Tokyo: Toyota is getting philosophical and exploring its Japanese roots at the Tokyo Motor Show, which opens later this month.

A single-seat vehicle packed with sensors and a car designed to blend harmoniously with nature are among the futuristic-looking 'concept', or experimental, models Toyota Motor is readying for the biannual exhibition opening on October 27.

The show tends to have more whimsical offerings than the more practical products on display at other auto shows.

Toyota general manager Tetsuya Kaida said the Japanese automaker wanted to show how it was different from its US and European rivals and found inspiration from Japan's ancient arts that emphasise zen-like spirituality.

"This is about the Way of the Car, much like tea ceremony and flower arrangement," he said recently.

Source: [url=http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshows/14208/toyota-1x-concept.html]Car and Driver[/url]