A clever Speedhunter as soon as informed me, “He who begins on the final Tokyo Auto Salon corridor shall end first.”
In fact, credit score for that goes to our resident Dino-san. Whereas he could not have used these actual phrases, he did clarify that almost all Japanese company at TAS have a tendency to go to the halls in numerical order. So, in case you’re ready to hit Corridor 11 first, you may simply discover it empty.
I say this as a result of – as you’ll see from the images – half of them function not a single soul in sight, whereas the opposite half battle to indicate a complete automobile with out limbs and luggage getting in the best way. The ethical of the story? If Dino provides you a touch, take it.
Since 1983, Japan has blessed the tuning world with the Tokyo Auto Salon. This three-day occasion takes over the Makuhari Messe conference centre and yearly manages to suit extra automobiles, exhibitors, and guests than ever earlier than.
Final yr’s present stuffed 11 halls with practically 900 automobiles and 4,300 cubicles, which sounds spectacular till you notice over 230,000 folks attended. What’s much more bonkers, is that Day 1 (Friday) is proscribed to media within the morning and premium ticket holders from 2:00pm. Once we say TAS will get busy, we imply actually busy.
What’s the vibe in 2025? For probably the most half, enterprise as ordinary – and that’s not a nasty factor. There aren’t any groundbreaking adjustments or new additions this yr, however you’re as soon as once more assured an eclectic mixture of automobiles out of your favorite JDM tuners and extra.
You’ll be able to’t point out Tokyo Auto Salon with out Liberty Stroll. Love them or detest them, this ‘widebody period’ continues to be massively in style and the trouble Kato-san and his staff put into their TAS show is unmatched by another model.
Plus, these kits are excess of simply overfenders now. The most recent, an R32 Skyline impressed by the Kaido Racer period Kato-san grew up with, is an ideal instance. It’s unmistakably Liberty Stroll, but who else would suppose that extending the R32’s bonnet to fully obscure its headlights would work?
It’s not for everybody, however I really like that it exists in a world the place most individuals are obsessive about restoring each GT-R to inventory.
After which there’s the Liberty Stroll centrepiece of TAS 2025: the LB-Silhouette Works GT Lamborghini Miura. In contrast to the Miura that Kato-san debuted in 2018, this one isn’t a duplicate; it’s an actual, V12-powered, multi-million-dollar Lamborghini. Or at the very least it was earlier than it grew to become the newest efficiency artwork piece from Liberty Stroll.
Do you’re feeling outraged, although? I don’t, and I’m unsure if that’s as a result of we’ve come to anticipate these high-profile, generally controversial builds from Liberty Stroll, or if there’s one thing else at play…
That one thing else is digital artist Jonsibal, who performed a key position in designing the LB-Silhouette Works GT physique equipment. In comparison with earlier Liberty Stroll kits, this one flows significantly better with the Miura’s inventory strains somewhat than combating them. Sure, it has deep-dish wheels, canards galore, and a huge rear wing. But it surely’s additionally suffering from particulars that recall to mind Group 5 race automobiles just like the Zakspeed Capri.
It doesn’t fairly have the ‘you probably did what?!’ issue like Kato-san’s F40 or Countach builds, however it does elicit a ‘that’s truly fairly cool’ response. My solely gripe? Apart from Liberty Stroll taking practically an hour to unveil the automobile, I’d like to see a ‘avenue’ version with out the massive wing and hundreds of (generally obscure) sponsor stickers. However in case you occur to personal a Lamborghini Miura and fancy hacking it up and becoming air suspension, Kato-san and the staff will probably be very happy to color it any color you want.
If the LB-Silhouette Works GT Miura has you riled up, brace your self for the following automobile too. Controversial builds don’t often come from producers, however Nissan’s new R32 Skyline GT-R with an electrical powertrain is definitely one to stir the pot.
Don’t get me flawed, I get why they did it. But it surely feels a bit late to the social gathering, particularly when Toyota already electrified an AE86 again in 2023, together with a hydrogen-powered choice for good measure. There are many EV-converted classics on the market, however when your motorsport arm Nismo is busy reproducing unique R32 GT-R engine elements and iconic LM-GT wheels, it does ship blended indicators.
That mentioned, there’s one a part of this R32 that completely should make it into manufacturing. The ‘inventory’ wheels aren’t inventory in any respect; they’ve grown from 16 inches to 18 inches whereas retaining the unique design, which permits an R35 GT-R Brembo brake equipment to suit. That alone virtually redeems the electrical swap.
