Jump to content

Tommykaira: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
ZZ unfolding details
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Cewbot (talk | contribs)
m Fixing broken anchor: Reminder of an inactive anchor: Suzuki Swift Sport ZC31S
 
(29 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Japanese car tuning company}}
{{Infobox company|
{{Infobox company
| name = Tommykaira<br><small>Tomita Yume Hanbai</small>
| name = Tommykaira<br><small>Tomita Yume Hanbai</small>
| logo = [[Image:Tommy Kaira 2.JPG|180px|Tommy Kaira logo]]
| logo = Tommykairawiki.png
| type = Public
| logo_caption =
| foundation = Tomita Auto Inc (1968–1973)<br />Tomita Auto Co Ltd (1973–1996)<br />Tomita Yume Koujou (1996–2002)<br />Tomita Yume Hanbai (2001–2007)<br />M-Direction (2007–2009)<br />TOMMYKAIRA (2009–2013)<br />Tommykaira (2013–present)
| type = Public
| location = [[Minami-ku, Kyoto|Minami-ku]], [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]]
| foundation = {{ubl|Tomita Auto Inc (1968–1973)|Tomita Auto Co Ltd (1973–1996)|Tomita Yume Koujou (1996–2002)|Tomita Yume Hanbai (2001–2007)|M-Direction (2007–2009)|TOMMYKAIRA (2009–2013)|Tommykaira (2013–present)}}
| industry = Specialty [[Car tuning]] and [[Automobile]] manufacturing
| location = [[Minami-ku, Kyoto]], Japan
| products = [[Sports cars]]<br />Car tuning services<br />High-performance automobile parts<br />High-performance automobile accessories
| industry = Specialty [[Car tuning]] and [[Automobile]] manufacturing
| homepage = [http://www.tommykaira.club/ www.tommykaira.club](English only) (Tommykaira Club International's website)
| products = {{ubl|[[Sports cars]]|Car tuning services|High-performance automobile parts|High-performance automobile accessories}}
| homepage = {{url|www.tommykaira.club}} (English)
}}
}}


