Category Archives: News
Ken Okuyama’s supercar celebrates the spirit of 1989, a landmark year for Japanese cars
“1989 was a defining year. It gave us the GT-R, Lexus, and the RX-7. Japan’s automotive industry reached new heights,” says renowned automotive designer Ken Okuyama. His latest creation, the V12-powered Kode89, is a tribute to that seminal year. It … Continue reading
Honda’s new Heritage Racing Program lets you buy restored race cars direct from the source
Announced at Monterey Car Week, Honda is launching a new Heritage Racing Program that lets enthusiasts purchase retired and restored race cars. The program is unique among Japanese carmakers, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) … Continue reading
The second-gen Honda Accord was a technological marvel: navigation, auto-leveling suspension and ABS in the age of MTV
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Honda Accord, launched in May 1976. Pioneering ideas like front-wheel-drive and taking on environmental concerns with the CVCC engine, it sold 1.5 million examples in 90 countries. Expectations for were high when … Continue reading
5Zigen’s iconic FN01R-C is coming back for its 25th anniversary
One of the quintessential wheels of the Tuner Era is about to celebrate its 25th anniversary. 5Zigen has quietly teased an image of its FN01R-C wheel hinting at a special edition celebrating a quarter of a century. Like the Volk … Continue reading
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Could this test mule be the next Toyota MR2?
A visitor to Fuji Speedway may have spotted a prototype Toyota MR2 lapping the circuit. The car in question is a compact sports car with a mid-engine layout as evidenced at the large air intakes aft of the doors and … Continue reading
It’s the end of the road for the Nissan Altima: The rise and fall of the once-proud Accord rival, Part 02
The Nissan Altima is dead, confirmed by a top Nissan exec last week. In Part 01 of our Altima retrospective, we followed its rise, from compact Stanza spinoff to, by generation three, a true enthusiast’s contender against midsizers like the … Continue reading
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It’s the end of the road for the Nissan Altima: The rise and fall of the once-proud Accord rival, Part 01
The Nissan Altima is officially dead. Its demise was confirmed by Nissan’s head of product planning and senior vice president for North America Ponz Pandikuthira in an interview with WardsAuto. It’s been rumored to be on the chopping block since … Continue reading
Akio Toyoda drops wisdom on students, then takes them drifting in unforgettable graduation ceremony
There’s no question that Akio Toyoda is one of the most impressive auto executives in the world. He’s one of us — an enthusiast — who races cars in his spare time. But even if we take that bias out … Continue reading
Blacked-out Century SUV replaces Prime Minister’s Century sedan
For years Japan’s Prime Minister has rolled in style in a traditional Toyota Century sedan. However, when it came to choose her new ride Sanae Takaichi opted for a new Century SUV. Videos of her motorcade, which features the SUV … Continue reading
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Five Toyotas are the first Japanese cars to race in the Mille Miglia
The original Mille Miglia was one of the most storied and dangerous road races in automotive history. Covering 1000 miles through beautiful Italian cities, it was the crucible that helped make legends out of Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lancia, and more. … Continue reading
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Tagged 2000gt, A80, Crown S30, lexus, lfa, Mille Miglia, sports 800, supra, toyota
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Honda’s ‘Cub House’ is a motorcycle showroom that feels like a café
Honda has opened up a new type of motorcycle shop in Japan. Rather than the cold feel of a typical dealership and service center, the adorably named Cub House has an upscale yet nostalgic feel. The location in Toda City, … Continue reading
Honda and Nissan will soon announce team-up of some kind
Honda and Nissan broached a merger in 2024, but the talks blew up spectacularly before any sort of agreement could take place. A lot has happened in the two years since and now Honda’s CEO is hinting that a collaboration … Continue reading
Driving a stickshift helps stave off dementia, says Japanese neuroscientist
One of Japan’s most famous researchers on the human brain has declared that driving a car with a manual transmission can help keep your brain health up. Apparently the extra thought required to coordinate between your four limbs while you … Continue reading
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QotW: What’s your best story about buying or selling a car via auction?
Today, June 29, is Real-Time Used Car Auction Day in Japan. It commemorates the anniversary of the first time dealers across the country could bid on a car live. The inaugural auction took place long before the world wide web … Continue reading
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Honda is bringing back the Element as a Bronco Sport competitor
Honda is reportedly planning to revive the Element after what will be, by the time it debuts, an 18-year absence on the market. Details are sparse, but the resurrected Element nameplate will go on a hybrid crossover that will split … Continue reading
ND to FD: A body kit to convert your Miata into an RX-7
The ND Mazda Roadster is already a good-looking and curvy car, a design feat that’s pretty difficult achieve on a small platform. Its lines evoke a natural connection to the very curvaceous FD RX-7. They pair so well, in fact, … Continue reading
Here’s Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda doing the viral boat race dance
Despite helming the biggest car company in the world Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda never fails to have a good time. Whether he’s racing under his alter ego Morizo, trolling the press by showing up at a rally event in a … Continue reading
The Toyota TE27 nose works surprisingly well on a Suzuki Jimny
We’ve seen all manner of Nissan nose swaps. There’s the Hakotora which takes a C10 Skyline mask and puts it on a Sunny Truck. But there’s also the Sunny nose on a Suzuki Carry or the R32 Skyline kit on … Continue reading
Congrats to Toyota on their first ‘real’ 24 Hours of Le Mans win
Toyota claimed its sixth 24 Hours of Le Mans victory over the weekend, tying Bentley to become the fourth winningest manufacturer in the race’s history. Until this year, however, Toyota never succeeded against any real competition. For 2026, it had … Continue reading
