The ongoing rivals, the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution were in force at Tokyo Auto Salon with over 25 cars throughout the halls.
Japanese tuners have adopted the Evo X and they now easily outnumber all of the other models. A number of GRB Impreza's were in attendance, but they don't seem be getting the same amount of attention as the Evo these days.
Read More for in-depth details and photos on over 20 different vehicles from the top tuners in Japan.
Voltex Cyber Evo
We'll start with one of the fastest Evo's on the planet, the Sun Auto Cyber Evo CT9A. The full Voltex body kit and front wing make it a sight to behold even when tucked up fairly anonymously next to the Voltex stand. Voltex had a range of carbon goodies on show including rear wings, boots and lips.
Dunlop Blitz Lancer Evolution X
The Dunlop sponsored Blitz Lancer Evolution X has been developed since 2007 to achieve a sub 1 minute Tsukuba Circuit lap time and so far has achieve 1:00:05 seconds. Developing almost 580hp the Evo runs the entire range of Blitz products with some help from ORC, Cusco, Ings, Esprit and others.
Arai Motorsport GRB Impreza STI spec C
The Arai Motorsport GRB Impreza has been developed by the rally star Toshihiro Arai's company based on their WRC experience with a range of original parts focussed on rally use.
Varis with Original Runduce Lancer Evolution X
The Varis collaboration was strong with Original Runduce and this Evo X was one of the results, featuring new Front bumper, side skirts, rear diffuser, carbon bonnet, light weight trunk and GT Wing. Original Runduce also supplied the suspension, exhaust and manifold and a HKS GT3240 under the carbon hood produces almost 600hp.
HKS Kansai Evo X Tourer
HKS Kansai is one of our favourite tuners and this Evo X is one of their latest. HKS Kansai have developed the exhaust, custom HKS suspension and fully rebuilt the engine from the HKS catalog with a big GT3037S turbo kit. We look forward to seeing fast lap times and further part development as they work with the car.
Blitz Lancer Evolution X
The Blitz Evo X was on the very busy Blitz stand, showcasing the full lineup from Blitz including lots of carbon and engine bay goodies. The exhaust is the new Blitz Nur-Spec C-Ti Quad and is a beautiful exhaust with titanium flamed tips.
Syms Racing GRB
Syms is a specialist Subaru tuner and this GRB Impreza was built to show case their comprehensive range of parts including the body kit and others such as their exhaust systems and custom suspension. This GRB also wears Oz Racing Ultra Leggara wheels, a refreshing change from the vast majority of Rays, Advan and Works.
JUN Auto Evo X Advanced Spec
JUN Auto brought out a number of vehicles including the Advanced Spec Evo X. You know when JUN lists a vehicle as Advanced Spec it won't be overstating and this vehicle doesn't disappoint, full 2.3L JUN stroker kit and a Greddy TD06 turbo kit combine for 630 horsepower. Cusco diffs, Zeal suspension and huge 6 pot Endless brakes have enabled this Evo X to reach a 59.292 second lap time at Tsukuba.
Unlimited Works Evo X GSR
Unlimited Works, known for their involvement with the Cyber Evo, has developed this Evo X focussing on handling with almost every link and bar replaced by Unlimited Works versions. Voltex aero is used and on the standard engine developing only 380ps, this car has managed a 1:02 lap time around Tsukuba and still includes a Clarion stereo.
Koyama Racing with Team Orange Evo X
The famous Team Orange Evo X drift car was displayed at the Ebisu Circuit stand and was a rare glimpse of the car up close. The 4B11 generates 600 horsepower and features an original 2.2L kit, NTS made manifold and prototype Blitz turbo.
JUN Auto Subaru Impreza STI GRB Street Spec
The JUN Auto GRB Impreza has been developed to Street Spec, meaning it can be used on the road. Developing almost 400hp, JUN parts include camshafts, reinforced actuators, suction kit and front diffuser. Combined with a Trust exhaust, Ings body kit and Cusco diff, this relatively sedate STI has still been able to run a 1'04"417 lap time around Tsukuba.
Show Up Car Service Hiro Chopped WRX STI
The Show Up Car Service Hiro Impreza has been around for a while, but the chopped roof always makes it stand out. The car is not just for show either, a TD06-25G and fully built engine generate 500 horsepower and Car Service Hiro have developed an original titanium exhaust, body kit and setup the Koni suspension running on Professor SP1 wheels.
At the Rev Speed Tsukuba time attack in 2009 they were able to achieve a minute flat lap time, with future development under 1 minute should be achievable.
Auto Produce Boss with Prodrive Evolution X
The Auto Produce Boss Evolution X was developed with Prodrive for street spec. AP Boss CPU, exhaust manifold and rear wing combines nicely with Prodrive exhaust system, suspension, calliper kit and GC-05K wheels. The HKS CAMP2 is also fitted and becoming more common in Japan.
Prodrive Japan GRB
The Prodrive GRB Impreza has been built for street use, wears Prodrive GC-05K wheels on a Prodrive suspension kit and brake calliper kit. The aero is from Varis with a Prodrive exhaust system.
HKS Kansai Impreza WRX STI GRB
HKS Kansai brought an example of almost every top tuner car and the GRB Impreza was no exception. Running a HKS GT2835 turbo, the Impreza develops 400 horsepower and is running on another set of the new Advan Racing RG-D wheels. HKS Kansai parts include a tuned Hipermax III suspension kit, and carbon aero parts developed with Seibon.
Fujimura Auto WRX STI GDB
Fujimura Auto brought their GDB WRX STI which has been designed for circuit use, running a Tomei powered EJ25 and HKS GT3037 turbo setup they have developed. Fujimura Auto brand Rocket Dancer parts include the aero kit, muffler and suspension kit.
Bozz Speed Evo 9
One of the few Evo 9's, the Bozz Speed Evo 9 has achieved a 59.78 seconds at Tsukuba using many off the shelf parts from Tomei, Trust, HKS and developed by Bozz Speed.
Varis with Original Runduce GRB Impreza STI
Also from the collaboration between Varis and Original Runduce, this GRB Impreza runs a new Original Runduce/Varis are kit including front bumper, lip guard, rear wing, side skirts, rear diffuser and side splitter fin. Original Runduce have also developed the muffler, suspension system, tower bar and under the bonnet sits parts from HKS and a GT2835 turbo kit.
Work Wheels Impreza GRB
Sitting on the Works stand, this rally GRB Impreza was built for competition use by Team Arai for 2008 and wears white Work Emotion 11R-FT wheels.
STI Impreza WRX STI GDB
STI built this Impreza GRB for the 27th ADAC Zurich 24 Hour Race held at the famous Nurburgring circuit. Designed to test the latest range of STI parts, this car was used for development and enhancement of STI products, including their handling parts such as the Flexible Tower bar.
Daiei Group Steins Gate Subaru WRX
One to finish off, built by the Daiei Group to promote the game Steins Gate this itasha was one of only a handful in the last hall.
Sadly we missed photos of a few of the cars, details from the Tokyo Auto Salon website below.
