The Automated Lifestyle

What do automotive manufacturers have against the manual gearbox? It has been a fight to the death (quite literally) for years and I still can’t wrap my head around the reality that my kids will never learn how to use a clutch pedal. I suppose it’s part of a larger issue that stretches well beyond our cars and to our innate desire to live an automated lifestyle. Why should a human being have to perform a task that can be done by a machine? Why learn to write cursive when you can type on a keyboard? Why type on a keyboard when you can use a voice command? Seem my point? The human race seems to be moving in a direction where “do it yourself” does not compute.

Automation is intended to make our lives easier, free our minds from the menial tasks that once dominated countless hours of our days. Yet in 2013 people have more friends on the Internet than they do in real life and more are diagnosed with depression than ever before. Our collective unhappiness boils down to the simple fact that our desire to create, our desire to accomplish something isn’t being utilized because technology does it for us. As highly social and intelligent beings, it is our job to create, to do tasks and to be active members of the physical world that surrounds us.

Driving a car used to be a highly physical experience. It required practice, skill and depended on the driver to be the least bit coordinated. The act of pushing in a clutch pedal and shifting a gear stick is a physical experience, but in this world of automation it’s been deemed unnecessary. We’ve all known this evolution in the way we drive our cars has been coming, but today’s announcement that Porsche would not be putting a manual gearbox in their upcoming GT3 RS, further cements the reality. While recent 911s were merely a shell of their spirited predecessors, they were one of the last high end sports cars to offer a full driving experience with a manual gearbox. In some ways it made them a bit more special than their peers. However the new model will continue with the same electronic steering that’s infected all 991s and the addition of a PDK.

Sure some will be quick to mention the GT-R and how the immediate power delivery and phenomenal handling, fill the void left by the absence a manual. But at what point will the automation end? At what point is the driver no longer part of the equation? Formula 1 has had the technology to race cars without drivers for years. Google has designed a car that doesn’t need your help. But do we really want that reality? Formula 1 implemented regulations that kept the focus on act of driving because what is a sport without the human element? With no mental or physical challenge can it even be considered sport?

There’s a reason we tune into all 58 laps of a Formula 1 Grand Prix, pay our hard earned money to watch Kobe Bryant play LeBron James and still see more live action films than anything with a digital cast. It’s because of our demand for the human element of sports and entertainment. It’s something we can relate to and it’s the one thing we all have in common. Surely we’d want to keep that human element as part of our daily lives as well? Surely we find satisfaction in cooking dinner from scratch, drawing a picture or properly driving a car?

We live in a generation of new equals better, but is that really the case? I’m not so sure.

Tokyo Auto Salon 2013

It’s early Monday morning in Japan and this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon has officially come to an end. Here’s a sampling of all the rest of the cars present at Makuhari Messe.

As always Nissan had a very big presence at this year’s show. While the GT-R remains the king, Silvas and Skylines have not been forgotten.

TAS needs more builds like this fantastic 180SX from SPIRIT Rei.

It’s hard to go wrong with a white R32 on Advans. Funny enough it’s the simple builds that stand out most at TAS.

Phoenix’s Power had the GT-R well represented at the show including this lime green example on BBS LMs.

Next door to Phoenix’s Power was Top Secret. They also showed up with a few different GT-Rs as well as their Rocket Bunny kitted 86.

This year could be the biggest ever turnout for imports, both European and American at TAS. Ferrari had a large presence as did Porsche and BMW amongst others.

The Ferrari F40 was given a very nice display this year. The Japanese have always been obsessed with European cars and as exotics get older and become cheaper, we’re going to see a lot more tuners working with them.

Despite strong showings from Nissan and Toyota, Mitsubishi didn’t fare as well in 2013. The Evo X is now 5 years old and it’s beginning to show. It’s disappointing to see a car which once littered the show floor at TAS, suffer the same fate as its Subaru rival. With Mitsuibshi moving towards EV production, the CZ4A may be the last of the great tuner cars from the brand.

Varis continues to dominate the market. I’m disappointed that Voltex never created their own Evo X wide body kit to compete.