{{nihongo|'''Tommykaira'''|トミーカイラ}}, originally founded as {{nihongo|'''Tomita Yume Koujou'''|トミタ夢工場株式会社}}, is a [[Japan]]ese car tuning and manufacturing company founded in 1986 and headquartered in [[Minami-ku, Kyoto|Minami-ku]], [[Kyoto]], [[Japan]].<ref name="companyinfo">{{cite web|url=http://tommykaira.com/company_guide/companyguide.htm|title=会社案内|access-date=2006-12-13|publisher=トミタ夢販売 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061111180941/http://tommykaira.com/company_guide/companyguide.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2006-11-11}}</ref> The company was named after its two founders, Yoshikazu Tomita and Kikuo Kaira.<ref name="scc">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0502scc_skyline_tommykaira_r/|title=Tommy Kaira R33 Skyline GT-R V-Spec|access-date=2006-12-13|first=James|last=Tate|publisher=Sport Compact Car|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216090608/http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0502scc_skyline_tommykaira_r/|archive-date=2006-12-16}}</ref> Its parent company was founded in 1968 as {{nihongo|'''Tomita Auto Inc.'''|トミタオート株式会社}}. Several of its Tommykaira's custom cars have appeared in both the ''[[Gran Turismo (series)|Gran Turismo]]''<ref name="GT2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gtplanet.net/guides/index.php/Gran_Turismo_2_:_Car_List|title=Gran Turismo 2: Car List|publisher=GTPlanet|access-date=2006-12-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213120350/http://www.gtplanet.net/guides/index.php/Gran_Turismo_2_:_Car_List|archive-date=2006-12-13}}</ref><ref name="GT3">{{cite web|url=http://suprarz77.tripod.com/tommykaira.html|title=Tommy Kaira's GT3 Lineup|access-date=2006-12-13}}</ref><ref name="GT4">{{cite web|url=http://www.gtplanet.net/guides/index.php/Gran_Turismo_4_:_Car_List|title=Gran Turismo 4: Car List|publisher=GTPlanet|access-date=2006-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213223218/http://www.gtplanet.net/guides/index.php/Gran_Turismo_4_:_Car_List|archive-date=2006-12-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''[[Forza Motorsport (series)|Forza Motorsport]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/faqs/2005/forza-motorsport-full-car-list-627513|title=Forza Motorsport - Full Car List|publisher=IGN|access-date=2016-05-13}}</ref> [[racing simulation]] video game series.
{{nihongo|'''Tommykaira'''|トミーカイラ}}, originally founded as {{nihongo|'''Tomita Yume Koujou'''|トミタ夢工場株式会社}}, is a Japanese car tuning and manufacturing company founded in 1986 and headquartered in [[Minami-ku, Kyoto]], Japan.<ref name="companyinfo">{{cite web|url=http://tommykaira.com/company_guide/companyguide.htm|title=会社案内|access-date=2006-12-13|publisher=トミタ夢販売 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061111180941/http://tommykaira.com/company_guide/companyguide.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2006-11-11}}</ref> The company was named after its two founders, Yoshikazu Tomita and Kikuo Kaira.<ref name="scc">{{cite web|url=http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0502scc_skyline_tommykaira_r/|title=Tommy Kaira R33 Skyline GT-R V-Spec|access-date=2006-12-13|first=James|last=Tate|publisher=Sport Compact Car|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216090608/http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0502scc_skyline_tommykaira_r/|archive-date=2006-12-16}}</ref> Its parent company was founded in 1968 as {{nihongo|'''Tomita Auto Inc.'''|トミタオート株式会社}}. Several of Tommykaira's custom cars have appeared in the ''[[Gran Turismo (series)|Gran Turismo]]''<ref name="GT2">{{cite web|url=http://www.gtplanet.net/guides/index.php/Gran_Turismo_2_:_Car_List|title=Gran Turismo 2: Car List|publisher=GTPlanet|access-date=2006-12-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213120350/http://www.gtplanet.net/guides/index.php/Gran_Turismo_2_:_Car_List|archive-date=2006-12-13}}</ref><ref name="GT3">{{cite web|url=http://suprarz77.tripod.com/tommykaira.html|title=Tommy Kaira's GT3 Lineup|access-date=2006-12-13}}</ref><ref name="GT4">{{cite web|url=http://www.gtplanet.net/guides/index.php/Gran_Turismo_4_:_Car_List|title=Gran Turismo 4: Car List|publisher=GTPlanet|access-date=2006-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061213223218/http://www.gtplanet.net/guides/index.php/Gran_Turismo_4_:_Car_List|archive-date=2006-12-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''[[Forza Motorsport (series)|Forza Motorsport]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/faqs/2005/forza-motorsport-full-car-list-627513|title=Forza Motorsport - Full Car List|publisher=IGN|access-date=2016-05-13}}</ref> [[racing simulation]] video game series.


==Car tuning==
==Car tuning==
Line 29: Line 31:


== Rowen collaboration ==
== Rowen collaboration ==
At the height of the economic crisis in 2008, Tommykaira agreed on a partnership with Rowen to make parts under the Tommykaira brand. One stipulation was that all designs must be cleared by Tommykaira brand owner, Mr. Tomita, before Rowen could sell the products. From early-on, the agreement was breached when Rowen unilaterally capitalized the name "Tommykaira" as "TOMMYKAIRA". This was found to be one of many violations cited in court and led to the breakup of Tommykaira's collaboration with Rowen. Despite losing in court, Rowen continued to sell and produce Tommykaira branded products well beyond the court decision leading to an abundance of unauthorized Tommykaira products with the logo being in all-caps.
At the height of the economic crisis in 2008, Tommykaira agreed on a partnership with Rowen to make parts under the Tommykaira brand. One stipulation was that all designs must be cleared by Tommykaira brand owner, Mr. Tomita, before Rowen could sell the products. From early-on, the agreement was breached when Rowen unilaterally capitalized the name "Tommykaira" as "TOMMYKAIRA". This was found to be one of many violations cited in court and led to the breakup of Tommykaira's collaboration with Rowen. Despite losing in court, Rowen continued to sell and produce Tommykaira branded products well beyond the court decision leading to an abundance of unauthorized Tommykaira products with the logo being in all-caps.


== Regaining independence ==
== Regaining independence ==
By around 2015, the dispute with Rowen had ended and the Tommykaira brand (managed by then, Threeek's CEO Mr. Tokitake) was once again independent. In a chance meeting with Japan Auction Parts co-founder, Mike Wyckoff, Tommykaira once again began selling and producing products for both domestic and overseas markets.
By around 2015, the dispute with Rowen had ended and the Tommykaira brand (managed by then, Threeek's CEO Mr. Tokitake) was once again independent. In a chance meeting with JDM Parts Ninja (formerly Japan Auction Parts) co-founder, Mike Wyckoff, Tommykaira once again began producing and selling products for both domestic and overseas markets.


