Introducing the wide variety of parts and custom cars that attracted attention at the custom car show [Tokyo Auto Salon 2025]

Hyundai

“We wrapped it up in a cool and cute design.”

Hyundai’s brand new BEV, the Instar, has been unveiled for the first time in Japan, and pre-orders have also begun. It comes in three grades: Casual, Voyage, and Lounge, with battery capacities of 42kW and 49kW, respectively. Despite its compact body size, it boasts a spacious interior and a long driving range. It is said to be an “all-purpose BEV that fulfills everything you expect from a car,” and deliveries are scheduled to begin in Japan around April or May of this year.

TESLA ALLIANCE

Sharing the true appeal of Tesla with many people

The Tesla Alliance is an organization that brings together Tesla-related companies and businesses to provide useful information to owners. At the Auto Salon, they take the lead in promoting the appeal of Tesla. This year’s highlight is the “ART PRO x KOKORO MODEL Y.” The car is fitted with KOKORO brand carbon aero parts and has been spray-wrapped in Maserati matte white. It is fitted with Tomoki Special Parts Gevaert (coilovers) and has 21-inch wheels. The result is a mischievous and stylish Model Y.

J Factory

I want to run to the limit and improve my skills

J-Factory is a professional shop that handles all European cars, but they also focus on VW and Audi models, and have built many monster machines in the past. This year, the TT RS is back, a car that exudes performance. Blending in with the blue bodywork is an irom dry carbon front bumper. The NITRON R3 three-way coilovers and Endless 6-pod (380mm rotor) improve footwork. This is a specification that doesn’t simply increase power, but is designed to hone your skills by driving to the fullest.

Tiger Auto

The true essence of a long-established store lies in the details

While serving as an authorized Jeep dealer, Tiger Auto is also a leader in proposing custom cars. It handles countless products and has the know-how to match them. This is evident when you look at the Wrangler Rubicon that was unveiled at the event this year. The two-inch lift provided by the MOPAR coil set and the Black Rhino BR022 wheels (17 inches) are eye-catching, but numerous parts have been used to tune them. The exterior is also full of individuality.

HC GALLERY

Enjoy circuit fun for a fixed price

The concept of the HC Gallery is “More fun with cars and holidays.” While it also offers driving suggestions, the core of the gallery is circuit driving. A consistent menu is available, from practicing on a simulator to real circuit driving. Users can enjoy simulator training taught by professional drivers and 86 racing car sharing for a fixed price without having to prepare anything themselves. The simulator was extremely popular at the venue, with long queues forming.

Honda

The original specialty is back

The Prelude, popular not only in Japan but also in the United States, is back. This is a prototype of the specialty hybrid sports car “Prelude.” It was announced as a model that “will continue to deliver the joy of driving, even in the carbon-neutral era and as autonomous driving technology becomes more widespread.” It is equipped with the new hybrid system “Honda S+Shift.” It also features the F1 car that helped Max Verstappen win his fourth consecutive Driver’s Championship in 2024.

REWITEC

Siridium protects your car

REWITEC, a German company, designs and develops friction-reducing coatings that use silicon dioxide. When their product, Power Shot, is added to lubricants (engine oil, gear oil, etc.), the silicon dioxide particles impart a ceramic quality to the friction surface, helping to reduce friction and repair and protect metal surfaces. Everyone from those who drive aggressively tuned cars to skilled craftsmen at professional shops has expressed interest in REWITEC’s technology.

BYD

The fourth coupe-style SUV unveiled

Following the Dolphin, ATTO3, and Seal, the Sea Lion, BYD’s fourth pillar in Japan, made its debut at the Auto Salon. It’s a splendid crossover SUV measuring 4,830mm long, 1,925mm wide, and 1,620mm high, and, as its name suggests, it has sleek styling inspired by marine life. Its mechanisms and interior are also futuristic, making it a typical BYD BEV. Will it be able to break into the premium SUV market, now one of the most competitive? It will be released this spring.

TBR

Make your BEV life more personal

TBR enhances the appeal of Tesla with its on-top suspension that provides crisper handling and a premium ride without compromising the styling and functionality of the Tesla Model 3. Its comfortable sports seats also provide excellent support. TBR is a cutting-edge tuner that specializes in parts development, maintenance, and customization for Teslas, which are difficult to modify. Their menu also includes body parts, brake upgrades, and interior modifications.