Unsurprisingly, Toyotas dominated the show in 2013. The 86 is the new darling of the Japanese tuning industry, massively overshadowing its sibling the BRZ.

A JZX100 with strange lights inside of the wheels. This was a trend seen on a number of cars at TAS.

Original Runduce was present with their 86 demo car kitted in Varis aero. This car just looks so good and is probably my favorite 86.

After all these years, the Mazda RX-7 continues to be one of the very best looking Japanese cars.

Last but not least there’s Subaru. As with every year, I was disappointed in the turnout for Imprezas. While the STi fights to remain relevant, the tuning industry seems to be moving on. I blame Subaru for not giving the car the AYC and extra 30-50 horsepower it so deserves.

D Language came out with a very large booth featuring their STi, Evo and 86 demo cars.

Blitz was also on hand with a GVB STi showing off some of their latest electronics and performance parts, including this 6-pot brake kit.

Despite filing for bankruptcy in 2012, Zero/Sports was on hand with a GVB STi. They’re hardly the dominant force they once were at TAS.

I’ll end with this truly awesome looking wide body GVB STi from Varis. This kit has kind of gone under the radar with all the attention on the 86.

That about does it for TAS coverage on A Class. If anything else exciting comes my way, I’ll be sure to post it. Overall I’m disappointed by this year’s show. There’s a real lack of variety right now in the Japanese tuning industry. I suppose it’s been a long time coming. With major players like Honda, Mitsubishi and Mazda failing to produce exciting cars like they once did, the industry has been forced to rely on Nissan and Toyota. Subaru can be happy with their role in the 86 and their own BRZ but as the Impreza continues to get heavier and slower, we may see another great fall by the wayside. On the bright side, the amazing reception the 86 has gotten has shown other manufacturers what’s possible. Hopefully in the next few years we’ll see more of the affordable, fun cars the Japanese automotive industry so desperately needs.

Photos courtesy of GTNET.

JUN GT-R At TAS

JUN’s been a big name at Tokyo Auto Salon for over a decade now. They’ve always got something up their sleeves and this year is no exception.

Yes folks, another BenSopra kitted GT-R has come among us. It’s been no secret on A Class that I absolute despise this kit in every way. Don’t take that out of context however. I have loads of respect for Miura-san and everything he’s been doing in the tuning industry lately.

Like Top Secret, JUN was always known to produce their own aero parts. They made what is probably my all time favorite bumper for the GDA Impreza. Yet in 2013 we’re seeing less of a variety of products from these shops. Maybe it’s a return to doing what they’re truly good at and in the case of JUN, it’s all about power.

They offer any number of options and different levels of tuning for the GT-R’s VR38. This is an example of the same 4L motor that’s in their demo car.

Regardless of BenSopra kits and Top Secret making less original parts, it’s really good to see how many shops are still working with the GT-R. This car’s been around for 5 years now and the following is just as strong, if not more so. It’s popularity in the tuning industry gives Nissan another reason to keep making it, which is something many have questioned in 2012.

Photos courtesy of CarWatch.

BenSopra 180SX At TAS

Tokyo Auto Salon coverage is hitting hard now that the show is underway. The 86/BRZ siblings are the undisputed stars of 2013, but there’s still a host of other interesting builds new and old. We’ve all come to know Miura-san for his work with the GT-R and 86, but this year he’s unveiled one of the more interesting “S” Chassis’ of the show.

These are the kinds of builds Tokyo Auto Salon was invented for.

I’ve been more than vocal on my distaste for BenSopra’s work on the GT-R, however this rendition of the kit works quite well on the 180SX.

It’s not just looks either. Under the hood is the VR38 from the GT-R producing an insane 1100 horsepower!

I won’t attempt to summarize Tokyo Auto Salon, as there are bloggers/photographers at the show doing that. However, I will be posting some of my favorite cars throughout the weekend so stay tuned!

Photos courtesy of CarWatch.

Garage Kagotani R34

Speaking of Japanese demo cars, the Garage Kagotani R34.