Tommykaira brand license holder, Threeek, rebranded to GTS (Genuine Tommykaira Studio) in 2017 and sells Tommykaira brand products in Japan. JDM Parts Ninja (formerly Japan Auction Parts) is the exclusive distributor of the Tommykaira brand abroad.
Tommykaira brand license holder, Threeek, rebranded to GTS (Genuine Tommykaira Studio) in 2017 and sells Tommykaira brand products in Japan. JDM Parts Ninja is the exclusive distributor of the Tommykaira brand abroad.


== Club international launch ==
== Club international launch ==
[[File:TKCI logo black tmb.tif|thumb|176x176px|Club Logo]]
In 2020, at the height of the Corona Virus pandemic, with a dwindling number of Tommykaira car owners in Japan, local chapters were disbanded in favour of a global subscription club called, "Tommykaira Club International". The club also known as TKCI celebrated its launch in fall of 2020 and official first-year membership is 2021. The cost of a yearly membership starts at $88.
In 2020, at the height of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], with a dwindling number of Tommykaira car owners in Japan, local chapters were disbanded in favour of a global subscription club called "Tommykaira Club International". The brainchild of [[Mike Wyckoff]] and GTS, the club, also known as TKCI, celebrated its launch in fall of 2020 and official first-year membership was 2021. The cost of a yearly membership starts at $88.

The logo was decided upon in 2020 by a group of Tommykaira enthusiasts that were asked to vote for their favourite Japanese kanji character from among a list of 5. The kanji is read "tamashi" and means "spirit" as in "Racing Spirit".


