Over 20 posts and 300+ pictures later, I’m finally done with my coverage of Tokyo Auto Salon 2009. You’ve seen everything from Lamborghinis to Suzuki kei cars, and if you missed anything you can see all the TAS ’09 posts right here. I think I’ve covered just about every aspect of the event, but before moving on to other things, I have a few final photos and other odds and ends from the show.
One of the coolest things to see at Tokyo Auto Salon isn’t even a car. Nope, it’s Drift Tengoku’s incredible display of drift team stickers from all over Japan (and the world). A lot of history here…
I don’t think I posted a picture of this Soarer yet. A bit more like transformer than a car really…
I didn’t spend much time covering the R35’s at Auto Salon because I wanted to wait and see them in action this weekend during the HKS Premium Day at Fuji Speedway.
On the subject of R35’s, the Zele complete car is still one of the best out there.
Product-wise, the Power Enterprise twincharger kit for the R35 was probably the most talked about part at this year’s show. We’ll have to wait and see how it stacks up to traditional tuning from a power and reliability standpoint, but it’s certainly generating a lot of buzz.
Top Secret’s R35 has me wanting to do the white letter tire thing on my next project…
Just another shot showing the crowds and chaos that surround the campaign girls at Tokyo Auto Salon. It seems to be getting worse every year. I know a lot of people like this stuff, but the I think the crowds (and rude guys dead-set on taking photos with their handicams) detract from what the show should really be about – the cars. I know it’s all about selling tickets, but I’m kind of hoping some of this stuff will be scaled back in the future. At least there’s the Exciting Car Showdown in Nagoya which does away with the campaign girls and hype surrounding them.
Like it or not, this is Tokyo Auto Salon.
Some people come home from TAS with bags full of diecast cars, small parts and accessories, magazines, and stickers. Others come home with “A-Class” t-shirts…
Is anyone out there “JDM enough” to sport one of these during a night on the town?
That’s a bit more like it. You could spend hours just checking out the collectibles for sale at TAS.
The Yokomo RC booth had a selection of 1/10 scale cars done up to represent the different Japanese car mags. These two classics are the representatives for G-Works and Nostalgic Hero.
And finally, just in case you forgot you were in Japan…
Well, that does it for my Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 coverage.
All in all, what did you guys think of the show this year? Any favorite cars?
I had a lot of favorites, but the 1000hp JZX100 Mark II and AE70 Corolla come to mind as being particularly outstanding. Also, the Chevy pickup-converted kei car, just because you won’t see something like that anywhere else besides Japan.
-Mike Garrett
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
can i have the full caption from the last pic?
those rc cars are sweet!
the Zele 370z was awesome as well. Dont froget it lol.
Great coverage Mike during the TAS....cant wait for the HKS Premium Day event with the R35 GT-Rs
My favorite is the Zele R35.
Super Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 coverage
yeah and the zele R35 crazy
Great coverage! I highly recommend anyone into Japanese car tuning to head to the Auto Salon. I spent some cash this year and went over on my own just to be in it. I loved every second.
tx for the great coverage Mike!
are you able to do a write up on the power Enterprise's r35????
güzel seyler bunlar :):)
was that all top secret had there?
how about JUN, MCR etc?
the "yokomo" rc booth on the pictures, are actually "ABC Hobby" body shells! Judging from the wings on the car underneath that, the cars underneath are indeed Yokomo.
Love the pics !
Just want to say thank you for the coverage Mike. I think you did a fantastic job covering TAS better than anyone else on the internet! The fact that you covered almost every aspect of TAS leaves something for everyone to enjoy....
As for my favorite, I think other than the D1GP cars, I think the best has got to be the Abflug Curve MRX. Don't know if anyone realized it yet, but I spotted this at gtr.co.uk last year and just wondered about it. Totally forgot about this car until you mentioned the Amemiya Genki Seven, and just managed to find this:
http://www.jmotorsjapan.com/002mrx.html
Hope you got this covered somewhere (if I missed it that is......)
For all those scaled car collectors. Auto shows like TAS are a great way to add to one's collection; and spend the cash you could have spent on a real car. I know from experience.
I reall like the IWAMI-FU sticker on the Drift Tengoku wall.
About which car was my favorite: a bit hard to tell. AE70 is indeed very impressive, but I also liked the Impulse AE86 Sprinter Trueno showing their carbon capabilities! (including carbon wind-deflectors!!)
I'm interested to see how well the twin-charger setup works in real-world track testing against "traditional" setups. It sounds astounding on paper but, from what I've read, it doesn't really make any more power than conventional twin turbo setups such as Hennesey or South Side Performance. However, its strongpoint is its broader torque curve and lower RPM power peak; should prove to make space shuttle-like acceleration! BTW, what do you guys think of the American R-35 tuning scene? Seems there hasn't been a lot of mention about them, but they're making serious power levels. Is 700-plus HP laudable, or just an excercise in American excess?
Those RC's are so clean!
The godzillaz have that impatient look to get unleashed!!!
but i think this year seemed somewhat boring!
sorryboutit