Torque トルク

Torque トルク We cover JDM cars, auto news, and the culture that fuels it all. At Torqueトルク, it’s not just about cars. it’s about the people and passion that drive them.

Toyota Just Teased a Mid-Engine Sports Car and It Has Everyone Thinking MR2 Is BackToyota knows exactly how to stir the ...
06/01/2026

Toyota Just Teased a Mid-Engine Sports Car and It Has Everyone Thinking MR2 Is Back

Toyota knows exactly how to stir the internet, and this time they did it with just a few words. Ahead of the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota Gazoo Racing dropped a playful but very deliberate tease hinting at a mid-engined, two-seat sports car. No images. No specs. Just enough to send enthusiasts into full detective mode.

The tease appeared as a mock message exchange involving Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, where he casually mentions having a mid-engine car he wants to show. That single detail was enough. Mid-engine. Two seats. Tokyo Auto Salon. For many fans, only one name immediately comes to mind. MR2.

Toyota has history here. The original MR2 earned cult status by offering mid-engine balance and real driver engagement at an attainable price. It disappeared years ago, but the idea never really died. In recent years, Toyota has openly embraced enthusiast cars again through Gazoo Racing, bringing back icons like the Supra and pushing boundaries with the GR Yaris. A modern MR2 would fit that story perfectly.

There is also recent context fueling the speculation. Toyota previously showcased the GR Yaris M Concept, a wild mid-engine experiment that proved the company is actively testing this layout. Add in trademark filings related to GR MR2 and the picture becomes even more interesting.

That said, Toyota has not confirmed anything. This could be a one-off concept, a passion project from Toyoda himself, or a testbed rather than a production car. Tokyo Auto Salon is known for bold ideas, not always road-ready promises.

Still, the fact that Toyota is even teasing a mid-engine sports car in 2026 says a lot. Enthusiasts will be watching closely when the covers come off in Tokyo. Whether it is an MR2 revival or something entirely new, Toyota has already won the attention game.

BMW Just Took Full Control of Alpina.One of the most respected names in understated performance has officially entered a...
03/01/2026

BMW Just Took Full Control of Alpina.

One of the most respected names in understated performance has officially entered a new era. As of January 1, 2026, Alpina is no longer an independent manufacturer. BMW has fully absorbed the brand, reintroducing it to the world as BMW Alpina and closing a chapter that began in a small workshop in Buchloe more than six decades ago.

Alpina has always been different. While AMG chased aggression and M leaned into motorsport, Alpina quietly perfected the art of effortless speed. Its cars were faster than they looked, more luxurious than expected, and engineered for people who valued torque, comfort, and long-distance composure over lap times and loud exhausts. Crucially, Alpina was not just a tuner. It was a recognized manufacturer with its own VINs, homologation, and philosophy.

That identity now lives under the BMW Group umbrella. The takeover was announced back in 2022, but this marks the moment it becomes a reality. BMW gains full rights to the Alpina name, branding, and product direction. Alpina’s original company will shift focus toward engineering services and classic car support, including restoration of older Alpina models.

BMW says the goal is preservation, not dilution. Future BMW Alpina models are expected to sit above BMW’s standard lineup, offering exclusive engines, chassis tuning, interiors, and design details. Think refined power rather than raw aggression. Still, enthusiasts are watching closely. Whenever a small, character-driven brand is folded into a corporate giant, there is always a fear that something intangible could be lost.

For now, Alpina’s legacy remains intact. Its past cars are unlikely to be forgotten, and their status may only grow with time. What comes next will define whether BMW Alpina becomes a worthy continuation or simply a badge. The first new model under this new structure will answer that question.

Porsche Wants You to Feel the Brakes. This New Patent Changes EverythingPorsche is quietly working on a future where you...
03/01/2026

Porsche Wants You to Feel the Brakes. This New Patent Changes Everything

Porsche is quietly working on a future where your brake pedal talks back to you, and not in a warning light kind of way. A newly revealed patent shows the brand experimenting with an advanced brake by wire system designed to give drivers real physical feedback about what the brakes are actually experiencing.

In a traditional setup, your foot pushes hydraulic fluid and the car does the rest. With brake by wire, that mechanical link is replaced by sensors and electronic control. What makes Porsche’s idea different is how obsessed it is with feel. The patent describes a system that can change pedal resistance in real time based on brake temperature, load, and stress. Push harder when the brakes are cool and strong, and the pedal responds with confidence. Drive hard on track, heat builds up, and the pedal subtly tells you something is changing.

Think of it like steer by wire, a concept often associated with Tesla, but applied to braking with Porsche’s performance mindset. The goal is not to isolate the driver, but to give even more information through the pedal than a conventional hydraulic system can offer. For a brand that lives and dies by driver connection, that detail matters.

