Nissan has pulled the wraps off of a new SUV concept called the Terrano PHEV at the Beijing International Auto Show. Since the Terrano was the Japanese-market name for the original Nissan Pathfinder, it’s only logical to look to this concept for cues on what the upcoming body-on-frame Pathfinder will look like. Continue reading
A museum-quality exhibit of bosozoku culture is underway in Tokyo
In the 80s bosozoku were considered delinquents and looked down upon by Japanese society. With enough distance in the rear view mirror, there’s now an aura of nostalgia that surrounded their unique and impeccable style. A museum-quality and family friendly exhibit of bosozoku culture has opened in Tokyo, celebrating the motorcycles, fashion, and music of that era. Continue reading
Posted in bosozoku
Tagged bosozoku, suzuki, Suzuki GS400, Suzuki GSX400, Suzuki GT380
Leave a comment
After a decade, the new Shuto Route 1 between Tokyo and Haneda is almost complete
One of the things non-car things that car enthusiasts can appreciate about Japan is its amazing infrastructure. Whereas pothole-riddled roads in the US are perpetually bandaged over, Japan goes through great lengths to completely rebuild entire roads when needed. Tokyo is currently renovating its Route 1, connecting the city center to Haneda Airport, and it’s no small undertaking. Continue reading
Watch Mazda rebuild a 4-rotor race motor from the 787
It’s no small undertaking to rebuild a 4-rotor R26B from a Mazda 787 race car. Most of the parts are unique to the engine and have been out of production for decades. A recent Mazda Motorsports video shows what it takes to tear down one of these epic race motors and rebuild it so that Mazda’s 787 can continue to share its unearthly roar with fans. Continue reading
QotW: If you could be a car designer, which company would you work for and what would you do?
Car design is an incredibly difficult job. You have to fit everything inside a package that seats enough people, carries enough stuff, meets the engineering requirements, and passes safety regulations, all while evoking emotion. Yet, we wouldn’t be car enthusiasts if we didn’t have a mountain of opinions about what makes a good looking car, which ones are ugly, and what should be changed.
If you could be a car designer, which company would you work for and what would you do?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Have you ever bought a car (or not) because of the color?“. Continue reading
Honda builds City Turbo II homage withS ‘Bulldog Style’
The Honda Super-One recently launched in Japan was clearly inspired by the 1983-86 Honda City Turbo II. But in case that wasn’t obvious enough, Honda has created an even more overt homage to the City Turbo II. Developed by Honda Access, the company’s in-house aftermarket accessory arm, the items will be available for purchase in Japan later this year. Continue reading
SSR is re-releasing deep-dish versions of the MkI, MkII, and MkIII
Speedstar Racing is re-releasing deep-lip sizes of three beloved wheels from its back catalog: the SSR MkI, MkII, and MkIII. Each will be available in very negative offsets and A-, B-, and C-type inner barrels. The only size that will be offered will be 14 inches, which many would say is the only proper diameter anyway. Only 600 units will made, cumulatively, for all three designs. Continue reading
Nissan execs reveal sports car plans and another Xterra teaser
In the wake of Nissan’s mega press conference earlier this week more news about its sports cars and the revived Xterra SUV has emerged. The briefing outlined how the company plans to reverse its money-shredding trajectory and undo the legacy of the Carlos Ghosn era where it spread itself way too thin. Ghosn pursued market share at all costs and tried to make Nissan everything to everyone. In the end, that watered the brand down until it wasn’t much of anything. The new business plan hinges on cars that stand out, capitalizing on Nissan’s rich heritage, and as it turns out that may result in cars enthusiasts actually like. Continue reading
Nissan teases new Skyline, Xterra as ‘Heartbeat’ of the company
Nissan unveiled its latest business plan last night, titled “Vision of Mobility Intelligence for Everyday Life”. Behind the buzzwords, however, were the first two teasers of nameplates of great importance to enthusiasts: the Skyline and the Xterra. While the long-term vision sees Nissan trimming the fat, the good news is that models dear to the hearts of fans will still hold a place in the company. Continue reading
QotW: Have you ever bought a car (or not) because of the color?
Color is clearly an important factor when it comes to choosing a car, but can it make or break a purchase? We have friends who will accept a car in any color, as long as it’s a model they like, but others who will absolutely refuse a bucket list car if it’s the wrong color. Other times the car may not be a bucket list buy, but the color is just so charming you can’t help it. Would a 1979 Mazda GLC wagon be as desirable in silver? With older cars, when there’s a dwindling pool to choose from and beggars can’t be choosers, but color can still be a dealbreaker.
