Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa recently gave an interview and mentioned two model names that may be of particular interest to enthusiasts. The first was the the Silvia, which Espinosa has a special passion for and wants to bring back. The second was the IDx concept, a compact FR coupe that ignited a fervor across the internet when it debuted but never came to fruition. Continue reading
Daihatsu’s ‘greatest hits’ animation proves good things come in small packages
Daihatsu will soon show its Midget X concept at the Japan Mobility Show, a throwback to the 1957 Midget that was the company’s first blockbuster success. With it comes a new campaign that highlights the company’s greatest hits, done in a jaunty animated style with a catchy original song. As a kei car specialist, Daihatsu is reaffirming its commitment to small cars that are useful and fun. Daihatsumei sounds like 偉大な発明 (idaina hatsumei), which means “great inventions” in Japanese. Continue reading
Posted in Japan Mobility Show
Tagged charade, copen, daihatsu, hijet, midget, mira, Tanto
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Forget the Century coupe and six-wheeled Lexus LS, peep the Daihatsu Midget concept
It’s almost time for the Tokyo Motor Show Japan Mobility Show, and Toyota is first out of the gates with a buffet of unhinged concept cars. And yes, the coupe based on the Century SUV or Lexus LS reborn as a six-wheeled van is sure to grab all the headlines, but we at JNC ask instead that you check out the lovable Daihatsu Midget reboot concept instead. Continue reading
Posted in Japan Mobility Show
Tagged century, daihatsu, Japan Mobility Show, lexus, midget, toyota
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QotW: What’s the best tow vehicle?
We hope your cars are always running under their own power, but once in a while you’ll need to haul it. Whether it’s trailering a race car to a track, taking a classic car to a show, or bringing home a new project, anyone who dabbles in older automobiles will at some point need a tow vehicle. Fortunately for JNC owners Japanese cars are typically lightweight, so that opens up a lot of options for trucks and SUVs with lower towing capacities that may be JNCs themselves.
What’s the best tow vehicle?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, ” What are your gasoline filling routines?“. Continue reading
What is this Toyota teaser teasing, a flagship sports car?
Toyota has put up a mysterious teaser that promises a big reveal on October 13 at 1:00 pm local time. The image shows the logos of all the company’s main brands: Toyota, Lexus, Century, Gazoo Racing, and Daihatsu. On the Toyota website there’s a countdown timer that says:
The sign at Fuji Speedway has changed.
On the left, 2000GT
Next to it, LFA
Next to that… ?
It sure seems like they’re hinting at a sports car that can carry on the tradition of super-high end flagships. Continue reading
Nissan designer Hiren Patel talks about his classic Pathfinder
With the news of Nissan Design America’s closing, we wanted to consider the earliest and arguably the most iconic vehicle to emerge from the studio: the WD21 Nissan Pathfinder. As it happens, we once stumbled upon this exact car at the parking lot of Nissan Design America. We were there to review the new Nissan Z, but learned that the Pathy belonged to Hiren Patel, a Senior Design Manager at NDA who was responsible for the new Frontier pickup, among many other projects at Nissan. Continue reading
Sam Mitani’s ‘Keys to the Empire’ finishes the automotive spy trilogy with a bang
The third and final installment of former Road & Track International editor Sam Mitani’s car-themed thrillers is Keys to the Empire. The trilogy began in 2018 with The Prototype, continued in 2023 with Red Mist, and draws to a close with Mitani’s latest novel.
Keys to the Empire continues in the universe established in the two previous books, though it works as a standalone story as well. Characters from the first two novels appear in Keys, but the protagonist is a new deadly assassin.
Dalton Lang was an elite agent in China’s Ministry of State Security before defecting to the United States. He’s called out of retirement when people close to him are hunted by unknown assailants. Is it the MSS, the yakuza, or corrupt LAPD detectives? The search for answers takes Lang, in the finest Mitani tradition, on a globe-trotting adventure with cars at its center. Continue reading
Japan’s new Prime Minister is a Toyota Supra owner
In 2022 we wrote about Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi and her beloved A70 Toyota Supra. At the time, she had lost her bid to become the next Prime Minister, but over the weekend she was elected to head Japan’s ruling party. In Japan’s parliamentary system that means she’s almost certain to become the nation’s first female Prime Minister, and car enthusiasts across the country are excited to have one of their own as the new leader. Continue reading
QotW: What are your gasoline filling routines?
Today, October 6, is Oil Day in Japan, marking an occasion for average citizens to think about the many petroleum-based products used in every day life. The date was chosen because the numbers 1, 0, and 6 can be rearranged to form O (0), I (1), and L/R (6). It also happens to be the anniversary of the first global oil crisis, which led to long lines a fuel pumps around the world and began on October 6, 1973.
Some owners have an almost religious dedication to their brand of service station. Personally I prefer Costco since it usually has the best price for a Top Tier fuel — though that’s hovering around $4.30 a gallon in southern California — but if the lines are long I’ll go elsewhere. I’m not brand loyal but only Top Tier juice goes into my JNCs. Other than that, I don’t have any hard rules except for a healthy dose of ethanol stabilizer and a full tank in cars that are sitting.
