When Nissan fist unveiled the updated 2012 GT-R back in October, the Japanese automaker announced a total of six different models. Now you can add one more to that list thanks to the GT-R RC… that’s Racing Competition. Build by Nissan’s in-house NISMO motorsports division, this track-only model loses plenty of weight thanks to an...
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Hardly the most attractive car on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the TES Concept T-Sports might be one of the most exciting for regular folks in search of an affordable sports car. Since the first introduction of Toyota‘s FT-86 Concept, rumors have surfaced that the cost of development of the car has risen and...
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First debuting at the Australian International Auto Show, Lexus rolled out the CT200h F-Sport model as part of its display at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon. Unlike the IS-F Club Performance Accessory or the IS-F CCSR, this F-Sport model is confirmed for production. Taking the new Lexus hybrid hatchback to a more dynamic level, the...
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Looking forward to Subaru‘s version of the Toyota FT-86 Concept? Sure you are! But what if you could get your hands on another STI-tuned Toyota-derived Subie. Um….. maybe not. Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Trezia STI gets an overhaul by the legendary Subaru Technica Institute. Never heard of the Trezia? We don’t blame...
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If you’re looking for the VIP section at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this is it. The RH9 Club, is a loose network of tuner shops that have built Nissan GT-Rs that can run a 9 second quarter mile or faster. As the legend goes, the shops all meet and discuss tuning ideas and even build...
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A year ago Honda officially announced the introduction of the HSV-010 GT race car, the company’s successor to the NSX in the Japanese Super GT Series. A purpose-built race car with a 500-hp 3.4-liter V8 engine, sadly, no production car will ever be derived from the HSV-010. That new is all the more disappointing when...
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It wouldn’t be the Tokyo Auto Salon without an appearance by a few specific tuners and that list includes Top Secret. Best known for building unmistakably gold high-powered machines – like the Toyota Supra – the Top Secret display in Tokyo this year includes a stunning Nissan GT-R. Sporting a special aero kit (including a...
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One reason to attend the annual Tokyo Auto Salon tuner show is to see Japanese Domestic Market vehicles extensively modified by some of the best aftermarket companies in the business. A second reason is to have a good laugh. A car culture that can deliver the NSX and GT-R, is also responsible for 1980s-era Transformers-styled...
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Over in Japan, the Lexus GS is sold as the Toyota Mark X, meaning that you can get the rear-drive sedan at a more affordable price. While not exactly the most dynamic diver’s car, the folks at Goodyear Racing though it would be perfect for their new race car – if you can consider the...
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Nissan/Infiniti tuner Impul chose the Tokyo Auto Salon to make the public debut of its new 651S tuning package for the new Infiniti M luxury sedan. While some of the aerodynamic modifications aren’t to out taste, thankfully Impul isn’t just some plastic-fantastic shop. They actually offer a full line of modifications. Shown on this car...
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One of the premiere tuners for Honda and Acura vehicles, J’s Racing is known for building parts for those who want to get out on the track. On display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the J’s Racing team brought along fully modified versions of the Civic Type R and the new CR-Z. Both models feature...
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Hybrids are increasingly becoming the car of choice in Japan and as a result the country that’s responsible for popularizing electrified motoring is also the Mecca for hybrid tuning. Yes, some performance shops are working on adding more power to hybrid systems, but as with the rest of the auto industry, the majority of tuning...
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It’s not even for sale in North America yet, but over in Japan they’re already hard at work modifying the all-new Toyota Vitz – sold here as the Yaris. A marked improvement on the current model in the style department, the G Sports team at Gazoo Racing have customized this little hatch with a selection...
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Love the Nissan Juke? OK, you probably don’t, but that’s most likely because you haven’t driven one. Criticized from Tokyo to Tampa Bay, the Juke is a front-runner for ugliest car ever, but it’s also a seriously fun package with a turbocharged 4-cylinder and a sophisticated AWD system. Targeted at young urbanites, Nissan is looking...
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Ever wonder what would happen if you let a high-performance tuning company run wild on a minivan? Well wonder no longer, as Nissan‘s NISMO division has just debuted a version of the new Elgrand (sold as the Quest in North America) at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon. Already an imposing beast of a van, the...
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While Lexus does already offer a selection of F-Sport branded TRD bits for the IS-F, the automaker now seems poised to deliver a selection of track-focused goodies for those who want to take their 5.0-liter V8 sedan around the track. Looking nearly identical to the IS-F Club Circuit Sport concept from last yea’s Tokyo Auto...
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You’d be forgiven for thinking that Lamborghini’s designers had gotten a hold of the Honda CR-Z. Despite its matte-black paint and wild bodywork the TS-1X Concept has nothing in common with the Reventon supercar. Based on the new hybrid sports car, the TS-1X gets a fighter-jet inspired aero kit that actually seems to work with...
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The Acura (or Honda) NSX has been out of production since 2005, but icons are always worth revisiting. That, apparently, is the thought behind the new Sports Modulo NSX. Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan, Honda’s in-house Sports Modulo tuning division has just release a new selection of parts for the legendary Japanese...
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Arguably the best part about Japan’s Super GT racing series is that when it comes to running a car, there appear to be about as many rules as a monkey knife fight. Often teams will run mismatched engines and bodies, simply using a certain shell for better brand marketing. That being said, Subaru‘s Legacy racer...
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With the Nissan Leaf now finally on sale here in North America, the Japanese automaker is already exploring electric car concepts for the future. Unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon, the Nissan Leaf Aero Concept looks at future EV styling with a low-slung aero kit and some custom wheels that keep air moving around...
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Twelve months ago at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Lexus introduced the IS-F CCS – a track-tuned version of its high-performance sports sedan. Now the engineers over at Toyota HQ have taken that idea to a new level with a new concept dubbed the CCS-R. CCS, we should point out, stands for Circuit Club Sports. And...
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Over a year ago, Toyota introduced a limited edition iQ GRMN in Japan, with a supercharger strapped to the tiny car’s 1.3-liter 4-cylinder to produce 116-hp. Now GRMN (a special line of cars produced by Gazoo Racing) has released a Racing Concept based on that model. The vehicle has just been put on display at...
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With the Tokyo Auto Salon just around the corner, Honda Motor Co. has announced its star lineup for this year’s show. For 2011, Honda will be putting the spotlight on Honda Access Corporation*2, the company’s in-house aftermarket parts manufacturer. Showcasing what they’re all about will be the TS-1X, based on the new CR-Z. In addition...
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With the Tokyo Auto Salon around the corner, Japanese tuners are working and wrenching around the clock for their 2011 debuts. One of these tuners is Axell Auto, which is currently working on a widebody conversion kit for the infamous Nissan R35 GT-R. And it looks like Axell Auto is looking to claim the title...
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