SP Rides: Style, Function, Simplicity
by Michael Kitchens
Most hobbies start with an introduction. For Shingo K., that introduction was an asphalt-gripping ride down Tantalus in a track-prepped BMW M3 at the impressionable age of fifteen. “It had staggered wheels, suspension, and was lowered. I loved that car. I wanted an M3 after that.” he says. From that moment on, Shingo was hooked…for most petrol heads all it takes is that first ride in a fast car.
In what is becoming a recurring theme with Street Pulse interviews, Shingo has owned multiple vehicles by the time he turned 25 years old, including six Nissan 240s, two Toyota Cressidas, an older Audi S4, a Honda S2000, a late-model Chevy Camaro, and the beautiful 2010 Audi S4 on these pages. He’s wrecked his fair share of them, ran into gremlins with some, and sold the rest in his quest to find that perfect car. Although he loved the Camaro he seems to have an attraction to Nissans. “I love 240s. If I had money, I’d build one right now.”
With no place to drift, it’s rather impractical to build a 240, so Shingo opted for luxury and style. I had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of the S4 during the shoot, and the amount of gadgets this car offers is tantamount to flying the space shuttle. I’m a fairly competent guy when it comes to tech, but engaging the parking brake actually required me to ask for help. The Audi is no slouch in the looks department either and is one of the most impressively late-model cars I’ve ever laid eyes on. The body is svelte, wrapped in Brilliant Black, and screams high-end with a sub-50k price-tag. Shingo appreciates the look and opted to add some slight spice with a ModBargins DTM carbon lip and some Milltek sport oval exhaust tips.
Interior-wise, the car features oCarbon custom carbon fiber trip and the gorgeous premium extended leather trim. You can’t help but be impressed as you hunker down into the body-hugging seats and stare at the lovingly appointed interior trim. This is one sexy looking cockpit.
From the factory, the Audi S4 is no slouch and sports a super-charged 3.0 liter V6 that pumps out 334HP into its impressive AWD system. Sporting 19×10 and 19×11 Rotiform BLQs in the front and rear, this S4 looks like serious spec and is lowered with H&R sport springs. The rims themselves are fully polished with a slick clear coat and are wrapped in Falken FK452 tires. He wants to concentrate on looks over power and justifies it as such: “There’s nowhere to race…it’s not fun going to court like six times or whatever. Racing on the street isn’t worth it.” He isn’t even close to being finished with the car, and intends to further modify the suspension, add a big-brake kit, a carbon fiber spoiler, and the newer three-piece BLQs.
Although he has further plans, Shingo does view this car as being a transitory state…his dream car is a common want by most import enthusiasts, i.e., the holy grail; the Nissan GT-R. For now, he stands by the name of his car club known as SFS. It embodies an ideal that the club follows to the letter: Style, Function, and Simplicity. “It has to look good, has to be functional, and must remain simple.” In other words, they’ve got to scream style, be reliable, and be able to go anywhere. Take one look at this sleek S4…it’s readily apparent that Shingo is already well on his way to matching that goal.
