Browse by Tags
Posted
Nov 15 2008, 06:00 PM
by
Jeroen Willemsen
with 12 comment(s)
All our eyes are focused on the Red Bull World Drifting Championship, we would almost forget that the Spoon NSX-R is doing its round during the Macua GP . Mike featured the car already but not in the state it is now. The driver, Tatsuru Ichishima, crashed the car after qualifying in 9 th place. In the last corner he lost control and crashed the car. Luckily the driver walked away without any harm, we only hope they can repair the car in time for the race. -Jeroen Willemsen Found on GT Channel
More >>>
Posted
Oct 23 2008, 02:28 AM
by
Jeroen Willemsen
with 40 comment(s)
It's hard to choose between these two cars. Both cars are special in their own way. The S2000 GT1 build by Amuse and the Spoon S2000 have shown what they are worth. The cars you see in the pictures are customer cars photographed by Chester NG who lives in Hong Kong. Both customers have gone through the products database from their favorite tuner and ordered everything there was. I'm still a big fan of the ‘orange' Amuse S2000 that was used in several Hot Version DVD's. Keiichi...
More >>>
Posted
Oct 22 2008, 09:15 AM
by
Mike Garrett
with 7 comment(s)
Anyone who says that a minivan can't be cool has probably never seen the Japan market Honda Odyssey. Unlike the US-spec Odyssey which is big, boxy thing, the JDM version is a sleek vehicle that looks more like a wagon than a van. Even though the previous version still looked modern to most, it has already been on the market for several years and Honda has just unveiled the redesigned Japan market Odyssey. Based on the popularity of the outgoing model, Honda kept the changes "evolutionary" instead of drastically altering the proven design....
More >>>
Posted
Oct 03 2008, 03:00 PM
by
Andy Blackmore
with 13 comment(s)
In our second post we will look at the Asian and North American manufactures who launched products at the show. Hyundai Genesis Coupe- Hyundai showed this body kitted version of their soon to be launched Genesis Coupe which has been seen in North America. The Kia-Hyundai group continue to launch massively improved cars.I can't get use to that rear quarter window! Honda Insight- Looks like a well designed Prius a bit doesn't it? Well, the similarities do not end there. This is Honda's...
More >>>
Posted
Oct 01 2008, 04:36 PM
by
Mike Garrett
with 12 comment(s)
I have been quite busy working on new Speedhunters stories and preparing for my trip to this weekend's Motorsport Japan Festival in Odaiba, but before I move on to that stuff, I wanted to take one last look at last Friday's I Heart Honda!! event at Tsukuba Circuit. Judging by the feedback I have been reading on these posts, it appears that you guys are also down to see more of the hundreds of cool Hondas that converged on Tsukuba for the event....
More >>>
Posted
Oct 01 2008, 05:13 AM
by
Mike Garrett
with 11 comment(s)
Being in Japan has given me the opportunity to see a lot of record-breaking tuner cars like the HRS Cyber Evo and Top Fuel S2000, but there is always something great about seeing a non-Japanese company do amazing things with a Japanese car. This NSX was built by Love Fab Motorsports in Buckley, Michigan, a company with many years of experience in custom turbo kits for all sorts of cars. On a recent trip to the dyno, this fully built turbocharged NSX put down an astonishing 921 RWHP and 641 ft. lbs of torque. I'd say there is little reason to doubt Love Fab's claim that this is the most powerful NSX in the world. ...
More >>>
Posted
Sep 30 2008, 03:15 PM
by
Mike Garrett
with 7 comment(s)
Time for some more action from the VTEC-drenched spectacle that was I Heart Honda!! 2008 at Tsukuba Circuit. I figured that this shot of a legendary EK9 Civic Type R undergoing some work in the paddock would be good way to open this post. There are few things that symbolize Honda performance machines more than the Championship White paint and red engine valve covers used on all of the R-badged vehicles. Speaking of Championship White, during the I Heart Honda!! event I must have seen more Championship White cars than I have ever seen before....
