Right, time to get going with the Tokyo Motor Show coverage now. I used to remember back in the nineties when I was still in school in Tokyo, that the Motor Show was an epic event. You could always expect to find the Makuhari Messe jammed packed full of crazy concepts, special versions of the then popular sports cars, tons of race cars and even more race queens. Things have quitened down a lot over the last 15 years, and the stagnant world economic climate has turned what was one of the best motor shows of the year into somewhat of a disappointment. That was the popular opinion back in 2009 when a lot of the Exhibition Center in Makuhari was practically empty. However for 2011 things are definitely on the up and despite a lot of manufacturers being in a bit of a transitional period ,they sure gave it their best.

There was not a sign of a rotary on the Mazda stand. With the RX8 on its way out it will be a few years until we will see another Wankel-powered car, but it doesn’t mean R&D and future plans have been dropped. Mazda is busy introducing its new Skyactive technology that will boost economy throughout the product range starting with the new CX5. Manufacturers have to sell these kind of cars to make money…then they can give us cool cars like the Roadster above, or whatever is in the pipeline.  New RX7 anyone? So as enthusiasts we can only support them and hope for the best.

The Daihatsu Copen has been around for quite a few years now so it’s not surprising they are exploring directions to take with its replacement. The D-X hints at a possible styling direction for everyone’s favorite convertible sporty Kei-car. Will be cool to see how they get on with this. The car should be out in about a year.

It wasn’t all BRZ at the Subaru stand. The people at Subaru Tecnica International have been busy coming up with a more performance variant of the GVB.

Only 300 will be made and guess what, they are almost all pre-ordered with none left of the 100 NBR Challenge Package equipped cars that we saw at the Gazoo Racing Festival.

The S206 gets a fully balanced engine, a larger twin scroll turbo, better flowing exhaust and a reprogrammed ECU, all good for 320HP.

All of STI’s catalogue has been thrown at the suspension and chassis as well as plenty of bespoke upgrades. It’s all finished off with a set of 19-inch wheels and massive 6-pot calipers up front and 4-pots at the rear, the same that were used on the R205 I drove last year.

The Impreza Sport looks a lot like the new Legacy, which isn’t at all a good thing. Where was that BRZ again…

The Subaru Advanced Tourer is very futuristic concept that previews the boxer-hybrid engine technology that may well make it onto future models. Let’s hope it also previews a decent design for the next Legacy!

All these concepts really need to be balanced with proper road cars…

…like this red pair from Mercedes Benz. I showed you the C63 AMG on my earlier preview post but this was a car I couldn’t stop returning to.

Not the interior you expect a Benz to have right? Would love to have a go behind the wheel, despite it being only offered as an auto.

The new “63” powerplant if of course a twin turbo, no longer the snarling NA 6.2L V8, but a more efficient blown 5.5L V8. I’ve driven the old E63 and C63 Wagon so really want to see how different this engine will be.

Gotta love these German brutes!

I returned back to Nissan for a quick look at the Nismo Juke.

I am all for this new idea of Nismo versions of Nissan cars, let’s hope they use the brand well as BMW has done with it’s “M” versions and Mercedes with AMG. The little Juke gets more power from the 1.6L turbo motor powering it…

…as well as a more sporty oriented cabin and exterior. This was a left hand drive import, which is why it had a manual gearbox. Incredibly enough in Japan the Juke remains available only with the scooter-like CVT transmission. It might make sense from a fuel economy point of view, but there should at least be a choice.

Here is one car I’d love to try out, the Megane Renault Sport. Bet this is a hoot to drive!

Audi Japan sure put on a great show with an exciting selection of models including this R8 GT convertible painted in matte blue.

The car that stood out more for me was the new S7. I’m a fan of the 4-door coupe design and…

…coupled with the new 4L V8 twin turbo it’s going to be a true Autobahn monster.

What a unique looking car!

Audi also introduced the 5-door Sportback version of their little A1 along with a couple of other versions…

…like this 185 HP 1.4L Turbo model and the Samurai Blue version in the opening picture dedicated to Japan’s soccer team.

This behemoth is the A8L W12, the most luxurious model Audi makes right now. I was blown away by the interior, packed with technology, stunning materials and soft quilted leather seats. The B&O surround sound system in this car has to be heard to be believed. Oh and under the hood is a 493 HP 6.3L W12 engine, a reworked naturally aspirated version of the twin turbo unit used in the Bentley GT.

Very glad I got to see the R18 TDI which won Le Mans this year. The diesel-powered race car sits so low…

…it boggles the mind at how the driver, as well as the engine can fit in it all.

The Evora S was looking very sinister in black in the center of the Lotus display area.

I was genuinely impressed by the Jaguar’s R versions of its cars. The XFR…

…looked like a worthy BMW M5 rival.

I thought Jags were all about luxury! Check this XKR-S out.

What a beast! This 550 HP Supercharged V8 beast will happily spend the day powersliding around a racetrack…

…and cruise along in comfort in the city at night.

Like I mentioned the Tokyo show has always been about weird and futuristic concepts. The Daihatsu FC Case “toaster on wheels,” which uses a hydrazine hydrate as fuel (a synthesized form of hydrogen), was quite peculiar…

…as was the Suzuki Q Concept 2-seater transportation device. I’ve got one more part coming from the show so stay tuned for that.

Tokyo Motor Show 2011 coverage on Speedhunters