Are automakers killing enthusiast cars?
About this episode
The discussion centers on the decline of enthusiast cars as automakers shift focus towards mainstream models and technology-driven features. The hosts express concern that brands like Audi are losing their performance edge, with new models failing to resonate with enthusiasts. They debate the impact of rising costs on the car culture, questioning whether future generations will engage in car modification as they did. The conversation highlights a nostalgia for older models and a fear that the passion for building and modifying cars is fading in the face of modern automotive trends.
In this episode of the KONIG Wheels Behind the Wheel Podcast, we ask a question a lot of car enthusiasts are quietly thinking—but few want to say out loud:
Are we witnessing the end of true enthusiast-focused cars?
We talk about:
From icons like the R34 Skyline, FD RX-7, and Nissan 350Z, to modern “revivals” that feel more like marketing exercises than passion projects, we break down how car manufacturers have shifted their priorities—and what that means for enthusiasts.
We dive into:
Why modern cars feel watered down compared to past legends The difference between an enthusiast car and a mass-market car with a legacy badge
Why slapping a classic name like “Prelude” on a hybrid doesn’t resonate with core enthusiasts
How regulations, electrification, and profit margins are reshaping car design. Whether automakers will ever build cars purely for enthusiasts again. Is this just evolution… or is something fundamental being lost?
Whether you grew up idolizing JDM legends, modifying budget cars into something special, or feel disconnected from modern performance cars altogether, this episode digs into the uncomfortable reality of where car culture may be headed.
Is this the end of enthusiast cars—or will they come back in a new form?
Behind the Wheel is KONIG Wheels’ podcast where we talk cars, culture, and the stories that shaped the automotive world.
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Audi S5
"I've seen the new Q5, I've seen that new S5, I've seen the new A4, honestly, I just think they're going far, far away from their, you know, enthusiast brand, if you want to say that."
The Audi S5 is a sportier version of the Audi A5. It has a more powerful engine and is designed for people who enjoy driving fast while still being comfortable.
The Audi S5 is a high-performance version of the A5, featuring a more powerful engine and sportier design elements. It is designed for driving enthusiasts who seek both luxury and performance.
Audi Q5
"I've seen the new Q5, I've seen that new S5, I've seen the new A4, honestly, I just think they're going far, far away from their, you know, enthusiast brand, if you want to say that."
The Audi Q5 is a luxury SUV that is popular for its comfortable ride and high-quality interior. It's designed for people who want a stylish and practical vehicle.
The Audi Q5 is a compact luxury SUV that combines performance, comfort, and advanced technology. It is part of Audi's Q series, which focuses on versatility and luxury in the SUV segment.
Audi A4
"I've seen the new Q5, I've seen that new S5, I've seen the new A4, honestly, I just think they're going far, far away from their, you know, enthusiast brand, if you want to say that."
The Audi A4 is a luxury sedan that is known for being comfortable and having a lot of high-tech features. It's a good choice for people who want a nice car for everyday use.
The Audi A4 is a compact executive car that offers a blend of performance, luxury, and advanced technology. It is known for its comfortable ride and high-quality interior materials.
enthusiast brand
"I just think they're going far, far away from their, you know, enthusiast brand, if you want to say that. Is that the right way you want to say that?"
An enthusiast brand is a car company that makes cars for people who really love driving and care about performance. These brands often have fans who appreciate their special features and designs.
An enthusiast brand refers to a car manufacturer that caters to automotive enthusiasts, often focusing on performance, driving experience, and unique design. These brands typically have a loyal following among car lovers who appreciate their commitment to quality and innovation.
Honda Prelude
"...ntil you're on the highway. Yeah, that's not the Prelude that we all wanted. That was something that I do..."
The Honda Prelude is a two-door car that was made by Honda for many years, and it's known for being fun to drive and stylish. People often talk about it because it has a loyal fan base and many remember it fondly from when it was popular.
