Hardly the most attractive car on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the TES Concept T-Sports might be one of the most exciting for regular folks in search of an affordable sports car.

Since the first introduction of Toyota‘s FT-86 Concept, rumors have surfaced that the cost of development of the car has risen and that consumers will have to carry that burden by paying more for the vehicle. With Toyota’s plans for an affordable sports car in trouble, the automaker has reportedly been planning a more entry-level version of the car.

No one at Toyota is saying as much, but the TES Concept T-Sports might just be the answer. While about as pretty as Snookie, unlike the reality star, it’s what’s underneath that counts. You see, this early prototype was built by the Toyota Engineering Society (TES) in response to a questionnaire that asked what sort of vehicles they thought Toyota needed to build. The answer: an affordable sports car. And like the FT-86 it’s front-engine, rear-wheel drive.

Powered by Toyota’s 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine this concept makes 109-hp, but weighs under 2,000 lbs. The car is 150-inches long and 65-inches wide, making it just over a foot shorter in length than the FT-86.

Toyota isn’t commenting, but this concept certainly hints at the fact that engineers are studying plans for a baby FT-86.

GALLERY: TES Concept T-Sports

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon Coverage here and see more of Toyota’s TAS concepts after the jump.

Plus get more Toyota FT-86 news and info at FR-SForum.com

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First debuting at the Australian International Auto Show, Lexus rolled out the CT200h F-Sport model as part of its display at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon. Unlike the IS-F Club Performance Accessory or the IS-F CCSR, this F-Sport model is confirmed for production.

Taking the new Lexus hybrid hatchback to a more dynamic level, the CT200h F-Sport gets light-weight wheels, an F-Sport suspension setup (with lowering springs and sway bars), plus a complete aero kit. Inside, goodies include an F-Sport steering wheel, pedals, and an F-Sport instrument panel. F-Sport models will also be available in this limited edition Flame Blue paint.

We’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed for the rest of the F-Sport/TRD track items for the IS-F.

GALLERY: Lexus CT200h F-Sport

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Lexus CT200h Review by Clicking Here

Get more CT200h news and info at CT200hForum.com

Looking forward to Subaru‘s version of the Toyota FT-86 Concept? Sure you are! But what if you could get your hands on another STI-tuned Toyota-derived Subie. Um….. maybe not.

Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Trezia STI gets an overhaul by the legendary Subaru Technica Institute.

Never heard of the Trezia? We don’t blame you. It’s the newest addition to the Subaru lineup overseas aimed at expanding Subaru’s sales there with a down-market model. A result from the continued cooperation between Subaru and Toyota, it’s actually just a rebadged Toyota Verso MPV. In fact, unlike the rest of the Subie lineup, it’s not even AWD.

No engine modifications have been made to the small 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, leaving power at a meager 107-hp – although an STI muffler might free up a few fractions of a pony. There is a complete aero kit and, as well as an STI tuned suspension and some plus-sized light weight wheels.

OK, so it’s no sports car, but for a box-on-wheels people mover, it’s about as stylish as they come.

GALLERY: Subaru Trezia STI Concept

Check out the rest of AutoGuide’s 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon coverage here.

Oklahoma car collector Tim Dye is well known in the enthusiast community for his stable of Pontiacs. Now, he’s decided to open a museum dedicated to the now defunct marque, in the town of Pontiac, Illinois, through which passes a stretch of the historic ‘Mother Road,’ Route 66.

The museum will be located in downtown Pontiac, IL in the town square on North Mill Street. Dye will be loaning some of the cars from his own collection, while others are likely to come from other collections or individual enthusiasts. At present the Museum is slated to open by July 21st this year.

Given all that General Motors has been through lately and the way in which Pontiac was unceremoniously dumped, it’s nice to see some enthusiasts looking to preserve the legacy of this once popular and exciting vehicle brand, even if many brand nuts believe the rightful home should be in Pontiac, Michigan. However, given the recent economic crisis and the fact that Pontiac, Michigan is struggling financially and couldn’t fund such a project anyway, one museum dedicated to the brand, even if it is in Illinois, is better than none at all.

[Source: Hemmings Motor News]

Ever think car prices of imported vehicles in America are high? Well you won’t after comparing them to the Chinese market.

According to China Car Times, the price of the new Porsche Cayenne S hybrid in China will be an eye watering 1.7-million Yuan, or roughly $257,397 in our currency.

That means in China customers will pay the same amount of money for the humble Cayenne S hybrid as we would for a 911 GT2 RS, which is currently the most expensive model made by the company.

The reason cars are more expensive in China is because of high importation taxes on foreign goods, and since the Cayenne hybrid can only manage 23-MPG, it won’t qualify for any green-incentives either.