==Models==
==Models==
(please take note that for almost all models engine tuning was offered only as an optional and that some models also had more tuning stages available; shown here are the maximum performances available for each car)
(Please take note that for almost all models engine tuning was offered only as an optional and that some models also had more tuning stages available; shown here are the maximum performances available for each car.)
*1987
*1987
**M19 (Mercedes-Benz 190E W201) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1996cc [[SOHC]], 153 PS / 188 N⋅m
**M19 ([[Mercedes-Benz W201]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1996cc [[SOHC]], 153 PS / 188 N⋅m
**M30E (Mercedes-Benz 300E W124) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2960cc [[SOHC]], 225 PS / 279 N⋅m
**M30E ([[Mercedes-Benz W124]]) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2960cc [[SOHC]], 225 PS / 279 N⋅m
*1988
*1988
**M30 (Nissan Skyline R31) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 3000cc [[DOHC]], 240 PS / 294 N⋅m
**M30 ([[Nissan Skyline#R31|Nissan Skyline R31]] coupé) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 3000cc [[DOHC]], 240 PS / 294 N⋅m
**M20 (Nissan Skyline R31) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 1998cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 220 PS / 255 N⋅m
**M20 (Nissan Skyline R31 coupé) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 1998cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 220 PS / 255 N⋅m
*1989
*1989
**M18Si NA (Nissan Silvia S13) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1809cc [[DOHC]], 150 PS / 177 N⋅m
**M18Si NA ([[Nissan Silvia#S13|Nissan Silvia S13]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1809cc [[DOHC]], 150 PS / 177 N⋅m
**M18Si/Si R (Nissan Silvia S13) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1809cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 205 PS / 240 N⋅m
**M18Si/Si R (Nissan Silvia S13) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1809cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 205 PS / 240 N⋅m
**M30C (Nissan Cima Y31) - [[V6]] 2960cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 280 PS / 392 N⋅m
**M30C ([[Nissan Cima#Y31|Nissan Cima Y31]]) - [[V6]] 2960cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 280 PS / 392 N⋅m
**M30 (Nissan Skyline R32) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 3030cc [[DOHC]], 280 PS / 294 N⋅m
**M30 ([[Nissan Skyline#R32|Nissan Skyline R32]] coupé) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 3030cc [[DOHC]], 280 PS / 294 N⋅m
**M20 (Nissan Skyline R32) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 1998cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 250 PS / 275 N⋅m
**M20 (Nissan Skyline R32 coupé) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 1998cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 250 PS / 275 N⋅m
**M30Z ([[Nissan 300ZX#Z32|Nissan Fairlady Z32]]) - [[V6]] 2960cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 350 PS / 456 N⋅m
*1991
*1991
**M30Z (Nissan Fairlady Z32) - [[V6]] 2960cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 350 PS / 456 N⋅m
**M30 MC (Nissan Skyline R32 coupé) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 3030cc [[DOHC]], 280 PS / 294 N⋅m
**M20 MC (Nissan Skyline R32 coupé) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 1998cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 250 PS / 275 N⋅m
*1992
*1992
**M20t (Nissan Primera P10) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1998cc [[DOHC]], 175 PS / 196 N⋅m
**M20t ([[Nissan Primera#P10|Nissan Primera P10]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1998cc [[DOHC]], 175 PS / 196 N⋅m
**M20Si NA (Nissan Silvia S13) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1998cc [[DOHC]], 175 PS / 196 N⋅m
**M20Si NA (Nissan Silvia S13) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1998cc [[DOHC]], 175 PS / 196 N⋅m
**M20Si/Si R (Nissan Silvia S13) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1998cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 235 PS / 289 N⋅m
**M20Si/Si R (Nissan Silvia S13) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1998cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 235 PS / 289 N⋅m
**R (Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2568cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 350 PS / 353 N⋅m
**R/R Sport ([[Nissan Skyline GT-R#R32|Nissan Skyline GT-R R32]]) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2568cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 350 PS / 353 N⋅m
*1993
*1993
**M20b (Subaru Impreza GC8) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 265 PS / 329 N⋅m
**M20b ([[Subaru Impreza#GC|Subaru Impreza WRX GC8]] sedan) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 265 PS / 329 N⋅m
**m13 (Nissan March K11) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1300cc [[DOHC]], 90 PS / 113 N⋅m
**m13 ([[Nissan Micra#K11|Nissan March K11]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1300cc [[DOHC]], 90 PS / 113 N⋅m
*1994
*1994
**M25 (Nissan Skyline R33) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2498cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 330 PS / 400 N⋅m
**M25 ([[Nissan Skyline#R33|Nissan Skyline R33]] coupé) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2498cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 330 PS / 400 N⋅m
**M20tb (Subaru Legacy wagon BG5) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 270 PS / 322 N⋅m
**M20b Wagon (Subaru Impreza WRX GF8 wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 265 PS / 329 N⋅m
**M20tb ([[Subaru Legacy (second generation)|Subaru Legacy BG5]] wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 270 PS / 322
*1995
*1995
**R (Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2568cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 400 PS / 420 N⋅m
**R ([[Nissan Skyline GT-R#R33|Nissan Skyline GT-R R33]]) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2568cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 400 PS / 420 N⋅m
**m13 Blister Version (Nissan March K11) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1300cc [[DOHC]], 90 PS / 113 N⋅m
*1996
**ZZ (Tommykaira own model) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1998cc [[DOHC]], 195 PS / 196 N⋅m
**M20b MC (Subaru Impreza WRX GC8 sedan) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 265 PS / 329 N⋅m
**M20tb MC ([[Subaru Legacy (second generation)|Subaru Legacy BG5]] wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 270 PS / 322
**[[Tommykaira ZZ]] - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1998cc [[DOHC]], 195 PS / 196 N⋅m
*1997
*1997
