JAPANESE PERFORMANCE SEDANS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF

For decades, the North American market has been unable to enjoy some of the best vehicles produced by foreign automakers, mostly in the tuner market, and there is an absence of thorough-bred JDM models from manufacturers such as Mitsubishi and Toyota.

  • Mitsubishi

    Mitsubishi is a Japanese automaker founded in 1870 and is part of the Mitsubishi Group and broader Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Mitsubishi Motors officially started producing passenger vehicles in 1917, the Mitsubishi Model-A, before building a legacy as the manufacturer of off-roaders like the Pajero. Mitsubishi established a strong presence in motorsport, with models like the Lancer Evolution competing in WRC and the Pajero Evolution taking multiple wins in the Dakar Rally. Its best-ever sales year in the USA was 2002, when it sold 345,915 cars.

  • Toyota

    Toyota is a Japanese automaker founded in 1937 that has developed a reputation for reliability across a multitude of segments, from sports cars and family sedans to pickup trucks and off-roaders. Famous models from the brand include the Hilux, Land Cruiser, Camry, Crown, and Corolla, the latter being the world's best-selling vehicle nameplate, with more than 50 million Corolla-badged vehicles being sold since it was first introduced. Toyota typically competes in the mainstream market, but is also famous for launching Lexus as a luxury sub-brand to take on Mercedes-Benz.

From certain variations of the Honda Civic Type R to some of Toyota's most potent offerings, many have never made it to American soil. The following ten cars are Japanese performance sedans that never made it to the US or were forgotten in time.

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The cars included in this list have been arranged from the least powerful to the most powerful.

1981 Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 EX Turbo

Power: 168 hp

Engine

2.0L I4

Aspiration

Turbo

Torque

181 lb-ft

0-60

7 seconds

Before the debut of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series, as we know it today, Mitsubishi had been using a precursor to that potent model line, which had the same name but a completely different appearance. Like many beloved and revered pre-2000s performance cars, the Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 EX Turbo was a homologation special derived from a rally-racing model drafted for use in the WRC, which commanded an output of 300 hp.

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It was the first Mitsubishi to use the now-iconic turbocharged 4G63 inline four-cylinder engine that would appear in some of the best generations of the Lancer Evolution series and was only available in certain European markets.

Honda Torneo Euro R

Power: 217 hp

Engine

2.2L I4

Aspiration

Natural

Torque

163 lb-ft

0-60

6.5 seconds

The Honda Torneo Euro R is a bonafide sleeper car. At the core of a visually conservative sedan was a 2.2-liter H22A four-cylinder engine that was very similar to the Honda Accord Euro R. Honda's Torneo R was the pallbearer of Honda's H22A engine and, in this form, it was the most powerful iteration of the capable four-banger. The Euro R variant featured a helical Torsen limited-slip differential, a larger exhaust, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Recaro racing seats to distinguish it from the rest of the Torneo range.

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Honda Accord Euro R

Power: 220 hp

Engine

2.0L I4

Aspiration

Natural

Torque

152 lb-ft

0-60

6.8 seconds

The 2002 Honda Accord Euro R was an exclusive offering for the Japanese market. It was a more discreet offering than the Type-R model, devoid of boisterous visual elements but mechanically still as sharp as the Type-R. Some noteworthy elements that allowed its impressive "go-fast" abilities included a limited-slip differential, a K-series four-cylinder engine, improved suspension, and a more aggressive tuning of that suspension system.

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This handful of components, among others, resulted in its impressive handling characteristics. Although it didn't wear its performance abilities on its sleeve, the Honda Accord Euro R could rival the mighty Type-R model.

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Honda Civic Type-R (FD2)

Power: 225 hp

Engine

2.0L I4

Aspiration

Natural

Torque

159 lb-ft

0-60

6.2 seconds

The Honda FD2 was based on Honda's Civic four-door saloon model and was an impressive piece of machinery that sought to rectify the wrongs of its predecessor. As such, this model featured hardware like independent double-wishbone rear suspension, a limited-slip differential, a version of the K20A engine that had more power than the version used in the FN2 hatchback, a six-speed manual with close ratios, Brembo brakes, and stiffer dampers. Honda also offered the Honda Civic Type R with a package that resulted in a lowered ride height and even firmer dampers. Compared to the FN2 model, the FD2 was a better package, offering better performance and an arguably better appearance, but only for certain markets of which the United States was not a part.

