X-rated Swift draws the crowds

In the spotlight this week were these two striking Japanese concept cars at the Tokyo Auto Salon

Auto Express Car Reviews

24th January 2007

By far the most extreme model on display was the Suzuki Swift X Sport. It's a three-door Swift with special gullwing doors, a six-point roll cage and a huge rally-inspired rear wing, as well as a range of carbon fibre body parts and three-tone paintwork.

On opening the doors, showgoers found padded, red vinyl sports seats and dash, racing belts, purple lighting and a 10-speaker stereo in the boot. When asked what was under the bonnet, a Suzuki spokesman simply replied: "Something rally-inspired." If the huge four-piston Brembo brakes visible through the wheels are anything to go by, the Swift is likely to be a serious performer. But it wasn't the only car grabbing headlines at the expo.

Sharing the limelight was Honda's S2000-based thriller. Always ready to reveal outrageous metal at Japan's top tuner and customising show, Honda's racing arm Mugen unveiled the Open-Top Pure Sports Concept.

Featuring radical bodywork with a carbon fibre spoiler and diffuser, as well as a polycarbonate racing windscreen, the car drew big crowds. It features a new stainless steel exhaust system, boosting power to more than 250bhp, plus racing seats.

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