VW

The ever-evolving standard meter for hot hatches

The new Golf R and its variant were unveiled in Japan for the first time. This was the official announcement before sales begin in late January. Also arriving was the Golf GTI, which underwent a minor change in July last year. These are hot models based on the Golf VIII, and have been updated with the minor change. The Golf R’s maximum output has increased by 13 PS to 333 PS, and is said to be efficiently converted into power through the latest 4Motion (4WD) equipped with R Performance Torque Vectoring.

AMD WORK SHOP

Here is proof of Land Rover enthusiasts’ love

AMD Workshop, which is fascinated by Land Rover and thus adds a unique touch to each model, proposed a complete car based on the 90, a short-bodied car with a light feel and excellent off-road capabilities. The car features an AMD complete kit of aero parts, a double-tip exhaust system, and KALEIDO wheels (22 inches), giving it an urban feel while still maintaining its off-road capabilities. The VISIT all-in-one audio system adds a touch of elegance to the car’s unique aesthetic.

BESPOKES TOKYO

“Classic” is precisely why we make it bespoke

The classic Defender, Land Rover’s iconic car, is given a modern yet wild look with body parts including LEDs, while the interior is thoroughly elegant. It is a car that is typical of Bespoke Tokyo, which promotes tailor-made design and works with the customer to determine each and every specification. The wheels are fitted with original 20-inch SAW TOOTH wheels. We are convinced that the culture of classic Defenders will continue to develop in the future thanks to builders like this.

RANGERS

An evangelist of the culture of using good things for a long time

Restoring a neo-classic Range Rover and bespoke to your tastes is what makes Rangers unique and what makes them special. This is a 1993 first-generation Range Rover. Both the interior and exterior are painted in clean white, giving it the feel of a brand new car. Rangers’ work involves meticulously restoring cars to suit the customer’s wishes, and it reaffirms the good old British custom of “using good things for a long time.”

WORK

Revival of a masterpiece

Work’s wildly popular VS-KF wheel, which disappeared from the market in 2017, has been revived as the “VS-KF#.” Its characteristic flowing, flared spokes have been given an edged, sharper, and more three-dimensional shape. Not only has it been updated to the latest version, but its performance has also been updated. Of course, a wide range of customization options are available, including finishes and rim arrangements, adding an elegant and sporty touch to any vehicle, from SUVs to sports cars. Available in 20-inch and 21-inch sizes.

ARTISAN SPIRITS

The latest Lexus tuners lined up

Lined up at Artisan Spirits’ main booth were the latest Lexus models, the LBX and LM. Both were fitted with an aero kit called the Black Label. The LBX’s concept in particular was “activity and design.” It incorporated a sportier feel while maintaining the luxury and high quality that is characteristic of Lexus. Two models were on display, the base grade and the MORIZO RR, with the former looking elegant and the latter reminiscent of a more radical hot hatch.

Wednesday

Celebrating 30 years of history

The KRANZE series is lined up on the wall. 2024 will be the 30th anniversary, and three new models will be added to the lineup this year. One of the most notable is the “BAZREIA ID.” This is the revival of KRANZE’s signature dish model, which first appeared in 2005. It is also compatible with the color coordination system, allowing for even more customization enjoyment. The discontinued “LXZ” is also being revived as a forged model. Although only available in 18-inch sizes, it has breathed new life into the KRANZE series.

T’s CLUB

User-first, high-quality customization

T’s Club is a one-stop professional shop where you can ask any question, from vehicle sales to customization. Four demo cars were on display to serve as a guide for customers. In addition to the A6 Avant, there was a Peugeot 508, a MINI Clubman, and an Abarth 500e, making for a diverse lineup that is typical of T’s Club. The shop was beautifully put together using a combination of top-quality parts from around the world, and the MINI in particular was honed under its own brand, R’s Racing.

REPORT/Daichi NAKAMIGAWA, Mai AGENOSONO

PHOTO/Nina NAKAJIMA, Keigo YAMAMOTO

MAGAZINE/ GENROQ March 2025 issue