Category Archives: Next Version
Which Toyota Crown is the real Toyota Crown?
After much consternation and speculation the 16th-generation Crown was launched earlier this month, and to be honest we are still vexed. The Crown Crossover is, to us, such an affront to nearly 70 years of tradition that we can’t stop … Continue reading →
Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki to build 1.0-liter sports car?
Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki are reportedly teaming up to build a 1.0-liter sports car. There hasn’t been a real compact sports car from Japan since the Honda S660, and that was discontinued last year. A one-liter car would exceed kei … Continue reading →
30 years of Type R, 50 years of Civic converge into Honda’s next masterpiece
It’s been 30 years since a tiny red letter “R” appeared on a Championship White Honda. That car was the 1992 NSX Type R, an even more hard core, light weight, and track focused version of Honda’s already brilliant supercar. … Continue reading →
Patent images of Toyota Crown confirm doubts of ultra-loyal sight-unseen buyers
For decades, there has been a particular breed of customer for the Toyota Crown. These buyers were so loyal, dealers could count on them to trade in for each new generation before they had ever laid eyes on the car. … Continue reading →
The Suzuki Lapin LC brings adorable retro style back to kei cars
If you missed your chance to get a Nissan Figaro, the throwback design of the Suzuki Lapin LC is here to save the day. It’s been a while since a Japanese carmaker has produced something in the retro-cute category. With … Continue reading →
The Subaru Impreza joins the ranks of the 6-figure restomods
Precious few cars that get the 6-figure restomod treatment. It’s no coincidence that these homages celebrate the absolute icons of automotive history — the Porsche 911, Jaguar E-Type, or Ferrari Testarossa. Now the Subaru Impreza has been welcomed to the … Continue reading →
FJ40 Land Cruiser-inspired Toyota concept wins a 2022 Car Design Award
Last December, one of the final events at Toyota’s MegaWeb showroom in Tokyo, before the venue closed for good at the end of the year, was the unveiling of 16 concept cars. One of them, an electric SUV called the … Continue reading →
The Toyota GR GT3 has moved into the development stage
The hits just keep on coming from Toyota. After a period of sporty car drought, Toyota is no longer pulling any punches. A revived Supra, second-generation 86, GR Yaris and GR Corolla have all arrived (or will arrive) in quick … Continue reading →
Akio Toyoda’s years-long wish to make Corollas exciting again has come true
The Toyota GR Corolla debuted in Japan today, but the event was perhaps imbued with a different meaning than the US launch. Turns out, it’s the culmination of a years-long effort by company President Akio Toyoda to make the Corolla … Continue reading →
The 2023 Nissan Z recaptures the spirit and purpose of the original Datsun 240Z
In 1969 Nissan forever changed the automotive world when it unleashed the Datsun 240Z. It upset the established performance machine order with a new breed of automobile — the everyday sports car. It offered better handling than muscle cars, more … Continue reading →
Next-gen roundup: Supra gets a stick, Z goes racing, Miata has staying power
Conventional wisdom states that performance and sports cars are a dying breed. But, if we take a closer look at what’s stirring in Japan right now, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, there hasn’t been this much … Continue reading →
Posted in Next Version
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Tagged A90, acura, brz, Civic Type R, fairlady z, GR Corolla, GR86, honda, integra, lexus, mazda, mazda 3, miata, NISMO, nissan, nsx, RZ34, subaru, supra, toyota
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Toyota GR Corolla: Finally, Aichi’s own performance car is here
Toyota has been catching a lot of flak for its partnerships in recent years. first with Subaru to build the 86, and then BMW to build the Supra. But, Toyota in fact did have its own performance car, the GR … Continue reading →
Mazda CX-50: Can American consumers and Jinba Ittai go together?
As far as the US market goes, Mazda has never truly delved into the SUV and truck market. Sure, they rebadged Ford Explorers and Rangers during the tie-up with Ford, but the die-hard Mazdafarian who wanted to park an M-badged … Continue reading →
The Acura Integra returns after a 22-year hiatus
After more than two decades off the books, Acura has revived the Integra name. After a roller coaster of emotions revolving around the name, from the announcement hype to a disappointing concept reveal, we at least now have some concrete … Continue reading →
Let’s talk about the new Acura Integra and how to fix it
With a name like Integra, expectations were bound to be high. But we don’t think Honda knew just how high they would be, especially from enthusiasts who still have an enormous amount of love for the trio of original Integra … Continue reading →
Acura Integra returns for 2023 a reskinned Honda Civic Si
It’s been 20 years since an Integra was sold under the Acura banner (20 years if you want to get technical and exclude the RSX). It’s back for 2023, looking like a reskinned current-generation Civic Si. The good news is, … Continue reading →
Hyundai’s Grandeur Heritage Concept turns an 80s Mitsubishi Debonair into a ritzy retro lounge
Hyundai has just unveiled one of the coolest concept cars we’ve seen in a while, an electric sedan based on its 1986 Grandeur flagship. Don’t check your calendar, it’s not April 1; nor have you stumbled upon Korean Nostalgic Car, … Continue reading →
Posted in Next Version
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Tagged concepts, debonair, Debonair S10, electric car, hyundai, mitsubishi
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15 Comments
Honda S660 extends final production run, for the fans
It’s always good to hear a story about a carmaker doing something for the fans. Honda announced that sad news back in March that production of the S660 roadster would be coming to a close. That led to a spike … Continue reading →
Mazda reveals 990S Roadster, an even lighter ND Miata
God love Mazda. As if the ND Miata wasn’t already one of the purest, lightest sports cars on the road today, in Japan Mazda has just announced an even lighter model. It’s called the Mazda Roadster 990S because it weighs … Continue reading →
The award-winning 1980s Honda Civic Si kicked off modern age of sporting Hondas
On October 24, 1984 Honda launched the original Civic Si in Japan. Based on the third-generation Civic that had debuted a year prior, the car packed an almost inconceivable amount of performance into a small and easily affordable package. It … Continue reading →
