The Best Cars At Tokyo Auto Salon 2025

The annual Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) in Japan just ended two days ago, and with it came talks about what the coolest cars were at the event this year. Well, if you’ve missed much of the content on TAS 2025, have no fear as I’ve compiled a list of some of the coolest and most interesting cars that’ve been showcased for those 2 days. (None of the photos used are mine)

1. LFA-2 Racing Concept

Credit: @pbhr_R34 on X

Now before you go spread the word of a new LFA, the LFA-2 Racing concept was actually built by a group of students at Nihon Auto Technology School, or commonly known as NATS. Those who’ve been a keen reader at the Speedhunter site will know that NATS don’t play around with custom builds. Every year, they’ll make something absolutely bonkers for TAS and 2025 is no different. 

Credit: @pbhr_R34 on X

According to Kuruma News, the LFA-2 is based on a 2012 Toyota GT86, which is instantly identifiable from the original instrument cluster in the interior. The exterior is a completely original design, with inspiration from Lexus’s Electrified Sports concept from 2021. 

Students were playing with the idea of an LFA participating in the GT500 or Super GT racing series in Japan, which explains iconic green-accented Castrol livery. The engine also received a power bump from 200HP to 266HP and 205Nm to 318.8Nm of torque, making this one mean machine.


2.Toyota “M-Concept” GR Yaris 

What if you shoved a firebreathing engine GR Yaris's rear hatch and went racing with it? Well then you’d get the “M-Concept” from the engineers at Toyota Gazoo Racing. In addition to a mid-engine hot hatch, which is already crazy, the concept also uses the new 2.0 liter turbo engine that Toyota announced last November, except this time it’s named the G20E.

The Japanese automaker says that they’re using this concept as a blueprint for their Super Taikyu race car, but we all know that they’re using it as an engine test mule for the soon-to-be MR2/Celica. From our current knowledge, the G20E supposedly makes around 600PS for race use, which paired with the concept car’s GR-Four system makes for an intimidating entry for a race car. Read here for more details if you’re interested!


3. “The HKS Nissan Skyline BNR34 GT-R Dimension:Z”

Nissan Skyline GT-Rs are no strangers to tuners as you’d see them around many booths in TAS, but this HKS tuned R34 Skyline isn't as tame as it seems. For those who’re new to tuning culture, HKS is one of the big tuning houses from Japan and they’ve built a legendary reputation over the years for their high quality parts and insane custom builds.

Credit: Gazoo.com

Getting back to the R34 GT-R, it may seem like the normal, modified white R34. However, HKS has actually infiltrated almost every single part of this R34 Skyline, fitting on all their available parts for the car. Everything from internals to the exterior, this is a wet dream for any R34 Skyline fanatic, it even has a DRS system for god sake!

Since the car is a showcase of what a full HKS GT-R would look like, the car is aptly named “The HKS Nissan Skyline BNR34 GT-R Dimension:Z”, which is a mouthful but extremely cool. The tuning company has also announced that they manufacture and sell  complete Dimension:Zs, meaning that you too can get one if you have half a million USD of disposable income.


4. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Keiichi Tsuchiya Edition

Alongside other Japanese automakers, Hyundai has also joined TAS for the second time now and this time they’re showing off their new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Keiichi Tsuchiya Edition. If you’re unfamiliar with that name, Keiichi Tsuchiya, or known as the Drift King, is a legendary racing driver that single-handedly made drifting a popular sport around the globe. He’s had many victories and is now an international celebrity from his appearance on shows like Hot Version and Best Motoring. 

This is exactly why this Ioniq 5 N feels especially cool, with DK’s signature green accented on the brake calipers, side skirts and front lip. It also gets a huge wing on the hatch along with the words “DK Edition” painted on the side of the car.

Nothing has been changed in terms of power though, with it remaining at 650PS and 770Nm of torque, it’s unknown if DK will change the suspension setup for better drift initiation and holds though. Hyundai is really shaking up the game for fun to drive EV’s, though it's saddening that the Ioniq 5 N DK edition will only be sold in Japanese and Korean markets, but it’s not like I can afford one anyways.


5. Honda Prelude Prototype

Credit: Auto sport

Where we saw the Honda Prelude concept painted in a bright red last December at KLIMS, attendees at TAS got to see yet another paint job for the Prelude, this time in a glossy black. The Prelude has been a hot topic for car enthusiasts for quite awhile now, dating back 2 years ago at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. That Prelude was white, then we had a bright red one last month, and now a black one is unveiled. 

Credit: Auto sport

However, this time instead of just showcasing another paint job, Honda has added some special aero parts for this car, including a spoiler at the rear. This is accompanied by the striking blue Brembo brake calipers that have Prelude branding behind all wheels. This is perhaps a Modulo package that can be optioned, but I’d like to think it’s a Type-R preview. Although it’s confirmed to be a hybrid and paired with a CVT, it’s still one of the coolest cars that’s nearing production.


6. Mazda MX-5 Spirit Racing Roadster 12R

The humble MX-5 is getting a new racing suit from Mazda with the Spirit Racing Roadster 12R as a limited edition run for the model, producing only 200 units. 

The beating heart of the Roadster still lies the 2.0 liter naturally-aspirated inline 4, but Mazda has given it a motorsport makeover with a stronger crankshaft, reworked exhaust manifold, better cylinder heads and tougher pistons. Compared to the original, these enhancements bump the power numbers up to 199PS from the previous 183PS. The beloved roadster also gets new aerodynamic bits and forged Rays wheels.

The limited edition 12R is only sold in Japan so good luck trying to get your hands on one. That aside, Mazda says that they’re not giving up on internal combustion engines, and this 12R MX-5 is a testament to that. Gotta hand it to them, well said Mazda.


7. Takuro-san’s “The Twin Engine” Toyota Sera 

Credit: SpeedHunters

Some of you might remember the quad-turbo 2JZ Nissan Silvia a few years back, well this twin-engined Toyota Sera is built by the same person. The Toyota Sera isn’t a familiar name but Takuro-san’s name is probably the same too. Takuro-san is quite the personality, with one of his quotes being “I’ve seen jet-powered cars overseas, so I wanted to try driving one too,” when Noriyaro asked why he built his insane custom Silvia. 

Credit: SpeedHunters

With a mindset like that, it’s no wonder this Toyota Sera is just equally as bonkers as the Silvia, with two engines that’s set at the front (SR20DET) and rear (Turbo B18), making a jet-like 1050HP. Takuro-san dubs this project as "The Twin Engine", which sounds literal, but also incredibly intimidating. Also, both engines have separate MOTEC ECU’s, because why not? 

Adding to this already insane build, the exterior is mostly stripped with only the door panels and roof intact. The exposed internals look extremely cool, with every part showing some insane engineering to make the build functional. Did I also mention its all-wheel drive? This thing might actually lift off from the ground if you mash the pedal too hard.

Tokyo Auto Salon has always been the home of automotive extravaganza. Every year, these builds and new enthusiast cars keep car culture alive and thriving. They inspire others and exude passion from those who made it, it's a celebration of what fuels our drive to love these boxes of metal on wheels. And with that, these were all the coolest builds and new cars I could find off the internet, did you see anything you like? Tell me what were your favorites down below!

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