A number of carmakers will be on hand to display some of their performance models to showcase the potential they possess in terms of aftermarket support. While this list is not definitive, we would wager a bet that these machines will pop up come this Friday morning.

1. Subaru WRX STI

It is a good thing we didn’t hold our breaths waiting for the new Subaru WRX STI because our skin would have turned a shade of World Rally Blue. Subaru is definitely keeping a surprise up its sleeves at TAS and all the teasers point towards a successor to the WRX STI.

Discontinued in 2021, the model looks set for a comeback with the teasers throwing glimpses of what appears to a current-gen WRX with STI badges and a manual gearbox. Last year, Subaru dropped the Performance-B STI concept; a bewinged, widebody hatchback worthy of carrying the STI name. Will the distinctive rumbling idle, gravel-spitting monster finally return to production?

2. Toyota MR2

Toyota’s teaser is much vaguer, being based on a faux text conversation with chairman Akio Toyoda’s racing alter ego, Morizo, on X. Lacking any visuals, the textual post discusses a new midship two-seater that Toyoda is hoping will be ready for TAS.

A new MR2 Mk4 was first teased during a 2024 anime (click here, 0:47 second mark), further fuelled by the GR Yaris M Concept that plonked the new G20E 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mid-ship behind the driver. As the GR line-up continues to grow, some prime real estate is opening up for a moderately-priced, mid-engined sports car, exactly along the mould of the previous MR2 and MR-S. While nothing is confirmed, Carscoops reported that Toyota has trademarked the “GR MR2” and “GR MR-S” names so there’s that.

3. Mitsubishi Pajero

This is a long shot but another legendary nameplate slated for a reveal at TAS is the Mitsubishi Pajero. A brief peek at the end of a video celebrating its Ralliart victory in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) showed a clear silhouette of a boxy SUV.

Though lurking in the shadows of sunset, the mystery SUV sports angular, upright lines with a tall hood and boxy cabin. Even the DRLs are vertical LED units mimicking Mitsubishi’s current design language. Some playing around with photo editing further makes clear side steps and a higher ride height similar to riding on a ladder frame.

It will likely ride on the platform underpinning the Triton and Pajero Sport with a rear-based 4WD system and live rear axle. Imagine the Destinator on steroids to picture its looks.

4. Nissan Z manual

File this under ‘confirmed’ as Nissan has stated it will reveal the Nissan Z Nismo with a proper manual at TAS. When the Z Nismo was first launched, enthusiast lost their collective stools as it was automatic only. Nissan has addressed that glaring omission and has even updated the Z Nismo for 2026.

Upgrades are limited to minor changes for the coupe’s aerodynamics with no word if the automatic  Z’s 420 PS and 520 Nm will be bumped up but we would not bet on it. Still, three pedals on a driver-focused sports car is a win on any given day.

Aside from the Z, Nissan will also be pulling the covers off a generically named Nismo Concept Model that looks to be Note with Super GT-inspired styling.

5. Civic RS hybrid with S+ Shift

The Honda Civic e:HEV RS is no stranger to the Malaysian market. However, Honda will be introducing a “prototype” of the variant at TAS with a nifty little upgrade in the form of the Prelude’s S+ Shift technology. The apostrophes are used because we would bet our mothers that this will be entering production.

Considering that the Prelude is essentially a Civic RS coupe, the simulated gearbox tech trickling down was a question of ‘if’ and not ‘when.’ Instead of the paddle shifters currently adjusting the level of regeneration, S+ Shift will simulate gear shifts by altering torque outputs in the electric motor.

6. Daihatsu Hijet Truck PTO Dump Daihatsumei

A small homage, pun intended, to Japan’s Dekotora culture, or ‘decorated truck,’ the Daihatsu Hijet Truck PTO Dump is the epitome of TAS. Layers of chrome, enough lighting to be seen from space and custom graphic livery makes this kei truck hard to miss.

For the full carnival treatment, every possible inch of space has been fitted with extra lights, including 14 round taillights as well as the wheels, side panels, front bumper and roof. The bed is a family tree for the model’s lineage with hand-drawn illustrations of every Hijet generation to date.

