Tag Archives: alive

News

Inside Japfest: Why Japanese automobiles are nonetheless liked by UK tuners

Modifying – fixing, enhancing, making extra obnoxious – automobiles within the UK has been alive and effectively since, mainly, the invention of the automobiles.

The first Japanese car sold in the UK got here in 1965. But it took one other 15-20 years earlier than the modification of Japanese automobiles turned ubiquitous within the automobile scene.

And since then, regardless of the approaching and going of the Max Power period, the Japanese automobile modification scene remains to be alive and effectively.

Young individuals proceed to get entangled within the Japanese automobile scene and spend their time, effort and cash on personalising the look and efficiency of their automobiles. 

Models such because the Mazda MX-5 have turn into a go-to automobile for these younger fans whereas blue-chip collectors have began hoarding Nissan Skylines and Honda NSXs.

JDM – a newbie’s information

Japanese producers tended to supply particular variants only for the Japanese market, which have been then imported by fans all all over the world. These automobiles have been particularly referred to as JDM (Japanese home market) automobiles. 

These JDM automobiles differed from the worldwide export fashions in a number of methods, starting from totally different trim ranges to variations within the efficiency. 

The craze for Japanese automobiles typically and JDM automobiles particularly grew within the Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s, with video video games, motion pictures and motorsport highlighting the uncooked efficiency and customisation choices accessible for them. 

One of essentially the most well-known film automobiles throughout that interval was the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R from 2 Fast and a pair of Furious, utilized by Paul Walker’s character within the opening few scenes of the film. 

Similarly, the Gran Turismo sport acquired children concerned within the JDM automobile tradition very early on and these children now have a tendency to understand and purchase the automobiles they used to play with within the sport. 

Why the modification scene remains to be sturdy at present

We had the chance at Japfest 2024 to meet up with just a few individuals who grew up in that period.

The occasion attracted greater than 3500 automobiles and round 20,000 spectators to Northamptonshire from all around the nation for a day devoted to the best automobiles from the land of the rising solar.

Japanese automobile tradition has all the time been churning within the background and this occasion has highlighted the enormity of it. The automobiles displayed had one thing for everybody, starting from kei automobiles to 1000-horsepower Nissan GT-Rs.

Matt Hamlett, 31 years previous and a Japfest veteran, turned as much as this 12 months’s occasion in his Bayside Blue Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec version and immediately drew a crowd. 

He has been an everyday at these occasions for greater than a decade and his love for Japanese automobile tradition is represented in his storage, which homes a Subaru WRX STi (blob-eye) Prodrive version, R35 GT-R and a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 9, together with the R34.

Motorsport

The Honda Civic Turned Into A Fake Dodge Challenger Is Going Into Production

Coachbuilding is sort of a misplaced artwork, however Japanese firm Mitsuoka is making an attempt to maintain the magic alive. It has constructed some bizarre vehicles over time, together with a retro Miata that seemed like a Morgan Aero 8 and a Jaguar XK120 had an affair. The most unconventional construct in latest reminiscence was this – the M55. Initially an idea, the pretend muscle automobile goes into manufacturing.

Unveiled in November 2023 to rejoice Mitsuoka’s 55th anniversary, the quirky Dodge Challenger lookalike is definitely a Honda Civic beneath its classic physique. In the months which have handed, the corporate has acquired greater than 1,300 messages from folks wanting to purchase the contraption: “This was the first time for us to receive such passionate messages directly from so many people of all ages and both sexes.”


Volkswagen

Fighting antisemitism: Volkswagen supports ‚Flashes of Memory’ visits

Volkswagen is committed to preserving the memories of the Holocaust and promoting understanding of its impact by supporting visits to the Museum für Fotografie in Berlin where the exhibition, ‚Flashes of Memory’, is being hosted. This exhibition, developed by the World Holocaust Remembrance Center Yad Vashem, features photographs and films documenting the Holocaust from the perspectives of perpetrators, victims, and liberators.

Volkswagen facilitated visits for its employees from various Group facilities to see the exhibition, which will be open until January 28, 2024. The exhibition presents visual records of deportations of Jewish people, living conditions in Jewish ghettos, and the liberation of concentration camps. Additionally, guests had the opportunity to engage in discussions with Dieter Landenberger, Volkswagen’s Head of Heritage, regarding the significance of fostering a strong culture of remembrance and the ongoing fight against racism, discrimination, and antisemitism.

Moreover, Volkswagen also invited students from the Carl Hahn School in Wolfsburg to visit the exhibition as part of their efforts to better understand the plight of refugees and provide assistance. In recognition of the students’ initiative, Volkswagen’s Youth and Trainee Council presented the Sara Frenkel Award for respect, tolerance, and civic courage to the project team. This award, named after Sara Frenkel, a Holocaust survivor and former forced laborer, honors her lifelong dedication to combating antisemitism and encouraging young people to engage in remembrance work.

These exhibition visits align with Volkswagen’s comprehensive remembrance initiatives, which reflect the company’s commitment to confronting its history and actively combating antisemitism, discrimination, and racism.

Benita von Maltzahn, Director Cultural Engagement of the Volkswagen Group, stated, ‘The extended display of the exhibition, ‚Flashes of Memory’, in Berlin underscores the urgent need to address the devastating effects of antisemitism and serves as a compelling reminder of the importance of this issue today. As a partner of the exhibition, we have established a platform for both the general public and our employees to engage with this critical topic and its lessons.’

Since the opening of the exhibition, ‚Flashes of Memory. Photography during the Holocaust.’, Volkswagen has served as an education partner, supporting the development and implementation of educational programs such as, ‚Ask Me!’ and ‚Close Up!’. These programs provide visitors with opportunities to ask questions and engage with experts on various topics related to the exhibition, free of charge.

Motorsport

EB110, Bolide Among 70 Modern And Classic Bugattis At 40th Anniversary Festival

If Bugatti’s founder was still alive today, he would’ve turned 142 years old on September 15. As it were, Ettore Bugatti was only 65 when he passed away in 1947, but his legacy certainly lives on. For the last 40 years, the weekend closest to his birthday has become a festival and celebration of his life in and around Molsheim, and 70 vehicles bearing his name were on hand to participate in this year’s Bugatti Festival.

For those who may have forgotten, Molsheim isn’t just the location for Bugatti’s modern-day headquarters. Ettore Bugatti set up his original factory in the modest French town back in 1908, though it was left in ruins after World War II. Bugatti the company died in the early 1960s, was revived in the 1980s, became part of Volkswagen in the late 1990s, and is presently still under the VW umbrella as Bugatti Rimac.


Motorsport

2024 Renault Grand Kangoo Introduces 1,024 Seat Configurations

While crossovers dominate the market, Renault is committed to keeping the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) alive as an alternative. The all-new Grand Kangoo, showcased at the 2023 IAA Mobility event in Munich, offers exceptional practicality at an affordable price. Building upon the third-generation Kangoo launched in 2020, this MPV features a modular interior with seven individual seats.

As one of the most versatile vehicles showcased at this year’s IAA, the 2024 Grand Kangoo also serves as a van. By removing the three seats from the middle row and the two seats from the rear row, the cargo capacity increases significantly. The available space expands from 17.6 cubic feet or 500 liters (when all seats are installed) to an impressive 132.4 cu ft or 3,750 liters, as long as the front passenger seat is folded down.