This technology also fits perfectly with modern performance cars that blend regenerative braking, stability systems, and electronic aids. By fully controlling braking digitally while preserving natural feedback, Porsche could unlock sharper response, better consistency, and safer performance at the limit.

It is still a patent, not a production promise. But if this makes it into future Porsches, the humble brake pedal might become one of the most advanced communication tools in the car.

Ferrari Built This Car for One Person and You Will Never See Another OneMost Ferraris are rare. Some are unobtainable. T...
02/01/2026

Ferrari Built This Car for One Person and You Will Never See Another One

Most Ferraris are rare. Some are unobtainable. Then there is the Ferrari KC23, a car so exclusive that even seasoned Ferrari collectors had never heard of it until its public debut at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The KC23 is a true one of one, created by Ferrari’s Special Projects division for a single, ultra private client. Ferrari has never disclosed the owner’s identity, and that secrecy fits the car perfectly. This was not a model meant to be sold, marketed, or repeated. It was a personal vision brought to life by the same engineers and designers responsible for Ferrari’s most extreme machines.

Underneath its dramatic skin, the KC23 is based on the 488 GT3 Evo race car. That foundation gives it serious motorsport credibility, from its chassis to its cooling systems. What makes the KC23 truly stand out is its active aerodynamic bodywork. Floating panels adjust to improve airflow and cooling, while maintaining a clean, aggressive silhouette that feels more concept car than track weapon.

Ferrari has confirmed that only one KC23 was ever built and that it will never be sold publicly. While the official price was never announced, industry insiders estimate the project cost well over five million dollars. That places it in a category of rarity even most Ferraris never reach.

The KC23 is not a hypercar you can buy, bid on, or hope to see at a dealership. It exists because one collector had the access, vision, and trust of Ferrari itself. For everyone else, it remains a reminder that the most exclusive Ferraris are often the ones you will never own.

Subaru STI Teaser Hints at WRX STI Return at Tokyo Auto SalonSubaru dropped a surprise teaser video on its Japanese soci...
31/12/2025

Subaru STI Teaser Hints at WRX STI Return at Tokyo Auto Salon

Subaru dropped a surprise teaser video on its Japanese social channels that has fans buzzing. The short clip doesn’t show much, but what it does show is a familiar World Rally Blue-bodied Subaru with a bold STI badge on its grille and a snarling boxer engine note that feels classic Subaru. The video ends with the words “Coming Soon” and a clear date of January 9, 2026, pointing directly to the Tokyo Auto Salon as the likely stage for a full reveal. 

Enthusiasts hungry for news of a true performance model had reason to worry after STI versions faded from Subaru’s lineup in recent years. The last WRX STI offered in major markets like the United States ended production around 2021, leaving a gap that fans have been eager to see filled again. 

The teaser itself is brief. It opens on the silhouette of the blue Subaru carving through snowy forest roads, the STI badge catching the light and the boxer four-cylinder engine growling in the background. Close-ups of a larger hood scoop and flared bodywork suggest a performance focus rather than a cosmetic trim package. 

This hint of a comeback follows Subaru’s broader performance push at major events. Earlier in 2025 at the Japan Mobility Show the brand presented STI concepts that explored both petrol and electric directions, showing it is thinking about the future of performance in more than one way. 

With the Tokyo Auto Salon just over a week away, speculation is high about what Subaru will reveal. Will it be a throwback to the rally-bred WRX STI that fans know and love or a more modern interpretation that blends tradition with new tech? We won’t know until January 9.

Here’s to a new year full of speed, stories, and unforgettable journeys. Thank you for riding with us. Let’s make 2026 l...
31/12/2025

Here’s to a new year full of speed, stories, and unforgettable journeys. Thank you for riding with us.
Let’s make 2026 legendary!

-Torqueトルクcommunity-

The Next GT-R Will Stay Turbo and It’s Not Going Fully ElectricFor months, rumors swirled that the next Nissan GT-R migh...
31/12/2025

The Next GT-R Will Stay Turbo and It’s Not Going Fully Electric

For months, rumors swirled that the next Nissan GT-R might abandon its gas roots and go fully electric. That idea never sat right with long time GT-R fans, and now it looks like they were right to doubt it. The next generation GT-R, often referred to as the R36, is shaping up to keep turbochargers in the mix while adding hybrid technology instead of going full EV.

According to reports tied to Nissan’s latest development direction, the future GT-R will use a turbocharged engine paired with electric assistance. This approach allows Nissan to meet tightening emissions rules without sacrificing the raw performance that made the GT-R a legend. The target is said to be well over 700 horsepower, with instant electric torque supporting the familiar all wheel drive system that defines the car.

