Tokyo Auto Salon auto news

Official: Veilside bets on Black with Mercedes SL body kit

There are hundreds of aftermarket tuners out there, but few hold the type of street cred that does Veilside. Long known for making Japan's greatest sportscars even greater, Veilside has now turned its attention to the Mercedes-Benz SL.

Not the newest one, mind you, because it's not out yet. Instead, Veilside has taken to the Tokyo Auto Salon to unveil a conversion kit that turns the outgoing SL into something closer to the top-of-the-line SL65 AMG Black Series.

To do so, Veilside fitted the SL with a custom body kit that includes new bumpers front and rear, new hood, fenders, side skirts, and spoiler, all crafted from carbon fiber. The result is called the Black Fortune.

The folding roof mechanism present on the stock SL - but removed on the Black Series model - appears to remain in place, so the Veilside won't encompass the kind of weight savings embodied by the factory special, but with only 300 examples of the kit to be offered at about $30,000 a pop, seeing one on the street should be about as rare a proposition.

Video: Abarth 695 shines in Tokyo with full chrome job [w/video]

The Abarth 695 was originally intended as a Fiat 500-based tribute to Ferrari. Hence the 695 Tributo Ferrari moniker. But this one looks more like a salute to McLaren.

Created by Japanese tuner Office-K and unveiled this week at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this special Abarth has had its Scuderia Red paint hidden under a full chrome vinyl wrap - similar to the one we reported on back in May - and capped with a tricolore racing stripe up the nose.

Otherwise, it's mechanically the same as the stock 695, which means a 1.4-liter turbo four driving 180 little prancing stallions through a five-speed manual to the front pair of 17-inch wheels with their Brembo brakes. It also means an interior with a chunky steering wheel, Sabelt racing buckets and Abarth's signature turbo boost gauge. Check it the chrome job in the video after the jump and the images in the gallery above.

Continue reading Abarth 695 shines in Tokyo with full chrome job [w/video]

Video: Lexus LFA Roadster makes appearance at Japanese drift event

If top-down motoring is your cup of tea, there are few droptops that could elicit as many smiles per sun-drenched hour than the long-rumored Lexus LFA Roadster. We first saw the V10-powered 552-horsepower machine at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, but the automaker has kept its lips firmly sealed on the potential of a production version since that showing.

Interestingly enough, though, it appears that Toyota's luxury division may not be done trotting proproduction LFA Roadsters around the auto show circuit. As can be seen in the video after the break, the Lexus droptop stunner made an appearance at the most recent Tokyo Auto Salon, where it took part in an exhibition run for the D1GP Kick Off Drift event.

Here's where things get a little murky. We have no idea if this is a factory-made LFA Roadster - it could be a custom job, or it could be the same exact car Lexus showed off in Detroit four years ago, albeit wearing a new coat of white paint and an unfortunate rollbar. Whatever the case, you can see exactly how easily the V10-powered machine can smoke its rear tires after the break.

Special Bonus: Watch now and you'll see extra drifting footage of a Toyota GT 86!

Continue reading Lexus LFA Roadster makes appearance at Japanese drift event

Video: Lexus LFA Roadster makes apperance at Japanese drift event

If top-down motoring is your cup of tea, there are few droptops that could elicit as many smiles per sun-drenched hour than the long-rumored Lexus LFA Roadster. We first saw the V10-powered 552-horsepower machine at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, but the automaker has kept its lips firmly sealed on the potential of a production version since that showing.

Interestingly enough, though, it appears that Toyota's luxury division may not be done trotting proproduction LFA Roadsters around the auto show circuit. As can be seen in the video after the break, the Lexus droptop stunner made an appearance at the most recent Tokyo Auto Salon, where it took part in an exhibition run for the D1GP Kick Off Drift event.

Here's where things get a little murky. We have no idea if this is a factory-made LFA Roadster - it could be a custom job, or it could be the same exact car Lexus showed off in Detroit four years ago, albeit wearing a new coat of white paint and an unfortunate rollbar. Whatever the case, you can see exactly how easily the V10-powered machine can smoke its rear tires after the break.

Special Bonus: Watch now and you'll see extra drifting footage of a Toyota GT 86!

Continue reading Lexus LFA Roadster makes apperance at Japanese drift event

Official: Nissan March Nismo concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]

With press days for the Detroit Auto Show now behind us, our focus is shifting eastwards. Make that Far East, as the tuners have rolled in for the Tokyo Auto Salon, where Nissan performance tuning arm Nismo has taken on its third compact and given it an attitude adjustment.

Following the recent debuts of the Leaf Nismo and Juke Nismo comes this March Nismo, based on the small hatchback also known as the Micra or (in Taiwan) as the Verita. Nismo has given it a enhanced sportiness through lightweight wheels, updated grille and aero kit, new door mirrors and sportier seats and steering wheel inside.

It's all capped by a pearl white finish with red highlights, but while the Nismo parts catalog is sure to offer bolt-ons for the March, this particular configuration is strictly a concept. Check it out in the pair of high-resolution images along with the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan March Nismo concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]

Video: Classic Toyota 2000GT turned into solar-powered EV

Saying the Toyota 2000GT holds a special place in our hearts is akin to calling oxygen and water kind of important to our survival. The long-nose two-door was envisioned as a suitable competitor to the likes of the European sports cars rolling out Italy and the UK at the time, and in many ways, the Toyota was far superior. Built at a time when Japan Inc. wasn't exactly known for beautiful automobile designs, the 2000GT may have been influenced by European cars of its day, but it has stood the test of time as one of the country's all-time design greats. The low-volume coupe is a piece of automotive legend, which is exactly why choosing to use a 2000GT as a platform for an electric conversion strikes us equal parts blasphemous and awesome. But that's exactly what Japan's Crazy Car Project has done.

