Ever since ASI released our first press kit this spring, we've recieved many editorial and interview inquiries from various countries around the world, not only from car magazines but also from people interested in Japanese art and tradition. However, recently ASI appeared on the cover of a magazine for the first time!!! Socialist Republic of Vietnam Time difference: Japan minus 2 hours. Area: 331,690k㎡, or approximately 90% of Japan's size. Population: 86,116,559 (2009) Capital: Hanoi And at the same time in Japan, one of our dealers, Lager Corporation, kindly included ASI in their 2008-2009 catalog.
Lager Corporation is known to the public and has published many advertisements in high end automobile magazines. Starting with A_R_T and Techart, they now import many foreign parts brands for redistribution in Japan. Having ASI on page 256...
*************** I couldn't be happier!!! ****************
We've been building a reputation abroad as a Bentley tuner, but I have to reflect on Japan, where our marketing and activity is getting left behind.
According to our research, by the end of 2008 there will be an amazing 40000 Bentley Continental series automobiles on the roads around the world.
In America, there were 13,500 Bentleys (Nov 2007 data), and in Japan at the same time there was one tenth as many, 1300 sold Bentleys. And the word from the Bentley dealers in Japan is that this year they're selling 20-30 a month on average.
We at ASI, aiming to become a hardened tuner under the banner of turning Japanese tradition into a global brand, have as our domestic ambition to congenially (and aggressively!) support the conversion of 1 tenth of all Bentleys in Japan into an ASI Bentleys!
I think I'm finally starting to get used to all these hot summer days.
Anyway, I'm getting really pumped up about our top speed world record project, which is just 8km away from becoming a reality!
Next we'll raise the horsepower another 100 or more with an original turbine and coolant upgrades. Our ambitions to get 800 horsepower and cross the 331km/h line are proceeding according to plan.
And at the same time there is one more project...
A sepecial request from one of ASI's users, a new color ASI GT, including a dry carbon roof.
Japan's o-bon holiday will begin in just a few more days, but by then the project should be mostly complete. (except the dry carbon roof)
Just about to begin production!
Completed car sketch
It's a little difficult to tell from the pictures, but when viewed from the front, the dry carbon parts will form a V line!
What V!?!?!?!? ...you ask? The dry carbon weave is!!!
The quality of the dry carbon, whether compared to international or domestic products, is second to none. One look and I'm sure you would agree. (various other dry carbon companies are even praising of this quality).
I'll announce more details and specs at a later date.
On a different topic, tomorrow is the 8th! The opening of the Bejing olympics!
Personally, I'm very interested in the additions to the olympic events.
There were a variety of events added or changed for the Bejing olympics.
... for your reference ...
Change since Athens Olympics
Point
New or Expanded events since Athens Olympics
Women's 3000m Steeplechase Men's and Women's Marathon Swimming Men's RS-X (Sailing) Women's Laser (Sailing) Men's and Women's BMX Team Table Tennis Women's Team Foil (Fencing) Women's Team Saber (Fencing)
Reduced or Removed Events since Athens Olympic
Men's and Women's Sailboard Women's Sailing - Europe Class Women's 500m Cycling Time Trials Men's 1km Cycling Time Trials Men's and Women's Road Race (Cycling) Team Road Race (Cycling) Men's and Women's Team Table Tennis Men's Team Foil (Fencing) Team Épée (Fencing) Men's 10m Air Rifle (Shooting) Women's Double Trap (Shooting)
Event type changes since Athens Olympics
Sailing - Finn Class (From Mens to Open) Sailing - Laser Class (From Open to Mens)
Maybe it's just me, but I think it's time for automobile top speed trials to be a new Olympic event!!6
I took my first trip to the ocean this year. The ocean was relaxing, I was blessed with beautiful skies.
Between the marina and our destination I was able to take a picture of ASI's closest airport, Centrair, from a new angle.
When you come from abroad to visit Japan, try Centrair!
PS. A regular jumbo jet's takeoff speed is 260km/h. And the new B747-400's takeoff speed is 315km/h.
That means... ! The latest Bentley top speed is substantially faster than the B747-400 at takeoff!!! ... And THAT means... ! If only it had wings... a Bentley could fly?! :-) By the way, the landing speed for a jet is about 240-250km/h, which needs to be maintained with about a 3 degree incline on contact with the runway. As always, it seems that my one-focus mind can't help but compare each and every moving object I see to a Bentley.
