JUN TEN

Words by Alexi Smith Photos by Mark Pakula

When you’re a leading aftermarket industry figure like JUN Auto Mechanic, having anything other than the latest model on your Tokyo Auto Salon stand just isn’t an option.

Unless this is the first time you have picked up a modified car magazine that features imports (in which case, what took you so long?), the name JUN should be instantly recognisable. Custom engine component manufacturer, high-power tuner, and competitions in top speed, timed circuit and drifting events both in Japan and internationally are what they are best known for. JUN’s bossman Koyama-san is also a regular feature in domestic tuning magazines and videos, often seen with a smiling face as his machines perform well out on the track.

When the yearly Tokyo Auto Salon aftermarket tuning industry trade show is held every January at the Makuhari Messe exhibition center, it’s a given that all of the biggest tuning shops will bring out their latest project, be it either a demo car they’ve built based on an older and more popular model, or more interestingly, something based on the latest performance model still found on the showroom floor. This year, JUN picked out the latest in one of the longest running and most popular domestic sports AWD models for their demo car; the tenth iteration of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Based on a 2007 Evolution X RS model, the JUN Super Evo X demo Lancer is not what you could call a highly modified car compared to some of the others on display at TAS, but it’s by no means an un-noteworthy car. The Evo X is the first of an all-new design generation externally, with an entirely new engine to boot, so it’s obviously important for a shop with as high a profile as JUN has to get a head-start in modifying the latest model and set some styling and tuning trends.