The Honda Prelude is a sporty coupe that was produced from 1978 to 2001, known for its sleek design and engaging driving experience. It holds a special place in automotive history as one of Honda's early performance models, often praised for its handling and technology for its time. The Prelude is often discussed for its cult following and nostalgic value among car enthusiasts.
BMW M4
"...you get these new performance cars, I'm just going to go and throw a dig at your M3 M4, your G 80 guys. Don't be wrong, amazing car."
The BMW M4 is a sporty coupe version of the BMW M3. It has a powerful engine and is designed for people who love to drive fast and enjoy a sporty look.
The BMW M4 is the coupe variant of the M3, offering similar performance characteristics but with a more sporty design. It's known for its powerful engine and agile handling, making it a favorite among performance car enthusiasts.
BMW M3
"...you get these new performance cars, I'm just going to go and throw a dig at your M3 M4, your G 80 guys. Don't be wrong, amazing car."
The BMW M3 is a fast and sporty version of the regular BMW 3 Series. It's designed for people who want a fun driving experience and great performance.
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, known for its powerful engines and sporty handling. It's a popular choice among car enthusiasts for its blend of performance and everyday usability.
modifying cars
"But do you think that's going to kill the, the aspect of like, so let's say my kids generation, do you think that you're going to see pretty much most of them turn away from modifying cars or doing anything with cars because of that?"
Modifying cars means making changes to a car to improve how it looks or performs. People often add new parts or change the way it runs to make it unique or better.
Modifying cars refers to the practice of changing or enhancing a vehicle's performance, appearance, or functionality. This can include anything from engine upgrades to custom paint jobs and interior changes.
cosmetic mods
"I think it's going to be all cosmetic mods, if that, um, because there's only so much that you can do with these electric cars and these hybrid cars."
Cosmetic mods are changes made to a car to make it look better, not to make it go faster or perform better. This can include things like new paint or different wheels.
Cosmetic mods are modifications made to a vehicle that primarily enhance its appearance rather than its performance. Examples include new paint jobs, body kits, or custom wheels.
electric cars
"...because there's only so much that you can do with these electric cars and these hybrid cars."
Electric cars run on electricity instead of gasoline. They are usually better for the environment and can save money on fuel costs.
Electric cars are vehicles that are powered entirely or primarily by electricity, using electric motors instead of internal combustion engines. They are known for being more environmentally friendly and often have lower operating costs compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.
Volkswagen GTI
"...like come 10 years down the road. I, I don't think there's going to be kids that are like, oh, I'm going to go build a 1980 or mark two GTI or something like that. I think, I think we're losing that aspect."
The Volkswagen GTI is a fun and sporty car that many people enjoy driving. The Mk2 version is an older model that fans really like because it's stylish and enjoyable to drive.
The Volkswagen GTI is a sporty hatchback known for its performance and practicality. The Mk2 generation, produced from 1983 to 1992, is particularly beloved among enthusiasts for its classic design and engaging driving experience.
Nissan R34
"Like, for example, your R 34 GTR, your mark four Golf R, like any of those cars,"
The Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is a powerful sports car that many car fans love. It's known for being fast and having great handling, making it popular in racing.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is a high-performance sports car known for its advanced technology and racing pedigree. It's particularly famous for its capabilities in motorsports and has a strong following among car enthusiasts.
Volkswagen Golf R (Mk4)
"Like, for example, your R 34 GTR, your mark four Golf R, like any of those cars,"
The Volkswagen Golf R (Mk4) is a sporty version of the regular Golf car. It has a powerful engine and all-wheel drive, making it fun to drive and great for everyday use.
The Volkswagen Golf R (Mk4) is a high-performance version of the popular Golf hatchback, known for its all-wheel drive and sporty characteristics. It's a favorite among enthusiasts for its balance of practicality and performance.
Honda Civic
"Well, like, yeah, you could see Honda's doing that with the Civic type R."
The Honda Civic Type R is a fast and sporty version of the regular Civic. It has a powerful engine and is designed to be fun to drive, making it a favorite among car lovers.
