TOMORROW LAND.(News)

Byline: Dutch Mandel, Roger Hart, Bob Gritzinger, Dale Jewett, Jonathan Wong, Dino Dalle Carbonare

The 40th Tokyo motor show presented a bit of a dichotomy: The undeniable star was Nissan's 473-hp GT-R sports car, while the overriding message coming from the manufacturers was all about reducing CO2 emissions and leaving a smaller "carbon footprint.'' Veteran Tokyo attendees lamented what was viewed as a "down'' year for concept and new-car introductions at the biennial event, but the car companies worked hard at their displays to spread the word that being green and having fun are not necessarily polar opposites.

At least, they won't be if some of the concepts-such as Honda's CR-Z-come to fruition as production models.

No Tokyo show would be complete without several podlike vehicles-one was complete with a robot to keep you company-that look as if they could star in an updated version of Blade Runner.

These glimpses into our automotive future are part forward thinking, part science fiction, part science experiment, and they make the Tokyo show a unique experience worth traveling halfway around the world to attend.

BEST IN SHOW: NISSAN GT-R

Among enthusiasts, much has been said and written about the car that is Nissan's answer to the Porsche 911 and the Chevrolet Corvette. That we have heard about it for the past six years, that collectors of the previous-generation R34 have been saving their money in anticipation and that the success of video games has been dependent on its inclusion all say volumes about the GT-R. In a show field decidedly thin on surprises and spectacular unveilings, this was the clear winner as the AutoWeek editors' Best in Show.