RE Amemiya's RE SuperG8 is an Option magazine project car. The RX-8 featured a clean aero kit, questionable CLK-esque headlights, and the worst finish ever, in both execution and design. This thing looked like it was painted with a brush. We do a better job painting Jonny's nails.
The i-mobisses 350Z was produced by A'PEXi and Obayashi Factory car audio center and it features a single turbo and a v-mount intercooler. As far as we can tell, APEX Communications, a subsidiary of APEX Co. LTD, created i-mobisses as an interface between your cell phone and your car, with alarm, GPS, and remote location door lock capabilities. Just like KITT, but without the smarmy attitude.
The JGTC-spec 350Z, Z-Tune Prototype R34, and S15 R-tune Proto in the Nismo booth caught our eye like a set of 44DDs in a sea of 32Bs. The S15 R-tune will probably run at a few D1 events this season.
Mazda had an RX-8 NR-A model offered for people who want to enter the manufacturer's latest one-make race series. You could buy the complete NR-A from Mazda or convert your own 8 piece by piece. The NR-A model includes a modified suspension, a six-point 'cage, a tow hook, airbag and sunroof delete, a sports radiator, brake parts, and an oil cooler. This same package is also available for the Eunos Roadster.
This year, VeilSide managed to top itself by increasing the size of its already gargantuan booth. The yellow Fortune NSX and red RX-8 were hot, but the Celica and 350Z on airbags were not. The Red Silvia S15 on display was a time attacker, and another yellow S15 that was not shown will be campaigned at the D1 Grand Prix. One thing we really hated was the hand-painted Cherry Blossom graphics. We could only hope it washes off.
Drool-producing paint producer Maziora displayed the Hot Rod Crue's (JDM rock band) "Crue-zer Camaro," complete with Super Street signage (our logo always seems to end up on all the hoopties).
RAYS Wheels displayed TK Sports' carbon-fiber, supercharged S2000 and M Speed's sick, yellow time-attack R34.
Signal was originally going to bring its new 350Z, but a recent Japanese magazine reader's poll selected its R34 Circuit/Drag as one of the most popular feature cars, prompting a last minute shuffle. Signal also brought the mean-looking NSX that was featured in our Sept. '02 issue.
If you could get past the Pink Panther paint on the S2 Supra Wide Style e2000, you would have noticed a pretty wildly widened JZA80 in the Bomex booth.
RX-7 and RX-8 specialist R-Magic displayed, what else, a 7 and an 8. The matching cars were fitted with extensive body work, nitrous, and neon. R-Magic's "Super Street RX-8" (no, really) was produced in conjunction with Super Autobacs Chiba Naganuma.
Parts Is PartsHKS introduced a bolt-on Z33 supercharger kit, a turbo kit, and a very stylish aero kit for the Altezza, and a curious looking clear prototype/display version of its HiPower Muffler EV-R. The EV-R features an internal baffle that opens and closes to control both the sound level and restriction of the exhaust.