What are your gasoline filling routines?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which JNC looks most proper in red?“. Continue reading
PlayStation 5 is the console to get if you want total Japanese car immersion
It might not be possible to upend your life and collect a stable of dream cars and race them in Japan and beyond, but a PlayStation 5 is going to be your next best bet. The long awaited reboot of the hashiriya saga Tokyo Xtreme Racer was released on PC earlier this year to the surprise of many fans. Now, developer Genki has announced that the game is coming to PS5 as well. Continue reading
Posted in Video Games
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The next Toyota 86 could share a platform with the Miata
A report out of Japan claims that Toyota’s partner for the next GR86 will no longer be Subaru. After two generations of platform sharing with the BRZ, Toyota will instead join with Mazda and develop the GR86 alongside the next Miata. However, that doesn’t mean the BRZ is dead. Details are sparse, but apparently it will soldier on as well. Continue reading
It’s the end of the road for the Lexus LS
In 1989 Toyota introduced what was arguably the most over-engineered car ever made. The Lexus LS had to be perfect if it was going to go toe-to-toe with the established European brands. It was. More refined, more durable, and far more affordable than its competition, the Lexus LS forever changed the luxury car landscape and set a new standard for quality. Now after 36 years, it’s driving off into the sunset. Continue reading
The Honda RA272 will return to the site of its first Grand Prix win 60 years ago
In 1965 Honda achieved something unthinkable. It won a Formula 1 Grand Prix just two years after it had begun producing its first car. As the famous story goes, when Soichiro Honda instructed his engineers to develop a car that could compete in this highest echelon of motorsports, they asked, “What is F1?” Yet the Honda RA272 not only competed in but won the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, and went into the history books. Continue reading
Posted in News
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QotW: Which JNC looks most proper in red?
The color red is most closely associated with Ferraris, Alfas, and other Italian cars. Former head of GM Performance John Heinricy once said, “All Corvettes are red, the rest are mistakes,” and they even titled a book based on that quote. There’s the old joke whenever someone has a red sports car that the color is “arrest-me red”. While many JNCs look good in red, in all honesty we think very few look their best in red. For example, the Honda S600 often comes in red, but is it the best color for the S600? Well, that would probably be white, albeit with a red interior. Are there any cases in which red is best possible color for the car?
Which JNC looks most proper in red?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What would you do without a car?“. Continue reading
‘Forza Horizon 6’ will take place in Japan
Welp, in case the Mt Fuji framed by cherry blossoms hasn’t clued you in, Forza Horizon 6 will take place in Japan. It’s a location fans of the franchise have been demanding for years and now it’s finally happening. The open-world format that’s a hallmark of the Forza Horizon series seems like it will offer a lot of potential to delve into Japan’s diverse car culture. Continue reading
Coupon code for $5 off JCCS admission extended to Sept. 30!
Great news! The folks at JCCS have extended the coupon code for JNC readers. Get $5 admission for the 2025 Japanese Classic Car Show when you buy tickets online using the coupon code JNCFAN at checkout. This is the 20th anniversary of the country’s premier vintage Japanese automotive event. Don’t miss it!
Posted in Reminder
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SuperGT champ puts five NSX versions to the test
Continuing on its 35th anniversary celebration, Honda has released another NSX video featuring five iterations of its flagship supercar. This time, it has recruited two-time SuperGT champ Tomoki Nojiri to provide his driving impressions of the five cars. Nojiri drives the ARTA NSX in the GT500 class and took the championship in 2021 and 2022. He’s also an NSX owner off the track. Continue reading
Gran Turismo 7 adds FJ40 Land Cruiser, Mazda Roadster race car, and even a RAV4
One of the best things about the Gran Turismo series is its inclusion of cars that aren’t necessarily the most powerful exotics. Its embrace of obscure classics, everyday cars, and vehicles that have no business being on a race track are what endeared us to the series. Anyone remember slinging a Honda Element around the ‘Ring in GT4? For its September 2025 update, Gran Turismo 7 is adding some truly unexpected machinery. Continue reading
Posted in News
Tagged fj40, gran turismo, land cruiser, mazda, Miata ND, RAV4, Roadster/Miata, toyota
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Save $5 on JCCS admission with this coupon code
The 2025 Japanese Classic Car Show is almost upon us, and we would like to offer JNC readers a special coupon code for admission. This year’s show will be a very special one, as it’s the 20th anniversary of the show. There will be a few unique surprises in store, making it a can’t-miss event. Between now and September 25, if you buy tickets and enter the coupon code JNCFAN, you’ll get $5 of the regular admission price of $25. See you there!
Posted in Reminder
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What could this Honda NSX tribute that Italdesign is teasing possibly be?
The renowned carrozzeria Italdesign-Giugiaro has posted a mysterious teaser to social media. Over a blue background reminiscent of Italdesign’s signature color there’s nothing but the Honda logo with the words “NSX Tribute”. What could it be?` Continue reading
