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This time final 12 months, most Japanese automobile fans have been sulking at the truth that Covid had cancelled the 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon. It left a little bit of a void, as for longer than anybody can actually keep in mind, TAS is how we’ve kicked off the 12 months.
As disappointing because it was, quickly sufficient everybody simply received on with issues. No matter automobiles and merchandise have been convey ready for a Tokyo Auto Salon debut have been both soft-launched on-line, or put again below the knife.
And this further 12 months to play with was precisely what some wanted.
Lots of the folks I caught up with on Thursday evening on the Makuhari Messe throughout the closing hours of TAS arrange shared the identical sentiment. At this level I’d barely seen a fraction of what’s on present this 12 months, however general it appeared that the additional 12 months got here in useful for lots of corporations.
Producers included.
It not solely gave Nissan an opportunity to hit fans with the primary unveil of the ultimate model of the massively anticipated all-new Z, however chase that up by displaying for the primary time at a public venue the Tremendous GT model of the automobile. That’s proper, the GT-R is not any extra in GT500 – all hail the Z!
It form of seems like 2004 over again, when the (VQ30-powered) R34 GT automobiles have been eclipsed by the Z33s for just a few years whereas Carlos Ghosn was busy saving Nissan and ensuring Mizuno-san had sufficient time and funds to make the R35 a actuality.
I’m wondering if a GT-R will as soon as once more exchange the Z in Tremendous GT just a few years down the road?
With reference to race automobiles, Toyota final week informed the world that it will current a GT3 race idea, and right here it’s. Nicely, on Thursday evening the automobile was nonetheless lined up after all, however it should have been unveiled by the point you learn this.
Behind are two GRMN variations of the GR Yaris, however once more nonetheless below wraps. I really managed to see them uncovered whereas I used to be doing an Instagram livestream, and so they look laden with carbon fiber and many different upgraded goodies. They’re not precise competitors automobiles, however extra ‘rally-inspired’ builds, one dressed for tarmac and the opposite for gravel. We’ll undoubtedly go into extra element on all three automobiles over the approaching days.
I used to be fairly pumped to see this loopy creation by Racing Manufacturing unit Yamamoto. Beneath these pumped arches – and what stays of the Nissan Figaro donor physique – is a custom-built tube-frame chassis.
This isn’t a styling train, that is an exceptionally nicely constructed race automobile. I solely wanted one look to understand that it’s been meticulously deliberate and executed.
Energy? That comes from a Honda S2000 engine! It’s completely loopy, so we’ll undoubtedly should shoot a full function quickly.
Over on the Hashimoto Company sales space, issues have been nonetheless coming collectively. I pored over this Guards Crimson 964 operating KW suspension, and thought of how cool it will be to have Venture 964 on present on this similar house someday sooner or later. Let’s pencil it in for 2032, it’d virtually be accomplished by then!
In case you missed the memo, 2022 is the 12 months of Gazoo Racing, the brand new 86, the Yaris, just a few LC 300 Land Cruisers, and naturally the A90 Supra which continues to generate curiosity.
Now that the latest-model M3s and M4s have been flowing into Japan for a 12 months or so, we’re starting to see the primary JDM-tuned examples.
I actually need to take a look at what Studie has been doing with this new platform.
One other development I shortly observed is Lexus LM face/rear swaps on Toyota Alphards. Since Lexus doesn’t (but) promote the Lexus model of the Alphard/Vellfire in Japan (why, no person appears to know…) the tuning trade has accomplished its factor. And this was my favourite by a mile – the Yokohama Wheel demo automobile constructed with Artisan Spirits and operating the brand new Oni 2 three-spoke wheels.
Out of all of the LC 300s I noticed, Blitz appear to have accomplished it the most effective. A easy elevate equipment and off-road-ish wheel/tire package deal has elevated the look of what’s at the moment essentially the most wanted new automobile in Japan. For those who order a Koenigsegg or a Pagani, you would possibly get it faster than a brand new Land Cruiser. Potential consumers are being quoted a four-year wait now, which is totally ridiculous.
I didn’t need to get too near the Varis automobiles as they have been nonetheless being polished up, however there seemed like a variety of new carbon coolness.
RAYS too has loads of new wheel designs, together with the Volk Racing 21A. Sure, please!
The GT-R world retains thundering on, and by ‘GT-R’ I imply the RB26-powered automobiles, not the R35. HKS was hiding just a few good surprises with two show engines, however what caught my eye was this unsuspecting black R34 on the Crewch sales space.
The 700hp, fully-built 2.8L RB has been mated to the dual-clutch transaxle transmission from the R35, which you’ll see right here, poking by means of the ground. To make all of it work, a MoTeC is linked as much as the R35 ECU and apparently all of it works easily, paddle shifters included. It’s mainly what Nagata-san at Prime Secret did together with his R32 years again.
Crewch are additionally displaying a pristine and completely OEM KPGC10 Kenmeri GT-R – the true deal, not a reproduction. These automobiles will quickly attain the US$1 million mark.
Not too far-off was Miura’s lineup, one we are going to contact on with extra element over the course of the weekend.
And it was cool to see NATS at TAS once more. Their loopy college students have been busy creating their traditional Frankenstein builds.
Cusco, in the meantime, has gone GR loopy.
Kansai Service was busy placing collectively one other tantalising lineup of demo automobiles.
I used to be additionally very glad to see Lotus persevering with to acknowledge the significance of the Japanese market and the large variety of followers they’ve right here. For TAS, they despatched over certainly one of their pre-production Emiras, and I’ve to say it appears to be like gorgeous. I’d like to take one for a fast evening drive/shoot round Tokyo.
On the far facet of exhibition heart was one more corridor stuffed to the brim with automobiles.
That is the place BH Public sale have been displaying a couple of the automobiles that they’re auctioning off this 12 months, each from the Taisan assortment – the Group A R32 GT-R and the F40 LM. Do I hear some opening bids?
14-inch steelies, anybody?
There’s some actual nostalgic Celica vibes proper right here.
Do you keep in mind the Daddy Motor Works GR Yaris-powered AE86 I went to take a look at final 12 months? Nicely, it’s accomplished, and simply within the nick of time.
Oto-san has actually outdone himself, however I additionally must acknowledge that his Yaris was sitting subsequent to a real legend. I featured the Spoon Sports activities NSX-R GT 11 years in the past, and it appears to be like pretty much as good now because it did then. Even perhaps higher.
I hope you’re as glad as we’re that the Tokyo Auto Salon is again. As Toby and I discover extra of it over the weekend, I’m positive we are going to discover loads of gems to share with you guys, so be sure to examine again quickly for heaps extra.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com
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