The team behind Motorhead – a magazine many of you will already be familiar with – has recently launched a new title called Gentleman Drivers. Some magazines are less concerned with technical specifications and more about the driving experience. In addition to in-depth coverage of the Japanese time attack scene, the magazine also hosts its own popular events throughout the country. Rev Speed is interested in one thing only: the pursuit of constantly lower lap times. Hyper Rev churns these out for almost every model of interest, just a small selection of which you can see here. They are a must-have for budding modifiers each issue is thick with parts reviews, DIY walk-throughs, tuning tips and more, but as a result, they are typically priced a little bit higher than a regular monthly mag. These model-specific magazines aren’t released on a regular basis and lack any of the ‘filler’ content you might be used to seeing stuffed into car magazines. I think I should drive one soon to see what all the fuss is about. The turbocharged kei car is receiving a huge amount of support from the aftermarket and is becoming a super-common sight at track days. To specific issues for the latest models, including the cheapest performance car currently on sale in Japan – the Suzuki Alto Works. How does it compare to your local? Even here, every base is covered – from your selection of classic domestic car magazines… The cover photo of this story is the automotive section of the store closest to my house, and represents what you’ll find at any decent-sized metropolitan newsagent. Seeing them disappear from the shelves, one by one, was kind of like losing old friends.īut is it any surprise that in Japan, this ‘inevitable’ trend doesn’t seem to be taking root? Sure, the younger generation seems to be less interested in cars than ever before, but a quick stop into any newsagent reveals that there’s still a huge and varied fanbase for the automobile and the publications that celebrate them. The glossy mags I coveted as a youngster not only fostered my interest in cars but also in automotive photography and writing, and in a way led me down the path I’m still following to this day as a Speedhunter. As readers turned to digital sources soon so did the advertisers, and many staple titles in the automotive publishing world disappeared as they began to realise that the high-speed, low-cost online model was not just a passing fad. Throughout most of the world car magazines – and magazines in general – have been dying a protracted death. Fifteen years later and I’m still gripped by the same enthusiasm for printed car content. Pictured here is a shelf dedicated to the Japanese-language mags I’ve picked up over the last 12 months. It was the PCOTY (Performance Car Of The Year) issue and although I knew nothing of oversteer, steering feel or lateral Gs, for some reason I was captivated by what lied within. I remember very well the first car magazine that was truly mine (as opposed to one pilfered from my old man): the December 2001 edition of CAR, featuring a 996 Turbo, ageing Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0, and E46 M3 finished in stunning Phoenix Yellow on the cover – a Christmas gift from my parents. In fact, I’ve found myself in car magazine heaven. Since moving to Japan nothing has changed. During the week, I keep one in my briefcase for those rare quiet lunch breaks at work. If I’m flying, a recently purchased issue is tucked into my carry-on. Ever since I was 11 years old, a car magazine has never been far from hand.
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