Tuning Like It’s 1999

Think about this: In 2006 we lived in a world where there was no current model Nissan Skyline GT-R, no current Honda NSX, and no current Toyota Supra.

Moral was low, and in our desperation we sought out and bought into every last rumor that automotive publications and the odd blog were throwing around at the time. We lived in hope and anticipation, deep down wondering if the holy grail trio of JDM sports cars could indeed be reincarnated, and most importantly, without any original spirit loss. Fast forward 13 years, and 2019 is the first year since that the GT-R, the NSX and the Supra are all current models and available to buy new.

But are these true successors or just iconic names resurrected as marketing exercises?

SEMA 2019 proved to be the perfect place to ask this question – the biggest aftermarket show of the year was inundated with A90 Supras. And like colorful selections at a cocktail bar, each had its own distinct flavor.

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Then there’s the NSX. With us for a few years now, it’s Honda’s pinnacle, the reinterpretation of a recognized legend, but with none of the identifying aspects that made the original so loved in the ’90s and even more revered today.

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From the Nissan corner, we have the R35 GT-R. This is the car that we always knew was going to come, as the 2001 ‘GT-R Proto’ was teased a whole year before production of the BNR34 Skyline GT-R ended.

It’s also a car that I drove for the first time at Nissan’s Hokkaido test facility in August 2007, and was told that it would be impossible to modify. In 2019 – 12 years after its debut – the R35 GT-R is possibly the most modifiable and modified car on the planet.

Oh, and make sure you aren’t caught at SEMA without over-fenders.

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But how does this trio stack up? Let’s start with the A90 Supra…

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For as long as Toyota worked on the car’s development and teased us with prototypes, the internet has been ablaze with opinions. We’ve heard them all, from the link up with BMW to the fact that the car is smaller, and also the design – you name it.

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Realistically, Toyota’s bean counters were never going to sign off on the substantial investment needed to design and develop an all-new straight-six engine along the lines of a 3JZ.

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For a low-volume (for Toyota especially) sports car, using a tried and tested technologies from another manufacturer was the only approach that would actually net a production car.

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BMW’s DNA is very much present in the car – more so than present actually, as it feels, sounds and even smells like one. This is something you may remember me talking about when I had the chance to take Orido’s car for a ride around Gunsai Cycle Track.

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My opinion still stands though – this is the only sort of Supra we were ever going to get in 2019, and I’d rather have this than nothing at all. Plus, it seems as though the B58 is a great platform for tuning.

In my mind, however, a Toyota version of the Lexus LC F would have been better option for a new Supra, but I’m sure there would have been plenty of critics of something like that, too.

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Right, so the Honda NSX.

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I’m going to keep my opinion very closely related to the experience I’ve had with this new-gen, AWD, twin-turbo, hybrid concoction. I’ve only driven one very briefly, and that was the slammed-to-the ground Liberty Walk demo car.

Much like the Supra, I’m personally very happy the NSX still exists, but at the same time I’m also very sure that Honda have completely and totally missed the point of a car like this. The price is a problem too, something they’ve tried to fix multiple times.

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I don’t care about the forced induction, the hybrid drivetrain, the AWD, the paddle shifters – if a base NSX needs to exist in this guise, so be it. But for the love of all that is holy, Honda, give us a stripped-out Type R version that does away with the hybrid system, the driven front wheels, and possibly the turbos and dual-clutch gearbox as well.

The result would be what a true successor to the NSX should be – a range-topper, stripped of all the tech that we are told is needed in 2019 to make a car the best it can be. After all, back in the day the NSX was also offered with an automatic transmission and a lush leather cabin. But there was always the red-blooded ‘R’ for those that wanted it.

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GT-R time.

The brief at Nissan in the early 2000s was to make whatever would replace the BNR34 the fastest and most lethal supercar-slayer available. It also needed to be affordable and easy enough to drive that anyone could get behind the wheel. Nissan definitely achieved this goal, but to do so the next-gen GT-R was so big and heavy that it required a large capacity twin-turbo V6, and it absolutely needed a twin-clutch for future-proofing.

