Since the inception of the Japanese automotive industry, car manufacturers from the Land of the Rising Sun have been slowly building up a reputation of excellence and precision. They have made a perfect connection between the engine and wheels, earning the highest awards for numerous super-popular cars such as the Mazda Mx-5.
Experts in rear-wheel drive and front-engine layout, of which speaks the immensely successful Nissan R32 GT-R 'Godzilla', Japanese constructors have also made some cool mid-engined cars in all categories, from city cars to racing beasts. Let's look into some of the coolest JDM cars that have an engine in the middle.
10 Toyota MR2
We could see a whole new Toyota MR2 as soon as 2024. With that said, the original Toyota MR2 was in production from 1984 until 2007 over three generations. The most popular one is the second iteration of the legendary mid-engined yet affordable sports car, with the production name W20.
The Toyota Mr2 is the first Japanese-produced mid-engined car, therefore, the legacy of the car is immense and it still is a loveable sports car, offering great performance with top speeds close to modern sports cars. You can choose from a 2-door convertible and a 2-door coupe.
9 Mitsubishi i
You would never think that this is a car with a mid-engine layout just by looking at it. Well, it is. This 5-door hatchback was imagined as the Kei car, and has exceeded the Mitsubishi's expectations, becoming a rather popular solution for a Kei car that can transport more than two passengers.
The innovative layout, stylish exterior, and a few important upgrades on brakes and drivetrain in comparison to other cars of the same category made the Mitsubishi i one of a kind. There's also plenty of space despite its diminutive stature, both in front and at the back.
8 Autozam AZ1
The mid-mounted turbocharged 657cc engine provides this little 2-door coupe with 63 hp, enough for 87 mph. The Autozam AZ1 is the sports car from the Kei category, and it is officially one of the most popular cars in Japan as the manufacturer needed to produce larger numbers than originally imagined. It is Honda's vehicle, but it produced under the Autozam brand.
The gull-wing doors, pop-up headlights, and even an optional rear spoiler made this Japanese wonder a loveable sports coupe suitable for everyone, which in a manner explains the need for more units than the original number.
7 1991 Honda NSX
The NSX is powered by an all-aluminum 3.0-liter VTEC V6 engine paired with a five-speed manual, this mid-engine sports car has a massive 270 hp, launching it to the speed of 168 mph. It could compete with supercars of Europe and America of the time, and has amassed a cult following across the globe.
Developed by using F1 technology, the engineers of Honda had the help of the legendary Ayrton Senna, and with the improved aerodynamics and styling inspired by an F-16 fighter jet cockpit. Although a sports car, it is considered Japan's first supercar and the precursor to the modern affordable supercar segment.
6 Mitsuoka Orochi
Often credited as the world's ugliest car, the Mitsuoka Orochi was presented to the world back in 2001 but the production began five years later. Introduced as a mid-engined sports car, it comes in two options, 2-door convertible or 2-door coupe.
Powered by the 3.3-liter V6 engine tuned to produce 23o hp, this odd-looking sports car can reach 152 mph, making it rather desirable, despite being the ugliest car there is. It was discontinued in 2014, though in 2018, Mitsuoka collaborated with Go Nagai, creator of the Japanese anime series Devilman Crybaby, resulting in the Orochi Devilman, inspired by a car from the series. Only one car was made and sold for $175,364.
5 Honda S660
Sadly, the Honda S660 is one of the Kei cars that aren't available in the USA. It was introduced in 2015 and the first generation is still in production. This sports car comes with a mid-mounted turbocharged 658cc three-cylinder gasoline engine that produces a beautiful 63 hp.
It is a daily 2-door roadster that will take you anywhere at a max speed of 87 mph. Credited as the tiny Honda NSX because of the similar platform and year of production, it is fun to drive and a cute little roadster.
4 2016 Honda NSX
The first generation of the Honda NSX represented the perfect mix of speed, beauty, and style. Honda wanted to continue the legacy of the successful sports car and even spice it a bit. With a newer, more powerful mid-engine, and with three electric motors making the car all-wheel-drive, the new NSX produces a staggering 573 horsepower.
Marvelous in both design and performance, this sports car incorporates a space-frame design made with aluminum, ultra-high-strength steel, and other lightweight but rigid materials that contribute to the speed and elegance of the Japanese marvel.
3 1996 Tommykaira ZZ
Not many people are familiar with Tommykaira company and its cars, but the Tommykaira ZZ raised a few eyebrows over the years. The company was originally intended for tuning different cars but at some point decided to try and make cars on their own. One of them is the Tommykaira ZZ, a 2-door sports car powered by 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine churning out 190 hp.
With the mid-engine rear-wheel-drive layout, this lightweight roadster reached speeds of 150 mph, making it rather fun to drive, especially with the paired 5-speed manual transmission.
2 Honda Beat
Belonging in the B category of Kei cars, the Honda Beat is one of the coolest Kei cars Japan produced in the '90s. The quirky design made by Pininfarina who then sold the design to Honda, and a 656cc naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine that produced just 63 hp was enough for this lightweight Honda to speed down the road at 84 mph.
Produced from 1991 until 1996, it wasn't available in the U.S. market, however, thanks to import rules, it can now be imported to the USA as a JDM car.
1 Nissan R390 GT1
Only one road car was made and it can be found at Nismo's Zama warehouse. Originally built as a prototype to the race car that competed in the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Nissan R390 GT1 represents a huge part of the racing history.
The R390 GT1 was powered by the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged VRH35L V8 engine, down-tuned to 550 hp in comparison to the race car version which had 641 hp. This allowed the car to achieve speeds of up to 220 mph, which is also made possible thanks to the lower center of gravity of the mid-engine layout.