles. 

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It features plenty of sharp creases and angular lines, with a beak like bonnet separating two long, horizontal headlights. The pick-up bay at the back is almost separated from the cabin, thanks to a pair of large, floating buttresses connected to the B-pillars, while it rides on huge chromed wheels sitting inside chunky wheel arches.

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Inside, the Cross Hub’s four seats are laid out in a diamond shape with the driver taking a central seating position, while the two front doors are hinged at the back for better access to the rearmost seats. 

The Cross Hub is particularly interesting because it’s the first of Yamaha’s three concept cars without input from noted Brit designer Gordon Murray, best known for his involvement in the McLaren F1. Murray has branched out to launch his own low-volume car brand, but Yamaha boss Takuya Nakata is continuing to assess the feasibility of launching at least one of the three concepts.

It’s unlikely such a vehicle would make it to the UK for some time, but which of the three concepts would you choose? Let us know in the comments below...