In the past decades, Japanese automakers have been on the front line of manufacturing innovative and reliable cars.
Back in the 90s, fast Japanese cars became extremely popular around the globe as a result of making appearances in mainstream media and dominating the global market.
The Japanese showed the world how to innovate and pioneer a new direction while staying true to their ambitions of producing safe and reliable cars.
In this article, we’ll list some of the fastest cars to ever roll out of Japan. This list can be a hundred pages long and we still won’t run out of iconic fast Japanese cars; scroll on as we list some of our favorites.
The Fastest Japanese Production Cars
The fastest Japanese cars come in every shape and design from different decades and eras. From coupes to sedans to hatchbacks, it does not matter how they’re designed; you can be sure that they’ll deliver.
Below we’ve listed the many greats based on what makes them unique, their popularity, and tech specs.
Toyota Supra A80
Production years: 1993-2002
Body style: Coupe
Powertrain layout: Front engine, RWD
Engine: Twin turbo 3.0L 2JZ-GTE 6-cylinder
Power: 330 hp @5600 rpm
Torque: 325 lb-ft @4800 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Weight: 3,461 lbs
Length: 177.8″
Ground clearance: 5.1″
Top speed: 177 mph
0-60 time: 4.6 s
MKIV Supras are among the most iconic JDM cars ever made. This rendition of the Supra quickly reached cult status partly because of mainstream media, but mostly thanks to its 2JZ-GTE engine and classic Toyota overengineering.
This liftback coupe will give you a claimed top speed of 177 mph while you can push the envelope and get near the 180 mph zone. It will only take 4.7 seconds to hit 60 mph with this icon of a car.
There’s also a naturally aspirated variant which comes with a 2JZ-GE engine which puts out 320 hp, and can keep up with the twin-turbo version all day. A80 Supras make for excellent modern classic cars that you can drive daily.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ-440 MR
Production years: 2014
Body style: Sedan
Powertrain layout: Front engine, AWD
Engine: Turbo 2.0L 4B11T 4-cylinder
Power: 440 hp @6800 rpm
Torque: 412 lb-ft @3100 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic
Weight: 3583 lbs
Length: 177″
Ground clearance: 5.5″
Top speed: 157 mph
0-60 time: 3.8 s
Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ-440 MR can be considered one of the angriest Japanese cars ever made. The FQ-440 MR was the last of its kind and concluded the Lancer line as strong as it could.
Eight years after introducing the Evo X, Mitsubishi juiced it up and came up with the FQ-440 MR with a boosted 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 440 hp.
This variant of the Evo X goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and can officially hit 157 mph, but you can expect the actual numbers to be near the 185 mph mark.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 NISMO Z-Tune
Production years: 2003
Body style: Coupe
Powertrain layout: Front engine, AWD
Engine: Twin turbo 2.7L RB26DETT Z2 6-cylinder
Power: 493 hp @6,800 rpm
Torque: 399 lb-ft @5,200 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Weight: 3527 lbs
Length: 173.3″
Ground clearance: 4.3″
Top speed: 203 mph
0-60 time: 3.8 s
Regular R34 GT-Rs are fast enough, but since we’re on the subject of the fastest Japanese sports cars ever made, the Nismo Z-tune variant deserves a spotlight.
Based off the GT-R V-Spec II, the Nismo Z-tune was designed as an end-of-era celebration concept car. Only 19 of these exist. Unlike any other R34, the Nismo Z-tune features a GT500 RRR engine block with a 2.8L bore.
Compared to the standard 05U block, it has better internals, an upgraded intake plenum, a completely redesigned cooling system, and much more. As a result, it makes 493 hp @6800 rpm.
As unattainable as they are, if you ever get your hands on one of these, you can go from stop to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and hit a stratospheric 203 mph with it.
Although, when you compare the RB26DETT and 2JZ engines, the latter is definitely the more reliable. If reliability is a non-negotiable quality for you, go for the Supra instead.
18’ Acura NSX
Production years: 2018
Body style: Coupe
Powertrain layout: Longitudinal mid-engine, AWD
Engine: Twin turbo 3.5L JNC V6
Power: 500 hp @7,500 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft @6,000 rpm
Transmission: 9-speed dual clutch
Weight: 3,941 lbs
Length: 176.1″
Ground clearance: 3.7″
Top speed: 191 mph
0-60 time: 3.1 s
The Acura NSX is the young gun on this list. The 2018 rendition of the Acura NSX checks so many boxes, including being a juggernaut on the track. This car mashes up supercar tendencies with everyday ride qualities.
The 3.5L V6 engine helps the car put out 500 hp and a top speed of 191 mph. It can also do the 0-60 in 3.1 seconds. Couple these with crisp handling, and you get one of the most desirable rides you can ask for.
Lexus LFA Nürburgring
Production years: 2012
Body style: Coupe
Powertrain layout: Front mid-engine, RWD
Engine: 4.8L 1LR-GUE V10
Power: 570 hp @8700 rpm
Torque: 354 lb-ft @6800 rpm
Transmission: ASG 6-speed sequential (semi-automatic)
Weight: 3263 lbs
Length: 177.4″
Ground clearance: 4.5″
Top speed: 201 mph
0-60 time: 3.7 s
Lexus’ halo car, the LFA, took 10 years to build. Only 500 of these rolled off the assembly line. Being regarded as a true exotic with allegedly the best sounding V10 ever, you’d think that these sold out real fast.
