Hinting at a possible tuner version of the new March/Micra sub-compact, Nissan has revealed a NISMO concept model at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Standing alongside similar NISMO-tuned versions of the Leaf and Juke, the March NISMO Concept gets the expected goodies.

Included in the package are lighter forged wheels and an upgraded (and lowered) suspension, not to mention a custom aero package with a rear spoiler. Inside the car gets sports seats and an upgraded steering wheel, while outside it’s coated in a pearl white paint with red highlights.

Similar packages were revealed for the Juke NISMO and Leaf NISMO which were unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in December. The Leaf NISMO is transformed into somewhat of a futuristic jellybean in the process, while the aero kit and lowered suspension make the Juke a mean looking sport-cross.

Check out all the cars below, as well as the Leaf NISMO RC race car and find AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon coverage here.

GALLERY: Nissan March, Leaf and Juke NISMO Concepts

GALLERY: Nissan Leaf NISMO RC Race Car

To say there’s a strong tuner car culture for hybrids in Japan might be a bit too generous. Oh, there’s no doubt the Japanese love to modify the cars, but perhaps the term “customization” is more accurate.

At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon there was the usual selection of Prius model with wild bodykits and big wheels. And while most take a step towards the extreme, the Lumiere Prius Hybrid Interceptor police car still looks pretty mean. At the opposite end of the we’d-drive-it spectrum is the DAD Prius v, complete with oversized wheels blinged out with Swarovski crystals.

Along with conventional Prius models, the aftermarket has expanded to include the new additions to the Prius family, like the Prius v wagon and even the smaller Prius c.

See all the cars below:

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At Japan’s annual Tokyo Auto Salon, they’d call our list of the Top 10 Worst Cars of SEMA tame. Sure we documented some atrocities during our time at North America’s largest aftermarket expo, but it’s hard to compete with a diorama of an army soldier apparently shooting baby dolls on the tonneau cover of a pink pickup truck. And have those babies been run over, or are those supposed to be tattooed?

Like you, we can’t resist gawking at a good train wreck. Just remember, once you’ve taken a look, these car’s can’t be unseen – no matter how hard you try.

GALLERY: Crazy Cars of the Tokyo Auto Salon

Seethe rest of AutoGuide’s Tokyo Auto Salon Coverage Here

Aftermarket wheel manufacturer TWS Forged obviously liked what they saw when Toyota unveiled the Nurburgring Edition Lexus LFA. Sporting a more track-oriented aerodynamic kit and a functional rear spoiler, that package (even in its shocking orange paint scheme) now looks tame compared to the modified LFA on display at the TWS booth at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

Along with that huge spoiler out back the LFA gets a custom set of TWS wheels, as well as an ultra-aggressive rear diffuser setup to further improve aerodynamic flow over and around the supercar.

GALLERY: Lexus LFA by TWS Forged

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon Coverage here

Nissan has announced an extensive 10-car lineup for the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon including everything from modified minivans to GT-R race car. Following roughly a month after the Tokyo Motor Show, the salon is in many ways Japan’s version of SEMA, giving aftermarket tuners and race shops a chance to show their wares.

In the brand’s NISMO motorsports-derived area will be four models, including the 370Z NISMO and NISMO Juke Concept, as well as a NISMO-tuned version of the Leaf EV and the Leaf NISMO RC race car. In addition, Nissan will display the Motul Autech GT-R, which won five of eight races in last season’s Super GT series, where the S Road MOLA GT-R team captured both the team and driver’s titles

In-house tuning brand Autech will show off three modified vans, including a custom NV350 Caravan Rider, the Serena Rider Performance Spec Black Line and the Elgrand Rider High-performance Spec Black Line – a wild looking version of what we call the Nissan Quest.

GALLERY: Nissan’s Tokyo Auto Salon Models

After taking the championship in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge street tuner challenge this year, Kia is announcing further commitments to the world of motorsports.

In addition to the 2012 Rio B-Spec racer, built by Kia Racing and Kinetic Motorsports, Kia has unveiled an Optima Hybrid pace car for the United States Touring Car Championship. The Optima, built by GoGoGear.com, actually replaces the modified Soul that severed last year.

