[Video] Wald International’s Newest Black Bison: Porsche Panamera

Nothing to see here, just another Black Bison in Japan.

Japanese tuning firm Wald International has just released the first pictures of their latest Black Bison project just as it appeared on the Tokyo Auto Salon floor. The new Black Bison in question? A 2012 Porsche Panamera.The bigger-bodied Porsche features a body kit and a new exhaust along with a few styling tweaks for a blacked-out, aggressive-looking ride.The extensive tuning job began with an aerodynamic body kit.

Made out of lightweight carbon fiber, the kit includes front fender mesh vents, new front bumper with air vents, deck-lid spoiler, new rear bumper with integrated diffuser and rear wheel arch extensions.For extra class and styling, the Porsche Panamera Black Bison sits on a set of big alloy wheels finished in black with bronze-colored rims.

The German sedan also features a sports suspension for lower ride profile and a Wald exhaust system.The Wald International Porsche Panamera Black Bison is currently on display at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon.

[Video] Toyota Yaris Turbo Concept by Gazoo Racing

Gazoo Racing has finished the Toyota Yaris Turbo Concept just in time for the Tokyo Auto Salon.

One of the more interesting projects making its debut at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon is the Toyota Yaris Turbo Concept. The Yaris, known as the Vitz in Japan, can be seen cruising around the track and showing of its turbocharged engine.

Gazoo Racing has added a widebody kit to the Toyota Yaris Turbo Concept, complete with a new front grille, new front and rear bumpers, widened fenders, side skirts and front spoiler. A roof spoiler and integrated diffuser on the rear complete the car's new performance-related looks.Power for the Toyota Yaris Turbo Concept comes in the form of a modified version of its 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Total output is measured 180hp and 162 lb-ft. of torque.The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission which sends power to the front wheels.
The concept also features some improved handling by way of a new lowered sports suspension and upgraded brakes to handle all the added power. It sits on a set of 18-inch wheels.The interior has been stripped for weight savings. New sport seats and sport steering wheel has been added, along with a modified instrument panel.

Toyota Vellfire G Sports Concept Rolls into the Tokyo Auto Salon

Toyota is making their mark on the Tokyo Auto Salon with another new concept.

The 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon has seen plenty of tuned versions of models in the Asian market along with concept versions of new cars and trims. This particular van belongs in the latter category.The Toyota Vellfire G Sports Concept has just arrived at the Japanese auto event and shows how much sportiness the Asian company has been able fit on their Vellfire van. It features an aerodynamic body kit complete with a modified front bumper, flared wheel arches, rear roof spoiler and rear diffuser.
It sits on a set of big black wheels with red trim and features a modified suspension, plenty of window tint and an impressive amount of goodies on the interior.The Toyota Vellfire G Sports Concept is currently on display at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Nissan Shows Off Nissan GT-Rs Aplenty at the Tokyo Auto Salon

AutoGuide’s unrivaled coverage of the Tokyo Auto Salon continues with a mega-gallery of Godzilla’s many forms.

The Tokyo Auto Salon is basically the Japanese version of the SEMA Show in Vegas. Many different tuning companies along with several major automaker's own in-house tuners all come out and display their best wares for the public at one of the premier auto events of the Japanese calendar. AutoGuide saw an immense number of Nissan GT-Rs at the 2012 version of the auto show.

Tuning companies such as Kansai Service, CWest Global Auto, Tommy Kaira and JUN were all on hand with their respective takes on Godzilla.

Several GT-R racecars were also on display, such as Motul Autech and Kondo Advan and their wicked GT500 Godzilla.Check out the mega-gallery below of all the different Nissan GT-Rs on display at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Toyota Display 15 Showcase Race Cars and Custom Models

A selection of custom GT 86, iQ and Yaris models were on display at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon over the weekend. 