Everyone please check out our top speed trial at Wacom Hokkaido, which was broadcast yesterday.
* Permission to post these videos has been obtained from Dream Promotion's representative, Mr. Ishikawa.
Part 1
Part 2
The world record for the Continental GT, from Nardo test course in Italy, is 331 km/h, and ASI is proceeding with development and trials in order to capture this record.
I was about to step out of my office one hot day recently...
When I heard a piercing sound. I turned to see what it was...
The driver of an orange beast noticed me and stopped to say hello. 誰かな? Who is it?
It was Mr. Ishiguro, president of Platinum, a famous Osaka car shop!!
He happened to be in Nagoya for a car delivery and Murcielago muffler, and happened to be on his way back to Osaka when he saw me in front of the office.
Thanks to Mr. Ishiguro's impeccable timing, we were able to have him take a test drive in our high-power GT700.
ASI's work in progress, which appeared very late last night on Dream Car TV had some slightly disappointing results, but we've now gotten some new test results out of our GT700, which crossed the 3?? km/h line, which will be appearing in Japanese and international magazines very soon, so please keep your eyes open!
* On a side note
Computer tuning these days is unbelievable!!!
Whether it's domestic or imported, I highly recommend ECU & CPU tuning to anyone seeking improved speed or vehicle response.
( I'd even be willing to talk about it for non-Bentley cars... if I have free time.)
Wonderful Cars of the World!!! (My subjective opinion)
Recently (...for a while now?) there's been a load of things I want to tell everyone.
ASI has gotten lots of contacts from abroad not only for the ASI Bentley but other Japanese tuning parts as well. Today I'd like to post some information about other tuned cars.
There is a Supra and NSX for sale.
TOYOTA Supra (A80) ... 600 HP, Price: $60,000 USD (apx.)
Full Body Kit, Overfender, Dry Carbon Wing, Aftermarket Wheel, Engine Tuning, Exhaust, etc.
HONDA NSX ... 500 HP, Price: $85,000 USD (apx.)
Full Body Kit, Overfender, Dry Carbon Wing, Aftermarket Wheel, Engine Tuning, Exhaust, etc.
Please contact us for any tuning orders, or information about using circuits and top speed testing.
PS. ASI's new product, a Dry Carbon Engine Cover, at a recent photo shooting.
I took the Continental GT, which 4 days ago underwent exhaust and ECU tuning to get 660 bhp, for a top speed test.
And again, a new record! 7km faster than my previous run.
Using the official figures... CONTINENTAL GT・・・・・・・・・318km 560HP CONTINENTAL GTS・・・・・・・・326km 610HP
The data indicates an increase of 50 bhp resulting in 8km higher top speed. ASI CONTINENTAL GT1・・・・333km 630HP ASI CONTINENTAL GT2・・・・340km 660HP
The weather and conditions in Japan are certainly not ideal for this sort of test, but considering the circumstances (I think) 7km is an excellent increase.
* I think we can go even faster in the right situation.
Another Best! 338km/h
Best Speed! 340km/h Tachometer
(via YouTube)
Tomorrow!!! More!!! Again!!! ECU Tuning!!! I want more power!
I'm looking forward to getting some more data for you all tomorrow.
I'd also like to try to best Bentley's 0-100km acceleration time. First I'll try for 4.8 seconds in the Continental GT.
PS. This July 28th (Monday) at 2:25 am on CBC (maybe a different time outside Nagoya) "Dream Car TV" will broadcast ASI's top speed test at Wacom Hokkaido, so please tune in to see ASI's GTS speed around the oval course!!! (a Nissan GTR and others will be on the show as well) deamcar-08-08
- A Late-Night Commercial -
This month's "af imp." (Auto Fashion Imp. Japan), features a car style contest. And I came across Mr. Kenji Nozawa in his Invader Full Kit Audi TT Coupe today, the car which took first place in the contest.
Auto Fashion Imp (August Issue)
It stands out but isn't showy or gaudy. Great style sense if you ask me.
I've had lots of different experiences designing, but sometimes the simplest projects are the most challenging.
(I hear there was even an order for Mr. Nozawa's TT parts from Dubai, UAE)
Seeing the car reminded me of just how many Audis I've seen abroad recently. And it also reaffirmed my belief in Japan's custom culture.
I'd like all Japanese people to believe in themselves and send their message throughout the world.
(Of course, assimilating good ideas from abroad as we go!)