It may be a hybrid, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring, already deliver over 200-hp in stock form the car gets a Magnaflow exhaust system and air intake kit. So it’s not sloppy when out on parade laps the car also gets a coilover suspension, and looks the part with a new aero kit (including front splitter and rear spoiler), plus the usual light bars. And no SEMA car would be a SEMA car without an over-the-top 2400-watt Infintiy audio system.

Look for the Optima Hybrid Safety Car to first hit the track at the USTCC in March of 2012.

GALLERY: Kia Optima Hybrid USTCC Safety Car

See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show coverage here.

Along with the debut of a new B-Spec budget race car, Kia is looking to showcase its updated 2012 Soul at the 2011 SEMA Show.

In total, the Korean automaker will display six sports-themed vehicles. The first of the group has already been teased (above) and is a colorful creation inspired by pro golfer Michelle Wie – whom Kia has used before in its ads. In addition, Kia has announced a second of the six cars will be themed around NBA star Blake Griffin. As for what that car will look like, and the remaining four vehicles, we’ll have to wait for SEMA to find out.

Look for full coverage on AutoGuide’s 2011 SEMA Show coverage page here, starting November 1st.

While most of the cars at the SEMA Show are built to be over-the-top displays of horsepower and gaudiness Hyundai is preparing to showcase at least one of its new Veloster models that takes a different approach.

Make no mistake, the car created by marketing agency PM Lifestyle and the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) will display a full suite of modifications, but it’s designed to be representative of what the average tuner could do with his or her car. The message is clear: Hyundai is betting the Veloster will be a hit with the tuner crowd and with auto enthusiasts and is working to showcase just how attractive a platform it can be.

Far more than just IHE (Intake, Header, Exhaust), the ‘Versatile Veloster’ will get a Sequence-X body kit, Konig wheels and plenty of Seibon carbon fiber goodies, including the hood and trunk, with a custom blue paint job covering the rest of the car. Performance upgrades include an AEM Cold Air Intake, Magnaflow exhaust and a custom header, while KW was contracted for a full coilover suspension and SSBC is supplying the brakes. Making an expected 163-hp (up from in the stock car), there’s also a Nitrous Express system for some added power.

On display at the 2011 SEMA Show from November 1-4, the PM Lifestyle ‘Versatile’ Veloster will then go on a three-year show tour with UTI, making appearances at 120 autocross, supercross and demonstration events.

Get a full rundown of the modifications after the jump and see AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here:

Discuss this story at Veloster.org

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The SEMA Show is sneaking up on us again and one of the first vehicles we’re learning about is the ARK Performance Hyundai Veloster.

Set to be unveiled at the Korean automaker’s stand at the annual aftermarket expo and built by ARK Performance, the rally-car styled Veloster will get some massively flared fenders and a custom interior – with the obligatory blinged-out audio system like no one told them it’s not 1998. Perhaps more exciting is a twin-scroll turbocharger under the hood helping the Veloster make 210-hp. While not breathtaking performance, it’s a solid hint at the amount of power a rumored factory Veloster Turbo could make. Sadly, this isn’t a production engine, but a custom turbo setup.

This latest show car marks the third time Hyundai and ARK Performance have teamed up for SEMA, with a Genesis Coupe on display last year and a Tiburon before that.

GALLERY: ARK Performance Hyundai Veloster

Discuss this story at Veloster.org and read AutoGuode’s 2012 Hyundai Veloster review here

See after the jump for a full list of the car’s planned modifications:

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The much maligned styling of the Nissan Juke is in many ways overcome by its impressive driving characteristics. Still not convinced? Then perhaps the Nissan GT-R powered ‘Super Juke’ will help change your mind.

Under development by Nissan Europe, the car will use the very same twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine as Godzilla, making around 480-hp. With a stripped down interior this wildly modified machine should be able to hot 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds. Who needs a Bentley-powered VW Golf anyway?

Look for the car to sport flared fenders, a new front splitter, rear diffuser and some upgraded wheels, tires and brakes.

Built as a one-off project, the car is expected to debut before year’s end. We just hope it makes its way across the pond for SEMA.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Nissan Juke Review