After covering all the major tuner and manufacturer booths located inside the Makuhari Messe’s Convention Center, we decided to wander the Tokyo Auto Salon’s floor to see if we could spot anything that interested us. It didn’t take long before this Abflug “Pink Spider” FD3S Mazda RX-7 really caught our eye.

Easily considered extreme by some, this RX-7 is an example of quality workmanship. The paint job is magnificent and we really love the wheels. More respect has to be given to the owner for the immaculate engine bay. North America may not have seen much of Mazda’s FD3S chassis over the recent years, but in Japan they are still one of the most respected tuner vehicles around.

GALLERY: Abflug FD3S RX-7

While Subaru-fans in North America love the STI-tuned Impreza WRX, they are deprived of other STI cars offered in Suby’s home-market of Japan. One such model is the STI-tuned Legacy Wagon, sold as the Exiga 2.0 GT STI in Japan.

Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine, the Exiga 2.0 GT STI makes 221-hp and 240 ft-lbs of torque. Additional highlights include an STI sport exhaust, 17-inch wheels, a leather shift knob, Alcantara seats, a subtle STI aero kit and a MOMO steering wheel.

This was also our first chance to see Suabru’s new Impreza WRX STI R205. The R stands for “Road Sport” and positions this model as the top STI in Suby’s lineup. Under the hood there’s a new turbo and ECU, along with a new exhaust system to deliver 316-hp and 319 ft-lbs of torque. The suspension has also been upgraded, as have the brakes, with new shocks and springs, as well as a a new front strut tower bar and lower arm brace. The brakes are six-piston front and four-piston rear units, with 18-inch cast aluminum wheels and special Bridgestone Potenza RE070 245/40/18 tires. Outside the R205 gets some new aerodynamics include a new front lip spoiler, new rear diffuser and rear spoiler, while inside the car remains stock except for some R205 badging.

The entire package has also been tested on the Nürburgring, where Subaru ran an R205 spec STI at last year’s 24 Hour race.

Just 400 Impreza WRX STI R205 models will be offered in Japan at a price of 4,510,000 yen (roughly $49,000).

Sadly, but not surprisingly, neither of these will be offered in North America.

GALLERY: Subaru Legacy Wagon STI

GALLERY: Subaruy Imreza WRX STI R205

We can still remember when European vehicles first started making their way over to the Tokyo Auto Salon. It raised a lot of eyebrows and had many people buzzing on how receptive the Japanese tuners and consumers would be. Fast forward a few years and now European vehicles have become a norm and it looks like American vehicles are now making their way to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Over at the Goodyear booth, we spotted this Chevy Camaro, kitted out, slammed and sporting a massive set of wheels. The Camaro, a large car even in America, looks simple enormous next to many of the subcompacts and MPVs at the Tokyo show.

The Camaro really helped to set the Goodyear booth apart, looking completely unique from the modified Japanese and European cars. It’s not exactly the best America has to offer, but it will be interesting to see if American cars continue to penetrate the Japanese market.

At last year’s SEMA Show, the Camaro was easily the car of choice, with practically ever tuner displaying a modified version of the muscle car. At TAS, the Camaros have been relaced with Priuses.

GALLERY: Goodyear Chevy Camaro

Damned if we report another body kit manufacturer but DAMD’s Styling Effect is highly worth mentioning. (Groan… we know). DAMD showed off a selection of its latest products at the Tokyo Auto Salon, with two new aero kits for Subaru products as well as one for, you guessed it, the Toyota Prius.

As the most popular car sold in Japan last year, the car’s style and hybrid efficiency have made it popular and now owners are looking to personalize their car to hel it stand out from the thousands of others on the street.

DAMD decided to take its Prius in a “VIP” luxury direction, slamming it low with glossy black paint and wheels. There’s also a beautiful custom tan leather interior.

As for the Subarus, we’re not huge fans of the “Oreo” themed WRX STI, but the new Legacy kit looks to be a perfect fit, especially for the North American market.