I don’t think even Nissan knew back then that 12 years after the R35 GT-R’s debut the model would still be on sale, let alone still relevant within the current crop of performance cars. It’s quite incredible.

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It also turned out to be the perfect canvas for modifications, just as the entire RB26 generation of the GT-R was. In fact, even more so, with the drag racing world pushing the R35’s VR38 engine to heights that nobody believed possible 10 years ago.

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Do we miss the more analogue nature and manual transmissions the BNR32, BCNR33 and BNR34 all had in their heyday? Of course we do, but at the same time it makes me laugh that back in the day these cars were referred to by the international media as technological tour de forces, and cars for the PlayStation generation. Yet here we are now, looking at them like some archaic, hard-to-drive monsters from the past.

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And if we take it even further back to the very first generations of the Skyline GT-R, those cars were naturally aspirated and rear-wheel drive, highlighting that as we move from generation to generation it’s OK to up the ante and keep up with the times. Resisting evolution is futile – as long as a recognizable character is still present, we can’t knock the effort to keep icons alive.

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But now I hand the debate over to you. What are your thoughts on this? Who wins out of this trio, and do you agree that despite opinions we should all be very happy that for the first time in 17 years you can now go out and buy yourself a current GT-R, NSX and Supra?

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: speedhunters_dino
dino@speedhunters.com

Photos by Mark Riccioni
Instagram: mark_scenemedia
mark@speedhunters.com

The SEMA Show on Speedhunters

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1

That's what disappoints me about Toyota. Financially they are capable of going with a new engine. Hell, they could have used the Turbo V6 in the Lexus LS and tune it. But because of that I can't in good conscience call that car a Supra. Honda and Nissan both created new power plants for their flagship cars. And I am almost certain Toyota has more money than those other 2 companies. While the BMW powerplant can make power, it is no iron block JZ.

2

Perhaps we should all appreciate the fact that a company with a business plan of making large volume cars with small profit margins decided to bring back a vehicle for enthusiasts. This kind of platform or vehicle type is not suitable for their business plan nor it is suitable for their infrastructure. The fact that probably a few enthusiasts within the company found a way of making it happen is incredible. The big Japanese manufacturers are not premium car brands that can cater to niche markets (such as sports cars) like the German manufacturers that build and profit from high quality/high profit margin luxury cars.

3

“The big Japanese manufacturers are not premium car brands that can cater to niche markets”

Honda nsx built by Honda with a new powertrain, new chassis, and interior from honda.

Nissan GT-R built by Nissan with a new chassis, new powertrain and interior from Nissan.

Toyota: one of the highest selling companies in the world in the automotive industry builds a marketing exercise with an iconic name. They definitely could have built the car but it’s a lot easier to use somebody else’s technology and put your name on it(subaru, Yamaha, bmw). This could still be a great car but it’s not originally Toyota. I would much rather fail in originality than succeed in imitation.

4

Agreed!

Especially not for their halo model, guess it's fine if it were the 86, Celica or MR2.

Wouldn't have faired better if they cross-shared the LC or RC... which isn't all that profitable to begin with.

5

Exactly
I have always been a Supra Mk4 fanboy but I'm happy that Toyota is able to make a new Supra with BMW
It is recreating the magic that made the Supra such an amazing car

Author6
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I think what we should keep in mind is that Toyota in no way needed to make the Supra. Or the 86 for that matter. However unlike a few Japanese manufacturers they understand how important having halo cars for the brand is. Incredibly so. Do you think the Toyota brand would be in conversations around the internet if they didn't make these cars? Oh wow look at the new hybrid corolla or prius? Yeah, no! lol

7
thathellastockusdm3rdgenyaris@instagram

Enthusaists: Wants a car like the supra

Toyota: Makes Supra revival RWD inline 6 and joint partnership with BMW.