**M25tw (Nissan Stagea WC34) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2498cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 280 PS / 305 N⋅m
**M20fb ([[Subaru Forester#SF|Subaru Forester SF5]]) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 295 PS / 380 N⋅m
**M25tw ([[Nissan Stagea#First generation (WC34; 1996)|Nissan Stagea WC34]]) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2498cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 280 PS / 305 N⋅m
**M20b Wagon MC (Subaru Impreza WRX GF8 wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 265 PS / 329 N⋅m
*1998
*1998
**M20fb (Subaru Forester SF) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 295 PS / 380 N⋅m
**25R ([[Nissan Skyline#R34|Nissan Skyline R34]] coupé) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2498cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 300 PS / 363 N⋅m
**tb (Subaru Legacy wagon BH5) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 295 PS / 346 N⋅m
**m13c ([[Nissan Cube#First generation (Z10; 1998)|Nissan Cube Z10]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1300cc [[DOHC]], 96 PS / 127 N⋅m
**B4 (Subaru Legacy B4 BE5) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 295 PS / 346 N⋅m
**tb ([[Subaru Legacy (third generation)|Subaru Legacy BH5]] wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 295 PS / 346 N⋅m
**25R (Nissan Skyline R34) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2498cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 300 PS / 363 N⋅m
**B4 (Subaru Legacy B4 BE5 sean) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 295 PS / 346 N⋅m
**m13c (Nissan Cube Z10) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1300cc [[DOHC]], 96 PS / 127 N⋅m
*1999
*1999
**R/R-s/R-z (Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2700cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 530 PS / 534 N⋅m
**R/R-s/R-z ([[Nissan Skyline GT-R#R34|Nissan Skyline GT-R R34]]) - [[Straight-six engine|I6]] 2700cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 530 PS / 534 N⋅m
*2000
*2000
**P-tune (Subaru Pleo mk.1) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 658cc [[DOHC]] supercharged, 83 PS / 105 N⋅m
**m13/m13 Blister Version (Nissan March K11) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1300cc [[DOHC]], 90 PS / 113 N⋅m
**tb-2.2 (Subaru Legacy wagon BH5) - [[Flat-4]] 2149cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 315 PS / 394 N⋅m
**tb-2.2 (Subaru Legacy BH5 wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 2149cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 315 PS / 394 N⋅m
**B4-2.2 (Subaru Legacy B4 BE5) - [[Flat-4]] 2149cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 315 PS / 394 N⋅m
**B4-2.2 (Subaru Legacy B4 BE5 sedan) - [[Flat-4]] 2149cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 315 PS / 394 N⋅m
**P-tune ([[Subaru Pleo#first|Subaru Pleo RA1/2]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 658cc [[DOHC]] supercharged, 83 PS / 105 N⋅m
*2001
*2001
**wR (Suzuki Wagon R mk.2) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 658cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 70 PS / 99 N⋅m
**M20b-2.2 ([[Subaru Impreza#GD|Subaru Impreza WRX STi GDB]] sedan) - [[Flat-4]] 2149cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 355 PS / 441 N⋅m
**Baby Gang (Toyota Vitz RS XP10) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1496cc [[DOHC]], 127 PS / 142 N⋅m
**Baby Gang ([[Toyota Vitz#XP10|Toyota Vitz XP10]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1496cc [[DOHC]], 109 PS / 142 N⋅m
**M20b-2.2 (Subaru Impreza GD) - [[Flat-4]] 2149cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 355 PS / 441 N⋅m
**Boxy ([[Toyota Noah#R60|Toyota Voxy R60]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]], no tuning
*2002
*2002
**ist (Toyota Ist XP60) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1496cc [[DOHC]] supercharged, 140 PS / 174 N⋅m
**m13 ([[Nissan Micra#K12|Nissan March K12]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1240cc [[DOHC]], 105 PS / 140 N⋅m
**Voxy (Toyota Voxy R60) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]], no tuning
**Z ([[Nissan 350Z|Nissan Fairlady Z33]]) - [[V6]] 3496cc [[DOHC]], 304 PS / 397 N⋅m
**tb6 (Subaru Legacy wagon GT30) - [[Flat-6]] 2999cc [[DOHC]], 270 PS / 341 N⋅m
**tb6 (Subaru Legacy GT30 BHE wagon) - [[Flat-6]] 2999cc [[DOHC]], 270 PS / 341 N⋅m
**B6 (Subaru Legacy B4 RS30) - [[Flat-6]] 2999cc [[DOHC]], 270 PS / 341 N⋅m
**B6 (Subaru Legacy B4 BEE RS30 sedan) - [[Flat-6]] 2999cc [[DOHC]], 270 PS / 341 N⋅m
**m13 (Nissan March K12) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1240cc [[DOHC]], 105 PS / 140 N⋅m
**fb-2.2 ([[Subaru Forester#SG|Subaru Forester SG5]]) - [[Flat-4]] 2149cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 283 PS / 394 N⋅m
**Z (Nissan Fairlady Z33) - [[V6]] 3496cc [[DOHC]], 304 PS / 397 N⋅m
**ist ([[Toyota Ist#XP60|Toyota IST XP60]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1496cc [[DOHC]] supercharged, 140 PS / 174 N⋅m
**fb-2.2 (Subaru Forester SG) - [[Flat-4]] 2149cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 283 PS / 394 N⋅m
**wR ([[Suzuki Wagon R#MC|Suzuki Wagon R M12S]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 658cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 70 PS / 99 N⋅m
*2003
*2003
**tb (Subaru Legacy wagon BP5) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 296 PS / 346 N⋅m
**tb ([[Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)|Subaru Legacy BP5]] wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 296 PS / 346 N⋅m
**B4 (Subaru Legacy B4 BL5) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 296 PS / 346 N⋅m
**B4 ([[Subaru Legacy (fourth generation)|Subaru Legacy B4 BL5]] sedan) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 296 PS / 346 N⋅m
**Z Type-II (Nissan Fairlady Z33) - [[V6]] 3496cc [[DOHC]], 304 PS / 397 N⋅m
**Cruze ([[Suzuki Ignis#HR|Chevrolet Cruze HR52S]]) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1328cc [[DOHC]], no tuning
*2004
**m08 ([[Chevrolet Spark#First generation (M100, M150; 1998)|Chevrolet Matiz M150]]) - [[I3 engine|I3]] 796cc [[SOHC]], 70 PS / 93 N.m
**tb 220 Sport (Subaru Legacy BP5 wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 2147cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 315 PS / 378 N⋅m
**B4 220 Sport (Subaru Legacy B4 BL5 sedan) - [[Flat-4]] 2147cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 315 PS / 378 N⋅m
**Z Type-III (Nissan Fairlady Z33) - [[V6]] 3496cc [[DOHC]], 320 PS / 402 N⋅m
**M20b ([[Subaru Impreza#GD|Subaru Impreza WRX STi GDB/F]] sedan/wagon) - [[Flat-4]] 1994cc [[DOHC]] turbo
*2007
**GT ([[Nissan Skyline#V36|Nissan Skyline V36]] sedan) - [[V6]] 2496cc & 3503cc [[DOHC]], no tuning
**S-Ss ([[Suzuki Swift#first|Suzuki Swift Sport ZC31S]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-09-19|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Suzuki Swift#first|reason= The anchor (first) [[Special:Diff/1017089407|has been deleted]].}}) - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1586cc [[DOHC]], no tuning
*2018
**R Concept ([[Nissan GT-R]] R35) - [[V6]] 3799cc [[DOHC]] turbo, no tuning
**m14 ([[Suzuki Swift#third|Suzuki Swift Sport ZC33S]] - [[I4 engine|I4]] 1373cc [[DOHC]] turbo, 193 PS / 299 N.m


