A smart Speedhunter as soon as advised me, “He who begins on the final Tokyo Auto Salon corridor shall end first.”
After all, credit score for that goes to our resident Dino-san. Whereas he could not have used these precise phrases, he did clarify that the majority Japanese visitors at TAS have a tendency to go to the halls in numerical order. So, in the event you’re ready to hit Corridor 11 first, you would possibly simply discover it empty.
I say this as a result of – as you’ll see from the photographs – half of them characteristic not a single soul in sight, whereas the opposite half battle to indicate a complete automotive with out limbs and luggage getting in the best way. The ethical of the story? If Dino offers 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 crammed 11 halls with almost 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 restricted 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 normal – and that’s not a nasty factor. There are not any groundbreaking modifications 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 possibly can’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 crew put into their TAS show is unmatched by another model.
Plus, these kits are excess of simply overfenders now. The newest, 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 assume that extending the R32’s bonnet to utterly 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 reproduction; it’s an actual, V12-powered, multi-million-dollar Lamborghini. Or not less than it was earlier than it grew to become the most recent 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, typically 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 package. In comparison with earlier Liberty Stroll kits, this one flows significantly better with the Miura’s inventory strains relatively than combating them. Sure, it has deep-dish wheels, canards galore, and a huge rear wing. Nevertheless it’s additionally plagued by 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 really fairly cool’ response. My solely gripe? Except for Liberty Stroll taking almost an hour to unveil the automotive, I’d like to see a ‘road’ version with out the large wing and 1000’s of (typically obscure) sponsor stickers. However in the event you occur to personal a Lamborghini Miura and fancy hacking it up and becoming air suspension, Kato-san and the crew can 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 automotive too. Controversial builds don’t normally 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 improper, I get why they did it. Nevertheless it feels a bit of 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 authentic R32 GT-R engine parts 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 protecting the unique design, which permits an R35 GT-R Brembo brake package to suit. That alone nearly redeems the electrical swap.
Whereas we’re with reference 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 bought 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 utterly canine filth (or is simply an OEM half made in carbon), however HKS’s newest package 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? In all probability not on the freeway, however given how a lot cash GT-R house owners 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 is probably not an apparent alternative for Speedhunters, however this new era – and the return of the mighty 70-Collection – has generated large world curiosity ever because it was introduced. We’ll convey you a devoted Land Cruiser highlight publish later within the month, however for now, we’ll go away you with simply the good 70-Collection at TAS.
UN-spec white paint? Examine. Recaro-trimmed inside? Examine. Dished RAYS Volk Racing TE37XT wheels? Checkmate. I don’t care how outdated and primary this stuff are to drive; with the correct upgrades, they’re achingly cool.
One other pattern that’s exhausting to overlook at this yr’s Tokyo Auto Salon is the return of sure ‘OG’ Japanese automobiles. You could possibly argue each TAS sees an honest mixture of classics, however this time round, the main target is on restoring and future-proofing icons like early Celicas, Datsuns, and GT-Rs.
Exhaust maker Fujitsubo has targeted closely on new (outdated) techniques for classics just like the Celica and Sunny, whereas Belief/GReddy has a GZ10 Soarer proudly sporting a conventional livery. Even Limitless has a Maserati 228 on show, which could simply be the curveball of the present.
TOM’S – Toyota’s long-time racing accomplice – is now promoting elements on to prospects for the primary time. The AE86 shell you see? That’s now that can be purchased instantly from TOM’S as a newly refurbished merchandise, and in the event 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 can be reserved for these with the deepest pockets, however the actual fact there’s demand for this stage of improve exhibits how deeply revered these Japanese classics have turn 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 turn 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 not often do Hyundai ever observe the ‘regular’ pattern.
The identical could possibly be mentioned for 326 Energy. In a present stuffed with lifted Land Cruisers hell-bent on reaching 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 unbelievable Toyota Sera – a phrase only a few folks can declare to have used up to now. However that is Tokyo Auto Salon, and this specific 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 recreation of ‘Spot the Distinction.’ One among these automobiles prices round $40,000, whereas the opposite will set you again nearly 10 occasions that – earlier than you even begin including extras.
We’ll wrap up our Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 Day 1 protection on the High Secret stand, which, as all the time, is full of tuned GT-Rs from each era.
Up to now, you’d see these in High Secret gold or white, however Kazuhiko ‘Smoky’ Nagata and his crew have switched issues up with ‘Stealth’ editions, that includes Stealth Gray paint and matte black OZ Racing wheels.
Every construct appears superior, and it appears like a contemporary tackle High Secret’s basic 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 go away you with some extra of our Friday highlights.
Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
Twitter: markriccioni
mark@speedhunters.com
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