More >>>
Posted
Sep 29 2008, 02:30 AM
by
Mike Garrett
with 14 comment(s)
I know this is Porsche month, but after spending last Friday at Tsukuba Circuit for the first ever I Heart Honda!! event, I just can't seem to get the sound of screaming VTEC engines out of my head. What is it about Honda? Japan's automotive scene has no shortage of remarkable machines like high-powered GT-R highway racers, time attack Imprezas, four-door Toyota drift cars, or groundbreaking rotary cars, but there is just something special about Honda's performance cars. You can check out my earlier article about Honda's Collection Hall at Twin Ring Motegi for a little more on Honda's unique history and the brand's lifelong infusion with motorsports around the world.
While Honda's in-house racing programs are nothing short of amazing, the I Heart Honda!! event was not really about Honda's factory racing ventures, but a celebration of Japanese Honda Tuning on a grand scale....
More >>>
Posted
Sep 26 2008, 04:45 AM
by
Mike Garrett
with 9 comment(s)
It's about 7pm on Friday night in Japan as I am writing this and man I am exhausted! I spent the day at Tsukuba Circuit shooting the inaugural I Heart Honda!! event which was hosted by Spoon Sports was basically a Honda enthusiast's paradise. I am tired, hungry, and could use a shower, but before I relax I couldn't resist posting a couple "teaser" photos of what went down at the event. This was the first time that Japan's Honda tuners have come together for a racing event of this type, and I don't think there is anyone who will say that I Heart Honda!! 2008 was not a smashing success. I am not exaggerating at all when I say that this was one of the best car events I have ever been to....
More >>>
Posted
Sep 24 2008, 11:30 AM
by
Andy Blackmore
with 1 comment(s)
James Thompson claimed Honda's first ever victory in the World Touring Car Championship last weekend at Imola, Italy. The ex-BTCC champion triumphed on the third race of the weekend, narrowly beating fellow Brit, Rob Huff (Chevrolet) and Jorg Muller (BMW). This followed an impressive 3rd place in race one. The Accord race car is built by JAS Engineering, the same company that builds Honda's Civic Rally car, which we featured last month. The team itself is run by N-Technology, who achieved...
More >>>
Posted
Sep 24 2008, 06:31 AM
by
Andy Blackmore
with 8 comment(s)
The final three rounds of the 2008 British Touring Car Championship took place at Brands Hatch last weekend. Vauxhall driver, Fabrizio Giovanardi needed just 9 points to secure his second consecutive title and despite being pushed onto the grass and finishing 14th, championship rival, Jason Plato could only finish 5th, ensuring Giovanardi of the title. Race One was won by Mat Jackson in the family run BMW Dealer Team UK car. Steven Kane and Rob Collard in similar BMW 320Si's were 2nd and 3rd...
More >>>
Posted
Sep 12 2008, 01:38 PM
by
Mike Garrett
with 11 comment(s)
The redesigned 2009 Honda Fit just went on sale in the United States, but the new Fit has already been out here in Japan for a close to a year now. I was browsing through the latest issue of Style Wagon Magazine when I saw the newly updated Fit demo car from Noblesse. It is running a full Noblesse Lux type aero kit with a set of custom set of FRP blister fenders that are used to house the aggressive 18" Garson wheels (fitted with 5-lug adapters). Other coolness comes from a full set of Project...
More >>>
Posted
Sep 05 2008, 06:48 AM
by
Mike Garrett
with 1 comment(s)
Here we have another big event from the UK, the Japanese Auto Extravaganza (JAE) which was last weekend held on the grassy fields at Mersea Island. By the way, I was just noticing that It seems like almost all car meetings in the UK are held on the grass for some reason. Maybe a lack of parking lots or "car parks"? Interesting. Anyways, the JAE event is held over the course of two days and gathers hundreds of Japanese cars of all makes and their owners for a weekend of celebrating all things four-wheeled and Japanese. Looks like there was everything from classics, to drift cars, to "tuner" style cars as well as plenty of machines from the EDC and UK Time Attack Series....
