This article is one of our DS Does Japan series from our recent trip to the land of the rising sun, courtesy of Toyota Australia. Click here for the whole set!
Tokyo Auto Salon was simply overwhelming. This is half of one hall, out of 5 halls.
Dan and I have been debating over how we should break it up, and we’ve decided to do a feature on the most popular car on display – the Toyota 86. In the centre is Tada-san, one of the primary drivers behind the 86, flanked by the Gazoo crew.
Gazoo Racing have been campaigning Toyotas in racing for a LONG time, recently entering an LFA and 86 in the Nurburgring 24 hour enduro. The embroidery on the left of the dash of this special edition GR MN 86 tells the rest of the story.
Another from GR.
As I mentioned in a previous article, it seems like everyone in Japan is interested in cars, boys and girls of all ages. Perhaps because there is such national pride in the automotive industry? Imagine being able to go to something like Tokyo Auto Salon on a school excursion!
The 14R60 is a TRD-modified version with plenty of carbon everywhere. By that, I mean a new front bar, roof, wing, side skirts and diffuser. Interior also gets a bunch of cool stuff such as bucket seats and alcantara everywhere.
The changes were not lost on the competition, who came down to check it out.
It’s the production version of this awesomeness, the TRD Griffon concept, first revealed at TAS2013. After reducing weight and improving the exhaust, suspension and aero, the thing is faster than a 458/Gallardo/GT2/R35 on Tsukuba with a 1:01.872.
Almost every relevant stand had at least one 86 on it in varying stages of tune, ranging from quirky cosmetic mods, to rally cars, to hardcore time attack cars. Jun’s hyper lemon colour always stands out.
Chrome by Blitz.
Not all of the cars were modified with performance in mind. Check out this Western-themed collabo with Edwin, a Japanese jeans manufacturer.
I actually quite like the denim.
On the other hand, I suspect the only 86 bits in Monster Tajima’s Pikes Peak hillclimb weapon are the headlights and badges.
Incredible wheels everywhere.
One of the nicest 86s in my opinion was built by Pit Road M.
Here’s some video of this car at Suzuka.
Check out the insane front splitter!!
But it wasn’t just the new 86 that received lots of attention. The ageing AE86 was well-represented by Impulse with these absolutely mindblowing examples.
This second one is ALL CARBON, weighing in at just 735 kg. Lets just pause for a second and let that sink in.
This exquisite rear window blew my mind. So many wants!!
Rally-spec by Tein.
Another standout for me was the Zero Fighter. While some of my friends disagree, I absolutely LOVE how this thing looks.
Pure insanity.
More TAS articles are on their way!
