This was written together with Jacob Oliva
Japanese car culture is known to go wild or weird, depending on your perspective. If you want to see just how far their imaginations are, the Tokyo Auto Salon is the place to be. It houses the leading names in performance and custom aftermarket parts and builders. What makes it more fun though is the participation of car brands themselves. Here we have 10 of them that joined in on the fun.
Toyota
More than their number of displays, Toyota’s highlight for the show was the unveiling of the new GR Yaris that features improvements in design, controls, and performance. They also have the MORIZO Garage that showcased the Century GRMN (Gazoo Racing Meister of Nurburging), GR Corolla Morizo Custom, and iQ GRMN.
Their success in motorsports was also a highlight as they flaunted their entrants in different series from the previous years. This includes the 2021 Yaris from WRC, Supra from Super GT, and the GR010 Hybrid from World Endurance Championship.
Lexus
The luxury arm of Toyota also joined the Tokyo Auto Salon. With them was the new LBX MORIZO RR Concept. This souped up luxury crossover gets a more powerful engine in the tune of 1.6 liter turbo making 304 hp and 400 Nm of torque, with a Direct Shift 8-speed auto. It’s housed in a colorway that mixes satin and gloss black, together with hints of yellow on the grille and brakes.
Lexus’s first battery electric vehicle got a unique touch with its aero-focused exterior. The Lexus RZ450e Special Edition F-Sport Performance was made in cooperation with air racing pilot Yoshihide Muroya and racing driver Masahiro Sasaki. It has 17 dedicated aero parts that with materials and technology used in aircraft that results in enhanced aerodynamics.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi has unveiled seven Triton pickup concepts at the Salon, themed “Alright, let’s go. Go on an endless adventure.” Highlights include two winter warrior concept cars designed for snow exploration. The spotlight is on the new Triton in Yamabuki Orange Metallic paint, showcasing its enhanced capabilities.
Mitsubishi’s booth has also featured accessories for potential upgrades. The winter-themed Mitsubishi Triton Snow Shredder, reminiscent of the Pajero Evolution, sports off-roading enhancements. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Active Field concept and Delica D:5/ Delica Mini Chamonix Snow Gear concepts also receive off-road modifications, catering to adventure enthusiasts.
Hyundai
Hyundai unveiled the Ioniq 5 NPX1 Concept, offering a glimpse into an extensive range of N Performance Parts catering to N customers globally. This performance-focused catalog is set to be accessible for all N-branded models, including specialized tuning options for the Ioniq 5 N. The N Performance Parts lineup for the NPX1 Concept mirrors BMW’s M Performance Parts for the latest M2 and M3, featuring lightweight hybrid carbon fiber wheels, a carbon front splitter, rear diffuser, side skirts, and a rear wing spoiler.
Beyond aesthetic enhancements, the concept boasts performance brake pads and lowering springs, complementing the Ioniq 5 N’s existing regenerative brakes. The interior sees an upgrade with racing bucket seats and Alcantara upholstery, while software customization offers enhanced soundscapes and additional vehicle calibrations through OTA updates, further personalizing the driving experience.
Mazda
Mazda has renewed their commitment to performance with the launch of Mazda Spirit Racing. The cars exhibited at the Tokyo Auto Salon are still concepts but in time, they will be production vehicles anyone can buy and take to the track immediately for some high adrenaline fun.
The Mazda Spirit Racing RS Concept is based on the MX-5, while the Mazda Spirit Racing 3 Concept is from the Mazda3. Both are clad in lighter shade of gray with a distinct red accent on the lower lip of the front bumper. Apart from the design, Mazda is focusing on the undercarriage and aerodynamics of the two to embody the Mazda Spirit Racing values of speed and texture.
Honda
Honda is a bit of a sleeper this year as they had modest-looking concepts, while flaunting powerful heritage. First is their smallest crossover, the WR-V redesigned with outdoors in mind in the Field Explorer Concept. It received a new front face, thicker body cladding, and roof rails. It is followed by the Honda Accord Sport Line that has a few add-ons for a sleeker look.
Civic fans were also treated to the Mugen packages for the FL5 Type-R called Group A and Group B. These are production versions of the ones used in the Super Taikyu series. They also have the Civic Type-R Super GT and the dominant Red Bull RB19 that just won the 2023 F1 Championship.
Nissan
The Ariya Nismo is Nissan’s showstopper at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, offering a sporty twist to the electric crossover. Based on the already powerful e-4ORCE models, the Ariya Nismo will be offered in two states of tune: B6 e-4ORCE and B9 e-4ORCE. The latter has 429 horsepower and 601 Nm at its disposal—even more powerful than the recently unveiled Z Nismo.
Nissan also showcased wild concepts at the tuner’s show, including the Autech-tuned versions of the X-Trail and Serena, Nismo-fettled versions of the GT-R, Z, and Skyline, and the Disaster Support Mobile-Hub NV350.
Subaru
Subaru unveiled a trio of STI-branded cars at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, aimed at enthusiasts of the star-spangled brand. While all three models proudly bear the renowned STI badge, they fall short of the high-performance expectations associated with Subaru Tecnica International.
The standout among them is the special edition Subaru WRX S4 STI Sport, the sole production model among the three. It boasts enhanced handling through STI performance parts and tuning. It’s dressed with 19-inch BBS forged wheels, badges, a modest trunk spoiler, and improved grip from Michelin tires. However, no power increase for the WRX S4 STI Sport, with the FA24 four-cylinder boxer engine delivering 271 hp and 376 Nm of torque. It’s also offered with a CVT transmission only.
Suzuki
A trio of small cars were presented by Suzuki at TAS 2024. First is the Suzuki Spacia which was modified to have a more outdoor look with an expandable kitchen setup at the rear once you open the tailgate. The Suzuki Carry also received the TAS touch by becoming a ‘Mountain Trail.’ It gets exterior roll bars, steel tube doors, skid plate, and all-terrain tires. Even the pickup bed was replaced with tubes.
Last is the Suzuki Swift ‘Cool Yellow’ Rev Concept. It’s just the stock 4th generation Swift that launched a month prior, but with a custom livery and two-tone aesthetic thanks to the black touches on the exterior.
Porsche
European brands also had a presence at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon. Porsche tuning expert TechArt unveils its upgraded 911 Turbo S, showcasing a potent blend of enhanced styling and performance. The GTsport kit boasts elements like exposed carbon fiber components—front apron, side canards, side skirts, rear diffuser, air intakes, and more. Interior upgrades include revamped elements and a choice between two wheel sets. Optional enhancements cover wing mirrors, a height-adjustable suspension kit, and a TechArt sport exhaust system. The Power Kit TA092/T1.1 yields 700 horsepower, while the TA092/T2.1 offers a remarkable 789 horsepower, achieved through new turbos, engine and transmission tunes, and a raised speed limiter.
TechArt maintains the allure of customization for the cabin, with details such as red contrast piping, perforated and embossed leather, contrast stitching, and Alcantara.