==Prototypes and production figures==
==Prototypes and production figures==
Line 104: Line 130:
*[[Tommykaira ZZ|ZZ-S]] (enhanced version of ZZ)
*[[Tommykaira ZZ|ZZ-S]] (enhanced version of ZZ)
*[[Tommykaira ZZII|ZZII]] ($90,000 [[RB26DETT]]-powered sports car)
*[[Tommykaira ZZII|ZZII]] ($90,000 [[RB26DETT]]-powered sports car)
*ZZIII (planned modernized version of ZZ)
: The '''ZZ II''' was a $90,000 sportcar 2 door coupe production car with a mid mounted tuned [[RB26DETT]] (Nissan Skyline GT-R engine) rated at 550 PS (542 hp) with 6pot front and 4pot rear brakes. It also featured front and rear aero diffusers, and a fully built roll cage.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}}
*ZZIII (modernized version of ZZ)
*Legacy Bh5 Tb (Total est.100-200 units produced)
*Legacy Bh5 Tb (Total est.100-200 units produced)
*Impreza GC8/GF8 M20b (approximately 105 units produced, actual production number is unknown, TK105 is the highest verified badge number, by Tommy Kaira Club International, of this model)
*Impreza GC8 M20b (Total of 100 units produced)
*R32 R & R32 RL (Total of 95 units produced)
*R32 R & R32 RL (Total of 95 units produced)
*R32 M20 and M30 (Total est.100-200 units produced)
*R32 M20 and M30 (Total est.100-200 units produced)
Line 114: Line 139:
*R34 R, R-S & R-Z (Total of 35 units produced)
*R34 R, R-S & R-Z (Total of 35 units produced)
*R34 25R (Total of 199 units produced 2dr + 5dr)
*R34 25R (Total of 199 units produced 2dr + 5dr)
*<s>[[Nissan GT-R|GT-R R35]] Silver Wolf Edition</s> (''Under the Rowen badge'')
*<s>Toyota Vitz RS NCP13</s> (''Under the Rowen badge'')
* <s>Toyota IST NCP61</s> (''Under the Rowen badge'')
*GT-R R35 Tommykaira Edition (debuted at Thailand Auto Show 2018)
*GT-R R35 Tommykaira Edition (debuted at Thailand Auto Show 2018)
*Suzuki Swift M14
*Suzuki Swift M14
===Built under Rowen===
The following cars were built under Rowen's short-lived partnership with Tommykaira.
*[[Nissan GT-R|GT-R R35]] Silver Wolf Edition
*[[Toyota ist]] NCP61


