Category Archives: News
NEWS: The Nissan Titan Surfcamp concept was inspired by the Hot Wheels JNC Surf Patrol Datsun wagon
To celebrate summer Nissan has created a show truck called the Titan Surfcamp, modded to the nines and described a “beach oasis.” Nissan says it was inspired by the beach trucks of the 1960s and 1970s, old Patrols, and — get … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota launches GR Sport 86
The first true sports car since Toyota’s launch of its Gazoo Racing performance sub-brand goes on sale in Japan today. The GR Sport 86 is based of the Toyota 86 (née Scion FR-S, aka Subaru BRZ) but features a series of mild upgrades. And before … Continue reading
NEWS: Daihatsu debuts retro-styled Mira Tocot kei car
Daihatsu says that its Mira Tocot is designed for women, but we kind of want one. The styling is appealingly somewhat retro, and reminds of the Nissan Pao. It has the same utilitarian look and comes in cool throwback colors, and as most kei … Continue reading
NEWS: Get ready to VIP because the third-generation Toyota Century goes on sale today
For decades, it has been the preferred chariot of high-ranking government officials, captains of industry, and bosses in some of the shadier corners of Japanese society. The essence of the Toyota Century is tradition, and as evidence the latest redesign is only … Continue reading
Proposed import tariffs could make your next JNC or their parts a lot more expensive
If you’ve been following the news, you may have heard about President Trump proposing a 25 percent tariff on imported cars and their parts. So far, much of the discussion has focused on new cars but in reality, the proposed rules would affect … Continue reading
NEWS: Power to the people — Mazda confirms 181-horsepower Miata for US
Last week Japanese media confirmed that Mazda was giving the 2019 Miata a significant power bump from 155 to 181 horsepower, and raising the redline from 6,850 to 7,500 rpm. Now Mazda North America has confirmed that the more powerful version of the world’s most affordable … Continue reading
NEWS: First official images of 4th-gen Suzuki Jimny released
Suzuki has finally released official images of the fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny, the first update to the mini-SUV in 20 years. They confirm much of what we’ve already seen from spy shots, that the trucklet sports charmingly retro design and real off-roader … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota confirms production of 986-horsepower supercar
Toyota has confirmed that the 986-horsepower (1,000 DIN hp) Gazoo Racing Super Sport Concept will enter production. At a press conference ahead of the 86th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Gazoo Racing president Shigeki Tomoyama revealed that development has already … Continue reading
NEWS: It’s probably not a good idea to speed in Japan anymore
A Nissan GT-R patrol car is now on duty in Japan. At a ceremony today, the country’s fastest pursuit vehicle was donated by Nissan to the Tochigi Prefectural police department. The gift marked 50 years of operations of Nissan’s Kaminokawa, Tochigi factory, … Continue reading
NEWS: Mazda Miata gets major horsepower increase, high-revving redline
Mazda is about to give the MX-5 Miata a significant bump in horsepower, and a screaming redline to go with it. The move to increase output from the current 155 horsepower to a reported 181, all the while pushing the redline to … Continue reading
NEWS: Retro fourth-gen Suzuki Jimny leaked ahead of July debut
Though it has been on the market for nearly 50 years, the stalwart Suzuki Jimny has had only three complete generational changes. The fourth generation of the kei SUV debuts this July, but renderings based on leaked information in Japan’s Best … Continue reading
NEWS: Mazda celebrates production of 50 millionth car
On May 15, Mazda reached a production milestone. The Hiroshima-based company has built 50 million cars since it began making its first road vehicles in October 1931. A small ceremony was held at the Hofu plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
NEWS: New license plates reflect 41 regions of Japan
For nearly 70 years, the simple green-on-white number plate has been the default vehicle registration identifier for passenger cars throughout Japan. That’s all about to change, because on May 22 the Japanese government unveiled 41 new license plate designs, each … Continue reading
NEWS: Mitsubishi may bring back the Lancer as a crossover
Rumor on the street has it that Mitsubishi is bringing back the Lancer, a name used on its compact sedan for over 40 years, as a crossover. The idea is perhaps not as egregious as the Eclipse Cross, as the Lancer did famously have … Continue reading
NEWS: Toyota launches bare-bones Land Cruiser
As lovers of nostalgic cars, a common gripe is that modern machines have too many bells and whistles, too many electronic nannies that stand between you and the driving experience. As it turns out, Toyota has heard your sad cries and just released … Continue reading
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Tagged J150, land cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado, lexus, Lexus GX, toyota, trucks
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NEWS: Leaked Mazda document reveals 181 horsepower for 2019 MX-5
A document disclosing mid-generational changes to the Mazda MX-5 has leaked. The paper reveals a fairly significant bump to 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, up from the current 155 horses and 148 lb-ft. Here’s the details on how they squeezed more juice … Continue reading
NEWS: Mazda completes restoration of a 1969 Luce Rotary Coupé
Over three years ago, Mazda began restoring some of its landmark vehicles, starting with a 1967 Cosmo Sport. The Restore Program was geared in part towards passing down Mazda’s philosophy and spirit to the next generation of craftsmen and engineers, … Continue reading
NEWS: The 2019 Corolla will come in manual and hatchback
A year ago Toyota got our hopes up for a hot Yaris GRMN, but Toyota cruelly dashed them by not offering it in America. I cried myself to sleep for days while listening to Enya alone in my room. As Americans that loves hatchbacks, … Continue reading
NEWS: JDM Legends TV show premieres April 17
Well here’s some very exciting news. JDM Legends is a new show that will debut on Velocity Channel on April 17. As the name implies, it follows the Salt Lake City-based shop of the same name. Finally, a TV show, in … Continue reading
