Every year, the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba, Japan hosts the Tokyo Auto Salon. This event is usually home to aftermarket manufacturers showing off wild, customized vehicles and custom parts. Manufacturers have slowly started popping up, utilizing this as a platform to showcase the potential of their ho-hum passenger vehicles, and debut new and exciting ideas for their more exciting offerings.
With the size of the show and the massive crowds it drew in, we weren’t able to see everything, so here are a few highlights of the show.
Honda
Taking center stage is a Prelude Prototype fitted with aero parts from Mugen such as a lip, side skirt, and rear spoiler, showcasing Honda’s upcoming hybrid sports coupe. This was first shown in concept form at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show.
We know that the sixth-generation coupe will feature the next-generation e:HEV hybrid system and the S+ Shift feature, which will make driving even more exciting with precise control over engine RPMs.
Also, a new variant of the Civic Type R (FL5) was on display, the Racing Black Package. This comes with a blacked-out Ultrasuede interior and gloss black accents outside.
Hyundai
The Korean automaker introduced the Ioniq 5 N “Drift King” Edition collaboration to the crowd. With the Ioniq 5 N receiving critical acclaim around the world as one of the most fun EVs to be built, it’s no surprise that a special edition made for the Japanese market has Keiichi Tsuchiya – the famous Japanese racing driver and drifter appear as an N ambassador and his blessing for the car.
Unlike the standard Ioniq 5 N, this model wears carbon fiber parts on its body and the large swan-neck rear wing, new 21-inch HRE multi-spoke wheels that house Winmax six-piston brakes, H&R lowering springs, a white-and-green livery (the Drift King’s colors), and some tweaks to improve the “driftability” of the vehicle.
Also making its Japanese market debut is the Inster – the electric version of the much-adored small Casper SUV. This diminutive runabout has a range of up to 355km either from a 42 or 49kWh battery, Vehicle-to-Load functionality, and fast charging, making it perfect for the bustling streets of Tokyo– and quite possibly, the Philippines.
Mazda
We saw the debut of Mazda Spirit Racing at last year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, with the brand considered the spiritual successor to Mazdaspeed. The first of its many future products is the Mazda Spirit Racing Roadster, a Miata focused on driving performance.
It sports a subtle body kit that improves aerodynamics, special RAYS wheels based on the TE37, and Alcantara upholstery with Mazda Spirit Racing logos all around the cabin. It’s equipped with the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G engine with a power output of 184hp and a six-speed manual. Upgrades include four-piston Brembo brakes and adjustable Bilstein dampers.
There is a special 12R variant that has an increased engine power output of 200hp with an improved camshaft, cylinder heads, pistons, and a Fujitsubo exhaust. This was also fitted with extra aftermarket parts such as Recaro bucket seats, and Advan Neova AD09 tires. This is limited to 200 units worldwide.
Apart from that, the Mazda Spirit Racing Rally Concept showcases the brand’s commitment to exploring all forms of motorsports. Essentially, a CX-60 with Brembo brakes, a rally-inspired roof scoop and wing, a roll cage, bucket seats, and lots of Alcantara inside.
Nissan
Remember the crazy Hyper Force concept from the 2023 Japan Mobility Show? Nissan’s take on an electric performance car for the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon is a little more grounded in reality as it takes a Skyline GT-R (BNR32) and converts it into an EV.
Yes, purists may call this sacrilege as the company has ripped out the famous beating heart of Godzilla in favor of two electric motors capable of a power output of While this is a one-off, it’s a promising look into what Nissan may be capable of 214hp (160kW) and 340Nm, with a large lithium-ion battery from a Leaf Nismo RC02 race car.
While it may look faithful to the original, it sports enlarged 18-inch wheels with the original design that houses R35 GT-R brakes, the rear seats are ripped out to house the battery, and two screens resemble the original gauge cluster and instrument cluster.
Toyota
Toyota’s focus for the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon revolves around the GR Yaris.
A new team—Toyota Gazoo Rookie Racing—will be formed and will return to the 24 Hours of Nürburgring after a six-year hiatus. It will be entering this GR Yaris that comes with a Direct Automatic Transmission, but the rest of the specifications are in the air as this still is under development.
The next car is the GR Yaris Aero Package prototype. It features an adjustable rear wing, functional vents and diffusers, a vented hood, and a vertical handbrake.
Finally, the GR Yaris M Concept is a test bed for an upcoming 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (G20E) that will be mounted in the back of the car (possibly for a future GR sports car) and will be participating in the Super Taikyu race series in Japan.
On the other side of the booth was the Land Cruiser Base, where three different SUVs were on display– an original BJ20, an LC70 fitted with aftermarket parts, and the entry to the 2025 Dakar Rally, a Land Cruiser 300 complete with all modifications needed for the grueling rally race.