The Honda Civic Type R is a high-performance variant of the Honda Civic, known for its sporty design and powerful turbocharged engine. It's popular among car enthusiasts for its engaging driving experience and track capabilities.
GTI
"I mean, that's, that's everything you go and get a fully loaded GTI. If the car was $10,000 cheaper, it would have done immensely better."
The GTI is a sportier version of the regular Volkswagen Golf. It's designed to be fun to drive and has a more powerful engine than the standard model.
The GTI is a high-performance variant of the Volkswagen Golf, known for its sporty handling and turbocharged engine. It's a popular choice among enthusiasts for its balance of performance and practicality.
Ford Mustang
"...say, and afford it. Like if you want to go get a Mustang, you're going to have a thousand dollar a month ..."
The Ford Mustang is a famous car that people love for its speed and cool looks. It's been around for a long time and is often mentioned because it's a symbol of American cars and has a lot of fans.
The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car that has been in production since 1964, celebrated for its powerful performance and distinctive styling. It represents the spirit of freedom and adventure, making it a popular choice among car enthusiasts and collectors alike. The Mustang is often discussed for its various iterations and the impact it has had on automotive culture.
Toyota Corolla
"...if you look at the Corolla, if you look at, uh, the Celica and things like that, that were popular, those cars weren't expensive."
The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people buy because it's dependable and doesn't cost a lot to maintain.
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling cars globally, known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability, making it a popular choice for everyday drivers.
Nissan 240
"...if you look at the 240, if you look at the Corolla, if you look at, uh, the Celica and things like that, that were popular, those cars weren't expensive."
The Nissan 240 is a sports car that many people like to modify and race. It's known for being fun to drive and easy to work on.
The Nissan 240, particularly the Nissan 240SX, is a popular sports car known for its rear-wheel-drive layout and tuning potential, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts and drifters.
Toyota Celica
"...you look at the Corolla, if you look at, uh, the Celica and things like that, that were popular, those ca..."
The Toyota Celica is a small, sporty car that Toyota made for many years, and it's known for being fun to drive. People talk about it because it was popular and had some really cool versions that appealed to those who like a bit of excitement in their cars.
The Toyota Celica is a compact sports car that was produced from 1970 to 2006, known for its agile handling and sporty design. It gained popularity for its performance variants and was a staple in the Toyota lineup, appealing to driving enthusiasts. The Celica is often discussed for its role in the evolution of Toyota's sporty offerings and its influence on the compact car segment.
inflation
"...even if you adjust for inflation, it's still not that much money because a thousand percent..."
Inflation means that over time, things get more expensive. When talking about car prices, we need to consider how much money was worth in the past compared to now.
Inflation refers to the general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money over time. When discussing car prices, adjusting for inflation helps to compare costs from different years accurately.
naturally aspirated
"...when it had a 2.4 liter naturally aspirated car. Yeah, but now hear me out."
A naturally aspirated engine gets air into it without any extra help from devices like turbochargers. This means it works just by using the air pressure around it, which can make it feel more predictable when you drive.
A naturally aspirated engine is one that relies on atmospheric pressure to draw air into the combustion chamber, rather than using a turbocharger or supercharger. This type of engine typically provides a more linear power delivery and is often favored for its simplicity and reliability.
B5, B6, B7, B8, B9
"...your B five, B six, B seven, B eight, even some of your B nines. I've loved them."
B5, B6, B7, B8, and B9 are names for different versions of the Audi A4 car. Each number represents a new generation of the model, with improvements and changes made over the years.
These designations refer to different generations of the Audi A4 model. Each 'B' number represents a specific generation, with B5 being the first generation introduced in the mid-1990s and B9 being the latest iteration.
Audi SQ5
"...what really else am I building on my SQ5? I could do a bigger supercharger..."
The Audi SQ5 is a sportier version of the regular Q5 SUV. It has a more powerful engine and is built for better performance, making it fun to drive.
