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14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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Over in Japan, the Lexus GS is sold as the Toyota Mark X, meaning that you can get the rear-drive sedan at a more affordable price.

While not exactly the most dynamic diver’s car, the folks at Goodyear Racing though it would be perfect for their new race car – if you can consider the D1 Grand Prix drift series racing.

Debuting the car at the Tokyo Auto Salon, it’s hard not to love the NASCAR-esque look of the machine, with what Goodyear Racing refers to as a DTM-style widebody. There’s now word on a powerplant, but the car is scheduled to hit the track for testing soon in order to be ready for the start of a new D1 GP season.

GALLERY: Goodyear Racing Toyota Mark X Drift Car

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See AutoGuide’s 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon coverage here

14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

Subaru will finally reveal its version of the Toyobaru rear-drive coupe at the Geneva Auto Show this March.

The automaker has confirmed that it will display a concept dubbed the ‘Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept.’ As the name suggest, however, it will be a concept and we don’t expect to see a production version until after the Toyota model debuts – possibly at the Tokyo Auto Show at the end of 2011.

Described as a joint venture with Toyota, Subaru says the vehicle will use an all-new platform and will be powered by the company’s horizontally-opposed boxer engine, helping to deliver both a compact powerplant and one with a low center of gravity.

Get more Toyobaru news and info at FR-SForum.com

And see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 Geneva Auto Show preview here.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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Nissan/Infiniti tuner Impul chose the Tokyo Auto Salon to make the public debut of its new 651S tuning package for the new Infiniti M luxury sedan.

While some of the aerodynamic modifications aren’t to out taste, thankfully Impul isn’t just some plastic-fantastic shop. They actually offer a full line of modifications.

Shown on this car is a spring and shock combo package, as well as a big brake upgrade with 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear. Added power comes thanks to a dual-exhaust system, as well as a retuned ECU and larger throttlebodies. Those upgrades are, however, only offered for the M37 and M25 models (yup, they have an M25 in Japan) and Impul has yet to announce any performance upgrades for the big-dog M56.

GALLERY: Impul 651S

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14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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One of the premiere tuners for Honda and Acura vehicles, J’s Racing is known for building parts for those who want to get out on the track.

On display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the J’s Racing team brought along fully modified versions of the Civic Type R and the new CR-Z. Both models feature custom bodywork with vented carbon fiber hoods and the CR-Z gets a large carbon fiber rear wing that actually suits the sporty hybrid’s shape.

Other upgrades include 18-inch Rays wheels, Recaro seats, a J’s Racing exhaust for each car and the company’s own Hyper ECU tuning.

GALLERY: J’s Racing Honda CR-Z

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GALLERY: J’s Racing Honda Civic Type R

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14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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Hybrids are increasingly becoming the car of choice in Japan and as a result the country that’s responsible for popularizing electrified motoring is also the Mecca for hybrid tuning.

Yes, some performance shops are working on adding more power to hybrid systems, but as with the rest of the auto industry, the majority of tuning is dedicated areas outside the engine bay. And with the Prius being the best selling car in Japan, it’s the one that gets the most attention.

Built by Toyota‘s motorsports partner Gazoo Racing, the Prius G Sports Concept is a look at a future sports package that the company is considering. Debuting at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the modifications are minimal and look to consist of a set of 18-inch wheels to improve handling and an aero kit.

Toyota won’t say for sure, but look for this kit or perhaps a full production model based on this car to launch in Japan in the coming months.

GALLERY: Toyota Prius G Sports Concept

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14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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It’s not even for sale in North America yet, but over in Japan they’re already hard at work modifying the all-new Toyota Vitz – sold here as the Yaris.

A marked improvement on the current model in the style department, the G Sports team at Gazoo Racing have customized this little hatch with a selection of accessories including a complete aero kit. Of note is an aggressive race-inspired rear diffuser, as well as a subtle roof spoiler. As expected, there’s a lowered suspension, plus a set of 18-inch light weight wheels for this sub-compact.

Toyota isn’t one for building driver’s cars, but the G Sports line is helping give enthusiasts a reason to buy Toyota products – or at least they are in Japan. However, as it stands, this package is still just a concept.

GALLERY: G Sports Concept Vitz

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14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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Love the Nissan Juke? OK, you probably don’t, but that’s most likely because you haven’t driven one. Criticized from Tokyo to Tampa Bay, the Juke is a front-runner for ugliest car ever, but it’s also a seriously fun package with a turbocharged 4-cylinder and a sophisticated AWD system.

Targeted at young urbanites, Nissan is looking to add a selection of items to the Juke in the hopes of attracting a few more buyers and up-selling the parts to those already looking at the compact SportCross.

Called the Juke ‘Sporty Package’ it consists of new 17-inch wheels and Michelin tires, fog lights and chrome accenting around the bottom of the doors and rear liftgate. There’s also a body kit, plus a subtle rear spoiler – which really helps to improve the car’s back end.

Debuting at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Nissan intends to offer this kit to customers through dealers in both North America and Europe

GALLERY: Nissan Juke Sporty Package

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Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Nissan Juke Review Here

14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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Ever wonder what would happen if you let a high-performance tuning company run wild on a minivan? Well wonder no longer, as Nissan‘s NISMO division has just debuted a version of the new Elgrand (sold as the Quest in North America) at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Already an imposing beast of a van, the NISMO Elgrand gets its own aero kit with an even more imposing front grille. Matched up with a complete aero package, the van also features a custom suspension drop by the handling experts at NISMO. A set of 18-inch wheels complete the look; although they do seem rather small in comparison to the huge slab-sides of this boxy people mover.

It’s just a concept for now, but knowing the market for these types of things in Japan, NISMO is almost certain to offer copies of this kit. Find the right JDM-market importer and you too can roll up to soccer practice looking like you’re from 2025.

GALLERY: NISMO Elgrand

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14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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While Lexus does already offer a selection of F-Sport branded TRD bits for the IS-F, the automaker now seems poised to deliver a selection of track-focused goodies for those who want to take their 5.0-liter V8 sedan around the track.

Looking nearly identical to the IS-F Club Circuit Sport concept from last yea’s Tokyo Auto Salon, the new TRD model sports some subtle front lip add-ons as well as a rear diffuser. A vented carbon fiber hood is also part of the package, as is a simply massive rear spoiler. And let’s not forget the light weight forged wheels.

Here’s hoping that Lexus does decide to bring these parts to market for customers in North America.

GALLERY: Lexus IS-F Club Performance Accessory by TRD

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14/01/2011 | By: Colum Wood

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You’d be forgiven for thinking that Lamborghini’s designers had gotten a hold of the Honda CR-Z. Despite its matte-black paint and wild bodywork the TS-1X Concept has nothing in common with the Reventon supercar.

Based on the new hybrid sports car, the TS-1X gets a fighter-jet inspired aero kit that actually seems to work with the CR-Z’s futuristic styling. In both the front and rear are small aero-bits that remind us of the flying buttresses on the Ferrari 599, which are designed to increase downforce while not adding drag.

Also included are a set of 18-inch wheels, which look absolutely massive on the tiny CR-Z. And inside those rollers (which look like painted Civic Type R models), is a set of TS-1X branded Nissin brakes.

GALLERY: Honda CR-Z TS-1X

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