Terdapat masalah apabila mendapat tahu Daihatsu menipu dalam ujian keselamatan. Ini menyebabkan Daihatsu menghentikan pengeluaran kereta buat sementara waktu, dan kerajaan berkata mereka mesti melakukan ujian yang betul pada masa hadapan. Pemimpin baharu Daihatsu, Masahiro Inoue, memohon maaf atas apa yang berlaku dan berjanji untuk membuat Daihatsu lebih baik.

Toyota mahu menambah baik cara Daihatsu beroperasi. Mereka mahu pekerja berkomunikasi dengan lebih baik dan lebih fokus pada keselamatan daripada membuat wang. Toyota juga telah mengambil tindakan dalaman, dengan 10 bekas ahli pengurusan Daihatsu memulangkan bonus mereka untuk tahun kewangan 2023.

Bonus yang dikembalikan termasuk bekas pengerusi Sunao Matsubayashi, bekas Presiden Soichiro Okudaira, dan naib presiden eksekutif Hiromasa Hoshika. Pengarah Yusuke Takeda dan Toshinori Edamoto akan mengembalikan 50%, manakala ketua pegawai lain akan kembali antara 10% hingga 50%.

Tambahan pula, Daihatsu mengumumkan pemansuhan jawatan Pengurus Eksekutif dan Timbalan Pengurus Eksekutif untuk menyelaraskan struktur pelaporan, berikutan keputusan awal untuk memansuhkan jawatan Pengerusi. Langkah-langkah ini bertujuan untuk menangani penyelewengan prosedur dan memupuk budaya pematuhan dan akauntabiliti dalam Daihatsu.

The scandal involved allegations of widespread cheating on safety testing, leading to production halts and a government order for proper tests and prevention measures. Inoue, who previously oversaw Toyota’s business in South America, apologised for the misconduct and vowed to revive Daihatsu.

In addition to oversight by Toyota, Daihatsu aims to improve communication among ranks, prioritise safety over market share, and change the basic way people work within the company. Toyota has also taken internal actions, with 10 former Daihatsu management members returning their bonuses for the financial year 2023.

The returned bonuses include those of former chairman Sunao Matsubayashi, former President Soichiro Okudaira, and executive vice president Hiromasa Hoshika. Director Yusuke Takeda and Toshinori Edamoto will return 50%, while other chief officers will return between 10% to 50%.

Furthermore, Daihatsu announced the abolition of the job titles of Executive Manager and Deputy Executive Manager to streamline reporting structures, following an earlier decision to abolish the position of Chairman. These measures aim to address the procedural irregularities and foster a culture of compliance and accountability within Daihatsu.

Walaupun menghadapi kesukaran di China, Toyota mengalami peningkatan sebanyak 16% dalam jualan A.S. dan kenaikan 14% dalam jualan Eropah untuk Februari. Bagaimanapun, jualan domestik di Jepun merosot sebanyak satu pertiga disebabkan pemberhentian pengeluaran di Daihatsu, unit kereta kecil Toyota, yang turut menghadapi kerosakan pada reputasinya daripada skandal ujian keselamatan yang dilaporkan hampir setahun lalu.

Jualan di Indonesia dan Thailand juga menyaksikan penurunan dua angka untuk Toyota. Walaupun penurunan keseluruhan dalam jualan, hampir dua perlima daripada kenderaan yang dijual di seluruh dunia oleh Toyota pada Februari adalah hibrid petrol-elektrik, menunjukkan minat pengguna yang berterusan terhadap kenderaan mesra alam.

Angka jualan global termasuk kenderaan yang dijual di bawah jenama Toyota dan Lexus. Di samping itu, Daihatsu, yang merupakan sebahagian daripada operasi Toyota, melaporkan penurunan ketara dalam jualan di seluruh dunia, turun sebanyak 66% pada bulan Februari.

Pengeluaran global Toyota untuk Februari juga menyaksikan penurunan sebanyak 2.6%, dengan 737,178 kenderaan dihasilkan.