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And just like that, another 12 months have flown by, marking 2025 as our 17th consecutive year of bringing you car culture from all corners of the globe. How on earth did that happen?

Because it’s a brand-new year, we wanted to check in with you – our Speedhunters audience – to give you an insight into what’s coming throughout 2025, as well as hear what you’d like to see more (or less) of.

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Can any more cars be wide-bodied? Will the next-gen Dodge Hellcat feature a ‘Takeover’ mode? And is it time to ban the phrase “What’s up, guys” from vlog intros on YouTube?

Everyone is well aware that Speedhunters has had a deep love for Japan since our inception in 2008. We also know this might be a bit much for those of you who don’t worship Japanese car culture quite like we do. But there is a simple reason why this place has featured so heavily in our content mix over the years: it’s every bit as incredible and inspiring as we make it out to be.

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As the title suggests, we’re going to be celebrating that fact throughout January. Why? Because, for starters, it’s Tokyo Auto Salon week, and no matter how many times we experience it, TAS always delivers halls packed with inspiration. And let’s be honest, a few oddities for good measure, too.

Now, if you’re already feeling a little burnt out by the thought of three weeks dedicated to Japanese cars, don’t worry. We’ll be using this time to encompass as many aspects of Japanese car culture as possible – not just domestic models and car shows. So, what can you expect over the rest of the month?

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If you’ve been following Dino’s Porsche 964 build, you’ll know it’s back from a major makeover courtesy of Nakai-san. Before you dish out the memes, we’re going out on a limb by saying this is one of the cleanest and freshest RWB builds in a long time. Stay tuned for Dino’s next SH Garage Project 964 update.

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Later this week, we’ll introduce you to Higuchi-san’s W126 Mercedes 500TE – a custom Benz that’s been transformed from a four-door sedan into a five-door estate, something never offered by the factory. And just to top it off, it’s been fitted with an SEC front end. Seriously, look at how cool this thing sits…

Need your Japan content with an Italian twist? We hit the streets in K-Engineer’s insane, road-legal Lamborghini Diablo GT2 race car. Yes, it’s a race car… on the road – not something completely unheard of in Japan, but this one is up there with the best.

The Exceed Japan DC2 Honda Integra Type R – the Osaka-based tuner’s OG demo car from 2017 – is making an appearance too, as is a very special HKS build.

The Japanese tuning giant’s new ‘The HKS’ programme gives enthusiasts the opportunity to purchase complete, HKS-built street cars. We’ll take a closer look at the very first customer-commissioned build – a wide-bodied, turbocharged GR86 – as it was lapped around Tsukuba Circuit by its owner from New Zealand.

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Of course, we can’t forget about the mass of meets and gatherings happening around Tokyo Auto Salon, including RWB’s annual New Year Party and the return of the epic Underground Tokyo meet. Plus, we’ll have plenty of show reports and spotlights from the Makuhari Messe Convention Center, including a certain Liberty Walk car owned by none other than F1 superstar Lando Norris. There’s a collab we wouldn’t have picked 12 months ago.

Lastly, there’s one bit of news we are beyond excited to share with you this month – something you’ve all been asking about for years. We know you’ve been waiting – and trust us, we’ve been just as frustrated as you with the delay – but this month we’re finally re-launching official Speedhunters merch!

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Yes, you read that right. It exists! We know the timeline sounds a bit vague, but we promise it’ll be here in the next few weeks. Once we have all the details, we’ll share all the details about the first collection right away.

We may only be a week into January, but in our eyes, it’s shaping up to be an awesome way to kick off the year. And don’t worry – the excitement will continue all year long. So let us know what you’d like to see more of in 2025 on Speedhunters, and we’ll be sure to bring you along for the ride.

The Speedhunters
Instagram: thespeedhunters

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Comments are closed.

22 comments Sort: by Oldest by Best by Newest by Oldest 2 10:47 amJanuary 7, 2025 Erik W.

I love everything you guys do now and have been a reader since 2008. I would like to see more American domestic vehicle builds (old and new) and American event coverage. Drag and Drive events, LS-Fest, etc.

+3 Share 4 11:52 amJanuary 7, 2025 Creekey

I would like to see more cars and builds/kits that are unique or you don't see very often, for example the r32 zero r in this article or Kevin the van. The mx6 from the midnight club cover would be a cool one too as the original owner still has it and posts it. It would be cool to also see styles of cars from parts of the 2000s or 90s culture that didn't "survive" per say. Keep on keeping on and ignore all of the recent unprecedented hate.

+3 Share 6 6:20 pmJanuary 7, 2025 Creekey

Yea it was

+1 Share 8 12:06 pmJanuary 8, 2025 Tim

I still have all my Mischief DVD's. Dado's M3 was what made me want an e36 coupe and now I have 2 of them!

+1 Share 10 12:00 pmJanuary 7, 2025 FOCUSHAWAII

Nice photos!! Finally, some merch lol

When will you guys come back to Hawaii?

Share 12 12:59 pmJanuary 7, 2025 V3g3bot

I've been a fan since 2008. So psyched to hear more merch is on the way. I'm still rocking my official fatlace/Speedhunters license plate frame and a lanyard with fresh stitching to keep it together. I have unpeeled sticker sheets too lol. As far as content goes, keep doing what y'all been doing. The Time Attack, Pike's Peak, Nurburgring 24, car shows, all the culture from around the world! You can't please all the all of the people all of the time, but Speedhunters comes closer than most.

+3 Share 14 2:49 pmJanuary 7, 2025 Archie

With the ZC33s very possibly being the last Swift Sport ever, can we have a couple of stories about some slick Swift builds from Japan (not at all because i recently acquired one and want to see more). It'll be sad to see the iconic Shizuoka hot hatch ending.

+1 Share 16 4:54 amJanuary 8, 2025 StraightR

Another for the return of fine(r) photography and more selective builds that stop bootlicking german and japanese “performance” sedans - they are instatrash for the sheeple - we want real sports cars, those hunting for true SPEED not just also rans that shopped a catalogue and think cutting panels+riveting plastic makes for a faster stamped out mass produced lifestyle product. Give us originality.

Originality and creativity please. Otherwise we have new topgear or carscoops or motor1 to see what the sheeple can buy to pose in.

Share 18 11:47 amJanuary 8, 2025 Bambino1868

This was a great read! Excited for y'all!!!

Share 20 2:48 amJanuary 9, 2025 pop_da_hood

Great, the month of January is quite sad but with a good dose of Japanese content will pass faster! Thanks guys. Great news also for the merch! I remember buying your tow strap years ago (SPxTakata), which I still own (I hung it inside my car).

Share 22 11:38 amJanuary 11, 2025 BASITH PH

Looking forward to seeing that Diablo, Integra, and R32 GTR can't wait!

Share 24

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