Fanboys and Car community: THE OLD SUPRA IS BETTER REEEEEEEEE. WE DONT WANT THIS.

Toyota: Insert Am I Joke To You Meme.

8

Them: Who would buy this knock-off made by BMW? I bet a lot of people would rather buy and modify a MKIV Supra than buying this worse-looking, no-aftermarket potential piece of garbage!!

SEMA 2019: Explain.

9

Looking at your remarks about the Type-R it looks like GM build the new NSX with the C8.
Way closer to the original NSX then anything else.

Author10
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Sooooooo true! That's the first think I though when I saw the C8. Mind you Chevy got it so much more right than Honda! lol total win even if the cars are delayed now

11
thathellastockusdm3rdgenyaris@instagram

The Tuning Scene is back in full swing, with the revival of the supra, the 90s tuner scene is back baby! Achtung Baby!

-Tofu

Author12
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Hell yes, some positivity! :D

13

Only lack of RX-7 (or its succesor, finger cross).. and then the big four is back again

14

I agree, waiting for a new fd3s throwback, and also a datsun thats not the 370z

15

OH MY GOD YES, thats what I was gonna say. Supra, GT86, NSX, R35, that's all cool but damn I miss the RX7 :(

16

Let's hope Mazda will realize the rotary concept, and didn't let that car to become another concept or even electric/hybrid. No offense, but i think this is the final time Mazda can make rotary sport car without being a hybrid or electric. From there, will be electric all the way

Author17
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Mazda...how disappointed I was at the Tokyo Motor Show when I went to the Mazda booth and all I found was an electric SUV. Not to knock them too much, I think they are doing great with their design and standing out with well priced and unique products. But boy do they need to get on top of this RX-9 thing and make it happen!

18

And the clock is ticking to meet incoming emissions standards! Honestly if it hasn't happened by this point it's not going to.

19

I'm happy that there are still cars like the Civic Type R, NSX, Veloster N, Miata, GT86, and of course the GR Supra
Sure it's not the 90s anymore but it's good that we still have driver's cars

20

Definitely loving the '90s throwback here especially with the Supra

21

I think the comment that Honda, "... have completely and totally missed the point of a car like this..." is somewhat silly, Dino. The first NSX was a culmination of Honda´s engineering expertise (e.g. the all-aluminium semi-monocoque was brand new for them, wasn´t it ?) and designed to undercut cars like the Ferrari 348.
I think, that Honda has stayed very true, to what the initials of the NSX badge stand for : "New", "Sportscar" "eXperimental". And that, shouldn´t be a car as you stated: "...stripped of all the tech...". (an S2000 successor perhaps would fit that mold)
Honda once again, built a car that is equipped with the latest technology it has to offer, and the result is a wonderful performance hybrid sportscar, that is somewhat cheaper than the e.g. italians or germans but still put up an incredibly performance.
Some motor journalist stated, (forgot who it was) that the NSX reminded him of a "baby Porsche 918 Spyder", which is awesome if you look at the current prize for one 918. I would like for you to give an unmodified version a proper test and tell us what you think after you´ve driven one for a week or so

kind regards

Author22
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I don't agree. The original car was an honest, simple - extremely well engineered - RWD car. At the same time Nissan was bolting turbos to their engines, doing torque-splitting AWD drivetrains and throwing in rear steering (Porsche probably thinks it invented this) for good measure. That in my book would equate, as you put it, into a "culmination of ________'s engineering." Honda on the other hand proved that simplicity and lightness was the key. The NSX now seems to have the kitchen sink thrown at it, it's got everything that's possibly usable in a modern day sports car for the simple reason that they assumed they could play with the big boys. They straight out lost vision. All they had to do was create a great driver's car and they would have won. That's what the NSX was in the nineties. That's what anything with an NSX badge on it should be, to me at least.