The engineers behind the exercise ditched the standard 2.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine in favor of a 161-horsepower electric motor. A 35kWh lithium-ion battery provides the system with power, and the hood has been covered with photovoltaic cells to help keep the car going. Likewise, the back glass is covered in a transparent solar panel. All told, the system can propel the vehicle to around 124 mph.

Inside, the 2000GT SEV features a modernized interior with plenty of tech-laden gadgets. The vehicle was built in cooperation with Toyota and debuted at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon. Let's hope they started with a real basket case, eh? Hit the jump to see a video of the car in action.

Continue reading Classic Toyota 2000GT turned into solar-powered EV

Report: Toyota greenlights iQ Supercharger Concept for production [w/video]

Here's a surprise: Toyota has announced the company will produce the iQ Supercharger first unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon in limited quantities. The automaker has confirmed the development at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon. The vehicles will be built by partner Gazoo Racing and will feature a brawnier version of the same 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine found in the standard iQ. With a little forced induction on its side courtesy of a supercharger, the engine should be good for 130 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. That's an increase of 36 ponies and 44 lb-ft over the stock configuration.

Like the concept, the production model will wear a not-so-subtle widebody kit, stiffer suspension and more aggressive brakes than its standard siblings. A six-speed manual transmission will be the only gearbox option. Indoors, buyers can expect to find custom seats and gauges that read all the way up to 124 mph.

Toyota and Gazoo Racing only plan to produce 100 of the muscle-bound iQ Supercharger models, and there's no indication its Scion cousin sold in the States will receive a similar treatment. What a shame. Hit the jump for a brief introductory video featuring the original concept as well as the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota greenlights iQ Supercharger Concept for production [w/video]

Official: Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon

Unlike most cities, Japan's capital city plays host to two major automotive exhibitions: the Tokyo Motor Show and the Tokyo Auto Salon. While these terms may be interchangeable when it comes to European expos, in Tokyo, they connote two different shows altogether. The first is the Motor Show, where new concepts and production models are unveiled by the world's automakers. The Auto Salon is more of a tuner expo along the lines of the SEMA show in Las Vegas. So after Subaru made its long-anticipated splash at the Tokyo Motor Show with its new BRZ, now it's heading to the Salon with some modified versions.

First up is a version of the BRZ Concept STI, packing some prototype carbon-fiber components, suspension upgrades, Brembo brakes and more. Subaru has also teamed up again with aftermarket tuner Prova (which shares its name with the traditional license plates carried by prototypes in italy) for a BRZ Black Edition. And you can bet there will be a handful or two of other tuners eager to show what they can do with the new rear-drive sports coupe, as well.

Subaru itself will also be showcasing an upgraded Impreza called the G4 STI with all manner of performance enhancements, and will, at long last, announce its return to a number of different motorsport disciplines. The Super GT300-spec BRZ, which we already know about, will be displayed alongside the Legacy-based racer it replaces. But there will also be a WRX STI that's slated to be fielded at the Nürburgring 24, and Subaru will also be announcing its return to professional rally competition, though not the World Rally Championship series it left years ago, it will contest the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Subaru promises BRZ, Impreza STI concepts plus rally return at Tokyo Auto Salon

Official: Mazda previews driver-focused Tokyo Auto Salon showcars

While the Tokyo Motor Show is a stage for the world's manufacturers to strut their production models, the Tokyo Auto Salon allows designers and engineers to stretch their legs with custom hardware. This year, Mazda is bringing 10 special models to the Tokyo Auto Salon, including a custom version of the recently-released CX-5.

The custom CX-5 wears special paint, a lowered ride height and unique wheels for a significantly sportier appearance. Likewise, the company's Demio also receives a little attention, and visitors to the show can expect to see the Demio 13 Skyactiv Smart Stylish bow alongside the CX-5. The pint-sized hatch makes use of a few aero treatments including a front underspoiler, side skirts and rear underskirt.

The new Axela Skyactiv will also be on display, complete with a body kit of its own, along with a sharp-looking set of wheels. Visitors can take a closer look at a pair of custom Roadster models as well, including the Black Tuned version and a racing-spec version called the Jimba-Ittai, or Rider and Horse as one. We like the sound of that. Hit the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading Mazda previews driver-focused Tokyo Auto Salon showcars

Nissan debuts special track-ready Nismo GT-R RC

The speed-hungry fiends at Nismo have taken the time to unveil a new hardcore race version of the Nissan GT-R at this year's Tokyo Auto Salon. This machine is built for tangoing in the world's most brutal endurance races, and the engineers behind it took the time to rip out every last unnecessary bit of weight and install all the hardware it needs to go fender to fender with other race-bred bruisers. That includes a set of stoppers capable of bringing the globe to a halt, a full roll cage and a more menacing suspension.

There's even an onboard jack system and a huge 31.67-gallon fuel tank onboard to minimize time in the pits and maximize the number of seconds that the car can stay out on track. Nismo calls this terror the GT-R RC for Racing Competition, and if you like what you see, you better call your CPA. Nissan says that the race-bred GT-R will command a ¥20,790,000 price tag when it goes on sale - a shave over $250,000 at current exchange rates.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan GT-R RC