South Africa’s automotive culture is about to make history.
Legendary Japanese car builder Akira Nakai, founder of the world-famous RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) brand, is set to visit South Africa to build Africa’s first official RWB Porsche live, marking a milestone for the continent’s growing performance car community.
The highly anticipated build will take place at the Idle Auto Expo 2026 at Montecasino on 1 and 2 August, marking the first time Nakai has performed a live RWB build on African soil
Who Is Akira Nakai?
Akira Nakai is regarded as one of the most influential names in the global custom car industry.
Born on October 19, 1970, in Chiba, Japan, he drew inspiration from American race car movies like Gone in 60 Seconds and The Cannonball Run, which sparked his passion for pursuing a career in the automotive world.
He began working on Porsches while employed at a body shop, where he stumbled upon a damaged Porsche 911 Turbo. He bought it from its original owner, and it eventually became the first RWB Porsche, paving the way for him to start his own company, RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB), which translates from German as “Rough World Concept.”
Unlike traditional tuning shops, Nakai personally travels around the world to complete every official RWB build himself.
His signature style combines oversized fenders, aggressive aerodynamics, handcrafted detailing and meticulous craftsmanship, making every RWB Porsche both a performance machine and a work of art.
Africa’s First Official RWB Porsche
This live build will take center stage at the Idle Auto Expo 2026, now celebrating its 5th year.
The build will happen live in front of car enthusiasts, giving fans a rare chance to see Nakai’s famous hands-on style in action. From the very first cuts into the Porsche’s bodywork to the final touch of RWB’s iconic wide arches and bold design, spectators can watch the entire transformation come to life.
Unlike factory production, Nakai performs much of the work himself using simple tools and decades of experience, reinforcing the authenticity that has made RWB one of the world’s most respected automotive brands.
According to Idle Auto Expo founder and CEO Alistair Andrew, bringing Nakai to South Africa has been a long-held ambition.
“Bringing Akira Nakai to South Africa for the first live RWB Porsche build in Africa is a dream moment for us and for the local automotive community and for us,” he said.
“RWB has a global following, and to have Nakai-san building live at Idle Auto Expo gives South African fans the chance to witness something that has never happened on this continent before.”
Historic Moment for African Automotive Industry
South Africa is the first country in Africa to host the experience, highlighting its growing significance in the global automotive lifestyle industry.
As global car culture reaches new corners of the world, Africa’s first live RWB Porsche build is more than just an impressive custom ride; it’s a sign of South Africa’s rising status on the international automotive scene.
Unlike many automotive companies that rely on large teams, Akira Nakai remains the face, craftsman, and storyteller behind every project.
Read more: New Chinese Car Brands Launching in South Africa in 2026
