Digital Prophecy - Progress in the automotive world has never been driven by engines alone. Sometimes, the boldest leaps forward come from the technology hidden behind the dashboard rather than under the hood. During the vibrant, experimental spirit of the 1980s, when digital displays and electronic gadgets began reshaping daily life, one Japanese company dared to imagine how deeply technology could transform the driving experience. That vision materialized in 1985 as
the Clarion C-AVCC, a one-off concept car that blurred the line between automobile and mobile electronics hub. First unveiled at the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show,
the Clarion C-AVCC was designed by Japanese automotive designer Takuya Yura and developed by Clarion,
a company globally recognized for its car audio systems. Unlike traditional concept cars created by automakers, this project came from a car audio manufacturer determined to showcase its technological ambition.
The name itself—
Car Audio,
Visual,
Computer, and
Communication—clearly expressed its mission.
The C-AVCC was not built to race, nor even to properly drive; it was a full-scale mockup intended to demonstrate how integrated electronics could define the future of mobility.
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| The Clarion C-AVCC debuted at the 1985 Tokyo Motor Show, designed by Takuya Yura and developed by Clarion, the renowned Japanese car audio manufacturer. (Picture from: WorldCarsFromThe1930sTo1980s in Facebook) |
Visually,
the C-AVCC captured the unmistakable optimism of 1980s futurism.
Its low,
wedge-shaped silhouette hinted at a mid-engine,
rear-wheel-drive layout,
even though performance was never the priority.
Inside,
the cabin felt more like a command center than a cockpit. A distinctly digital instrument cluster reflected the era’s fascination with electronic displays, while a multifunction steering wheel packed with switches allowed the driver to control the audio system without taking their hands off the wheel—an idea that has since become industry standard.
Instead of a conventional ignition key,
Clarion introduced a credit-card-sized entry card to activate the vehicle’s systems,
anticipating keyless technologies that would only become mainstream decades later.
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| The Clarion C-AVCC embodied 1980s futurism with its low, wedge-shaped silhouette suggesting a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout despite performance not being its focus. (Picture from: JDM.Tarmac.Icons in Instagram) |
What truly set the C-AVCC apart,
however, was its remarkable suite of electronics—
astonishingly advanced for the mid-1980s.
The dashboard featured a flat screen (not a bulky CRT) capable of displaying graphic information from any of the car’s 14 onboard systems,
including feeds from a rear-view camera.
Passengers could even watch 8mm video tapes on the screen, a level of in-car entertainment that many modern vehicles only recently matched.
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| The Clarion C-AVCC featured a cabin that resembled a command center, complete with a digital instrument cluster and a multifunction steering wheel that allowed audio control without removing hands from the wheel. (Picture from: WorldCarsFromThe1930sTo1980s in Facebook) |
The concept also foresaw satellite navigation long before GPS became common.
To use its navigation system,
drivers had to place a call using the built-in phone;
directions were then transmitted to the onboard computer and physically printed out. The same integrated system managed phone functions, connected to a number database, and even displayed real-time phone billing information—an early glimpse into connected car ecosystems.
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| The Clarion C-AVCC was not built to race, nor even to properly drive; it was a full-scale mockup intended to demonstrate how integrated electronics could define the future of mobility. . (Picture from: JDM.Tarmac.Icons in Instagram) |
Although the Clarion C-AVCC never ran and was never intended for production, its influence resonates today.
Multifunction steering wheels,
key cards,
navigation systems,
onboard computers,
rear cameras,
and in-car entertainment are now everyday features.
In 1985,
they were bold predictions.
The C-AVCC demonstrated that the future of driving would be defined as much by information and connectivity as by horsepower. Decades later, even if its current whereabouts remain unclear, this singular concept stands as a vivid reminder that sometimes the most important revolutions in automotive history begin not with speed, but with imagination.
*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RARECARSONLY | JDM.TARMAC.ICONS IN INSTAGRAM | CLASSIC AND RECREATION SPORTSCARS IN FACEBOOK | WORLD CARS FROM THE 1930S TO 1980S IN FACEBOOK ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
