By Steve & Tamami Laser
As the largest custom car show in Japan, the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon is expected to offer something for everyone. More than 900 vehicles are slated to be displayed by major automakers, aftermarket companies, and tuning shops, along with an array of parts and accessories, related services, plus goods and merchandise.
The 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon, scheduled for Jan. 10-12 at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba, is filled with the latest concept cars, high-performance vehicles, racing machines, and customized classic cars, trucks, and vans. It also plans to offer a variety of special events including motorsports demonstration runs.
And it will be crowded, with car enthusiasts, fans, and families filling the convention complex. Attendance has passed the 300,000 mark five years in a row, with the last show topping 330,000 visitors.
Nissan at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon
While Nissan plans to display a variety of customized vehicles, two will be based on the new Skyline sedan (above). The latest version of this long-running nameplate gained new front styling this year, plus high-tech features, including Nissan ProPILOT 2.0 and NissanConnect.
Nissan says the 400R is the most powerful factory-built Skyline in its lengthy history, with a 400-horsepower version of the VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 driving the rear wheels. What do they do for an encore? Roll out the 400R Sprint Concept (above) at the Tokyo Auto Salon, featuring modified styling, 20-inch wheels, and more high-performance goodies that Nissan will discuss at the show.
Another Skyline variant being prepped for display is the Deluxe Advanced Concept (above). Focusing on luxury, this car receives matte brown and matte silver paint, two-tone leather-trimmed seats, and more to be announced. By the way, we nearly forgot to mention that the production Skyline offers a Hybrid powertrain, with a choice or rear or all-wheel drive.
The GT-R50 by Italdesign is a remarkably cool concept car that’s headed to production, celebrating the 50th anniversaries of the GT-R and Italdesign. Based on the GT-R NISMO, just 50 units are planned to be built by the Italian coachbuilder starting in late 2020. The Tokyo Auto Salon car is a concept (shown above at Nissan Crossing in Tokyo’s Ginza district). The first production model is scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Speaking of anniversaries, the Nissan GT-R and Fairlady Z 50th Anniversary Editions that are on sale now will be on hand at Nissan’s display in Tokyo. They feature special anniversary two-tone exterior treatments, interior upgrades, and other unique features. Versions of these sports cars are also available in the U.S. and other markets.
Pro-tuner and custom-car builder AUTECH (a subsidiary of Nissan) is bringing its latest creations to the Tokyo Auto Salon. The Elgrand AUTECH (above) is based on the latest generation van that used to be sold in America as the Quest. It features AUTECH’s signature blue paint, along with a lower body kit, special wheels, and interior upgrades.
Nissan’s motorsports and in-house tuning brand NISMO is planning to show several vehicles. The Leaf NISMO (above), is a production model that delivers a new dimension of performance for Nissan’s electric car. Among its upgrades is a tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, enhanced brakes, and Recaro seats.
Nissan plans to display additional vehicles, including the MOTUL AUTECH GT-R racing car (above), Serena e-Power AUTECH Multi-bed concept, and NV350 Caravan GX Urban Chrome.
Display vehicles are subject to change without notice. Some of the production vehicles mentioned in this story are available only in Japan
News source and photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Additional photo courtesy Tokyo Auto Salon Association (TASA)
Story (commentary) © 2019 CarNichiWa.com