I hope you have been enjoying the Tokyo Motor Show coverage over the last day or so. It was great to spend two whole days immersed in the best cars the industry has to offer and get up close to important new concepts, getting a glimpse of what we can expect the future to bring, cars like the Honda EV-STER rear wheel drive electric sports car above. I think every Japanese manufacturer has been impacted by the efforts that Toyota and Subaru put into the 86/BRZ, cars that have helped to not only bring back much needed respect for Toyota but models that will no doubt impact the choices other car companies will make from now on. Will Honda continue to progressively alienate itself from anything to do with sports cars? Will Nissan fight back and resuscitate the Silvia project it dropped two years ago? Let’s hope all choices from now on will bring back the fun into new cars and especially affordability!

I noticed that the Nihon Automobile College (NATS) had a display, so I went looking for it as I new they would have some wacky customized creation on show. This eco-oriented concept is based on the Honda Insight and on top of a wildly styled body with V36 Skyline headlight conversion, it boasts a tubular chassis that helps shave off considerable weight.

The rear is very CRZ!

The Alpina B3 GT3 made its world debut at Tokyo, a limited edition of 99 examples built to celebrate the Alpina B6’s success in the FIA GT3 class. Japan is a very big market for Alpina so 33 of the 99 cars will be sold there. I’ve got a spotlight of this car coming up so you can see it in more detail.

Still on the Alpina stand was the new B6 BiTurbo Coupe, based on the new BMW 6-series.

The car is powered by a reworked version of BMW’s twin turbo, all-aluminum direct injection 4.4L V8, good for 540 HP and a monster 516 lb/ft available at 3,000 rpm. The satin blue paint suited the car rather well.

The new hybrid version of the 5-series made a showing too, not a mild hybrid like the 7-series, which means you can drive it on pure electric power when cruising gently.

But as interesting as electrically boosted powertrains are, I’d rather choose proper turbo-supplied boost instead. This was my first encounter with the all-new M5. I think I spent close to an hour drooling over it. I don’t know what it is, but as much as I like light nimble sports cars, I am perversely attracted to big heavy turbocharged brutes like the hottest version of the 5-series. After having sampled plenty of E60s with that glorious screaming V10, the F10 is one car I’ve been itching to drive. Torquey forced induction over NA response? Can the F10 impress?

Matte colors were all the rage at the show this year!

The X6M defines pretty much everything I hate about these totally unneeded crossover experiments. But, yet again, my curiosity and strange fetish for obese and overpowered exotica makes me want to have a go for the pure fun of it. Will I get lynched if I do a drive of this thing? I think Linhbergh got away with it last year when he drove the X5M!

So what is Honda’s EV-STER all about, you may be wondering? No it’s got nothing to do with the next S2000 (will there ever be one?) but more like a spiritual, watt-sapping successor to the little Honda Beat.

The steering wheel is replaced by two joystick-like controls. This kind of car might be feasible for production now that EV technology is getting more advanced. With the Nissan Leaf selling 20,000 units worldwide electric cars is something Honda is taking very seriously.

You can expect very few chances to Mazda’s Takeri concept by the time it hits production as the Mazda 6 next year.

It really is a stunning design. Can’t wait to see a MazdaSpeed version of this thing!

Mazda also had the Shinari on show, the first concept car that introduced the company’s new “Kodo” or “Soul of Motion” design language last year at the Paris show. I’m all in favor of these beautifully penned lines, but like everyone I just wish they wouldn’t be watered down quite so much for production!

Oh look another GRMM Sports Hybrid. I’m getting really curious to see what Toyota has planned for it. It looks production ready! The car is actually made by Kanto Auto Works, a Toyota subsidiary which builds some cars for Toyota like the Century…

…which is precisely what the FS Hybrid Concept is based on. This angular luxury sedan is said to sport the same drivetrain as the LS600h. One of the coolest and most curios cars at the show.

The new Toyota Aqua continues Toyota’s ever expanding hybrid line up. I quite liked this Piriri tuned version made by Kanto Auto Works.

My first car was a little Citroen AX, so you will understand my interest in the new DS3 Racing. This little hot hatch…

…is powered by a 207 HP 1.6L turbo…

…good for some guaranteed fun on the right stretch of tarmac.

If only the Peugeot RCZ was rear wheel drive. A true concept car for the road.

Was very happy to get a little glimpse of the Mini WRC car. It was on display high above the Mini stand.

OK, is it just me or don’t you also secretly wonder what the 991 would look like if Nakai had his way with one. I think Porsche should commission a build!

I leave you with a shot of this drool-worthy 997 Carrera Cup car.

You will have to hang on a bit for those spotlights I have planned, with the Mooneyes Hot Rod Custom Show tomorrow and the Nismo Festival in Fuji the following day it’s going to be one hell of a busy weekend.

Tokyo Motor Show 2011 coverage on Speedhunters

-Dino Dalle Carbonare