Have you ever bought a car (or not) because of the color?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What do you do with your stickers?“. Continue reading
The Honda Super-One meets the City Turbo II
Despite Honda’s wholesale scuttling of its planned Honda Zero lineup, elsewhere in the world electric Hondas aren’t dead. The Honda Super-One was designed to be an EV hot hatch, with distinct styling that recalls the Honda City Turbo II. Now, for the first time, the Super-One and its predecessor can see the two vehicles side by side in a video produced by Honda. Continue reading
Suzuki Hayabusa factory tour: The fastest bike has a surprisingly slow manufacturing process
The Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa became an instant legend when it was introduced in 1999. Not only did it instantly claim the title of world’s fastest street-legal motorcycle, at a time when manufacturers one-upped each other incrementally, it blew the previous record holder, the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird, out of the water with a top speed of 312 kph (194 mph) — a 23 kph (14 mph) jump, still the largest top speed leap in production motorcycle history.
The Hayabusa was also famously overbuilt, laying the groundwork for tuners and turbochargers that could bump street builds from its factory 175 horses to 300 without modifying internals. To get there, the fastest bike has an intentionally slow manufacturing process. Continue reading
Toyotafest 2026 will celebrate the event’s 30th anniversary
This year Toyotafest will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. It started three decades ago as a small gathering of 20 or so friends meeting to discuss their Crowns and Coronas. Today, it’s the largest single-manufacturer Japanese car show in the country. To mark this milestone, Toyotafest 2026 will have some unforgettable surprises in store. Be sure you’ve registered your Toyota, Lexus, Scion, or Toyopet and don’t miss out. It takes place on May 30 at Marina Green Park in Long Beach, California. Registration can be found at the Toyota Owners’ and Restorers’ Club website.
Nissan promises manual Infiniti sedan, V6 Xterra, and maybe a 700-horsepower flagship SUV
More good news is coming out of Nissan, this time regarding its Infiniti division and the 4×4 offerings of both brands. It seems that record losses, the closing of major factories, and job cuts have forced the company to shake things up. And surprise, that involves doing things long-time enthusiasts have been asking for all along. Continue reading
Posted in News
2 Comments
Ascara Integra? Fulma Legend? Rejected Acura names that could have been
When Honda debuted its Acura brand in 1986 it was navigating uncharted territory. Launching a Japanese luxury marque had never been done before, and it had to come up with the entire concept out of thin air, including the name. Acura recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, using the occasion to reflect on its past, including some (thankfully) rejected names for the brand. Continue reading
QotW: What do you do with your stickers?
Today, April 6, is Sticker Day in Japan. It’s a play on words, combining four (shi) and six (ru), for shiru, which means “sticker” or “seal”. It’s probably safe to assume that, as car people, we’ve all accumulated significant collections of stickers. Some are given away at car shows, others are prized and purchased, some come as a bonus with a car part. Stickers can act as a roll call, mementos of experiences, decoration, graffiti, or whatever. Do you fulfill the sticker’s destiny and put it on your car or toolbox? Stow them away in an album? Adhere them to something completely unrelated?
What do you do with your stickers?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “How do you find the car of your dreams for sale?“. Continue reading
The R36 Nissan GT-R and latest Z appear to be in good hands
Despite Nissan’s terrible financial situation the two cars enthusiasts care most about, the Z and GT-R, appear to be secure. When a company posts an annual loss of $4.24 billion, as Nissan did for the fiscal year ending in March 2026, there’s always worry that a sports car or yet-to-be-developed flagship supercar will be the first head on the chopping block. Not so, says a new report. Continue reading
Here’s what goes into an $80,000 TOM’s Heritage AE86 restomod
One of our favorite cars at the Tokyo Auto Salon was the TOM’s Heritage AE86. Essentially, it’s a fully restomodded Toyota Corolla Levin from the top Toyota tuning house in Japan. Their goal was to retain the spirit and feel of the original Hachiroku, but give it just enough updates so that it can be driven without issue in modern road and traffic conditions. Now TOM’s has published a video documenting the work that went into the demo car displayed at Makuhari Messe. Continue reading
Posted in News
Leave a comment
The revived Toyota Celica Sport will be an electrified SUV
The highly anticipated return of the Toyota Celica, which has been teased for almost three years now, may end up disappointing enthusiasts. New reports now believe that the car will be an AWD “sporty” crossover and not a modern reincarnation of the GT-Four that fans have been hoping for. The silver lining, however, is that the car will have a few design cues that reference Celicas of yore. Continue reading
The original Acura Integra completely ruled its IMSA class
On March 27, 1986 Acura was launched as the first luxury marque from Japan. Initially, Americans scoffed at the idea. How could the purveyor of $6000 Civic hope to compete with the likes of Saab, Jaguar, or even BMW? Four decades later, Acura has proven it has staying power, and to celebrate its 40th birthday it has built an homage to its very first race car. Continue reading
Posted in Anniversaries
Tagged acura, carroll shelby, da3, Doug Peterson, honda, imsa, integra, mazda, Parker Johnstone
2 Comments
