Nissan leads the charge at 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon

NEXT month’s Tokyo Auto Salon, recognised as the world’s biggest custom car show, will play host to a range of big name Japanese manufacturers including Mazda, Nissan, Honda, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota.

Nissan will leading the way with no less than 14 models confirmed for the event, headlined by its fan-favourite Super GT Nismo GT-R race car and Nismo-fettled X-Trail, complete with an aggressive bodykit, bigger wheels and the tuning company’s signature red and black design highlights.

Joining the X-Trail on the Nismo stand will be a tweaked Serena minivan and small-sized Note hatchback alongside the flagship Nismo GT-R.

French fashion designer Lolita Lempicka has also designed three special cars for Nissan – a March, Note and Juke – all finished in a unique white colour with contrasting black roof and Nissan will also use the event to show off its Aero Style package for its Leaf EV.

Toyota is bringing a racing version of its newest baby sports coupe – the S-FR – which was only revealed months ago during the Tokyo motor show. The S-FR Racing Concept will wear a much more aggressive body, featuring wider fenders, a big rear spoiler, prominent front splitter, a vented hood and carbon-fibre reinforced (CFRP) canards.

Alongside the S-FR Racing Concept, Toyota will also show off the Voxy G’s Concept and Noah G’s Concept, both minivans designed to “emphasize driving enjoyment and comfort”.

Subaru is showcasing a trio of STI concepts, including the 2.0-litre turbocharged BRZ it debuted at this year’s New York motor show.

The Levorg STI concept will have a restyled front bumper, STI-designed 18-inch wheels with tuned dampers, red and black two-tone interior and is finished in the iconic WR Blue Pearl exterior colour. The XV Hybrid STI concept is tweaked with “STI sports parts” and features a white exterior paint scheme with orange highlights and a beige and orange interior.

Honda’s in-house tuning branch Mugen will showcase five models, with the wildest of them being the Mugen-tuned S660. An aggressive bodykit, rear spoiler, hardtop and front fender vents, complete the transformation of the diminutive rear-drive roadster.

Honda also have the Mugen Civic Type R concept to reveal, with a revised hood and rear wing, as well as a tweaked HR-V, with a new bodykit, front grille and special red metallic paint.

Mazda is showcasing its CX-3 Racing Concept, modifying the small-sized SUV with an aggressive bodykit, stylish wheels and a bigger roof mounted spoiler, all wrapped in a sexy black and red finish. The MX-5 Miata RS Racing Concept also shares the same exterior colour finish with red highlights running along the inside edge of the bodykit.

The Mazda2 Racing Spec also receives the race car modification treatment, with a stripped-out interior to save weight. A pair of bucket seats with racing harnesses, and a roll cage now adorn the sparse cabin, while the exterior is finished in a white body colour, black roof and red mud flaps.

Suzuki will reveal its Hustler Rough Road Style, a rugged version of its Japanese market Hustler SUV with off-road tyres, raised suspension and headlight protection.

However, Suzuki’s most interesting car might be the Alto Works GP, an even more hardcore version of its small-sized Alto Works it revealed during the Tokyo Motor Show. The Works GP wears a carbon fibre hood, as well as thicker and stickier rubber at all four corners.

More modified metal is expected to be revealed as the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon kicks off from January 15 and will run for three days until January 17.