I’ve always had a certain affinity for this car. To say it looks aggressive would be a massive understatement. 650 horsepower and a best time of 57 seconds around Tsukuba Circuit aren’t too shabby either.

Runduce GT-R

Earlier this year I made claims that the Ben Sopra kit was one of the most disgusting abominations ever to grace the lines of an automobile. Despite all the hype leading up to SEMA next week, I stand by those claims. 35 grand to turn your GT-R into a Decepticon? I’ll pass.

This is much more like it. The Varis x Original Runduce GT-R. This kit has been around for a couple years now, but it’s still one of the best options on the market. What I love about well designed aero is its ability to enhance the existing appearance of a car without completely changing it. Varis has always been exceptionally good at that, especially with their Original Runduce collaborations. Check out the kit they’ve just done for the FR-S!

Photo courtesy of Varis.

GC10 At The Daikoku

It’s been a while since I did a Throwback Thursdays post. In fact it’s been a while since I’ve posting anything other than Formula 1 racing!

I’ve said it before, but red is by far the best color on the Hakosuka. I think it accentuates so many details on the body that get lost with the more popular colors like white and grey.

One of the major advantages to modifying a Japanese classic is that you don’t have to do much to the exterior. Most of the more popular cars look great bone stock. Fender flares, wheels, a drop and you’re good to go.

I need to make a pilgrimage to the Daikoku parking area one of these days.

Photos courtesy of Kevin Pratt.

Japanese Sports Cars: A Dying Breed?

Is Japan the car crazy country it used to be? It’s an interesting question to consider. Expensive taxes, stricter environmental regulations and a struggling economy, have forced most Japanese to reconsider their motoring needs. That coupled with a younger generation that would rather use public transportation than get a driver’s license, leaves many of us in doubt.

Mitsubishi has already called for hybrid power. The brand is working towards shifting its efforts (and image) into producing more eco-friendly vehicles. The Evo remains all but extinct in its current form.

Honda has entered the eco-performance realm with the CR-Z and rumors of the NSX followup, have claimed it too will be a hybrid, with multiple electric motors. Toyota continues to expand their Prius range and ventured into hybrid motor racing with the TS030. The car had an unsuccessful campaign at the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, but was successful in giving consumers a look of where the brand is headed.

Even Subaru has shifted their focus to more of a luxury market. After canceling their WRC program, the Impreza has continued to become heavier and more tame. It makes us wonder if there’s any point in having an STi at all and how long we have until it faces a similar fate to the Evo.

Today there’s been rumblings that Nissan could be reconsidering the GT-R, a car that renewed interest in a brand that had been quiet for years. Sure the Fairlady Z has always been around, but the newer iterations have never quite lived up to their ancestors. The GT-R was the car that broke the mold and showed us all where the future of performance motoring, might be headed. But now a new GT-R has yet to be approved and it begs the question of whether we could bare witness the end of an era.

However, all is not lost. Subaru and Toyota have shown us that there’s still fun to be had, with the BRZ and 86. As predicted, the collaboration has been a massive success and renewed consumer interest in compact sports coupes. It makes no claims to be anything but a driver’s car and it’s refreshing to see Japanese manufacturers having a bit of fun again. Hopefully the car’s success will inspire competitors to follow similar paths. We’ve all be waiting for the next S-Chassis and now Nissan has more of a reason than ever to meet the demand.

Eco-friendly motoring is an unstoppable force and there’s really no going back. The Japanese are at the forefront of this movement and we can only hope that exciting, affordable Japanese sports cars aren’t completely engrained into the pages of history.

Throwback Thursdays: Hakosuka Perfection

Do more words need be said?

Perfection achieved.

Throwback Thursdays: Super Red

I’m beginning to think I should rename Throwback Thursdays, to Skyline Thursdays. Except for an X30 Chaser, it’s been mostly a Nissan affair. Today is no different with this classically styled, red Hakosuka.

Brands like Rays and Work, have done a great job designing new wheels, specifically for vintage cars. While models like the Meister CR01 and TE37V look fantastic, they still can’t outdo a proper set of RS Watanabes.

Red is by far my favorite color for the Hakosuka and the black fenders are a must.