The forthcoming Prelude was also on display, this time in black with a few new aero parts, but we’ll have to wait until its launch in a few months to get a better sense of what to expect both inside the cabin and under the skin.
Nissan
Nissan was out in force at the Tokyo Auto Salon, with a public showing of the new Ariya Nismo. This niche variant will be available in the UK shortly, and brings improved performance and handling to the electric SUV.
Also on show was the updated 2025 model-year version of the Nissan Z sports car, which is not sold in Europe. The model has long been forbidden fruit for buyers here due to its non-compliance with local emissions regulations, but its 400bhp power figure and retro-modern design are certainly appealing. Changes on the new car include tweaks to the chassis derived from the later Nismo variant, plus extra colour options.
The R35 Nissan GT-R might also be unavailable in European markets, but it’s continued to be honed and refined in its native Japan, and a new Nismo Special Edition was on show. The changes are largely aesthetic, but are applied to the recently updated MY25 car which introduced styling updates, plus further tweaks under the skin.
Subaru
Subaru’s presence at TAS 2025 was subtle, with a BRZ STI Sport Purple Edition being the only fresh model on display. Not to be confused with a traditional STI model, the BRZ STI Sport is a light update on the second-generation model that has never been offered in the UK. The Purple Edition, as the name suggests, introduces a new colour option and adds to the 18-inch Enkei wheels and Brembo brakes that come as part of the STI Sport model line.
Other non-European models such as the WRX S4 STI Sport R-Black Limited were on show, reinforcing how long it’s been since Subaru has had an engaging high-performance model in its UK line-up.
Hyundai
An unusual interloper in Tokyo this year was Korean manufacturer Hyundai, which unveiled the new Ioniq 5 N Drift King Edition. Built in collaboration with Japanese drifter Keiichi Tsuchiya, the special edition hyper-hatch features an upgraded six-piston monoblock braking system and tuned suspension, as well as a range of bespoke styling additions like a bigger front splitter, and a stacked rear wing on swan-neck supports. It’ll be available to buy in Korea and Japan before the summer, however there’s no word on whether it come here to tear up British tarmac.
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