The big news of the day yesterday was a report on Toyota bringing an SUV-ified version of the Crown to the US market. It sounds like an abomination. However, buried deep in the report was a separate item, one that was largely glossed over by the mainstream automotive press, and it shines a ray of hope into our crossover-filled world. Reportedly, the Crown sedan will live on as its own model, alongside the Crown SUV. Continue reading
The Nakagin Capsule Tower, a symbol of Japan’s golden age of innovation, is being demolished
On April 12, demolition of the Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo began. The once-futuristic building was a symbol of Japan’s modernism during its golden age of innovation. The avant-garde concept consisted of 140 detachable apartments that could be removed and replaced without disturbing the other units. It opened on April 5, 1972, the same year that the Kenmeri Skyline, TE27 Corolla Levin, and Honda Civic hit the streets. The Nakagin Capsule Tower just celebrated its 50th anniversary a few weeks ago; now it’s being dismantled. Continue reading
Speed Racer celebrates 55th anniversary with 24-karat gold Mach 5
The seminal Japanese racing cartoon Speed Racer debuted in 1967 and became a bona fide worldwide hit. It didn’t just influence a generation of gearheads, but it was one of the earliest examples of anime introduced outside of Japan. This year marks the 55th anniversary of Speed Racer, and to commemorate the occasion the production company has licensed a 24-karat gold model of the star car, the Mach 5, that costs ¥5,500,000 ($44,000 USD). Continue reading
The 4×4 Engineering Bradley V returns for the wheel’s 40th anniversary
We’re sure most readers here are familiar with Japan’s most famous racing wheels from the likes of Rays, SSR, Work, Enkei, RS-Watanabe, and so on. On the off-road side of things, however, there’s another iconic wheel that is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the 4×4 Engineering Bradley, a series that has appeared on Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Isuzu SUVs as optional equipment and that has been forged in the crucible of motorsports, adorning multiple Paris-Dakar and other rally competitors. Continue reading
Posted in wheels
Tagged Bighorn, Bradley, isuzu, land cruiser, mitsubishi, nissan, pajero mini, Paris-Dakar Rally, pathfinder, terrano, toyota, Trooper, wheels
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QotW: How do you listen to audio content in your car?
Today, April 11, is National 8-Track Day. The short-lived audio format (so short-lived we apparently don’t even have a photo of one) was once the latest and greatest way to pump tunes out of your car. Nowadays, with most audio content on digital formats — most of us don’t even own 8-tracks, cassette tapes, or CDs any more — that older cars could’ve never predicted, how do you listen to your music (or streaming or podcasts or whatever) while driving?
How do you listen to audio content in your car?
The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite 4×4 vehicle?” Continue reading
Happy Tire Day from JNC
Did you have a good Tire Gauge Day yesterday? We hope so, because today is the official Tire Day in Japan. Tire Day was started by the Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers’ Association to promote tire safety. April 8 was chosen because the entire month is devoted to traffic safety awareness and spring is a tisme when people start shaking off those winter doldrums and start driving more. Also the number “8” looks like two wheels balanced on top of each other. Continue reading
Happy Tire Gauge Day from JNC
Today, April 7, is National Tire Gauge Day in Japan. It serves as a reminder to not only check your tire pressure but your tire pressure gauge as well, as over time its accuracy can diminish from use. This year marks the 15th anniversary of Tire Gauge Day, which was established by Asahi Sangyo, a company that makes — you guessed it — tire gauges. Continue reading
Posted in Holidays
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Honda Prelude SiR now at bottom of ocean, thanks to Felicity Ace disaster
Earlier this year the Felicity Ace, an auto transport ship with thousands of cars on board was lost after a fire broke out. The majority were brand new models from the Volkswagen Group and its brands, but a new report out shows there was a lone Japanese car on the manifest, a JDM 1996 Honda Prelude SiR. Sadly, it was en route to the US and its new owner, who had purchased it sight unseen. Its carcass now sits at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Continue reading
A Datsun 510 having 44 years of dirt washed off is extremely satisfying
What does nearly half a century of grime look like? In New York, detailers unearthed a 1970 Datsun 510 that had been sitting for 44 years. It was purchased new in Long Island, driven for just seven years, then parked in 1977. Its current owner bought it in 2016 but had several other projects and only recently decided to clean it up. He took it to Ammo NYC, a maker of car care products, to see what they could do with the paint. Continue reading
QotW: What’s your favorite 4×4 vehicle?
Today, April 4, is 4×4 Day in Japan because, you know, 4/4. The “holiday” was started by Mercedes-Benz of Japan as a marketing exercise in 2016 to promote the G-Wagen. Funnily enough, it doesn’t appear to be a thing even in Germany, which clearly doesn’t love number puns as much as Japan (the Japanese word for “four” is shi, and so it is also officially C.C. Lemon Day). In any case, today seemed like the perfect time to ask:
What’s your favorite 4×4 vehicle?
