It may not have the same international flavor as the Tokyo Motor Show, but the Tokyo Auto Salon, which will take place in Chiba, Japan, from January 13 to 15, is nevertheless an event that will draw the attention of all Japanese car manufacturers.

Mazda was the first to announce its line-up for the auto salon, led by the new CX-5 that will be launched in Japan next spring. The new compact-size crossover will be shown in two versions: the standard model, and a customized special edition sporting red bodywork color, matte-black alloy wheels and a slightly lower ride height.

The facelifted Mazda2, or Demio as it is known in Japan, will also be on display with two customized versions. The 13-Skyactiv-2012 features red paintwork with chrome accents, synthetic suede in the seat covers, door trims, roof, parts of the steering wheel and A-pillars and high-gloss center console and door panels.

The Smart Stylish-2012 Mazda2 is based on the Smart Stylish special edition of the production car, but features a lowered ride height and an M’z bodykit comprised of a front spoiler, side skirts and rear underskirt.

“Jimba-Ittai” is Japanese for “rider and horse as one”. It’s also the moniker Mazda gave to the endurance-racing version of the MX-5 (or Roadster in Japan). The NR-A specification model gets 16-inch Enkei alloys with Bridgestone tires, Bilstein dampers, Endless brake pads, a ride height lowered by 20 mm and is painted in the exclusive color used by the Mazda team that enters the four-hour race for the media.

The MX-5 Black Tuned-2012 is based on the BlackTuned special edition and sports lightweight BBS alloy wheels, height adjustable Bilstein dampers, Brembo brakes and Recaro seats.

A sport version of the recently facelifted Mazda3, the Sport 20S-Skyactiv-2012 comes with additional aerodynamic parts such as a front skirt, rear bumper and a rear roof spoiler on the outside, and black leather upholstery along with piano black finish for the center console, the instrument panel cover and the door switch panels on the inside.

Having already announced the Spirit R version of the RX-8 which ends prodction next year, Mazda will display a model based on the rotary-engined sports car’s final edition with the 6-speed manual gearbox. In addition to the base specification, it will sport 20-inch BBS alloys, Brembo brakes and rotors and a 20 mm drop in ride height.

Two MPVs complete Mazda’s range for the Tokyo Salon. The first is the Premacy MPV in 20S Prestige Style-2012 guise with redesigned bumpers and headlights, a new rear wing, 19-inch Weds alloy wheels and chrome accents, while the second is the Biante Granz-2012 tuned model with a Kenstyle bodykit, 20-inch Work alloys, Grace seat upholstery and black wood-patterned interior panels.

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