The Audi SQ5 is a high-performance variant of the Q5 SUV, featuring a more powerful engine and sportier handling. It's designed for those who want luxury and performance in an SUV package.
supercharger
"...I could do a bigger supercharger. I could, like there's, there's so much I could continue to do..."
A supercharger is a machine that helps the engine get more air, which means it can burn more fuel and go faster. It's often added to cars to make them more powerful.
A supercharger is a device that forces more air into the engine's combustion chamber, allowing it to burn more fuel and produce more power. It's commonly used to enhance engine performance in sports and performance cars.
tune
"...does it really need it? No. The tune and this thing boogies, man, this thing's out."
A tune is when you change the settings on a car's engine to make it run better or faster. It's like fine-tuning a musical instrument to get the best sound.
A tune refers to the process of adjusting the engine's performance parameters through software changes or modifications. This can enhance power, efficiency, and overall driving experience.
fuel injection
"...that, oh, cars are dead when fuel injection came in. Now we're, you know, then computers came..."
Fuel injection is a way to get fuel into an engine. It replaced older systems called carburetors and helps the engine run better and use fuel more efficiently.
Fuel injection is a system that delivers fuel into the combustion chamber of an engine, replacing older carburetor systems. It allows for more precise control of the air-fuel mixture, improving efficiency and performance.
1.6 liter three-cylinder engine
"...that they took the Yaris engine, that little 1.6 liter, three cylinder and, you know, built us in nines and threw it in."
A 1.6 liter three-cylinder engine is a small engine that helps cars use less fuel while still being able to drive well. It's common in smaller cars.
A 1.6 liter three-cylinder engine is a compact engine configuration that is often used in smaller cars for better fuel efficiency and lower emissions. This type of engine can still provide adequate power for everyday driving.
Chevrolet
"...you still have Chevy, who's really into going racing."
Chevrolet, or Chevy, is a popular car brand in America that makes many types of vehicles, including trucks and sports cars. They are known for their involvement in racing.
Chevrolet, often referred to as Chevy, is an American automobile brand known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from trucks to sports cars. The brand has a strong presence in motorsports and is associated with performance and innovation.
Blackwing
"Let's be honest, they're blackwing cars are probably some of the best, you know, luxury sedans on the market right now."
Blackwing is a special performance line from Cadillac that includes powerful engines and sporty features in their cars, making them more fun to drive.
Blackwing refers to a performance-oriented line of engines and models from Cadillac, designed to enhance driving dynamics and power in their luxury vehicles.
Nissan Armada
"...the Armada, things like that. But when we get them here in the States..."
The Nissan Armada is a big SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's made for families and can handle rough roads.
The Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV known for its spacious interior and powerful performance. It is designed for family use and off-road capability.
Nismo
"...you still see a lot of like the Nismo productions. Like you're seeing the Nismo skyline being produced..."
Nismo is a part of Nissan that makes faster and sportier versions of their cars. They add special features to improve speed and handling.
Nismo is a performance division of Nissan that focuses on motorsports and high-performance vehicles. They produce modified versions of Nissan cars, enhancing their performance and styling.
Infiniti Q50
"Well, no, cause like the, okay. So for instance, that Q 50, um, you get a body kit, things like that, which, which, you know, unique paint, things like that, which if anyone knows Nissan, their Nismo"
The Infiniti Q50 is a fancy car that offers a comfortable ride and lots of tech features. It's known for looking good and being fun to drive, which is why people often mention it when talking about luxury cars.
The Infiniti Q50 is a luxury sedan that debuted in 2013, known for its blend of performance, technology, and comfort. It features advanced driver-assistance systems and a powerful engine lineup, making it a competitive option in the luxury car market. The Q50 is often discussed for its stylish design and the brand's reputation for quality and innovation.
radiator
"...there goes the radiator right there on the bottom corner. It's always, always the same spot."
The radiator helps keep the engine cool by removing heat. If it gets broken, the engine can get too hot and stop working.
The radiator is a crucial component in a vehicle's cooling system, responsible for dissipating heat from the engine coolant. If damaged, it can lead to overheating and engine failure.
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