The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Can Mitsubishi Motors be saved?“. Continue reading
Japanese radio announcer assaulted by Mitsubishi engineer at Hall of Fame ceremony
According to reports from Japanese media, a shocking and uncharacteristically rowdy scene unfolded at a automotive industry event in Tokyo last night. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Japan Organization of Kuruma Engineers (kuruma is Japanese for “car”) was supposed to a jovial occasion, but the festivities ended with a Mitsubishi engineer assaulting a minor celebrity. Continue reading
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 Yaris, rudely dangled before us from afar. We’ve watched with envy as our friends in Japan and Europe enjoyed Toyota’s WRC-homologation special. Now it, or a version of it, is at last coming to US shores in the form of the Toyota GR Corolla. Continue reading
ASIMO is retiring: A history of Honda’s groundbreaking robots
On March 31, 2022 Honda’s ASIMO robot is cleaning out its desk, turning in its badge, and collecting that gold watch on its way out the door. ASIMO is going to retire. After 22 years of delighting children, advancing technology, and holding a mirror up to our own humanity, Honda’s little droid will cease public appearances. While one can argue that it’s simply an oddball gimmick going away, ASIMO is more than just a company flaunting is tech. Honda did something even the top robotics researchers in the world couldn’t achieve, and it became a de facto mascot for the brand. Continue reading
Japan bids farewell to the Highway Telephone
On March 31, 2022 another facet of Japanese automotive life is disappearing. The NEXCO Highway Telephone, a mainstay of the Heisei Era, will end service. Offered by the Nippon Expressway Company, which runs Japan’s highway system, the Highway Telephone is exactly as it sounds. Drivers could dial in for region-specific 24-hour traffic updates and quickest routes like a non-visual, voice-operated Google Maps. Continue reading
Daihatsu Charade: the “Little Giant Killer” of the Safari Rally
Quick, think of a Japanese car that has won the Safari Rally. A Daihatsu Charade is probably not the the first thing that pops into mind. The 3-cylinder compact is most remembered in the States as the car that spearheaded Daihatsu’s ill-fated attempt to break into the US market, an attempt that lasted only five years and surely broke some kind of record as shortest-lived marque in America. However, for years Daihatsu sent the humble hatchback to run the grueling multi-day rally, even earning the name “Little Giant Killer”. 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 adventure wagon beside their Miata had to look elsewhere. The Mazda CX-50 tries to answer that call, and is what happens when the demands of American buyers butt up against a philosophy of “horse and rider as one.” Continue reading
QotW: Can Mitsubishi Motors be saved?
We were dismayed last week to learn of the recent fate of Mitsubishi’s Pajero factory. In a turn that was almost near-perfect in its poetic tragedy, the once hallowed birthplace of the mighty Paris-Dakar champions was sold off to a toilet paper manufacturer. That comes after a string of other sadnesses, like the shuttering of its UK arm and the auctioning off of its entire heritage collection there, the ending of Mitsubishi Owners Day because its headquarters are effectively becoming a Nissan satellite office, and the fact that the most exciting Mitsubishi concept in years was actually a Hyundai. However, there are signs that not all hope is lost. There have been hints that the company wants to revive some of its former glory and it has restarted activities under the Ralliart brand. It’s going to be a long road, but:
Can Mitsubishi Motors be saved?
The best comment by next Monday will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Who’s your favorite race car driver?“. Continue reading
Sorry, Mercedes, Nissan had road surface sensing 30 years before you on a Maxima
We typically don’t review cars like the Mercedes S65 AMG, so it only recently came to our attention that when it debuted in 2014, the Benz flagship boasted about having the world’s first surface-sensing suspension. The only problem with that claim is that Nissan actually came out with it nearly 30 years earlier. Continue reading
Mitsubishi Ralliart gives Hiroshi Masuoka gets another shot at rallying glory
Mitsubishi has announced a new rally machine, the first to fly the Ralliart banner in over a decade. The not-available-in-the-US pickup will participate in the 2022 Asia Cross Country Rally later this year. The FIA-sanctioned contest isn’t well known outside Thailand, but that country is one of the few markets in which Mitsubishi remains a modestly successful and somewhat popular brand. Continue reading
Mazda RWD sedan’s future less certain, but there’s no dead body yet
A statement by a Mazda exec has left many hopefuls in doubt about their rear-wheel-drive, inline-six sedan. In fact, it has caused many outlets to proclaimed that the car is definitively dead, or just a rumor that never had any any legs to begin with. However, if you really break down the statement it doesn’t seem so conclusive. Continue reading