23

Toyota partnered with subaru to make the new 86 and no one complains but they partner with BMW and everyone complains. What's the difference?

Author24
Dino Dalle Carbonare

That they own Subaru? lol

25

Manual trans, the car is actually light weight, still Japanese and not overpriced over engineered German crap. Nobody wanted a BMW Z4, they wanted a Supra, idk how this is so hard for you people to understand. They should have just used a different name entirely

26

I dont know how hard it is for YOU people to understand. Toyota did what they HAD to do to produce a new supra. Had they not partnered with bmw the car WOULDNT EXIST. It only exists because of what it is, and that is better than nothing at all.

27

Manual transmission

28
Ex-Ninja Turtle/current MMA trainer

The carbon widebody New NSX looks good...even though it shouldn't. LOL
Too bad Honda didn't bother to get design insights from the unwashed masses of their fanbase.

Oh well...

29

awesome the new cars are for our day and age , the older ones will always stay iconic. those years proves that the shape and styling will always change as the years progress... but on a serious note the silver nsx !!!! like wtf crazy!!!!!!!!!! huge fan of the r35 design and the tech, as well as the honda nsx, only time would tell about the a90 tech and design in the months to come , as styling have certainly taken first place so far ..

30

I think it's great that manufactures have tried to reignite the flame with these offerings, however, they could not be more set up to miss the mark than they are in today's world. In 2019, they are forced to comply with the toughest safety requirements and emissions standards ever placed on them... yet, still attempted to produce an enjoyable car that lives up to the classic legends. Its nearly impossible. Not only that, but back in the 80's and 90's there was a much higher demand for these vs. the demand today (i.e. new Ford EV Mustang-SUV anyone?). If Toyota wanted to solely build the Supra they would have had to retool an entire production line, supply chain and engine factory in order to do it. It would have cost more than the accumulative profit generated from sale of the car.

Sadly, it will most likely be the last time that we see all of these cars for sale as "new". It is actually a better investment to purchase the actual 90's classics and hang on to them, as the value is already climbing and it will only go higher the more rare they get.

Author31
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Ok you have a point, so why do the Germans never seem to have an issue to time and time again bring more and more powerful cars to the table? Emissions are tougher to pass in Europe than anywhere else.

32

None of the 3 new cars look good, and most of the modified versions pictured here look even worse!

Not a fan overall of the old NSX due to their tame performance and engine orientation being plain wrong, but they do look great. The old Supra was a curvy blob, and the R34 had a shape that seemed to be based on a refrigerator.
We need cars like the 240SX, Impreza 2.5RS coupe, and E36 M3 again.

33

So if none of the three new cars look good, and none of their predecessors looked good either (apparently), what DO you like?

Equivalents to the 240SX, Impreza 2.5RS and E36 M3 are still around, just not from the same manufacturers this time - think Toyota 86 (or the four-cylinder A90 Supra), Audi S3 sedan, and BMW M2. They might not be the same aspiration, or have exactly the same number of doors, but the spirit and ethos are there.

34

I'm on the bandwagon that believes it's the lack of true manual trans, with three pedals, that leads us to objecting to everything else about the Supra and the NSX. I'm sure both Toyota and Honda will say we are living in the past, and I think the only way for them to see our counterpoint is for an aftermarket vendor to make a *KILLING* selling manual conversions for either. That's my great hope for the Supra, anyway. What I question about the NSX is just how good its handling would be without its endless electronic nannies. I do hope we get to find out at some point.

35

The nax started out as a reliable, competitive and easy way to go fast, even for novices. We took away the hard corners and piled on the tech to accomplish that with the new nsx and delivered in spectacular fashion, anyone whose driven a non fubar version on a back road, race track or even drag strip can tell it's still the everyday supercar, the Vette is a nice try, until it's cold, rains, snows and you go spinning off into the abyss.

