Toyota Shows GRMN and G Sports Concepts at 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon

The tuning-oriented Tokyo Auto Salon 2014 hosted a series of Toyota concept cars over the weekend at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, with Japan’s largest carmaker bringing no fewer than 34 vehicles at the show.

Among these there were two “GAZOO Racing tuned by MN” (GRMN) concepts, two “G Sports” models, as well as three GAZOO Racing vehicles that will compete at the 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race in Germany in June.

The GRMN series display featured the GRMN Mark X Concept and the GRMN 86 Concept, both sporting a performance-oriented package. The GRMN Mark X Concept combines the Mark X’s exclusive 6-speed manual transmission with a V6 3.5-liter engine, and features special suspension tuning, disc brakes and Torsen limited-slip differential for improved handling.

The GRMN 86 Concept builds on Toyota’s technical expertise gained at the 24 Hours Nürburgring endurance race and has a reduced weight, lower center of gravity, and increased body rigidity.

Toyota also revealed two concepts from the G Sports series: the Harrier G Sports Concept and the Vitz RS G Sports Concept. The former is the first sporty SUV in the G Sports series and features a sharp bodykit, with Toyota saying it combines “the joy of driving with riding comfort and adds a sporty and unique feel to the base vehicle.” As for the Vitz RS G Sports Concept, Toyota says is features exclusive sports seats, optimized suspension tuning and enhanced body rigidity.

You can find technical details of the GRMN and G Sports concepts in the chart posted below.

By Dan Mihalascu

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3D Design Debuts New M-Sport Kit for BMW 4-Series in Tokyo

Japanese tuning firm 3D Design chose the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon for the grand premiere of its new M-Sport kit for the BMW 4-Series coupe.

Leaving aside the optionally available stripes, 3D Design's program dresses the M Sport version of the Bavarian two-door model with a urethane or carbon fiber front lip, optional carbon fiber lower splitters, urethane trunk spoiler, and carbon fiber rear diffuser.

It also offers a quad tip sport exhaust system built by Arqray Japan, and a choice of alloy wheels, which on the display model, were wrapped in Yokohama rubber.

3D Design said the official release of the kit is scheduled for the third week of January and will be available in the States through IND Distribution.

After the jump, you'll find photos of the 4-Series as well as other tuned BMW models at 3D Design's Tokyo Auto Salon stand.

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NATS Waves Its Tuning Wand on Suzuki Turning it Into Mini Toyota Supra

It's not the Supra that Toyota fans have been patiently waiting for ages (there's still hope that the Mirai sports car concept scheduled for an unveiling at the 2014 Detroit motor Show could be a forerunner to the next Supra), but at least NATS placed a smile to all those visiting it's booth at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The Child Speed 660GT is a mini-me replica of the last generation Toyota Supra based on the Suzuki Cappuccino kei-segment hardtop roadster (built from 1991 to 1997) created by university students.

We lack full details on the study, but it looks like the Cappuccino's 0.66-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine with 63-horses (64PS) was left intact.

At last year's edition of the Tokyo Auto Salon, NATS had built an Audi R8-like version of the Scion FR-S / Toyota GT 86.

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Mugen Goes Extra Wild with New Vezel Concept at Tokyo Auto Salon

Honda's in-house tuner Mugen brought not one, but two modified versions of the new Vezel small SUV to the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon that kicked off on Friday. The first one is the production tune that we've already seen and which is offered for sale (third photo in the gallery) in Japan, while the second model is wearing a conceptualized aero kit.

It's essentially a far more aggressively styled add-on package to the production outfit that widens the Vezel through the use of large extensions with contrast paint that attach to the wings, allowing the fitment of bigger 20-inch alloy wheels and tires.

It also includes a matching front apron, a new rear apron with different exhaust outlets, a honeycomb grille, and a roof wing that clips on the existing spoiler.

The only changes under the body are a lowered sports suspension, a complete exhaust system and more potent brakes.

The new Vezel in regular trim will be sold in Europe as well as North America and other markets around the globe.

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Subaru Reveals Nürburgring 24H-Ready WRX STI Racer

Subaru will continue to participate in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race that will be held this year in June with the new WRX STI racing car that made its world premiere at the Tokyo Auto Salon. The production / road going version of the WRX STI will be revealed in the metal at the Detroit motor show.

Extensively worked on and engineered by both Subaru and their in-house tuners STI, the racing model will use a two-liter boxer-four engine with a turbocharger and be eligible for the SP3T class for displacements of between 1.6- and 2.0-liter. The road car will use a bigger 2.5-liter variant.

The road-going WRX STI, in its traditional colors, looks nice, and so does this track-honed racer. However, the official rally-bred version is what all Subaru motorsport fans are waiting for – I know I am…

Scroll down and check out the photos of the Nürburgring racer, below.

By Andrei Nedelea

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