Japans equivalent to the SEMA Show, each year aftermarket companies show off their latest performance and tuning products at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
From the street to the track, companies like Blitz, HKS, JUN, 5Zigen, Volk and Veilside show off their latest products on some of the most wildly modified cars ever made.
And lets not forget the manufacturers. Most major OEMs set up shop at the Tokyo Auto Salon and display new models, concepts and race cars including some very impressive Super GT cars. Many manufacturers will also use TAS to show off their latest in-house performance goodies, from brands like TRD, Mugen, NISMO and Ralliart.
After covering all the major tuner and manufacturer booths located inside the Makuhari Messes Convention Center, we decided to wander the Tokyo Auto Salons floor to see if we could spot anything that interested us. It didnt take long before this Abflug Pink Spider FD3S Mazda RX-7 really caught our eye.
Easily considered extreme by some, this RX-7 is an example of quality workmanship. The paint job is magnificent and we really love the wheels. More respect has to be given to the owner for the immaculate engine bay. North America may not have seen much of Mazdas FD3S chassis over the recent years, but in Japan they are still one of the most respected tuner vehicles around.
While Subaru-fans in North America love the STI-tuned Impreza WRX, they are deprived of other STI cars offered in Subys home-market of Japan. One such model is the STI-tuned Legacy Wagon, sold as the Exiga 2.0 GT STI in Japan.
Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine, the Exiga 2.0 GT STI makes 221-hp and 240 ft-lbs of torque.
Additional highlights include an STI sport exhaust, 17-inch wheels, a leather shift knob, Alcantara seats, a subtle STI aero kit and a MOMO steering wheel.
This was also our first chance to see Suabrus new Impreza WRX STI R205.The R stands for Road Sport and positions this model as the top STI in Subys lineup. Under the hood theres a new turbo and ECU, along with a new exhaust system to deliver 316-hp and 319 ft-lbs of torque. The suspension has also been upgraded, as have the brakes, with new shocks and springs, as well as a a new front strut tower bar and lower arm brace. The brakes are six-piston front and four-piston rear units, with 18-inch cast aluminum wheels and special Bridgestone Potenza RE070 245/40/18 tires. Outside the R205 gets some new aerodynamics include a new front lip spoiler, new rear diffuser and rear spoiler, while inside the car remains stock except for some R205 badging.
The entire package has also been tested on the Nrburgring, where <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" id=itxt_nobr_3_0>Subaru</NOBR> ran an R205 spec STI at last years 24 Hour race. Just 400 Impreza WRX STI R205 models will be offered in Japan at a price of 4,510,000 yen (roughly $49,000).
Sadly, but not surprisingly, neither of these will be offered in North America.
We can still remember when European vehicles first started making their way over to the Tokyo Auto Salon. It raised a lot of eyebrows and had many people buzzing on how receptive the Japanese tuners and consumers would be. Fast forward a few years and now European vehicles have become a norm and it looks like American vehicles are now making their way to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Over at the Goodyear booth, we spotted this Chevy Camaro, kitted out, slammed and sporting a massive set of wheels. The Camaro, a large car even in America, looks simple enormous next to many of the subcompacts and MPVs at the Tokyo show.
The Camaro really helped to set the Goodyear booth apart, looking completely unique from the modified Japanese and European cars. Its not exactly the best America has to offer, but it will be interesting to see if American cars continue to penetrate the Japanese market.
At last years SEMA Show, the <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" id=itxt_nobr_3_0>Camaro </NOBR>was easily the car of choice, with practically ever tuner displaying a modified version of the muscle car. At TAS, the Camaros have been relaced with Priuses.
Damned if we report another body kit manufacturer but DAMDs Styling Effect is highly worth mentioning. (Groan we know). DAMD showed off a selection of its latest products at the Tokyo Auto Salon, with two new aero kits for Subaru products as well as one for, you guessed it, the Toyota Prius.
As the most popular car sold in Japan last year, the cars style and hybrid efficiency have made it popular and now owners are looking to personalize their car to hel it stand out from the thousands of others on the street.
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DAMD decided to take its Prius in a VIP luxury direction, slamming it low with glossy black paint and wheels. Theres also a beautiful custom tan leather interior.
As for the Subarus, were not huge fans of the Oreo themed WRX STI, but the new Legacy kit looks to be a perfect fit, especially for the North American market.
Not many aftermarket parts manufacturers have been in existence as long as Blitz. Continuing to uphold their reputation of high quality and groundbreaking performance products, Blitz kept things rolling as usual at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon.
Much like many body kit manufacturers, Blitz has also expanded its line to include some European tuning, with a brand-new Volkswagen GTI on display.
In addition, the Blitz booth also features the prerequisite Mitsubishi EVO X and Skyline R35 GT-R, while notorious drifter Nomukens R34 Skyline marking the first time weve ever seen an anti-virus software company sponsor a race car.
With all the commotion surrounding the FT-86 G Sports Concept and the collection of G Sports vehicles at the Tokyo Auto Salon, it would have been easy not to notice several other Toyota models worth a mention. Eventually we did manage to tear our eyes off the FT-86, only to discover the Japanese-specific Mark X and Sai on display.
Essentially the Toyota-branded versions of two Lexus models, the Mark X is sold in the U.S. as the Lexus GS. In Japan its offered with either a base 203-hp 2.5-liter V6 or an optional 315-hp 3.5-liter V6, both with six-speed automatic transmissions. Only the 2.5-liter models are available with AWD, otherwise, both models come standard with a rear-drive setup. As for the Sai, its the Japanese version of North Americas HS hybrid but with a much more Toyota-friendly front end.
Nissan Displays Funky MPVs from Autech Factory Custom
As if the Nissan booth at the Tokyo Auto Salon wasnt action packed enough with its NISMO offerings, Autech Factory Custom was present with its Rider series of vehicle enhancements.
Offsetting the high-horsepower and high-dollar NISMO offers, the Autech <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" id=itxt_nobr_1_0>cars </NOBR>are more about personalization than power and are aimed at entry-level buyers.
On display in the Autech section are the Serena Rider, Note Rider and Cube Rider. All three <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" id=itxt_nobr_2_0>vehicles </NOBR>come dressed in pristine white with styling accessories, chrome accents and various in car electronics goods. Theres no denying that these boxy MPVs play a major role in the Japanese tuning car culture.
Even though Nissans readily available market vehicles were the center of attention at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, the companys flagship GT-R also had an offering from NISMO: a Club Sports Package. The Club Sports Package doesnt overhaul the exterior of the GT-R, but rather includes a new data logger for track use and a fine collection of suspension tuning modifications.
The data logger allows owners of this Club Sports model to record all of the vehicles telemetry and then download it via a USB stick. Owners can then examine the data at home or on their laptop, as well as share it with other drivers. This new setup will be particularly helpful for those looking to get the most out of their GT-R on the race track.
And speaking of the track, NISMO also displayed its Super GT race car.
