" Japan’s final victory in its long campaign to dominate the global car industry only came last year. General Motors had been the world’s biggest carmaker for 75 years, and last year celebrated its centenary. Toyota’s birthday gift to "
Cranky Genius: 2009 Yamaha R1
"Japanese invention of the year: Yamaha’s cross-plane crankshaft Bang 270º bang 180º bang 90º bang 180º If Japan has been known for one thing when it comes to cars and motorbikes, it is innovation. This year, Yamaha’s cross-plane crank engine, which appears "
Turning Japanese
"Cars from the Land of the Rising Sun of every era inspire devotion in a diaspora of automotive enthusiasts. Influx sought out a fistful of them. “I look after between 38 and 50 Japanese cars in various stages of repair. I can’"
Skyline: The Evolution of a Japanese Legend
"Our Favourite Skylines We love the Skyline. You love the Skyline. Let’s face it, everybody loves a Skyline. But the model had evolved hugely from its first conception at the end of the fifties to the current supreme example "
Name and Shame
"Giving a Japanese product a western name is sometimes thought to add cachet; the danger is you end up with a random selection of Janglish words that only add ridicule to an otherwise blameless model. Here are some of our "
Yamaha: Firsts Among Japanese Equals
"The stunning R1 is not the only Yamaha motorcycle to have occupied the cutting edge of design innovation. Over the last 30 years the company has pioneered more things that worked than any other Japanese corporation. by Rupert Paul"
Access: Denied
"Despite their keenness to export, some of Japan’s best cars never made it to Europe – at least, not officially. Some pre-date the export drive, some were only built in tiny numbers and others they just didn’t think we’"
Wacky Racers
" Hanna-Barbera was responsible for a lot of childish imaginings. When Dick Dastardly raced across our screens in Wacky Races, chasing the likes of The Slag Brothers in the Bouldermobile , The Gruesome Twosome in the creepy coupe and our favourite, Penelope "