==References==
==References==
Line 125: Line 151:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Tommy Kaira}}
{{Commons category|Tommy Kaira}}
*{{in lang|ja}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20061215145144/http://www.tommykaira.com/ Official site]
*{{in lang|en}} [http://www.tommykaira.club/ English site]
*{{in lang|ja}} http://tommykaira.com/tkcars/tkcars.htm{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*{{in lang|ja}} [http://gtst.jp/ Japanese site]
*[https://shop.japanauctionparts.com JDM Parts Ninja] (Tommykaira products) English site


{{Automotive industry in Japan}}
{{Automotive industry in Japan}}


[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1986]]
[[Category:Automotive companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Automotive companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Kyoto]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Kyoto]]

Latest revision as of 01:31, 19 September 2024

Tommykaira
Tomita Yume Hanbai
Company typePublic
IndustrySpecialty Car tuning and Automobile manufacturing
Founded
  • Tomita Auto Inc (1968–1973)
  • Tomita Auto Co Ltd (1973–1996)
  • Tomita Yume Koujou (1996–2002)
  • Tomita Yume Hanbai (2001–2007)
  • M-Direction (2007–2009)
  • TOMMYKAIRA (2009–2013)
  • Tommykaira (2013–present)
HeadquartersMinami-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Products
  • Sports cars
  • Car tuning services
  • High-performance automobile parts
  • High-performance automobile accessories
Websitewww.tommykaira.club (English)

Tommykaira (トミーカイラ), originally founded as Tomita Yume Koujou (トミタ夢工場株式会社), is a Japanese car tuning and manufacturing company founded in 1986 and headquartered in Minami-ku, Kyoto, Japan.[1] The company was named after its two founders, Yoshikazu Tomita and Kikuo Kaira.[2] Its parent company was founded in 1968 as Tomita Auto Inc. (トミタオート株式会社). Several of Tommykaira's custom cars have appeared in the Gran Turismo[3][4][5] and Forza Motorsport[6] racing simulation video game series.

Car tuning

[edit]
The Tommykaira signature, which identifies the cars tuned by the company

In 1987, Tommykaira unveiled a tuned Mercedes-Benz 190E which was renamed as the "Tommykaira M19". The company subsequently released the M30E, which was based on the Mercedes-Benz 300E. However, from 1988 onwards Tommykaira began to exclusively work on automobiles made in Japan, establishing successful contracts with manufacturers Nissan and Subaru. In 1988, the company tuned for the first time a Nissan Skyline R31 (rebranded as Tommykaira M30), in 1993 the turn was for the Subaru Impreza (M20b) and the Nissan March (m13) and, finally, in 1994 the first Subaru Legacy Wagon (M20tb) received attention from the Kyoto-based company. The company focused most of its efforts on mechanical and aesthetic modifications to four cars- the Nissan Skyline, Nissan March, Subaru Impreza and Subaru Legacy.

Other models modified have included the Nissan 300ZX, Nissan Silvia, Nissan GTR R35, Toyota Vitz, Nissan 350Z and several kei cars from various manufacturers. Tommykaira has consistently rebranded the cars as if they were completely manufactured by the company itself, with the consent of the parent manufacturers: for example, a Subaru Impreza is rebranded as Tommykaira M20b or a Nissan 350Z as a Tommykaira Z. This phenomenon is not unusual around the world as German manufacturers such as Ruf and Gemballa operate in a similar way with Porsche automobiles.

On the other hand, the rebranding process carried out by Tommykaira has evoked some controversy directly related to the status of the company as a car manufacturer. According to the information spot provided by the PlayStation video game Gran Turismo 2 about the Kyoto-based company, "in 1988 [Tommykaira] succeeded in introducing Tommy Kaira M30, Japan's first fully modified high performance car [...][while] in 1997, [it] manufactured and marketed its original sports car, the ZZ". In general terms, the 1988 M30 model is regarded as the first integrally tuned Japanese automobile, an integral tuning that implied rebranding of the original model.[clarification needed] This fact acknowledged the capability of Tommykaira as an important aftermarket manufacturer and prepared the way for the launch of the company as a consolidated car manufacturer with the self-conceived 1996 ZZ model.

