Not there this year (i know Tobynik is there... Grrrrrr)
But here's a preview of this year's show before the big coverage starts streaming out.... my fav. auto show of the year
BEHIND THE SCENES>> TAS 2011 - THE SET UP - Speedhunters
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNruAyYzmSA[/ame]
But here's a preview of this year's show before the big coverage starts streaming out.... my fav. auto show of the year
BEHIND THE SCENES>> TAS 2011 - THE SET UP - Speedhunters
Our Behind the Scenes theme continues now with a preview look at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon Show. As you read this, the Makuhari Messe doors are just opening to the press, allowing swarms of trigger happy photographers and scoop-hunting journalists in to what is without a doubt the biggest show of the year for those immersed in the world of JDM. Just like last year I managed to get myself inside the halls of the exhibition center as manufacturers, parts makers and tuning shops were all still beginning to set up their display areas and bringing in their freshest cars.
Not wanting to miss anything of importance I did end up arriving at the show a tad earlier than I really should of, as there really wasn't much to see except for a few cars and lots of contracted stand builders hard at work. This did give me time to catch up with Mamina Inada, Daijiro's daughter, who was there setting up the Optionland booth. She mentioned that although this year there is a similar number of exhibitors, there are quite a lot more cars than in previous years, something that became rather obvious towards the end of the day. Also she was very pleased with all the feedback you guys had on Dai-chan's interview I posted up the other day, so thank you for taking the time to leave your thoughts!
This is what the middle hall looked like at about 10 am.
Cars kept coming in and I did begin to spot the first few jaw-dropping rides like this amazing Crown Majesta from D'custom Freak. Offset and camber redefined!!
Most of the unloading was being done at the back of the Makuhari Messe where I ran across this Wald LS. Don't worry, the air suspension was set high as it had just been unloaded from the transporter, once it was positioned on the stand it was dropped to an acceptable ride height!
To tell you the truth I was expecting the show to be overrun by CR-Zs but I didn't really spot that many, hopefully more arrived overnight! This particular car was from AMS, the Terra CR-Z.
This was the first car that I shot on the day. I don't know much about it as the spec boards weren't out yet, but it is quite curious. I would have thought the awkward IS convertible's rear design would be enough to get plenty of looks, but obviously not!
D'custom Freak will definitely be stealing a lot of attention today at the show as their two cars were simply oozing the kind of presence extreme VIP rides like this strive to obtain. This is actually a Celsior with a Century front-end conversion...
...and another look at the Majesta, this time from the side where you can get a feel for the sporty look they are trying to achieve. Definitely two of the most memorable cars I saw yesterday!
Lunchtime came and most of the three halls were still pretty empty...
...so I headed upstairs to the restaurant and dined in style, with the best the stuff on the menu, JDM curry rice!
I did take my time eating that creamy curry and by the time I returned down to the show floor, things were beginning to get quite interesting. Impul is always one of the first shops to get their hands on the latest Nissans and they have already substantially modified the new-gen Elgrand (sold in the US as the new Quest). This Elgrand is obviously an important vehicle in the vanning scene and I must have spotted at least a dozen prepared by various shops.
This is the ISF Club Performance Accessory built by TRD. The parts fitted to this car could hit the market very soon and give a new breath of life to the TRD brand. I loved the high quality carbon like the hood and rear spoiler.
Remember the lightweight ISF CCS Concept that was shown at last year's Auto Salon? Well this is its track-going fire-breathing brother, the CCS-R!
This Racing version looks and sounds like a very finished and functional complete race car, further confirming that Lexus and Toyota are as serious as ever about giving us all hardcore, fun sports cars. Now all they have to do is sell the damn things!
Even the CT200h has been given the F-Sport treatment! This car still looks weird to me however, it seemed so aggressive in Concept form at the 2009 Tokyo Motorshow but the street version has been far too watered down. What do you guys think? Maybe a CSS-R version would make it more appealing!
Honda were putting together one of the coolest and most original display areas I've ever seen at TAS, something that resembled a lineup of pit-garages, each displaying different cars and concepts.
First thing I did was to get a closer inspection of the TS-1X CR-Z that we saw the other day. I just had to get a look at the rear end and that strange split rear spoiler with integrated intake and air outlet. The weird thing on the side is called a "rear quarter flap" and is there for some sort of aerodynamic reason. Will have to wait to see the press release to find out exactly what.
Now it's very cool and everything that Honda along with Modulo haven't forgotten to keep owners of the legendary NSX happy with some cool new parts, but what about making a successor guys? How long will you keep teasing us all with that work of art that is the HSV-010 GT!!
And on the subject of CR-Zs, HKS Kansai Service brought their new demo car sporting their full aero kit. I will have to check what is under the hood of this car...
...as well as J's Racing one!
Justin over at Caterham Japan has finally begun getting the crazy R500 into Japan. This example is fresh off the boat and looking mighty nice. Now Justin, how about letting me borrow this for a while? I promise I won't go over 3,000 rpm!
Now this is bound to interest a lot of people out there. Kleers have come up with a UV protector for dry, wet and lacquered carbon fiber, helping shield the finish from the nasty effects of the sun. I'm sure this will do well in Japan!
Super wide SL!
It was all very strange heading to the D1 exhibition area. There was definitely a weird energy around the make shift paddock. Last year Tsuchiya was out designing the course with the Team Orange guys while all the D1 drivers watched the and joked around in the background. There wasn't much going on this time round...how will D1 get over the big loss of Dai and Tsuchiya I wonder?
Remember that cool SR20-powered Y34 Gloria that I spotted at the 2009 Exciting Car Showdown? The people that were behind that, Super Made, came up with this extremely unique looking S15, the same car in the opening picture. The 16-inch Equips couldn't look any better!
Another car I need to investigate further. Apparently power comes courtesy of a supercharged L-series engine! You can always trust Rocky Auto to come up with cool ideas!
"Wide" is obviously a pretty evident theme this year!
Porsche 962C. Race car perfection. Thank you Dunlop for having this iconic car on display.
Figures that the first GTO I see in Japan has to be modified! Staggered Absolute pinstriped wheels (20" front, 21" rear) and a matte white body wrap for an imposing look.
Stay tuned for our full TAS coverage as Linhbergh and I hit the halls of the Makuhari Messe to bring you an in-depth look at the best Japan has to offer.
-Dino Dalle Carbonare
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNruAyYzmSA[/ame]
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