The Cayenne S hybrid is now on sale in North America and can be yours for a much more reasonable $67,700.

[Source: Autoblog]

If you’re looking for the VIP section at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this is it. The RH9 Club, is a loose network of tuner shops that have built Nissan GT-Rs that can run a 9 second quarter mile or faster.

As the legend goes, the shops all meet and discuss tuning ideas and even build parts under one RH9 brand name. The list of exclusive tuners reportedly includes such big names as: Top Secret, Top Fuel, Jun Auto, Signal Auto and about a dozen more.

The collection of cars gathered at the Tokyo show wasn’t limited to GT’R's however, and it’s not clear if the RH9 club has expanded to include other vehicles or if these are just some of the other cars build by RH9 member shops.

Check out all the pics below and see our complete 2011 Tokyo Auto Show coverage here.

GALLERY: RH9 Cars on Display at Tokyo Auto Salon

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Previous to its unveiling at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai had already announced some of the most important details about the new Veloster. We were told it would be powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 138-hp and 123 ft-lbs of torque and offered with either a 6-speed manual or a dual-clutch 6-speed automatic. Hyundai also said it would get 40-mpg on the highway.

What we didn’t know is what it would look like, and in a vehicle targeted at young Gen-Y customers, looks are very, very important.

Being given our first look at the car in Detroit, it’s interesting to see how the unique design of the car works, with two doors on the passenger side and one on the driver’s side. 17-inch wheels are standard with 18s are optional and chunky flared fenders sit at each corner.

Another big selling feature is certain to be the standard 7-inch LCD touch-screen, as well as Hyundai’s new Blue Link telematics system – essentially Hyundai’s version of OnStar. Blue Link will offer safety features like Automatic Crash Notification and roadside assistance, while it also enables voice text messaging, remote vehicle start, remote door opening, and plenty of other features.

Aiding in the overall driving dynamics is a notably low curb weight, with the manual transmission models just 2,584 lbs, while dual-clutch automatics weigh 2,657 lbs.

Available options include leather seats and a 450-watt 8-speaker audio system. Set to go on sale soon, the Veloster will be available in an array of brilliant colors, including Century White, Ironman Silver, Triathlon Gray, Ultra Black, Marathon Blue, Electrolyte Green, 26.2 Yellow, Vitamin C (Orange), or Boston Red.

A year ago Honda officially announced the introduction of the HSV-010 GT race car, the company’s successor to the NSX in the Japanese Super GT Series. A purpose-built race car with a 500-hp 3.4-liter V8 engine, sadly, no production car will ever be derived from the HSV-010. That new is all the more disappointing when you see just how stunning a creation the car is.

A total of four teams competed with Honda’s new race car in the Super GT series, with the No. 18 Weider Racing Team car (above) taking the pole in its first two races and topping the podium in only its second race.

Stealing the show at the Honda Racing booth at the Tokyo Auto Salon, check out the full gallery of pics below in case you doubt why.

GALLERY: Honda HSV-010 GT

See all of AutoGuide’s 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon coverage here

It wouldn’t be the Tokyo Auto Salon without an appearance by a few specific tuners and that list includes Top Secret. Best known for building unmistakably gold high-powered machines – like the Toyota Supra – the Top Secret display in Tokyo this year includes a stunning Nissan GT-R.

Sporting a special aero kit (including a carbon fiber front splitter and large rear spoiler) the GT-R gets the gold treatment and is accompanied by two Honda CR-Zs as well as a Suzuki Colt. None of the cars are close to stock and the dark gray CR-Z even has an HKS turbo kit.

Check out all the cars (and a few extras) in the gallery below. And see our complete 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon coverage here.

GALLERY: Top Secret Nissan GT-R, Honda CR-Z

When it comes to automotive loyalty, Ford proves they must be doing something right, as the company just won the 15th annual Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards.

The last time that Ford won this award was back in 1999, so they’ve had plenty of time to work on the customer loyalty aspect of the business. And it’s paid off – Ford came away on top in the many categories, including: Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer; Overall Loyalty to Make; Ethnic Market Make – African-American; and Mid/Full-Size Pickup for its F-Series truck line up.

The Polk’s Automotive Loyalty Awards are given to automakers that retain car owners over repeat buying cycles. To track owner loyalty, Polk follows trends throughout the year and completes in-depth analysis of automotive shopping behaviors, related market influencers and development of retention strategies. Polk also determines automotive loyalty when a new vehicle consumer purchases or leases another new vehicle of the same model or make.

According to Brad Smith, director of Polk’s loyalty management practice, the 2010 awards are based on an analysis of 4.9 million return-to-market events during the 2010 model year. The 2010 model year runs from October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

You can see the full list of winners after the jump.

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