2010 Tokyo Auto Salon: Stage Two

We’re back for part two of 7tune’s coverage of the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon and to kick things off, let’s take a closer look at Toyota’s presence at the show.

The Toyota Prius was big this year – no doubt the tuners are now looking to cash in on its growing popularity as the governments around the world offers incentives to anyone who buys them. This Smart Division Prius took out the “Best Hybrid” award at the show.

Here’s a novel approach that Toyota used for the idea behind replacing door mirrors; use a camera instead.

The gauges were also a novel idea.

I’m not sure how much more “performance” can be added to these hybrids but that hasn’t stopped a raft of tuning houses developing interior and exterior options for them. Some of the finished products look very good actually. That isn’t to say I wholly approve of the ideology behind hybrid development. At least, not yet I don’t.

Good rims can make ANY car look sexy…including a Hybrid.

The Honda Insight was also modified to bring it up to spec visually.

What I want to know is when someone is going to produce the ultimate in irony and stuff a 2JZ twin turbo into the Prius. Imagine that at the drags!

Hybrid’s aside, let’s take a look at Toyota’s own display at the 2010 TAS. They really turned up the heat this year by bringing with them a huge selection of cars sporting varying levels of tune. It was a relief to see them finally coming around and the enthusiasm from staff and public alike was electric.

I mentioned in my post about the G’s turbo FT86 that Toyota are approaching the aftermarket industry with a renewed sense of vigor; this was easily apparent when looking at the products on display. They even brought Takumi Fujiwara’s immaculate ’86 along for the ride!

The Toyota stand was interesting because they had cars that made sense, realistically speaking. Not everyone who drives a car wants 800bhp from the engine, needs it to ride on 24 inch rims nor look like it’s about to eat small children. These cars represented real world performance and were very well built and presented. Even though many were still essentially concepts, they represented a forward moving train of thought at Toyota and this was refreshing.

Have a look at this Toyota Mark X that has had the G’s wand waved over it. I loved the aggressive aero kit and compared to the last Mark X, this one looks like it’ll rip the old model to pieces. A very tough looking 4 door saloon. It’s only a matter of time before we see one of these being thrown around in D1.

I absolutely loved the front bumper on this car.

One car I would really like to have a closer look at is the IS-F CCS Concept, looking so damned tough with its orange paintwork and contrasting wet carbon bonnet.

Another car that caught my eye was this Hybrid concept MR-S sporting a much more hard core GR inspired tune. GR, an acronym for Gazoo Racing, is basically on par with Toyota’s TRD, providing performance parts for enthusiasts that want a more circuit oriented car. The only difference being in that TRD are more component makers where as GR and G’s like them, offer a complete drive away product at a premium price.

Needless to say, both GR and G’s cater for very different types of clientele.

Toyota was well represented at this years show with the smaller tuners; some particular examples looking nothing like a Toyota at all. Yes, that is a Supra and those are BMW Z4 tail lights. Completing the uniqueness are BMW 6 series headlights. I think it works pretty well!

That’s before you peer into the space under the rear hatch and notice some wild custom audio gear has gone in as well.

The well known Osaka company, Junction Produce, was also regally displayed at the TAS, showing off a fine selection of VIP Toyota’s. 7tune has been invited to Osaka to see things up close and personal so expect more from Junction Produce in the near future.

This style of paintwork was popular at the show this year. I’m not too sure what the style is called but the effect was memorable. I distinctly recall someone referring to it looking like a hippie painted it but then I realized it was a hippie that made the comment. How ironic!

I think it’s appropriate to finish up Stage 2 with a little look at a couple of my favorite AE86′s at the show – both on display from Custom Garage SPEED.

This Hachi-Roku had a gem of an engine.

The final stage is up next so come back and check out the wrap up of the best Tokyo Auto Salon to come though in recent years.

Text: Adam Zillin

Photos: Adam Zillin