36

Dino, I absolutely agree that we should be happy that there are so many great performance car options available today, and even more so that some of the storied names of years gone by have been resurrected. I would go so far as to say that the ethos behind each car has been preserved with the new models as well, or bettered - the R35 GT-R is still a comparatively cheap giant-killer punching way above its weight; the NSX is a technological showcase that breaks new ground for Honda and shows what they're really capable of; and the A90 Supra, frankly, is better now than it was before. It's a smaller, more focused, more accomplished version of what used to be Japan's muscle car.

The one thing I'm worried about is that the rusted-on Japanese car enthusiasts are starting to sound exactly like their forebears who idolise the golden era of American V8 muscle. You know what I'm talking about - the people stuck in the past, who refuse to accept anything different to what they viewed as the performance benchmark when they grew up. In a world with all of the models you've mentioned above, plus the current model Subaru WRX and WRX STi, Audi S3 and RS3, Golf GTI and R, BMW M140i, M240i and M2, Toyota 86, Infiniti Q60S and Q50S (or the V37 Skyline if you're so inclined), Kia Stinger, Honda Civic Type R, Ford Focus RS, Hyundai i30 N, Renaultsport Megane, and a few more I'm sure I've forgotten... we have more choice now than we have in a long time. It might be from different quarters than we're used to, but that doesn't mean it's bad. All we're waiting for now is Mazda to come out with something road-legal from their RX-Vision and Coupe Vision concepts...

Author37
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Totally with you on that, and I may at times be that guy that idolizes the nineties. New cars are awesome and they are so much better in so many ways than what came before. However, that said, my lightly modified R34 GT-R which is now 20 years old still has no problem keeping up with far more modern and faaaaar more expensive new cars that are out now.... It's a dilemma, which camp do you stay in? I think the best approach is enjoy new cars, but never get rid of the older passions you have. Best of both worlds

38

Too bad they're all fugly. The classic lines of the first iterations of these iconic cars can't be beaten.

39

I won't get into the A90 and the BMW tie. I will however agree that the LCF would have been a perfect platform to build the A90 on and it would have been 100% Toyota blood. Even looking at the side profile, it's already very close to that A80 profile we all love. I think it's the BMW tie that has people up in arms. It's growing on me, but I will never like the interior. it screams BMW, especially with the butt plug they call a gear selector. I would have liked to see a little more Toyota DNA in the interior.

My question about ALL of these new era icons, is...are the really icons? 20 years later, are we still going to be drooling over these. The fact that you can walk SEMA and you still find A80, old school NSX's and GTRs should tell you how much impact these cars had on our lives. Production may have long stopped, but the love never did. Will there be a day where these new era icons won't work. The fact that the cars are 90% software should hint at that. Your own electronics won't even hold up that long.

Don't get me wrong, I love everything motorsports. It's an art, a culture, and a lifestyle. But do you think that manufacturers are missing the mark a little? In recent years, I would say that the partnership with Toyota and Subaru on the BRZ/FRS/GT86 was exactly what the scene needed. A fun bear-bones car with endless possibilities. This is what's missing from the scene as a whole. We need more of these fun out of the box cars that us mere mortals can afford. I will never be able to afford an NSX, GTR, or Supra. So that leaves me with trying to find an old car that isn't rotten.

Author40
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yes I think so. In 20 years we will be in a full EV world. These will all be legends.

41

That's a very good point, Dino!

42

"For the first time in 17 years you can now go out and buy yourself a current GT-R, NSX and Supra."

Dino, I would have to mortgage my house to be able to afford a used one of any of these in Australia. It's awesome that they're available, but the prices are ridiculous here.

Author43
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Aren't housing prices in Australia the same?

44

Only in the big cities. I live out in the rural areas, where houses are actually affordable.

45

That hako on the last pic is not japanese its Filipino

Author46
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Uh?

47

I meant it has Philippine plates :) The nostalgia of 99 brings back a lot of automotive memories.