A Tommykaira ZZ

ZZ Car manufacturing and economic crisis

[edit]
The Tommykaira M25, based on the R33 Skyline GTS-t

By 1996, Tommykaira had solely modified pre-existing models manufactured by Nissan and Subaru; nonetheless, the heavy improvements worked out by the company on the cars made it gain recognition as a brand in its own right.

The company decided to develop its own original design, the ZZ. The ZZ was produced in Ironside way, Hingham, Norfolk, England, but the factory that manufactured the ZZ collapsed due to a blunder of the Japanese Ministry of Transportation which, in 1999, switched front impact requirements from European to US standards. In 2002, the car was relaunched as the Leading Edge 190 RT built by Breckland Technologies.[7]

Rowen collaboration

[edit]

At the height of the economic crisis in 2008, Tommykaira agreed on a partnership with Rowen to make parts under the Tommykaira brand. One stipulation was that all designs must be cleared by Tommykaira brand owner, Mr. Tomita, before Rowen could sell the products. From early-on, the agreement was breached when Rowen unilaterally capitalized the name "Tommykaira" as "TOMMYKAIRA". This was found to be one of many violations cited in court and led to the breakup of Tommykaira's collaboration with Rowen. Despite losing in court, Rowen continued to sell and produce Tommykaira branded products well beyond the court decision leading to an abundance of unauthorized Tommykaira products with the logo being in all-caps.

Regaining independence

[edit]

By around 2015, the dispute with Rowen had ended and the Tommykaira brand (managed by then, Threeek's CEO Mr. Tokitake) was once again independent. In a chance meeting with JDM Parts Ninja (formerly Japan Auction Parts) co-founder, Mike Wyckoff, Tommykaira once again began producing and selling products for both domestic and overseas markets.

Tommykaira brand license holder, Threeek, rebranded to GTS (Genuine Tommykaira Studio) in 2017 and sells Tommykaira brand products in Japan. JDM Parts Ninja is the exclusive distributor of the Tommykaira brand abroad.

Club international launch

[edit]
Club Logo

In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a dwindling number of Tommykaira car owners in Japan, local chapters were disbanded in favour of a global subscription club called "Tommykaira Club International". The brainchild of Mike Wyckoff and GTS, the club, also known as TKCI, celebrated its launch in fall of 2020 and official first-year membership was 2021. The cost of a yearly membership starts at $88.

The logo was decided upon in 2020 by a group of Tommykaira enthusiasts that were asked to vote for their favourite Japanese kanji character from among a list of 5. The kanji is read "tamashi" and means "spirit" as in "Racing Spirit".

Models

[edit]

(Please take note that for almost all models engine tuning was offered only as an optional and that some models also had more tuning stages available; shown here are the maximum performances available for each car.)

Prototypes and production figures

[edit]
The Tommykaira ZZ, EV model.
  • ZZ-S (enhanced version of ZZ)
  • ZZII ($90,000 RB26DETT-powered sports car)
  • ZZIII (planned modernized version of ZZ)
  • Legacy Bh5 Tb (Total est.100-200 units produced)
  • Impreza GC8/GF8 M20b (approximately 105 units produced, actual production number is unknown, TK105 is the highest verified badge number, by Tommy Kaira Club International, of this model)
  • R32 R & R32 RL (Total of 95 units produced)
  • R32 M20 and M30 (Total est.100-200 units produced)
  • R33 R & RL (Total of 50 units produced)
  • R33 M25 (Total of 400 units produced)
  • R34 R, R-S & R-Z (Total of 35 units produced)
  • R34 25R (Total of 199 units produced 2dr + 5dr)
  • GT-R R35 Tommykaira Edition (debuted at Thailand Auto Show 2018)
  • Suzuki Swift M14

Built under Rowen

[edit]

The following cars were built under Rowen's short-lived partnership with Tommykaira.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "会社案内". トミタ夢販売. Archived from the original on 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  2. ^ Tate, James. "Tommy Kaira R33 Skyline GT-R V-Spec". Sport Compact Car. Archived from the original on 2006-12-16. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  3. ^ "Gran Turismo 2: Car List". GTPlanet. Archived from the original on 2006-12-13. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  4. ^ "Tommy Kaira's GT3 Lineup". Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  5. ^ "Gran Turismo 4: Car List". GTPlanet. Archived from the original on 2006-12-13. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
  6. ^ "Forza Motorsport - Full Car List". IGN. Retrieved 2016-05-13.
  7. ^ Evo May 2002 Archived 2012-02-11 at the Wayback Machine
[edit]