In reality, they didn’t. This was a result of being overshadowed by cars like the Nissan GTR, Lamborghini Murcielago, and Corvette ZR1 to name a few.
At the time of writing, however, LFAs have attained collector status, and they’re selling for a lot more than they were worth.
The 1LR-GUE V10 engine is mated to a dual-stage intake manifold with 10 individual throttle bodies and dual-stage titanium exhausts. This whole package was co-developed by Yamaha to make it sound the way it does.
Without a doubt, Nürburgring package-equipped Lexus LFAs are among the fastest cars to ever roll out of Japan.
13’ Nissan GT-R Track Edition
Production years: 2013
Body style: Coupe
Powertrain layout: Front engine, AWD
Engine: 3.8L biturbo VR38DETT V6
Power: 542 hp @6400 rpm
Torque: 466 lb-ft @5800 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed twin-clutch auto
Weight: 3792 lbs
Length: 183.1″
Ground clearance: 3.9″
Top speed: 207 mph
0-60 time: 2.7 s
The Nissan GT-R is everything you can ask if you’re super-into track days. With its 3.8-liter V6 engine, the 2013 Nissan GT-R Track Edition produces 542 hp and 466 lb-ft of torque.
It only takes 2.7 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, and it can also hit 207 mph as its top speed. As crazy as the numbers may sound, we can assure you that it feels even crazier when you are in this F-14-esque car.
No surprises then, that this car can do it all. It’s one of the best touge cars, regularly takes the trophy while drag or roll racing, and is a strong contender at most time-attack events.
Honda Civic Type R FK8
Production years: 2017-2021
Body style: 5-door hatchback
Powertrain layout: Inline-4, front engine, FWD
Engine: 2.0L turbo K20C1 4-cylinder
Power: 320 hp @6500 rpm
Torque: 295 lb-ft @2500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Weight: 3166 lbs
Length: 179.5″
Ground clearance: 5.2″
Top speed: 169 mph
0-60 time: 4.9 s
The Honda Civic Type R FK8 is the fastest rendition of the Civic Type R family. This hatchback also holds a couple of records among front-wheel drive cars. The aerodynamics of its design help the FK8 to hit great numbers on the track.
If you hop on an FK8, you can expect to go from zero to 60 in 4.9 seconds. You can also push that gas pedal really hard and hit 169 mph.
Lexus LC500
Production years: 2017- present
Body style: 2-door fastback coupe
Powertrain layout: Front engine, RWD
Engine: 5.0L 2UR-GSE V8
Power: 471 hp @7100 rpm
Torque: 398 lb-ft @4800 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed direct shift
Weight: 4340 lbs
Length: 187.4″
Ground clearance: 5.2″
Top speed: 168 mph
0-60 time: 4.6 s
If you want LFA DNA in an attainable luxury sports coupe, look no further. It’s not an exotic V10 hypercar, but it does have a lot going for it.
The Lexus LC500 has a 5.0L V8 under the hood. It churns out 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The fastback coupe covers both sides of the spectrum as it offers smooth handling and great performance with a luxurious interior design.
Subaru Impreza WRX STI 22B
Production years: 1998
Body style: 2-door coupe
Powertrain layout: Front engine, 4WD
Engine: 2.2L turbo EJ22G boxer-4
Power: 279 hp @6000 rpm
Torque: 268 lb-ft @3200 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual w/twin plate clutch
Weight: 2800 lbs
Length: 171.9″
Ground clearance: 5.7″
Top speed: 157 mph
0-60 time: 4.6 s
This one’s undoubtedly one of the fastest Japanese cars of the 90s. The Subaru Impreza WRX is drenched in rally history; the STI 22B rendition takes that to the next level.
On paper, it might not be as potent as the others, but its lower weight, engine configuration, and design help it to be just as fast.
With this car, you can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and hit 157 mph as its top speed. It can also do a very mean midrange acceleration going from 50 to 70 mph in 2.4 seconds.
Honda Civic FD2 Type R
Production years: 2007-2010
Body style: 4-door saloon
Powertrain layout: Front engine, FWD
Engine: 2.0L K20A 4-cylinder
Power: 225 hp @8000 rpm
Torque: 158 lb-ft @6100 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Weight: 2799 lbs
Length: 178.7″
Ground clearance: 5.3″
Top speed: 157 mph
0-60 time: <6.0 s
For the uninitiated, the FD2 Type R might look just another mid-2000s Honda Civic. But true Honda fanboys know that it’s a true JDM icon — the last Japanese-made, naturally aspirated Type R.
It’s 50% stiffer than the DC5 Integra, and it also happens to be the first car to break the 2:40 lap time barrier at Suzuka in the early 2000s.
On paper it might seem unimpressive, but it’s unbelievably quick around corners. That said, the newer FK8 is much faster, with a 2:23.12 lap time at Suzuka.
The FD2R is as good as Honda’s FWD chassis engineering can get. It’s truly a race car with number plates.
Honorable Mentions
To list every Japanese car worthy of this list would be the work of impossible, but here’s a list of some other exceptionally fast cars made in the land of the rising sun:
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI RS
- Mitsubishi GTO-VR4
- Nissan Silvia Spec R
- Honda NSX Type S Zero
- Mazda RX-7 Type RS
- Honda Civic EK9 Type-R
- Toyota Celica GT-Four
- Mazda RX8 Spirit R
What are some other fast Japanese cars you would add to this list? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!
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