Nissan executives have already hinted that current battery technology is not yet good enough for a true electric GT-R. Weight, heat management, and sustained performance on track are still major problems. Rather than rush an EV that cannot live up to the GT-R name, Nissan appears to be taking the smarter route by blending internal combustion with electrification.

The R35 GT-R officially ended production after an 18 year run, one of the longest in modern performance car history. Its successor is expected later this decade, likely closer to 2028 or beyond. While details remain tightly controlled, one thing is becoming clear. The GT-R is not losing its soul.

For enthusiasts, this is the news they were hoping for. The GT-R will evolve, but it will still boost, still roar, and still chase lap times rather than just headlines.

The Quiet 90s Coupe With a Supra Heart That Everyone ForgotIn the early 1990s, Toyota quietly built one of the most unde...
27/12/2025

The Quiet 90s Coupe With a Supra Heart That Everyone Forgot

In the early 1990s, Toyota quietly built one of the most underrated coupes of the era. In Japan it was called the Toyota Soarer. In the US, it wore a Lexus badge and went by SC300. Different names, same soul. A long, low grand tourer that blended luxury, performance, and engineering confidence in a way only 90s Toyota could pull off.

At the center of the SC300 story is the 2JZ inline six. Yes, that 2JZ. While the SC300 never got the turbo version from the factory, the naturally aspirated 2JZ GE still delivered smooth power, legendary reliability, and huge tuning potential. It made around 220 horsepower, paired to either a rare 5 speed manual or a much more common automatic. In Japan, the Soarer went further. Some trims offered the 1JZ GTE turbo, digital dashboards, air suspension, and tech that felt futuristic at the time.

What made the Soarer and SC300 special was their balance. This was not a lightweight sports car. It was a proper grand tourer. Comfortable, quiet, and built to eat highway miles while still feeling confident on a winding road. The chassis shared DNA with the Mk4 Supra, which is why today these cars are loved by enthusiasts who know what is hiding underneath the luxury skin.

Design wise, it aged better than many rivals. Clean lines, frameless windows, and a low stance gave it presence without shouting. Inside, it was peak 90s Lexus. Solid materials, supportive seats, and a cabin built to last decades.

Today, the SC300 and Soarer are finally getting the respect they deserve. Manual cars are rare. Clean examples are climbing in value. And the idea of a comfortable coupe with a 2JZ under the hood feels more appealing than ever.

It was never loud. Never flashy. Just quietly brilliant.

From the StreetWe’re starting something new.From the Street is a weekly feature where we highlight unique cars and the s...
25/12/2025

From the Street

We’re starting something new.

From the Street is a weekly feature where we highlight unique cars and the stories behind them. Not just show cars, but machines that actually live on the street. Stock legends, clean builds, wild ideas, or forgotten gems. If it has a story, it belongs here.

This series is for the community, so we want your input.
What cars do you want to see featured?
Is there a build you think deserves the spotlight?
Maybe it’s your own car, or one you’ve seen around your city.

We’ll be dropping a new From the Street feature every Saturday at 12 midnight JST.

Your support matters. Comment, share, and send us your suggestions. Let’s build this together, one car at a time.

Porsche Hit the Brakes on Going Fully Electric and the 718 Might Keep It’s Gas Heart AliveFor a while, it looked like th...
24/12/2025

Porsche Hit the Brakes on Going Fully Electric and the 718 Might Keep It’s Gas Heart Alive

For a while, it looked like the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman were heading toward an electric only future. Enthusiasts were already preparing for the end of mid engine combustion Porsches as we know them. Now, that story has taken a sharp and very welcome turn.

According to recent reports, Porsche is rethinking its plan and may bring gasoline power back for the next generation 718. Instead of committing fully to an EV replacement, the new platform is being adapted to support internal combustion engines alongside electric drivetrains. In simple terms, Porsche is leaving the door open for petrol powered Boxsters and Caymans to live on.

This change comes after Porsche previously confirmed that production of the current gas powered 718 would end around 2025 to make way for electric successors. The backlash from purists was loud and consistent. The 718 is loved not just for its speed, but for its balance, sound, and driver connection. Those are qualities many fear could be lost in an EV only setup.

While Porsche has not officially confirmed engine details, speculation points toward either a hybrid setup or even a return of a flat six for higher performance variants. Nothing is locked in yet, but the fact that combustion is back on the table is already a big win for enthusiasts.

This move also shows Porsche reading the room. The Taycan proved they can build a brilliant EV, but forcing electrification across every nameplate might be a step too far, too fast. By keeping gasoline alive in the 718, Porsche gives buyers choice and preserves the soul of one of its purest sports cars.

For now, nothing is final. But if this plan becomes reality, the mid engine Porsche dream is far from over.

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