Whereas we’re with regards to Skyline GT-Rs, feast your eyes on this BNR34 on the HKS stand – a ‘full’ construct you possibly can spec your self offering you’ve received in extra of half 1,000,000 {dollars}. It’s been some time since I’ve seen any new aero for a GT-R that hasn’t seemed fully canine dust (or is simply an OEM half made in carbon), however HKS’s newest equipment provides a ton of aggression.
The social gathering piece is a swan-neck spoiler impressed by the 992 Porsche GT3 RS, with working DRS. Will it make a distinction? Most likely not on the freeway, however given how a lot cash GT-R homeowners pour into their automobiles, I can’t think about it being a troublesome half to promote.
What about any themes at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025? An apparent one this yr is Toyota’s new LC250 Land Cruiser.
It will not be an apparent selection for Speedhunters, however this new era – and the return of the mighty 70-Sequence – has generated huge international curiosity ever because it was introduced. We’ll deliver you a devoted Land Cruiser highlight put up later within the month, however for now, we’ll depart you with simply the best 70-Sequence at TAS.
UN-spec white paint? Test. Recaro-trimmed inside? Test. Dished RAYS Volk Racing TE37XT wheels? Checkmate. I don’t care how previous and primary this stuff are to drive; with the fitting upgrades, they’re achingly cool.
One other pattern that’s laborious to overlook at this yr’s Tokyo Auto Salon is the return of sure ‘OG’ Japanese automobiles. You can argue each TAS sees a good mixture of classics, however this time round, the main focus is on restoring and future-proofing icons like early Celicas, Datsuns, and GT-Rs.
Exhaust maker Fujitsubo has targeted closely on new (previous) techniques for classics just like the Celica and Sunny, whereas Belief/GReddy has a GZ10 Soarer proudly sporting a standard livery. Even Countless has a Maserati 228 on show, which could simply be the curveball of the present.
TOM’S – Toyota’s long-time racing companion – is now promoting components on to prospects for the primary time. The AE86 shell you see? That’s now available for purchase straight from TOM’S as a newly refurbished merchandise, and in case you’re questioning what engine to pair with it, TOM’S will promote you a brand-new 3S-GE, 4A-G, or 2JZ.
This type of improve will probably be reserved for these with the deepest pockets, however the actual fact there’s demand for this degree of improve exhibits how deeply revered these Japanese classics have develop into.
Talking of cash, Hyundai has teamed up with Keiichi Tsuchiya to unveil the Ionic 5 N DK (Drift King) Version. Hyundai is among the most enjoyable manufacturers on the market proper now, pushing boundaries in each tech and design whereas making EV powertrains genuinely enjoyable to drive.
The Ionic 5 N is mighty in normal trim, and having beforehand experimented with drift-only variations the DK Version will develop into a manufacturing mannequin out there in each Japan and South Korea. It’s a partnership that’s removed from apparent as a result of hardly ever do Hyundai ever comply with the ‘regular’ pattern.
The identical might be mentioned for 326 Energy. In a present filled with lifted Land Cruisers hell-bent on attaining the utmost overland journey, 326 Energy has dropped a brand new LC 250 onto the bottom with the deepest, most cambered wheels doable. It’s a bit odd, however I’m all in for the leisure.
After which there’s this unimaginable Toyota Sera – a phrase only a few folks can declare to have used previously. However that is Tokyo Auto Salon, and this explicit Sera packs a 1,050hp punch…
It additionally has four-wheel drive and two engines – a Nissan ‘SR20VET’ upfront producing 500hp and a turbo K20A out again with 550hp. Dubbed ‘The Twin Dragon,’ it’s from the identical builder who beforehand broke the web along with his quad-turbo S14. By no means, ever change.
Let’s play a sport of ‘Spot the Distinction.’ One in every of these automobiles prices round $40,000, whereas the opposite will set you again virtually 10 instances that – earlier than you even begin including extras.
We’ll wrap up our Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 Day 1 protection on the Prime Secret stand, which, as at all times, is full of tuned GT-Rs from each era.
Up to now, you’d see these in Prime Secret gold or white, however Kazuhiko ‘Smoky’ Nagata and his staff have switched issues up with ‘Stealth’ editions, that includes Stealth Gray paint and matte black OZ Racing wheels.
Every construct seems to be superior, and it appears like a contemporary tackle Prime Secret’s traditional tuning philosophy. However I’d like to see the gold and TE37 combo all of us grew up obsessing over make a comeback, even when it’s only a one-off.
With 11 halls of builds to discover, that is simply the tip of the iceberg for Tokyo Auto Salon 2025. Keep tuned for Half 2 dropping within the coming days, however for now, we’ll depart you with some extra of our Friday highlights.
Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
Twitter: markriccioni
mark@speedhunters.com
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