Tokyo 料理 Otaku 2024 – The Foodie Roundup

While cars play a massive part of my travels to Japan, it would be a missed opportunity not to explore the culinary delights the city has to offer. Because in Tokyo, food isn’t merely sustenance; it’s an art form, a language, and a way of life. With over 137,000 restaurants in the capital, including 203…

All things being equal: Driving the BMW U11 iX1 eDrive20 64.8kWh

We last drove the U11 X1 in its Category-A friendly iteration a little over a year ago and while the sDrive16’s premium build quality, handsomely rugged exterior design and dynamic handling left us with enough positive impressions to overlook its slightly harsh ride and counterintuitive infotainment UI, the one thing we couldn’t overlook was its…

Tokyo Auto Otaku 2024 – The Book Garage

It’s a widely acknowledged truth that within Japan’s diverse landscape, there exists a subculture—or even multiple layers of subcultures—for almost every imaginable (legal) niche interest, all of which make the country a haven for individuals deeply passionate about their hobbies. For automotive enthusiasts like us, Japan and Tokyo’s rich, expansive, and deeply ingrained car culture…

Tokyo Auto Otaku 2024 – Revisiting Crank Tokyo

I first discovered and visited Crank Tokyo about a year ago. While my initial visit was brief due to work commitments, I was captivated by what I experienced. Determined to return, I made a promise to myself to explore Crank’s meticulously curated offerings in greater detail on a future visit. This is why I found…

Tokyo Auto Otaku 2024 – Porsche Experience Centre Tokyo

For Porsche enthusiasts, petrolheads, and driving enthusiasts seeking automotive excitement in Tokyo, Japan (safely and under controlled conditions), the Porsche Experience Centre just outside the bustling metropolis might offer the perfect solution for a thrilling morning or afternoon outing. The 43-hectare facility, opened in 2021, is the ninth Porsche Experience Centre globally and offers visitors…

Forward Thinker: Driving the BMW G60 520i

If you’ve been keeping up with our reviews, you’re already familiar with our recent experience behind the wheel of the BMW i5, representing the electric variant of BMW’s eighth-generation 5 Series. Now, we shift gears to explore the other side of the spectrum with the 520i, powered by conventional fossil fuel (albeit with a mild…

Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 – The Other Sights of TAS

It’s taken quite a while (months!) but we’ve finally reached the tail end of our TAS2024 coverage! While cars and parts definitely take centre stage at the Auto Salon, there were still plenty of other sights to take in and enjoy throughout the event. Firstly, there’s the abundance of merchandise and toys available. For those…

Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 – The wacky oddballs

It’s true, we can’t have a proper TAS show without some really wild and wacky builds and this year was no different. From a slammed and chopped Toyota Mega Cruiser to a lifted Off-road style Boxster, TAS had it all, and some! My personal favourite eccentric creation was this incredibly wide and incredibly low V36…

Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 – The EVs

Want to know one of the quickest ways to ruffle the feathers of an automotive enthusiast? Tell them that you’re also a car enthusiast, but your vehicle of choice is an electric one! Jokes aside, as EV technology continues to rapidly advance, it was only a matter of time before electric vehicles began making their…

Tokyo Auto Salon 2024 – Porsches, Abarths and the other EuroDMs of TAS

However, this year marked a departure from that trend, with a renewed focus on domestic performance builds. Despite the reduced presence of cars from the continent, the ones that did make an appearance were certainly noteworthy and worth a good look. With the GT3RS being one of Porsche’s hottest cars right now, it didn’t take…