Tuning, design, and engineering firms affiliated with Toyota displayed 15 race cars and customized production models at the Tokyo Auto Salon on the weekend, some of which were pretty sweet.The standout model was the new Toyota GT 86, modified by TRD and Modellista the latter of which is a study in modest exterior styling. The version from TRD includes a full body kit, front and rear anti-roll bars, carbon front strut brace, additional cross-member braces, a sport exhaust system and 18-inch alloys.
Sports seats and a fresh-faced instrument gauges are highlights of the interior.Two models by GRMN (Gazoo Racing tuned by MN) were also on show. First up, a second-generation iQ supercharger prototype has been revised with a full body kit, sports seats, upgraded brakes, sports suspension, a tuned dual exhaust system and 16-inch Enkei alloys.Under the hood there's a 1.33-liter engine good for 128hp and 133lb-ft of torque (up from last year's 119hp and 117lb-ft), mated to a close-ratio six-speed transmission. GRMN will release just 100 units with production starting at the end of the year.

The other GRMN on show was a Yaris Turbo Concept better known as the Vitz in Japan. Based on the 3-door Yaris it comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine rated at 178hp, a revised track-prepared suspension, upgraded brakes and 18-inch alloys.Sitting beside these motors at the Auto Salon was a FT-86 race car that had competed in the 2011 Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race.The racing team has announced their intention of returning to the event with a specially prepared GT 86 for the 2012 season.Other vehicles at the display included a Mark X and Vellfire MPV by G Sports, a Toyota Aqua Hybrid by Modellista and a TOM's version Prius + MPV.Finally, Toyota Auto Fan Club built a sola-electric powered version of the 2000GT sports car and Toyota Engineering Society displayed their TES-ERA EV, a futuristic EV coupe.

Lexus LFA Roadster Makes Unexpected Drift Event Appearance

Is there anything to read into the LFA’s surprise appearance at the Tokyo Auto Salon?

There have been whispers circulating that Toyota would soon be canceling development of the LFA Roadster so that it could concentrate on a new sports program, rumored to be a Supra revival, better suited to the current turbulent market conditions.So it was with much surprise that the Lexus LFA Roadster made a guest appearance during the Tokyo Auto Salon, especially as it turned up at the D1P Kick Off Drift event.
Crowds that gathered outside the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba were treated to the white LFA convertible doing a few drifts. Check out the video to see it in action.

Given the red interior of the car features a carbon-fiber-dressed roll bar behind the head rests that extends along the width of the car, it's more likely to be a privately owned custom job than official Lexus prototype. As eternal optimists however, we've got our fingers crossed that it's the first of a limited production series.

Toyota Gets Serious with the Prius GT300 Race Car

A Prius race car? Hey, anything's possible these days. 

Yes, that title rhymes. Moving past that, it's been known for some time now that Toyota wants to shed its conservative and boring image in favor of some true performance credentials.Clearly, the LFA is an amazing example of Toyota Performance Division's abilities and we assume that we'll see more of it in the very near future with more powerful versions of the GT-86/Scion FR-S. For now, however, the Japanese automaker has turned their attention to, of all models, the Prius.

Originally reported back in November in the Japanese publication Auto Sport Magazine, there was a rumor that Toyota wanted to have a GT300 entry based on the Prius.Sounded laughable at first, but now the completed car is on display at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon. As of now, we don't have many details about it, other than it has roughly 300hp that keeps it in line with GT300 regulations.

It may be a little hard at first to see that this is in fact a Prius, but if you can get past the added body aerodynamics, you can unquestionably make out the silhouette of everyone's favorite hybrid.

What got our attention was the nifty looking device resting on what's normally the front passenger seat. We're thinking it's possibly a regenerative braking system.In the meantime, you can check out these photos to see for yourself what exactly the Prius looks like in race car form. We have to admit, it doesn't look horrible and even the rear spoiler doesn't look all that tacky.Photos courtesy of jonsibal.com

Mercedes SLR McLaren Unveiled by Premier4509

Japanese tuning firm release renderings of their bodykit package ahead of the Tokyo Auto Salon.

The Tokyo Auto Salon kicks off next week giving tuning firms the chance to unveil their latest and greatest creations.Japanese tuning outfit Premier4509 will be one such firm, who will be revealing their Mercedes SLR McLaren package. Thirty body kits will be produced, including a new carbon-fiber and FRP front bumper and side skirts, a FRP rear bumper, and a diffuser, rear spoiler, hood duct cover, fender duct cover and rear fender trim all in carbon-fiber. New alloys will also be fitted.
That's all the information we have for now, but hopefully they'll be more to report, including whether the engine's been tweaked, once the SLR is revealed in Tokyo.