Honda, Toyota unveil new look variants at the Tokyo Auto Salon

The Tokyo Auto Salon 2020, one of the largest annual custom car and car-related product show in Japan kicks off in Chiba City.

Honda unveils the first look of the updated 2020 Civic Type R high performance hatchback. This variant incorporates numerous changes including a new two-piece brake rotors and new brake pads designed to reduce fade and improve high-speed braking efficiency. Suspension revisions for 2020 will include updated dampers for better ride comfort, stiffer rear bushings for better grip and modifications to the front suspension to reduce friction and improve steering feel. The exterior design enhancements include a new larger front grille opening for improved engine cooling. The 2020 model will be available in a new, Type R-exclusive Boost Blue.

The 2020 Civic Type R also adds the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. For the first time, the Honda Sensing will be available as standard equipment on all Civic models and trims.

The three-motor hybrid NSX supercar from the Honda stable also gets an update for 2020. The car will be available in a new ‘Indy Yellow Pearl II’ paint finish. This colour heritage was previously used on the original iconic NSX and S2000 models in Europe.

Toyota Motor premiered the new GR Yaris at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Along with aiming to commence sales of the GR Yaris in around summer 2020, Toyota began accepting online-only pre-orders in Japan for two special editions of the new model―the RZ “First Edition” and the RZ “High-performance First Edition”.

The GR Yaris employs a sports 4WD platform based on the TNGA approach. Taking feedback from real WRC experiences, Toyota Gazoo Racing built the GR Yaris from scratch to achieve a high-rigidity body of highly refined balance while also optimising front and rear suspension geometry. The upper body, in addition to using aluminum for the hood, trunk lid and door panels, features a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic roof panel formed using the sheet molding compound method, which accommodates a high level of freedom in shape design.  Production will be carried out at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant