Author Archives: Ben Hsu
Honda and Nissan are still figuring things out
Despite a well-publicized dissolution of merger talks last year, it seems that Honda and Nissan are still talking to each other. The result might not be a marriage, but perhaps more of a rebadging situation. Either way, the two companies … Continue reading
Happy Year of the Horse from JNC
Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, meaning it is now officially the Year of the Horse. America may have its Broncos and Pintos, but in Japan the marque most associated with the horse is Mitsubishi. The … Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite factory exterior/interior color combo on a Japanese car?
Today, February 16, is Matching Color Day in Japan. It’s a play on the words ni au iro (similar colors), which sounds like ni (2) i (1) ro (6). The occasion asks us to consider what colors go well together … Continue reading
Could Toyota be reviving the V12 for the Century Coupé?
According to a report out of Japan, Toyota is considering bringing back the V12 engine for the upcoming Century Coupé. Last fall it spun Century off as its own standalone brand to go against the likes of Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and … Continue reading
Kyosho’s FJ60 Land Cruiser looks absolutely incredible
Kyosho is coming out with an all-new RC crawler in the shape of an FJ60 Toyota Land Cruiser. It’s an all-new platform and it looks absolutely stunning. We’re big fans of Kyosho’s high-quality RC kits, but the 1/10-scale crawler isn’t … Continue reading
Posted in News
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Toyota’s AE86-owning, Celica-loving president has been replaced with a minivan-loving accountant
In a surprise press conference February 6, Toyota announced that president Koji Sato will relinquish his role and pass the baton to Kenta Kon, the company’s Chief Financial Officer. Sato, who owns an AE86 and said it was his life’s … Continue reading
A history of TOM’s Igeta wheel
One of the most iconic wheels among fans of classic Toyotas is the TOM’s Igeta. Introduced in 1978 by Tachi Oiwa Motor Sport, its unique crosshatch design has graced countless Toyota race cars. At the recent Tokyo Auto Salon, TOM’s … Continue reading
Toyota Mark II surprises at Tokyo Auto Salon with Amemiya-built rotary engine
One of the cars that stopped us in our tracks at the Tokyo Auto Salon was a lone Toyota Mark II parked amidst a sea of Mazdas. Why? Despite being the archetypical Bubble Era Toyota sedan, this GX71 jettisoned its … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged mark II, mazda, rotary engine, tokyo auto salon, toyota, x70
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Toyota exec confirms development of mid-engined sports car
A Toyota exec has confirmed what rumors have long hinted at: Toyota is building a mid-engined sports car. Toyota is one of only a handful of carmakers that have built a midship performance car, so although the name hasn’t been … Continue reading
Daihatsu Hijet dekotora makes epic splash at Tokyo Auto Salon
The Tokyo Auto Salon showcases the pinnacle of car customization. But if you’re Daihatsu, and you don’t have much in terms of high-performance cars in your lineup, how do you make a splash among the drift missiles, VIP sleds, and … Continue reading
QotW: What car separates seasoned car enthusiasts from the superficial?
One of the most annoying things about being a car enthusiast is that non-car enthusiasts automatically assume you like Bugattis and Lambos. I’d take a decades-old Toyota any day of the week. Many people who don’t know much about cars … Continue reading
Restored Nissan March gets surprise visit from Toyota, Honda execs at Tokyo Auto Salon
Last year SuperGT team owner Masahiro Kondo bought a clean but tired 1984 Nissan March. He then handed the car over to students at Nissan Technical College, who brought it back to show-level quality. It was unveiled at last weekend’s … Continue reading
Posted in News, Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged Akio Toyota, honda, K10, march, Masahiro Kondo, nissan, tokyo auto salon, toyota
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Honda NSX interpreted by ItalDesign debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon
The Honda NSX that ItalDesign teased last September was shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon over the weekend. Turns out, the Giugiaro-founded design firm’s reimagining of the Japanese supercar is based on the NC1, the second-generation NSX, rather than the … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged 2009 tokyo auto salon, advan, honda, Italdesign, NC1, nsx
9 Comments
Nissan Fairlady Z gets a new nose and green paint code
Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the facelifted Nissan Z finally addresses the car’s biggest design flaw. Its new nose gets rid of the large rectangular grille and replaces it with a sleek divided opening that’ makes it the best-looking … Continue reading
Honda goes heavy on heritage in Tokyo Auto Salon lineup
The headliner for Honda at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon is the Prelude, but the company really leaned into its history for much of its display. For example, this Civic e:HEV RS, which shares a powertrain with the Prelude, was … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
Tagged civic, Civic Type R, FL5, honda, Honda Heritage Parts, n-one, nsx, prelude, racing mate, SuperGT
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Toyota 86 with pop-up headlights to debut at Tokyo Auto Salon
People love a pop-up headlight. What was once a compromise between aerodynamics and a lighting rules has become, like tailfins or stripe decal packages, a beloved marker of a bygone era. Updated laws and technology have made retractable headlights obsolete, … Continue reading
Is Akio Toyoda bringing a Toyota MR2 to the Tokyo Auto Salon?
Toyota has released an audio clip in which the big man himself, Akio Toyoda, suggests that he’s bringing a Toyota MR2 to the Tokyo Auto Salon. The soundbite, in which the chairman discusses a mid-engined sports car with an unnamed … Continue reading
Posted in Tokyo Auto Salon
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Mitsubishi teases Pajero return with video touting rally history
New year is a time for renewal, and 2026 is starting off with a big declaration from Mitsubishi. On January 1 the company released a video teasing a new SUV. While it doesn’t explicitly state what that SUV is, the … Continue reading
Daihatsu Charade, Flying Feather, Nissan-Diesel Minsei inducted into Japan Automotive Hall of Fame
Each year the Japanese Automotive Hall of Fame inducts a selection of historic cars. Past examples have included iconic sports cars like the Toyota 2000GT and S30 Nissan Fairlady Z, or race cars like the Honda RA272 and Mazda 787B. … Continue reading