GALLERY: DAMD Modified Prius, WRX STI and Legacy

With all the commotion surrounding the FT-86 G Sports Concept and the collection of G Sports vehicles at the Tokyo Auto Salon, it would have been easy not to notice several other Toyota models worth a mention. Eventually we did manage to tear our eyes off the FT-86, only to discover the Japanese-specific Mark X and Sai on display.

Essentially the Toyota-branded versions of two Lexus models, the Mark X is sold in the U.S. as the Lexus GS. In Japan its offered with either a base 203-hp 2.5-liter V6 or an optional 315-hp 3.5-liter V6, both with six-speed automatic transmissions. Only the 2.5-liter models are available with AWD, otherwise, both models come standard with a rear-drive setup.

As for the Sai, it’s the Japanese version of North America’s HS hybrid but with a much more “Toyota-friendly” front end.

GALLERY: Toyota Mark X and Sai

While not as well known in North America as VIP tuners like Wald International or Junction Produce, Branew is a Japanese tuning powerhouse specializing in various luxury and tuning markets including Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Nissan, Bentley, Hummer, Porsche and Land Rover. The big buzz leading up to the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon from Branew was the debut of their 370Z kit. Sadly, we don’t have a time machine to go back to before we saw this. We just feel so bad for the Z.

Branew should probably stick to designing aero kits for luxury cars. We took a close look at several of their luxury car designs and really took a liking to the modified HS250h on display.

GALLERY: Branew 370Z and Lexus Models

As if the Nissan booth at the Tokyo Auto Salon wasn’t action packed enough with its NISMO offerings, Autech Factory Custom was present with its “Rider” series of vehicle enhancements.

Offsetting the high-horsepower and high-dollar NISMO offers, the Autech cars are more about personalization than power and are aimed at entry-level buyers.

On display in the Autech section are the Serena Rider, Note Rider and Cube Rider. All three vehicles come dressed in pristine white with styling accessories, chrome accents and various in car electronics goods. There’s no denying that these boxy MPVs play a major role in the Japanese tuning car culture.

GALLERY: Nissan Autech Factory Cars

It’s certainly not a household name, but Japanese tuner Varis is making headway modifying not only Japanese cars, but European models as well. The company does complete transformations, with everything from aesthetics to performance, with designs that are extreme, but not quite over-the-top.

On display at the Varis booth at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon were Japanese-market favorites like the Subaru Impreza WRX STI, Mitsubishi EVO X and Nissan GT-R. Varis also showed off more subtle looks for the E92 BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG with penty of carbon fiber add-ons.

Take a look through the gallery of Japanese and European Varis-tuned cars below:

GALLERY: Varis Display at the Tokyo Auto Salon

Honda is hoping to build a following with its line of Modulo parts in Japan, in a bid to replicate the the success that Mugen has had. On display at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda showcased three different Modulo-equipped versions of its Insight hybrid.

First up is a mostly stock looking Touring Modulo Insight, featuring a short list of Modulo parts than can be purchased through dealerships. Up next is the Modulo Touring race car (yup, a hybrid race car), which Honda is using to build awareness and credibility for its Modulo line of parts.

Finally, Honda displayed its Insight Sports Modulo Concept, which takes a look at where Modulo parts may go in the future. The Modulo Concept carries a theme of “Exciting Eco” and is equipped with a new front bumper, lower grille, diffuser and LED lighting. The wheels are certainly interesting, looking like some of the aerodynamic designs currently used in Formula One.

GALLERY: Modulo Equiped Honda Insights

Even though Nissan’s readily available market vehicles were the center of attention at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, the company’s flagship GT-R also had an offering from NISMO: a Club Sports Package. The Club Sports Package doesn’t overhaul the exterior of the GT-R, but rather includes a new data logger for track use and a fine collection of suspension tuning modifications.

The data logger allows owners of this Club Sports model to record all of the vehicle’s telemetry and then download it via a USB stick. Owners can then examine the data at home or on their laptop, as well as share it with other drivers. This new setup will be particularly helpful for those looking to get the most out of their GT-R on the race track.

And speaking of the track, NISMO also displayed its Super GT race car.

GALLERY Nissan GT-R Club Sports and NISMO GT-R Race Car