More >>>
Posted
Sep 03 2008, 08:45 AM
by
Andy Blackmore
with 11 comment(s)
The European Civic Hatchback is a popular car on Speedhunters, so this should attract some interest. Its the new Mugen Civic Hatchback concept. However, its currently just a styling exercise. The car was shown at the recent Moscow Motor Show. This may seem a weird choice, but Russia is apparently Europes biggest Auto market. Mugen have traditionally stayed clear of Europe, so this might be a exercise to gauge reaction. Other than the over the top rear wing, I like the design. Its aggressive and sporty...
More >>>
Posted
Aug 25 2008, 01:30 PM
by
Andy Blackmore
with 12 comment(s)
This little rocket is the Honda Civic Type R – R3 Rally car. Based upon the European Civic hatchback, this rally version has been developed by Honda Europe’s Customer racing partner, JAS Motorsport. The project showcases JAS’ talents outside of the WTCC and Endurance Racing. The car is built to new 'R3' class regs, which allows it to compete in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. Its has also had success in National Rally campaigns including the British, Dutch, Italian...
More >>>
Posted
Aug 22 2008, 02:57 PM
by
Mike Garrett
with 10 comment(s)
If you are even slightly interested in Japan's car culture, then there is no doubt that you are familiar with kei jidousha, the tiny little cars with yellow license plates that can be seen in every corner of the country from the alleys of Tokyo to the fields of Hokkaido. Now how do you determine just what a kei car is? To fall into the kei class, the cars must meet certain standards that limit the overall size of the vehicle, and their engines must displace less than 660cc. Besides their tiny size, which matches up well with the size of Japanese streets, kei car owners also get a number of benefits by way of discounts on car tax, insurance, and parking fees....
More >>>
Posted
Aug 19 2008, 06:21 PM
by
Jeroen Willemsen
with 18 comment(s)
There are a lot of differences between the Euro spec Honda's and the US versions. I recognize the car in the picture as a Honda Accord, but I know that the car is called Acura TSX in the US. I also know that 'we' got the Type S in Holland but I'm not sure what version this is, if it's a Type R the owner must have imported the car from Japan. It could also just be a badge, who knows. I have always loved the clean look of the Accord especially when it's rocking green Volk TE37...
More >>>
Posted
Aug 10 2008, 03:48 PM
by
Mike Garrett
with 12 comment(s)
According to a recent post on Autoblog, Honda has been seriously considering the prospect of bringing more of its smaller, Japanese market cars to the United States. As a car enthusiast, it is hard to not be excited about the potential of seeing more cool "JDM" cars available outside of Japan. I'm sure that Honda has been looking at the success of the Fit in the US and is thinking "hey maybe we should try that with other models too". While none of the Honda cars that might make it across the pacific are hardcore performance machines, they still have plenty of potential as platforms for modification. I see these cool JDM-only cars driving around here all the time, and I always think to myself, "Man, that would be cool if they sold that thing back home......
More >>>
Posted
Aug 08 2008, 05:20 AM
by
Andy Blackmore
with 1 comment(s)
The World Touring Car Championship made its annual visit to the UK last weekend. We touched on the World series earlier this year Valencia and Pau race gallery from David Lister. David supplies the images again as we take a look at the Brands Hatch rounds. James Thompson's JAS built Honda Accord (Acura TSX for North Americans!) in action. Early days for the team and car, but James is a top driver and the team are just about to expand to a 2nd car. The Chevrolet Lacetti (Optra in some markets...
More >>>
Posted
Jul 29 2008, 09:45 AM
by
Mike Hayes
with 9 comment(s)
My father was a bit of a car nut. He introduced me to the term "kicking the tires" at the local dealerships. We weren't a particularly brand loyal family either. Dad cycled through Chevy V8's and even an '86 Corolla (At the time this was the new hotness!). (The image is from a Toyota brochure circa 1980's, and isn't the exact car that he had) My first car was the epitome of reliably bland. A 1990 Toyota Tercel (Thank wikipedia for the image of exactly what my lump of...
More >>>