Category Archives: News
The upcoming Mazda 3 Turbo is essentially a Mazdaspeed 3 without the name
Despite repeated denials by Mazda, about a year ago we predicted that the company would come out with a turbocharged Mazda 3. It looks like that is indeed happening, as indicated by leaked codes from Mazda’s dealership extranet system. Essentially, … Continue reading
Here’s your first look at the seventh-generation Nissan Z
Nissan dropped a video this morning that teases its upcoming lineup in a new, post-Ghosn, post-COVID era. Notably, the it provides the first glimpse of what the seventh-generation Z could look like. The rendering of what we’ll call the Z35 … Continue reading
Here’s a GT-R50 Kenmeri Skyline homage in the proper colors
Earlier this week Nissan released images of the first production GT-R50. It featured a subtle tribute to the Kenmeri Skyline GT-R show car from the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show — one that was in fact too subtle for some. So … Continue reading
NEWS: Nissan will axe the Datsun brand… again
Reports are circulating that Nissan will soon undergo a massive restructuring plan and on the chopping block is the Datsun, revived in 2013 as a low-cost brand in developing countries. It was one of former CEO Carlos Ghosn’s crowning achievements … Continue reading
Mazda extends car care program for health care workers, whether they own Mazdas or not
In April, Mazda announced a generous program to help health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. They offered to change the oil and clean the cars of these essential workers free of charge, and it was … Continue reading
The Lexus GS is no more.
Lexus has announced it is ending the GS nameplate. The Grand Sedan is no more. Sales for the luxury sedan have been slow as people move towards crossovers instead. It also spells doom for the wonderful 467-horsepower, naturally aspirated, V8-powered … Continue reading
Mazda RWD rotary hybrid patent discovered
News about Japanese sports cars just keep on coming this week. First there was the RWD straight-six Mazda 6, then some rumors about the new Nissan Z. Now, there’s been some discoveries about a Mazda rotary-powered hybrid mounted in a … Continue reading
Good guy Mazda will change oil and wash cars of health care workers, even if they don’t own a Mazda
Health care workers are fighting the good fight on the front lines right now, putting themselves at risk so that the rest of us don’t get sick. To support them, Mazda has announced that they will change their oil and … Continue reading
NEWS: A retro-styled Nissan 400Z is rumored for 2021
A new report suggests that the seventh-generation Nissan Z is scheduled for an appearance by the end of this year, and that it will boast retro styling. We’ve reported last month on Nissan’s trademark filing of a retro Z logo, … Continue reading
Mazda’s upmarket move will spawn straight-six RWD chassis, provide a beacon of hope to future enthusiasts
It’s next to impossible to get genuinely excited about a new car these days, but if there’s one that gets our loins burning, it is the next Mazda 6. That’s because it will ride on an all-new FR platform and … Continue reading
Mazda 100th Anniversary Edition models include a nod to the R360 Coupé
Mazda is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, and they are marking the milestone with a series of 100th Anniversary Special Edition cars. Announced this morning in Japan, the lineup draws inspiration from Mazda’s very first passenger car, thee 1960 … Continue reading
Toyota revives the Black Limited 86
At the Tokyo Auto Salon in January, Toyota unveiled a close-to-production concept of a special edition 86 called the Black Limited. A throwback to one of the most desirable AE86 special editions of all time, it seemed to signal an … Continue reading
Toyota closes museums, Megaweb, for coronavirus
COVID-19 is no laughing matter, but sometimes the jokes write themselves. Toyota has closed several of its facilities in Japan, including the Toyota Automobile Museum and Megaweb showroom, due to the coronavirus.
Mazda brings back the 93LE Miata’s black and red for a limited Eunos Edition ND
The Mazda MX-5 Miata has had many, many limited and special editions, but one of the most beloved is the 93LE. As the enthusiast-coined name implies, it came out in 1993 (1992 for Japan) and wore a distinctive black-with-red-interior color … Continue reading
Honda wants to know which parts S2000 owners need
For the 20th anniversary of the S2000 Honda has created exclusive parts to make essentially a “third facelift” version, but it’s also going one step further. As with the NSX and Beat, Honda is creating a parts catalog of hard-to-find … Continue reading
Honda is selling new parts for the S2000’s 20th anniversary
In honor of the S2000’s 20th anniversary, Honda is selling all-new parts designed for its popular roadster. Based on the S2000 20th Anniversary prototype unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda is technically calling this a MMC, or minor model … Continue reading
Toyota won’t bring the GR Yaris to the US, but will deliver another hot hatch
Toyota USA is adamant that the bonkers GR Yaris won’t be coming to the US. However, even if the car doesn’t, the WRC homologation special’s engine could, according to Toyota’s Bob Carter, executive vice president of sales, in the form … Continue reading
Toyota is already giving the A90 Supra significant updates
Supra sales are not great. Toyota sold just 2,884 of them in 2019, fewer than the number of 86es in same year (3,398). That’s not a good sign for a halo cars like the Supra, whose sales curves usually start … Continue reading
Toyota has ended 51 years of Mark II, Mark X production
On December 23, Toyota held a farewell ceremony for the beloved Mark II and Mark X sedan. The final example, a white Mark X 250G, rolled off the line at Toyota’s second-oldest plant, the Motomachi factory in Aichi Prefecture, as … Continue reading