By far the most extreme...

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.