Just 61 units will be produced, and they will all remain exclusive to the Japanese market. Each example carries a distinctive ‘Tiger Stripe’ livery inspired by the racing F1 GTR, matched with ultra-lightweight 15-spoke forged alloys and bespoke cabin touches that echo the motorsport connection.

The exterior is dressed with unique detailing across the splitter, rear wing and door mirror caps, while the colour palette includes Memphis Red, Titanium Silver, Ice White and Graphite Grey. Those seeking something more unusual can explore McLaren’s bespoke paint programme. Finishing touches come in the form of gloss black roof and diffuser elements, striking gold brake callipers with red McLaren logos, and further subtle accents across the body.

Inside, the cabin is swathed in Alcantara with ‘JC96’ embroidery stitched into the headrests. Gold accents are scattered throughout, including the pedals, while a commemorative plaque celebrates the 1996 Drivers’ Championship. The blend of racing-inspired finishes gives the car’s interior a distinctly celebratory feel.

Buyers can opt for either the coupe or Spider body style, with the latter being offered for the first time with McLaren’s Special Operations High Downforce Kit. The package adds a reworked front bumper, enlarged splitter, active rear spoiler and louvred under-wing panel, boosting downforce by around ten per cent over the standard 750S.

Under the skin, the JC96 sticks to the familiar powertrain. The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 continues to deliver 740hp and 800Nm of torque, channelled through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Performance figures remain as staggering as ever, with a top speed of 331km/h unchanged from the standard 750S.

The JC96 may not alter the mechanical recipe, but its design, rarity and backstory ensure it stands out as a collector’s piece. For Japanese enthusiasts, it is more than just another McLaren special – it’s a rolling tribute to one of the marque’s most memorable racing victories.

Addressing Mobility Challenges with Cutting-Edge Technology

Nissan’s latest autonomous technology aims to tackle key transportation issues, including the growing shortage of drivers caused by Japan’s aging population. By leveraging its advanced research and global expertise, Nissan is positioning itself as a leader in mobility solutions that offer greater freedom and accessibility.

The technology integrates key insights from Nissan’s research in Japan, the Nissan Advanced Technology Center in Silicon Valley, and the U.K.’s evolvAD project. These efforts contribute to the company’s broader goal of ensuring AD systems can adapt to diverse traffic conditions worldwide.

Innovative Features and Enhanced Safety

The test vehicle, based on the Nissan Serena minivan, is equipped with:

• 14 cameras, 9 radars, and 6 LiDAR sensors for enhanced environmental awareness
• Roof-mounted sensors that leverage the minivan’s height for improved detection accuracy
• AI-powered recognition and decision-making for smooth operation in complex urban scenarios

To ensure safety, Nissan engineers conducted extensive scenario testing, implemented an emergency stop function, and introduced redundancies to enhance reliability.

Future Plans and Nationwide Expansion

Nissan has been testing autonomous driving technology since 2017 and plans to conduct service demonstrations with around 20 test vehicles in Yokohama from 2025 to 2026. The company aims to launch commercial autonomous mobility services by 2027 in partnership with local municipalities and transport operators.

This initiative is being developed in close cooperation with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Yokohama city government. The ministries are also supporting Nissan’s efforts through the Level 4 Mobility Acceleration Committee, which promotes the advancement of autonomous mobility services.

As Nissan continues to refine its AD technology, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era in transportation, aiming to reshape urban mobility in Japan and beyond.

Equally funded by Nissan and Mitsubishi, this venture will kick off verification tests in 2025. Nissan is taking the lead on vehicle development for autonomous driving, while Mitsubishi is advancing AI-powered systems to optimise routes. Based on these advancements, the joint venture will introduce unmanned taxi services and more, aligned with government deregulation, initially launching in Yokohama and Namie, where Nissan is actively testing automated driving technology.

In the EV battery sector, Nissan and Mitsubishi plan to enable connectivity between EVs, homes, and power grids, allowing users to utilise or sell stored energy from their EVs. They also aim to promote the collection and recycling of used EV batteries within Japan, addressing the concern of battery exports to other countries. Nissan projects an ambitious increase in sales to ¥2.5 trillion from its autonomous and EV-related business by 2030, while Mitsubishi is pushing investment in startups focused on autonomous driving software, anticipating growth in the sector due to labor shortages and Japan’s aging population.

Mitsubishi’s collaborations extend across the EV battery field with other major automakers, positioning both companies at the forefront of future mobility and sustainable energy solutions.

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ken Saito, emphasised that this initiative is designed to improve Japan’s battery industry’s global competitiveness. Major automotive and battery manufacturers, including Toyota, Nissan, Panasonic, Subaru, and Mazda, are involved in these efforts, which reflect Japan’s strategic push to increase domestic battery production.

Toyota will invest approximately 245 billion yen through its subsidiaries, Prime Planet Energy & Solutions and Primearth EV Energy, to enhance production capacity for solid-state and prismatic batteries by 9 GWh. These batteries are expected to be available from November 2026, with new plants planned in Hyogo and Fukuoka prefectures.

Nissan is focusing on lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, aiming for 5 GWh of annual production capacity by 2028. The government is supporting this initiative with 55.5 billion yen in subsidies.

Panasonic Energy, in collaboration with Subaru, will build a plant in Gunma Prefecture, targeting 16 GWh in annual production capacity by 2030, and supply batteries to Subaru and Mazda from 2027. Additionally, Panasonic plans to produce batteries for Mazda at its Osaka facilities, further expanding its role in the EV battery market.

This significant government support highlights Japan’s ambition to lead in the EV transition and secure its position in the competitive global battery supply chain.

Distinctive Features

The WRX S4 STI Sport boasts several notable upgrades, including the fitment of 19-inch BBS forged wheels finished in Super Black and wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires. The exterior showcases a revised black front grille, blacked-out badges, and a black lip spoiler on the decklid. Additional styling touches include Crystal Black Silica-painted wing mirrors and a roof antenna.

Performance Enhancements

Performance-wise, the limited-edition model benefits from a tower bar under the hood and a stiffening bar at the rear, contributing to an enhanced driving experience. Under the hood, it retains the 2.4-litre horizontally-opposed turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission, delivering 271hp and 375Nm of torque.

Customised Interior

The WRX S4 STI Sport features a unique interior with a genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel adorned with silver stitching, shift boots showcasing silver stitching, and specially designed Recaro seats in the front. These seats are upholstered in ultra suede material with contrasting stitching, providing both comfort and a sporty aesthetic. The suede material extends to parts of the instrument panel, armrests, and centre console.

Exclusive Availability

Priced at 6,237,000 yen (RM198k), this limited edition WRX S4 STI Sport is anticipated to generate significant interest, with Subaru employing a lottery system for sales. The exclusivity of the model, coupled with its distinctive design elements, is likely to appeal to Subaru enthusiasts and collectors alike.