Name: Podspeed | Tokyo Auto Salon, Lexus UX F Sport, and Formula Drift Founder Jim Liaw
Uploaded: 2021-02-05T07:26:01.052286+00:00
Duration: 6522 s
Channel: GTChannel
Description: On Podspeed 36, James, Sam and Taro talk virtual Tokyo Auto Salon concept cars, CES technology and the Lexus UX F Sport. This episode's guest is Jim Liaw, founder and president of Formula Drift, who talks about lessons learned from a Covid-challenged 2020 season and previews the schedule ahead for 2021.

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Fat Chili Preroll

On Podspeed 36, James, Sam and Taro talk virtual Tokyo Auto Salon concept cars, CES technology and the Lexus UX F Sport. This episode's guest is Jim Liaw, founder and president of Formula Drift, who talks about lessons learned from a Covid-challenged 2020 season and previews the schedule ahead for 2021.

<p>On Podspeed 36, James, Sam and Taro talk virtual Tokyo Auto Salon concept cars, CES technology and the Lexus UX F Sport. This episode's guest is Jim Liaw, founder and president of Formula Drift, who talks about lessons learned from a Covid-challenged 2020 season and previews the schedule ahead for 2021.</p>

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James, Sam and Taro weigh in on the Tokyo Auto Salon that wasn’t (due to Covid), and share thoughts on the Gazoo Racing edition Supra that Toyota would have shown at the event. With a more aggressive body kit, distinct wheels and bright yellow paint, the GR edition is a complementary look for the new Supra.

Tokyo Auto Salon Special: Gazoo Racing Supra’s Loud Look

Think of the Japan-market Toyota Yaris Cross as the funkier, shorter version of the U.S.-market CH-R (and nothing like the Yaris already sold here, which is essentially a re-wrapped Mazda2). The intricate Modellista body kit gives it that much more swagger.

Tokyo Auto Salon Special: Swaggy Modellista Yaris Cross

Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu is known for its quirky “kei-car” designs (small cars limited to 660 cubic centimeters of displacement), and the Copen is a long-running legend in the brand’s lineup. This version, the Spyder Ver, with its Porsche Speedster-esque rollover protection, is the mini-Miata we all want.

Tokyo Auto Salon Special: Daihatsu Copen’s Speedster Steez

Those with a keen eye for kanji will appreciate the word play on the Sporza’s door which reads “Raguna Seika” — translated, “Laguna fruit store” and a dual homage to the legendary California race circuit, and a subtle nod to a certain tofu shop integral to modern drifting’s origin story.

Tokyo Auto Salon Special: Daihatsu Hi-Jet Sporza Drift Truck

Nothing too subtle Daihatsu’s Taft Crossfield, which is a micro-study in cross-pollinating a Hummer and new Bronco. We could see carving up a skatepark in this thing, and driving on the sidewalk when the need arises. We also look at Honda's Fit-based off-road concept.

Tokyo Auto Salon Special: Daihatsu’s Baby Bronc

Nissan’s NV350 Office Pod Concept answers a question that no one asked, but the idea is intriguing. Drive somewhere, slide out your office from the back, sip a martini up on the roof at day’s end. The real question is: is it big enough to fit James?

Tokyo Auto Salon Special: Nissan’s Next-Level Work-From-Home

Panasonic gives us a glimpse of where the future is headed with heads-up displays: richer map graphics, more detailed route information and landmarks, highlighted pedestrians, cyclists and crosswalks. All in the name of safer roads and more efficient ways to use them. So why does James still use paper maps?

CES Tech Special: Panasonic AR For Car

German company Sono Motors (no, not the audio company of similar name) plans to introduce this new EV called the “Sion” (no, not the former carmaker of similar name), which uses solar cells integrated into the body panels. Sono says the panels are good for an additional 21 miles of range.

CES Tech Special: Sono Solar Car Uses Familiar Name

Are they serious? Is this a goof? Well, as serious as one can be when attaching the Cadillac name to a human-carrying quad-copter. Car companies are starting to trip over themselves to create the flying car, and General Motors is the first to take it upmarket with its “air taxi.” Wonder if it comes with side airbags.

Cadillac’s Groundless Flying Car Taxi CES Tech Special:

The main goal for Formula Drift organizers in 2020 was simply to get a season done. FD President Jim Liaw says the easy route would have been to shelve the season. Although delays pushed the season start to July, Formula Drift still managed eight rounds through a combination of double- and triple-headers.

Formula Drift Official On 2020: “Just Get A Season Done”

Despite the challenges of running a drift series in 2020, Formula D officials also learned valuable lessons, including how to organize double-headers and back-to-back weekends. If bad weather threatens future races, for example, organizers now understand better how to adapt.

Lessons From Formula Drift 2020: Adapt On The Fly, Give Rookies A Taste

The cost to run any race series can escalate quickly if organizers don’t take steps to protect smaller budget teams. For 2021, Formula Drift is renaming its second-tier series to Pro Spec 2 and trying to contain costs for grassroots racers, such as choosing a single tire supplier.

Formula Drift's Plans To Help Grassroots Teams In 2021

Like any racing series, drifting is a battle of attrition, says Formula D president Jim Liaw. The sport’s most significant evolution in 15 years, in his opinion, is the race-readiness of today’s teams. Could a top driver still compete today in yesterday’s cars? Liaw has his doubts.

Formula Drift: Could Rhys Millen Hang With Today’s Drivers?

It’s the question every race series needs to reckon with eventually. Formula D president Jim Liaw doesn’t see any reason why electric vehicles can’t compete in the series. It just comes down to the durability of modern EVs, which isn’t quite there yet. But Liaw sees baby steps, including perhaps an all-electric class.

EVs In Formula Drift: It All Comes Down To Durability

The 2021 Formula Drift season gets slightly scrambled, given the ongoing coronavirus situation. With the Long Beach Grand Prix — traditionally the start of the FD season — rescheduled for fall, Formula Drift will instead open on the East Coast in May at Road Atlanta.

Formula Drift Starts 2021 With East Coast Run

Formula Drift will continue its relationship with its Japanese partners for 2021, ensuring that FD remains an international series. The Japanese officials are also developing a Pro Spec 2 grassroots-type series to make sure drifting continues to grow. Livestreaming will also be an important way for the series to grow.

Formula Drift Expects Continued Success In Japan

What does the future hold for Formula Drift? Could we see a vintage class at some point? Or a class limited to 400 horsepower and non-sequential manuals? FD president Jim Liaw admits that it’s a concern if younger competitors are having a hard time finding traditional manual transmission cars.

Formula Drift Future: Save The Manuals And A Vintage Class?

James spends some time with the Lexus UX F Sport, and finds the interior impeccable for the price point, and the subtle black chrome wheels suited to his tastes. One downside: the engine isn’t exceptionally gifted, so the transmission tends to wail when the car is loaded with passengers and gear.

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