A clever Speedhunter as soon as instructed 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 the majority Japanese company 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 may simply discover it empty.
I say this as a result of – as you’ll see from the photographs – half of them function not a single soul in sight, whereas the opposite half battle to point out an entire automotive with out limbs and luggage getting in the way in which. 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 vehicles, exhibitors, and guests than ever earlier than.
Final 12 months’s present stuffed 11 halls with practically 900 vehicles and 4,300 cubicles, which sounds spectacular till you understand 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 typical – and that’s not a nasty factor. There aren’t any groundbreaking modifications or new additions this 12 months, however you’re as soon as once more assured an eclectic mixture of vehicles 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’ remains to be massively well-liked and the hassle Kato-san and his workforce put into their TAS show is unmatched by every other model.
Plus, these kits are way over 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 assume that extending the R32’s bonnet to fully obscure its headlights would work?
It’s not for everybody, however I 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. Not like 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 a minimum of it was earlier than it grew to become the most recent efficiency artwork piece from Liberty Stroll.
Do you are feeling outraged, although? I don’t, and I’m unsure if that’s as a result of we’ve come to count on 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 function 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 traces moderately than preventing them. Sure, it has deep-dish wheels, canards galore, and a big rear wing. Nevertheless it’s additionally suffering from particulars that recall to mind Group 5 race vehicles just like the Zakspeed Capri.
It doesn’t fairly have the ‘you probably did what?!’ issue like Kato-san’s F40 or Countach builds, nevertheless it does elicit a ‘that’s really fairly cool’ response. My solely gripe? Apart from Liberty Stroll taking practically an hour to unveil the automotive, I’d like to see a ‘road’ version with out the massive wing and 1000’s of (generally 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 workforce might be more than pleased 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 often come from producers, however Nissan’s new R32 Skyline GT-R with an electrical powertrain is actually one to stir the pot.
Don’t get me unsuitable, I get why they did it. Nevertheless it feels a little bit late to the celebration, particularly when Toyota already electrified an AE86 again in 2023, together with a hydrogen-powered possibility 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 combined indicators.
That stated, 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 equipment to suit. That alone virtually redeems the electrical swap.
Whereas we’re as 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 acquired in extra of half one million {dollars}. It’s been some time since I’ve seen any new aero for a GT-R that hasn’t seemed fully canine filth (or is simply an OEM half made in carbon), however HKS’s newest equipment provides a ton of aggression.
The celebration 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 vehicles, I can’t think about it being a tough half to promote.
What about any themes at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025? An apparent one this 12 months is Toyota’s new LC250 Land Cruiser.
It will not be an apparent alternative for Speedhunters, however this new era – and the return of the mighty 70-Sequence – has generated large international curiosity ever because it was introduced. We’ll carry you a devoted Land Cruiser highlight put up later within the month, however for now, we’ll go away you with simply the best 70-Sequence at TAS.
UN-spec white paint? Verify. Recaro-trimmed inside? Verify. Dished RAYS Volk Racing TE37XT wheels? Checkmate. I don’t care how outdated and fundamental this stuff are to drive; with the appropriate upgrades, they’re achingly cool.
One other development that’s laborious to overlook at this 12 months’s Tokyo Auto Salon is the return of sure ‘OG’ Japanese vehicles. 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 Countless 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 clients for the primary time. The AE86 shell you see? That’s now in the stores immediately 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 might be reserved for these with the deepest pockets, however the actual fact there’s demand for this degree of improve reveals how deeply revered these Japanese classics have turn out to be.
Talking of cash, Hyundai has teamed up with Keiichi Tsuchiya to unveil the Ionic 5 N DK (Drift King) Version. Hyundai is without doubt one of the most fun 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 customary trim, and having beforehand experimented with drift-only variations the DK Version will turn out to be a manufacturing mannequin accessible in each Japan and South Korea. It’s a partnership that’s removed from apparent as a result of not often do Hyundai ever comply with the ‘regular’ development.
The identical could possibly be stated 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 potential. 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 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 together with his quad-turbo S14. By no means, ever change.
Let’s play a recreation of ‘Spot the Distinction.’ One in all these vehicles 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.
Previously, you’d see these in Prime Secret gold or white, however Kazuhiko ‘Smoky’ Nagata and his workforce have switched issues up with ‘Stealth’ editions, that includes Stealth Gray paint and matte black OZ Racing wheels.
Every construct appears to be like superior, and it looks 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 go away you with some extra of our Friday highlights.
Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
Twitter: markriccioni
mark@speedhunters.com
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