48

I totally Agree, having this 3 in the Market for Brand new is a very big deal in our Car Culture. it might not be that big of a deal but also having the MX5 , GT86 are fun to drive RWD people can actually buy. Nissan Give us a New silvia.

49

New Silvia would be the best but it seems Nissan is content to only unveil new econoboxes and crossovers until they go out of business or get as irrelevant as Mitsubishi

50

Not that I wasn't thinking it but seeing "as irrelevant as Mitsubishi" in print twisted the dagger just that much deeper... a current 3000GT VR4 would be nice but oh well...

Author51
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Agree. If Nissan did a new Silvia it would win.

52

Who wins out of this trio, you ask Dino? You just wanted to hear someone tell you the answer. Slaying supercars for over 30 years and still going strong - The modern Nissan GTR. Enough said.
But nice to see the gang getting back together. Now just to fill the remaining gaps...

Author53
Dino Dalle Carbonare

We share the same opinion :)

54

The wheels on the yellow Supra and on the red silver to black Supra mkIV..
What are they?

55

Wow. says so, right on the windshield...

König

56

I'll keep my FD3S, thanks

57

I'm holding on to mine too. Every car I've driven or owned after it just seems like I'm comparing to the fun I've had with it.

Author58
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Make sure you do!

59

OH man.... 2006. Year after graduating high-school.... worked as a lot tech at a Subaru dealership in Bozeman MT. Got to bomb up/down two-lane twisties to deliver STI's to local ski resorts (the dealership put them up on display during busy weekends). I built/drove the only SR-swapped 240sx in the region. Shoot even JOLOPNIK was relevant at that point.

That being said, I hear you Dino. Current days are much like the ones I yearned for during 2006-ish. However, I can't help but see this as the swan-song of the ICE and the general relevance of the traditional tuner movement born in the nineties and perpetuated across the globe by F&F. Are we going to band together to fight for the right to enjoy these cars on public roads in the years to come? Remember that a big reason SEMA exists is to advocate for fair laws regarding automotive enthusiasts, are we (the import generation) going to adopt control of SEMA in order to lobby for continued protection in driving the cars we love or are we going to start something new? Now is the time to start organizing, if we wait (and continue to shoot ourselves in the foot) we will look up only to find we can no longer drive these cars on public roads.

Let's enjoy this moment of time, but lets also be mindful of tomorrow.

60

Did people just give up on the Civic Type-R? I thought that would be a popular platform, more-so than the aging R35.

Author61
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I have issues looking at the car. The point of this story was to focus on the pinnacles of each brands, the big hitters if you will

62
ea lamatan- #PrayForKyoAni

that license plate on that HakoSuka

63

TBH honest I don't like the fact that the Supra doesn't have a new jz engine but I'm over the moon that we have a new Supra and I'm glad tuners are coming around to the BMW engine to make things easier for us normal folk to tinker with it and let's be honest (mk4 Supra prices are going up ) . NSX wise ive never really been a fan I just love Honda engines (vtec matters!!!!) But I do think if they want to pay homage to the NSX they should have a mean balls to the wall edition every carmaker does it now anyway (Porsche "gt3" Mercedes (gtr) BMW "m4 gts" Nissan "gtr nismo" even if they don't call it the type r. On the GTR front I love the R35 love the engine love how quick it is and prices will go down so the day will come where you can get one for reasonable money .
I just hope Mazda would come to the fray with something exciting it does need to have a rotary in my opinion cause guys will rotary swap it anyway (daigo Supra 2jz swap)

All I'm trying to say is I'm happy we have new toys to play with . They may not be perfect as compared to their predecessors but times have changed too. As long as the platform is physically there then car enthusiasts will find new or old ways to put a spin on it

64

Doesn't*

65

Yet here we are now, looking at them like some archaic, hard-to-drive monsters from the past.



This pretty much sums up the current state of enthusiast cars and life in general, which is an unfortunate and very real distillation of the societal tides in which we swim. We are in the age of ever-increasing connectivity, and subsequently, ever-increasing instant gratification. Great, what does that have to do with tuner cars?

