The world of high-end automotive tuning has been irrevocably altered by one man and his singular vision: Akira Nakai’s RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) Porsche builds. As of December 2025, the brand remains an absolute global phenomenon, with enthusiasts clamoring for the exclusive, hands-on widebody transformation that turns classic air-cooled 911s into unapologetic, street-crushing art pieces. This deep dive uncovers the latest updates, the shocking costs, and the foundational philosophy that drives the "Rough World Concept" from a small workshop in Japan to a worldwide tuning empire.

RWB is not merely an aftermarket parts company; it is an intensely personal brand built on the artistic expression of its founder, Nakai-san. The process is a performance art event, a one-time, non-repeatable customization that has seen the RWB name—often translated as "Rough World Concept"—imprinted onto hundreds of unique Porsche 911s across every continent, keeping the brand fresh and highly sought after with new builds announced frequently, including major events planned for 2025.

The Mastermind: Akira Nakai’s Biography and Legacy

The entire global legacy of RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) rests on the shoulders of one man, the Japanese automotive tuner and artist, Akira Nakai. His journey from a drift enthusiast to a global icon is a testament to dedication and an unyielding personal style.

• Full Name: Akira Nakai (中井 啓)
• Nationality: Japanese
• Birthplace: Chiba Prefecture, Japan
• Era of Influence: Began modifying cars in the late 1990s.
• Early Career: Nakai-san was an active member of the "Rough World" drift crew in Japan, focusing on the Toyota AE86. This early experience in the JDM drift scene heavily influenced his aggressive, wide-stance aesthetic.
• Founding RWB: He officially founded Rauh-Welt Begriff (RWB) in 1997.
• The First RWB Porsche: His personal Porsche 930, which he affectionately named "Stella Artois," was the original canvas for the RWB wide-body kit and remains the most iconic example of his early work. The car cemented his signature look: extreme fender flares, deep-dish wheels, and massive rear wings.
• Current Status: As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, Nakai-san continues his non-stop global tour, personally flying to workshops around the world to perform every single RWB build, maintaining the brand's exclusivity and artistic integrity.

7 Secrets That Define the RWB Porsche Phenomenon

The RWB process is shrouded in mystique, fueled by a unique blend of Japanese tuning culture, German engineering, and Nakai-san’s personal artistry. These seven secrets explain why RWB Porsches command such a high price and deep following.

1. The Shocking, Minimum $40,000 Conversion Cost

The most common question about the RWB transformation is the price, and the raw cost is significantly higher than many expect. The RWB kit itself is a premium product, but the total conversion cost easily approaches $40,000 USD—and that’s before you buy the base Porsche 911.

The cost breakdown typically includes:

• RWB Body Kit: The core wide-body kit (fenders, bumpers, side skirts).
• Wheels and Tires: Custom-specified, deep-dish wheels and performance tires to fill the massive new arches (often around $5,500).
• Suspension: Upgraded, often adjustable coilover suspension to achieve the signature low, aggressive stance (another $5,500).
• Paint and Bodywork: The meticulous painting and finishing of the kit.

This price is for the aesthetic conversion only. It does not include engine modifications, interior customization, or the cost of the base car, which is typically a classic air-cooled Porsche 964 or Porsche 993, making the total project cost well over six figures.

2. The Hand-Cut, One-Man Build Process

Unlike mass-produced tuning kits, every RWB Porsche is a piece of performance art. Nakai-san insists on performing the final assembly himself. He flies to the client's location—be it a garage in Seattle, a workshop in Manila, or a tuner in Toronto—and completes the build over the course of just a few intense days.

The most shocking part of the process is the irreversible cutting of the original Porsche fenders. Nakai-san uses simple tools, often a hand-held saw, to slice into the classic sheet metal, a move that is considered sacrilege by Porsche purists but is essential to the RWB aesthetic. This hands-on, non-standardized method ensures that no two RWB cars are exactly alike, lending each vehicle a unique "soul" and story.

3. The "Rough World Concept" Philosophy

The name RAUH-Welt Begriff translates from German to "Rough World Concept". This name is a direct nod to Nakai-san’s early drift crew, "Rough World," and his overall philosophy. It’s a vision that rejects the polished, pristine perfection often associated with high-end European tuning. Instead, RWB embraces a raw, almost brutal aesthetic—wide, low, and aggressive—that reflects the demanding, "rough" world of street racing and drifting. The goal is to transform the elegant Porsche 911 into a "wilder" machine, a street fighter with an unmistakable presence.

4. The Global Calendar of Exclusive 2024/2025 Builds

The brand is far from a relic; its global demand is at an all-time high. Recent and upcoming events highlight its continued expansion:

• 2024 Builds: Nakai-san completed numerous builds throughout 2024, including high-profile projects in Asia, Europe, and the US.
• New York Auto Show: He performed a live, public wide-body build for the first time at a major auto show, turning the secretive process into a viral, public spectacle.
• May 2025 Double Build: T1 Motorsports in Canada has already announced a highly anticipated four-day, double RWB Porsche build event in May 2025, demonstrating the intense, concentrated nature of his work.

5. The Sacred RWB Model Canvas: Air-Cooled 911s

While RWB has worked on nearly every generation of the Porsche 911, including the water-cooled 996 and 997, the heart of the brand lies with the classic air-cooled models. These older chassis codes are the most sought-after canvases for the RWB treatment:

• Porsche 930 (1975-1989): The original "Stella Artois" platform.
• Porsche 964 (1989-1994): Arguably the most common and popular chassis for RWB conversions, known for its classic 911 shape with modern touches.
• Porsche 993 (1995-1998): The final, and to many, the most refined of the air-cooled 911s.

6. Every Car Has a Name: RWB’s Iconic Entity List

In a final touch that elevates the car from a modified vehicle to a piece of art, Nakai-san gives every RWB build a unique, custom name. This practice further solidifies the car's identity and legacy. These names are now LSI keywords and entities in the automotive world, representing the pinnacle of the brand's work.

• Stella Artois: Akira Nakai’s personal, original 930.
• Yoshiwara: A famous gold 911 Targa build.
• Kamiwaza: A notable, deceptively simple build.
• Rough Rhythm: Known for its distinctive, pull-me-over-green paint job.
• Martini: A build paying homage to the classic Porsche motorsport livery.
• Stealth Bird: One of the few water-cooled 996 models to receive the RWB treatment.
• Dembow: Kentucky's first RWB Porsche.

7. The Deep-Seated Divisiveness Among Porsche Purists

The RWB phenomenon is not without controversy. While fans praise the radical, aggressive styling and the founder’s artistic dedication, Porsche purists often view the process as a form of vandalism. The permanent, hand-cut modification of classic air-cooled Porsche bodies is seen by some as destroying rare automotive heritage. This deep division, however, only adds to the RWB mystique, cementing its status as a counter-culture icon in the high-end tuning scene, where the line between modification and art is constantly debated.

RWB Rauh-Welt Begriff: More Than Just a Widebody Kit

Ultimately, the enduring appeal of the RWB Rauh-Welt Begriff brand goes beyond the aggressive fender flares and massive rear wings. It is an investment in a piece of global automotive history and a direct connection to the founder's artistic vision. The exclusivity of the hands-on build, the high price tag, and the irreversible nature of the conversion create a powerful, emotional bond between the owner and the car, turning a classic Porsche 911 into a unique, named creature of the "Rough World."

As Nakai-san continues his global journey well into 2025, cutting metal and signing his name onto new builds, the RWB legacy remains one of the most powerful and polarizing forces in modern car culture, proving that true art, even in the form of a heavily modified Porsche 964, will always find its devoted audience.