Just when we thought that the world is crawling back to a new normal, a new highly contagious Omicron variant surprised us before the new year and canceled all our plans.
But the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon did not let this affect its schedule. The Japanese aftermarket auto show pushed through with its original plan and staged a gathering at the Makuhari Messe from January 14 to 16.
We car fanatics would have been there if not for this dreaded pandemic. Thankfully, everything’s available online and we’ve witnessed some of the hottest births at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon through our screens.
Toyota GR GT3 Concept
Probably among the biggest booths at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon would be Toyota’s. The company showcased a fleet of Gazoo-fied cars, led by the Toyota GR GT3 Concept. By looks alone, the GR GT3 Concept is probably the hottest Toyota you’ll ever see this year.
Toyota didn’t disclose deep details about the GR GT3 Concept, but as the name implies, is a development car aimed at attracting the attention of potential racers in the GT3 category. With a long hood, short tail, and a massive wing, the GR GT3 Concept sure means business – proof that Toyota is done making boring cars.
Toyota GRMN Yaris
The Toyota GRMN Yaris is another sizzling debut from Toyota this year. The limited-run model is the hotter version of the already hot GR Yaris, but with a number of enhancements for both the tarmac and dirt.
Limited to 500 units only, the GRMN Yaris is leaner, stiffer, and sharper than the regular GR Yaris. However, it’s surprisingly not more powerful, belching 268hp from the turbocharged three-pot mill.
There’s a Rally Package available for the GRMN Yaris, armed with GR shock absorbers and a short stabilizer link set, a GR under guard set, and a GR roll bar. However, the ultra-rare Circuit Package seals the deal with adjustable Bilstein shocks, bigger brakes, special 18-inch wheels, side skirts, and a lip spoiler.
All 500 units of the Toyota GRMN Yaris are Japan-exclusive, with the Circuit Package limited to only 50.
Subaru STI E-RA Concept
Subaru Tecnica International sets the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon ablaze with an introduction of a new EV concept, the STI E-RA. The STI E-RA Concept is part of the company’s STI E-RA Challenge Project, a near-future STI motorsport study. It aims to gain “experience and training of new technologies in the world of motorsports in this carbon-neutral era.”
Powering the STI E-RA Concept are four high-torque motors – one motor positioned near each of the four wheels – enabling Subaru to employ a four-wheel torque vectoring technology. These motors were developed and supplied by Yamaha, with a total power output of 1,073hp, drawing juice from a 60-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. Subaru sees this as the best direction to work in as the all-wheel-drive system is part of the regulations for future motorsport (FIA E-GT).
We’ll see the STI E-RA at the Nurburgring from 2023 onward, with a goal to set a lap time of 6 minutes 40 seconds.
STI Frenzy: Subaru BRZ, WRX, and Levorg
Alongside the STI E-RA Concept stands three STI models that were never seen before. Whether you’re looking for a spiced-up coupe, sedan, or wagon, Subaru had it all at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon with the BRZ, WRX, and Levorg – all in STI flavors.
The BRZ, WRX, and Levorg all carry the “Performance” suffix, but only the coupe is labeled as a custom car. The other two are technically concept/show cars and all have a significantly more aggressive appearance courtesy of STI’s add-ons.
In typical STI fashion, all three get a variety of pink exterior accents, along with chunky rear wings for the BRZ and WRX. My favorite would be the Levorg sports wagon, though it’s disappointing to know that it will only be available in Japan for now. The Levorg packs the same power plant as the sedan – the 2.4-liter boxer engine with 271hp and 349Nm of torque.
Nissan Fairlady Z Customized Proto
The new-generation Nissan Fairlady Z, otherwise known as the Nissan Z in the US, is just making its
debut in Japan. However, it didn’t arrive alone; alongside it was the Nissan Fairlady Z Customized Proto that harkens back to Z432R. The striking orange paint job is reminiscent to the JDM-only homologation model, with a “432” name coming from its straight-six engine’s four valves per cylinder, three carburetors, and two camshafts.
The original Fairlady Z432R is one of the most expensive Nissans money can buy these days.
As for the new Fairlady Z Customized Proto, the one-off model screams inspiration from its 1970s ancestor by having an assortment of black accents and a split front grille. It’s also equipped with retro-styled black wheels wrapped in vintage tires adorned with white lettering to mimic the Z432R race car. The brake calipers come in orange as well to match the body color.
Next-generation Honda Civic Type R prototype
With the eleventh-generation Honda Civic already on our shores, there’s renewed anticipation for its red-badged version. The 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon became its launch pad, albeit, in prototype form.
The next-gen Honda Civic Type R is still wrapped in its sizzling camouflage clothing, though we all know that there’s a hot machine underneath the trickery.
The next-generation Honda Civic Type R has also been teased via a short clip, doing some hot laps at Suzuka.
