RWB - Japan’s NOTORIOUS Porsche Tuner | Up To Speed

Rauh-Welt Begriff (RWB,) is one of the most notoriously successful, yet controversial, Japanese car tuners to exist today. With his army of modified Porsche 911’s, Akira Nakai has built a world famous tuning company—frequently circulating through automotive press giants like Speedhunters, Hoonigan, Illest, Fatlace, and Auto Otaku. From his first Rough World AE86’s, to Porsche 930’s, 964’s, and 996’s, many find his modification techniques to be…. well, rough!

Grab a Stella and your air saw, and sit back in your leather armchair, as James Pumphrey tells the story of the REAL Nakai san, and the history of RWB.

HUGE thanks to our friends Brian Scotto of Hoonigan, and Rutledge Wood of Top Gear USA, for introducing us to their sweet...sweet RWB Porsches. And to Dino Dalle Carbonare of Speedhunters, for hooking us up with the inside RWB scoop, and this spicy RWB Rotana image for our thumbnail.

Rutledge Wood

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Check out his article on the RWB Rotana!

Also thanks to the following channels who contributed footage! We love you all--check them out!

►Episode Chapters:
00:00 Rough World
05:26 Can I Get A Stella Artois?
09:08 Coming To America
13:45 The Akira Nakai Experience
20:44 Rauh-Welt Future

Up to Speed is a weekly automotive history show about the best cars, brands, designers, drivers and influencers ever. Host James Pumphrey covers everything from the Toyota Supra to the Chevy El Camino, The VW GTI to the Subaru WRX. The origins of every car will be uncovered to get you Up to Speed!

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[dexondenz]

"RWB stands for rauh-welt begriff"
My brain: "RWB stands for rear wheel brive"

[iamwritingrightnow]

„Porsche purists hate him“ as if Porsche purists ever like anythhing at all

[PaganiGaming]

Day 176 of asking James to do an Up to speed on his Dad

[voorhees]

You know I'm still a muscle car enthusiast, but y'all at Donut have made me truly appreciate every type of car and brand on this show

[PlzTouchSomeGrass]

The “Up to Speed” Initial D style intervals NEED to stay

[ethanlime]

I met Nakai San in person, just with his presence, he’s legendary

[herrwolken]

Fun fact: in German "Rauh-Welt Begriff" doesn't really make any sense. When I first read it I was really puzzled. Must be one of those google translate gems.

[dwardle]

Nakai- San like the cars he builds is perfectly imperfect, fuelled by cokes and smokes he’s a modern day artist

[mohammedfahd]

RIP to all the race cars that has never seen outside of a garage.

[kirkericson]

As a former 911 owner, I was never a fan of RWB until watching this video. The process and craftsmanship for these is really cool, and I actually love Rutledge Wood's car. It would win cars and coffee for sure.

[Racemax-dwqh]

Donut media’s timeline is more confusing than marvel’s

[phyll]

What rwb really stands for: really wide body

[sergiomaterdey]

Classic german car like Porsche + japanese parts = heaven
I don't know but the car looks perfect with or without the kit

[GTOAJ]

That was very interesting, my son and i were at the debut of Nakai-San's first car built in Canada, Royal Ocean in 2013 and since have been to most of the builds in the Vancouver area. I am not a purist or a big Porsche fan but i enjoy the work of Nakai-San. There are a few purists here that have an RWB or two. Due to the Corona virus he has not been here since last December, he is a skilled and humble person. I have his autograph on many items including a lens hood on one of my Nikon lenses. I will likely never have the money to have one made but if did i would have him make a car for me too! He does like his Winstons, Coffee, Sushi etc it is always an event when he comes to town.

[TheOfficialDaBoogaloo]

me: I’m gonna buy one of the watches.
*sees $2, 500 CAD price tag*
me: nevermind

[saddlebrook]

I love Nakai’s work, when i moved back home to Texas, i moved right outside of Dallas and i got to see him finish a gorgeous RWB at the new summit racing that was built in Arlington. Before then, i worked for a company called TRS, we developed custom headlights for those vehicles and 2 of his personal cars were in our showroom for a while. It was amazing

[neovenom]

Singer: "We offer our customers an endless variety of luxury restoration options, giving them an personal character and unique look to their choosing."
Nakai: "hold my Stella Artois, and hand over my pneumatic saw."

[redhednitemare]

im forever going to hear "DEVIL CAMBER" in my sleep from here on out

[wakarjaffri]

2:04






My guy straight up went out his way to do a initial d “back to” thingy thing

[wyntje]

Literally one of the coolest cars I have ever seen to date and I LOVE how much Porsche purist hate them. Now to start selling crack so I can have one by Christmas.