Toyota Verossa

Power: 276 hp

Engine

2.5L I6

Aspiration

Turbo

Torque

279 lb-ft

0-60

NA

The Toyota Verossa was introduced in 2001 as the successor to the Toyota Chaser and Toyota Cresta model lines. It was designed as a four-door offering and a sedan with a statement to make. The Toyota Verossa relied on the rear-wheel-drive platform that was developed for the second-generation Toyota Aristo and the tenth-generation Toyota Crown.

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Nissan Gloria

Power: 276 hp

Engine

3.0L V6

Aspiration

Natural

Torque

227 lb-ft

0-60

6.4 seconds

The Nissan Gloria was a luxury car introduced in 1959, but we're focusing on the model that was in production from 1999 to 2004. While its forebears were luxury cars through and through, this version of the Nissan Gloria injected a bit of performance into its formula through a handful of undoubtedly potent engines.

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Some of the beating hearts afforded to the Gloria sedan included the 2.5-liter RB25DET inline six-cylinder engine, the 3.0-liter turbocharged VQ30DET, and the 3.0-liter naturally aspirated VQ30DD, which was the most powerful configuration.

Toyota Aristo Vertex Edition

Power: 276 hp

Engine

3.0L I6

Aspiration

Twin-turbo

Torque

224 lb-ft

0-60

6 seconds

Toyota debuted the second generation Aristo four-door sedan in 1997 and inherited some of its predecessor's styling. Still, the model was founded on a new platform that optimized its weight distribution and shortened its front and rear overhangs. The engine was also positioned further back, which was another contributing factor to its improved maneuverability.

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The 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder 2JZ engine, offered in naturally aspirated or twin-turbocharged configurations used in the preceding model, was unchanged. The Toyota Aristo model was discontinued and succeeded by the Lexus GS model.

Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

Power: 280 hp

Engine

2.5L V6

Aspiration

Twin-turbo

Torque

268 lb-ft

0-60

6 seconds

The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 range has consistently been designed as a model that offers impressive performance and is packaged in a boxy '80 body. The Mk3 variant of the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 was introduced in 1996 and offered significant improvements over its predecessor. Its twin-turbocharged V6 engine had been made bigger, with displacement bumped up to 2.5 liters and power following accordingly.

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Beyond power, this iteration of the Galant VR-4 also relied on a four-wheel-drive system, and handling was improved by implementing an Active Yaw Control system inherited from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV. Other noteworthy hardware included suspension tower braces, large ventilated disc brakes, and uprated springs and dampers.

Mitsubishi Carisma GT

Power: 280 hp

Engine

2.0L I4

Aspiration

Turbo

Torque

280 lb-ft

0-60

4.8 seconds

The Mitsubishi Carisma GT is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution's twin, sold in certain European countries where the Lancer model wasn't available. Visually and mechanically, the two were identical, with the main difference being their nameplates. It was only available briefly before the Mitsubishi Carisma range was replaced in Europe by the Mitsubishi Lancer.

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This model was also offered with special-edition offshoots, including the Tommi Mäkinen Edition that celebrated famed rally driver Tommi Mäkinen's fourth driver's championship win. Mitsubishi also introduced a version of the Carimsa GT called the RS2 version, the lightest version of the Carisma GT model, featuring hardware like a limited-slip differential and an impressive power output.

Toyota Mark X

Power: 319 hp

Engine

2.5L V6

Aspiration

Supercharger

Torque

280 lb-ft

0-60

NA

The Toyota Mark X is a mid-size sedan manufactured between 2004 and 2019, intended primarily for the Japanese Domestic Market. It was offered as the alternative to the Toyota Camry and, in 2017, was one of a handful of Toyota's models to receive some Gazoo Racing treatment. For the Toyota Mark X, Toyota introduced elements like specially tuned suspension, a new brace, a special meter, aluminum pedals, a small-diameter steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped shift knob, and finished in one of four color options.

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Beyond the Toyota Gazoo Racing variant, the Toyota Mark X had other noteworthy variations, like the Toyota Mark X Supercharged that debuted as a part of the first generation and relied on a supercharged V6 engine that produced 315 hp and 304 lb-ft. Another interesting rendition of the Toyota Mark X was the Mark X GRMN, which was lighter and more capable than the standard offering, benefiting from implementing a Torsen limited-slip differential, specially tuned suspension, large brakes, and chassis reinforcements.

Sources: Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan.

2025-01-17T08:00:19Z