The Tokyo Auto Salon starts in just a couple of weeks, and Nissan’s lineup promises variety. Production cars, racing machines, and concepts—plus, a peculiar five-door Z wagon—are all set to be showcased.
That odd wagon is not some production preview. Instead, students from Nissan’s Automobile Technical College built it, along with two other cars. These are purely creative exercises, not serious plans for the market. Honestly, it’s nice to see young minds innovate. We’re here for creativity, not crushing dreams. Let’s dive into what they’ve come up with.
Z Lealia:
The Z wagon demands attention. Why? Because nobody thought to ask for a Z station wagon, yet here it is. Built on the second-gen Stagea platform, its square sides and four-door layout betray its origins. Up front, the Z’s face stares back at you. Behind? A Nissan Leaf’s backside—awkwardly stitched in place. The team cut, widened, welded, and painted the car in Ikazuchi Yellow to tie it together.
This “sports wagon for family trips,” as the students call it, was built by fourth-years at the Kyoto campus focusing on auto customization and maintenance. Details on the engine are mum on that, but if it’s still a Stagea at heart, it probably runs a VQ35 V-6 to the rear wheels.
NEO Skyline:
Check out this blue coupe. Look long enough, and you’ll spot an Infiniti G35 underneath. It’s actually based on the V35 Skyline from the 2000s. But the real charm comes from the mix of design eras. Up front, it borrows cues from 1970s Skylines—flat nose, kinked pillars—but the rear? It’s… unique. The lines rise over the fenders, swooping into a wedge-like shape that supposedly symbolizes “the present.”
Another Kyoto project, this car was meant to appeal across generations. The nostalgic elements are for older fans, while younger buyers might appreciate its modern reinterpretation. Whether that works is up to you.
U11 Bluebird Widebody:
Then there’s the Bluebird. This boxy sedan shares its roots with the first-gen Maxima but cranks up the drama with a widebody kit straight out of the Rocket Bunny playbook. At first glance, it looks like a coupe, but peer closer—you’ll spot rear door handles tucked into the flared arches. Clever, right?
Third-year students from Aichi, studying auto body repair, built this beast. They clearly leaned into the 1980s aesthetic, and it paid off. This widebody sedan doesn’t just look wild; it’s genuinely cool.
You’ll find these creations—and more—on display at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon from January 10–12.
Source and Images: Motor1