Contextually, difficulty and struggle have significantly changed in both meaning and value. I think of eager trips to the local bookstore to check out the latest issue of Turbo or Import Tuner. In that pilgrimage, we immediately recognized the blood, sweat, and tears invested in the various feature cars. And a real-time update? Forget it, next month.

While I am grateful for the immediate access we now have to builds and projects around the world, I believe it has simultaneously numbed us to those same blood, sweat, and tears printed on those dwindling pages. In as much, we have systemically lost touch with the satisfaction of hard-earned and well-deserved results.

A car that is challenging to drive is both counterintuitive and counterproductive to this unfortunate ethos. Effort and skill are neither easy nor instant, so their value no longer weighs as heavily in the design process. Frustration, accidents, and bruised egos do not rate highly as effective marketing angles in any language.

So while technology makes these cars faster and faster, which we celebrate, it makes them more and more impersonal, which we decry. To be honest, by my measure, it is a relative miracle that these three cars exist at all. As others have astutely noted, these are essentially large-scale exercises in futility, as they are not high-volume and consequently, not largely-profitable.

And as for the great Toyota/BMW debate, there is simply no way that Toyota would have spent millions to develop a brand new, high-performance inline 6-cylinder slated for very limited production and use. They make their money on fuel efficient commuter cars and safe family SUVs. Sports cars do not factor in that equation.

To that effect, why reinvent the wheel? A partnership with perhaps the greatest performance I6 manufacturer of all-time is calculated risk management and safe odds for success. Are most people buying a new Supra for the name, or because the last one had a 2JZ? I am not super keen on any of these cars to be candid, but I am thankful as a car guy that we can still buy them.

66

I just hate it that shows like SEMA seem to turn some of these cars into undrivable, ugly, wide bodied "show cars" on air suspension and not what they were intended for....driving

67

I get what you are trying to say in the article but cars evolve like anything else. Sure they were purer years ago but they were also slower, less efficient, and far less safe than what we have now. Imagine if they DID offer a 2WD NSX without the turbos. It wouldn't be near as fast and you would get just as much criticism for the lack of engineering. Having a little experience with the new NSX, I can tell you it is mind-warping fast and a ton of fun to drive. The biggest hurdle is the price point which brings me to the Supra. Yes, they could have developed their own engine but that cost would have been past on to the customer. If you want it in a manual, there is already a company doing the swap and the car was present at SEMA (although I can find only next to nothing coverage of it).

If people can get past their dated ways of thinking of what a car should be then they would be able to enjoy the fantastic cars that are being offered.

68

Although some have mentioned that the OG NSX was in a way an experimental sports car and a platform to try out new technology. What made it special was that it was counter to the sports car environment of the time. Livable. Reliable. Yet lacked none of the performance and sex appeal. That was the party trick that let it stand out among the field.

What would make a successor NSX today special? To me it would be something that fills the void, an opportunity to go against the current sports car environment. One that claims in order to be relevant you NEED 500hp, you NEED a DCT, you NEED e-assisted drive, you NEED a 0-60 time <3 seconds. If you ignore those 'needs' the marketing research tells you then you may end up with something special again. That would be how you stand out among the current crop of sports cars. Go backwards and execute perfectly. Today everyone is obsessed with adding technology and we're worse off because of it. Get all the subjective things right that don't show up on a spec sheet: steering feel, pedal feel, shift feel, the SOUND, ergonomics, simplicity. There are other cars that deliver closer to the original NSX's ethos: Cayman GT4, Evora 400, Corvette C8. These would be worthy benchmarks. If a successor landed among that company you'd have yourself a winner.... and a customer in me.

69

It seems that modern tuners are not able to come up with something more interesting than overfenders on rivets. This is their limit.
On the other hand, I heard that LibertyWalk were able to break out of this swamp and show a cute Lambo.

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