2009 Tokyo Auto Salon: Sneak Peek at the Mazda Stand

At the center of Mazda's stage will be the all-new Axela (Mazda 3), which goes on sale this spring, and the Premacy hydrogen rotary hybrid concept. Using a dual-fuel system, this Premacy can run on either gasoline or hydrogen that powers its onboard rotary engine and electric motor. Mazda tells us that this minivan can now cover up to 125 miles on hydrogen alone, significantly reducing CO2 levels.

Other highlights at the Mazda booth will be specially prepared "Circuit Trial" track-ready versions of the company's bread-and-butter cars, including the new Mazda 3 Circuit Trial, the Mazda 6 Circuit Trial, Mazda 2 Circuit Trial and the RX-8 Circuit Trial, all tuned by Mazdaspeed. Apart from unique aerodynamic parts, racing decals, sport seats, bigger and lighter sport wheels and grippier tires, each car employs a stiffer suspension setup and high-performance brake pads.

Mazda has been perfecting this customizing technique over the past eight years, since it first launched its MX-5 NR-A, a race-ready coupe with roll cage, four-point harness, racing seat, sport suspension, lightweight wheels and beefier brakes. The star of a well-known local one-make racing series, the latest NR-A version will also be on display.

The Tokyo salon is held at the huge Makuhari Messe complex just outside Tokyo to celebrate the very best that the local customizers have to offer. This is Japan's SEMA show, and is actually the world's third biggest tuner and customizer show after SEMA and Germany's Essen show.

Other stars at the salon will include the long-awaited and race-ready Nissan GT-R Spec V and special models from Toyota's TRD racing unit and Honda Access's Modulo tuner. The show runs from January 9-11.

Inside Line says: The excitement at Tokyo looks to beat anything coming out of a more sedate Detroit show this year. — Peter Lyon, Correspondent