Japanese auto manufacturers managed to shake the American and global performance car market thanks to their ridiculously powerful cars that came at the price of electric cars in California. This deadly combination of grit and cheap made these Japanese makes quite popular not just in showrooms but also in Hollywood movies and game consoles.

But the cars from the East that most of us know of are not purely the best Japan has to offer.

Japan has a handful of underdogs who are poised to challenge not just the most established names in Japan but also major brands and nameplates from Europe and America. These sports cars sadly don’t get as much street cred as they should. However, when put head to head against your Fast and Furious favorite, they might just leave Vin Diesel shaken to the core.

These 10 are the underdogs from Japan you should either buy or watch out for when you next dare a JDM fan to a drag race.

10 1987 Nissan Skyline R31 GTS-R

Via: YouTube

This was the ultimate version of the Nissan Skyline R31 model. Nissan had to make 823 street-going versions of their R31 to have the model accepted in the Group A touring car series.

RELATED: These Japanese Sports Cars Were Faster Than American Muscle Cars In The 80s

Via: classicregister

The race version of the R31 was a monster. Its power unit could send 430hp to the wheels thanks to the turbocharger that gave it a ton more punch. The street-legal R31 GTS-R, on the other hand, could still do a respectable 207 hp on full throttle. Nonetheless, the street-legal R31 still found its way into racing events given how well it drove.

9 1995 Mitsubishi FTO GPX

Via: Car Directory

The 1995 Mitsubishi FTO GPX can be seen as a pet project that Mitsubishi never thought would become as big as it eventually did. This car made an appearance in the Fast and Furious movie plus the famous Gran Turismo game. Yes, it wasn’t the most popular Japanese vehicle in either the movie or the game. However, in markets outside of Japan, the car was finding its way to stardom.

Via: Daily Turismo

The Mitsubishi FTO GPX was strictly a domestic product in Japan. However, devoted fans still found a way of exporting it to the grey market in America.

8 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo

Via: Mecum Auctions

Despite being built as a sports car, the 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo couldn’t help but attempt a shot at building luxury inside a rather quick car. The push for a luxurious touch was not only seen on the interior but also on the exterior.

Via: TOPRANK

The Eunos Cosmo thus ended up being one of the top-notch flagship cars for Mazda in the early ‘90s. Plus, its twin-turbocharged 2-liter engine paired with an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission made it no slouch on the road. If you weren’t a fan of speed, Mazda also offered a tamer 1.3-liter Eunos Cosmo, perfect for a chilled drive.

7 1998 Honda Accord Type R

Honda Accord Type R

Via Honest John Classics

The Type R represented the top performing Honda Accord that was sold in Europe at the time. Compared to the original model, the 1998 Honda Accord Type R had a similar body albeit with a few differences that made the Type R a harder charging model.

Via: Evo

In 2001, the 1998 Honda Accord Type R got a major facelift, which saw the relaunch of the Type R. It was still a very sporty four-door offering from Honda that was still very practical for day-to-day use.

6 1991 Suzuki Cappuccino

Via: Hagerty UK

The 1991 Suzuki Cappuccino is a small package but it’s got a kick. Those two qualities together make this tiny monster one of the most popular Kei cars in Japan.

RELATED: 10 Quirky Kei Cars We Wish We Got In America

Via: Wikipedia

This car, together with the Honda Beat and Autozam AZ-1, competed for the Kei crown. However, compared to the two, the Cappuccino was more popular, which balanced its midget size with a zippy performance that made it a ton more fun to drive. Plus, the 50/50 weight distribution, as claimed by Suzuki, made the Cappuccino an easy-handling car.

5 2006 Mazda Speed6

Via: Mazda 6 Forums

The formidable 2006 Mazda Speed6 gets its powerful reputation from the great Mazda creations that preceded and inspired it. This car was built after and based on the Mazda RX-8, the CX-7, the formidable 626, and the fun-to-drive MX-5.

Via: Mazda 6 Forums

All these were very successful models of their time. And for the 2006 Mazda Speed6, despite being treated largely as an underdog, that successful heritage is still what it carried. Some circles speculate that the 6 in Speed clued that the Mazda Speed6 was actually the 6th generation Mazda 626.

4 1971 Toyota Celica

Via: TOYOTA CELICA

If you didn’t want to buy a Toyota Carina, the closest offering that Toyota gave as its alternative was the Toyota Celica. The main reason for this was that the two vehicles were quite similar. They both shared a platform and a chassis, with their mechanical details also bearing a ton of similarity.

An Image Of A Blue 1971 Toyota Celica
Via YouTube / Jap Auto Agent Ltd

However, these two ventured out in different directions. The Toyota Celica grew into a sports car, becoming one of the longest-running nameplates in Toyota’s history. On the other hand, nothing much was done to the Carina, leaving it as the same entry-level car it was.

3 1983 Mitsubishi Starion

Via: Pinterest

The 1983 Mitsubishi Starion was a two-door coupe that came with turbocharged four-cylinder engines. Moreover, this marque came in a hatchback sports car package that did well to sell the sporty design of this vehicle.

RELATED: Here's What You Need To Know Before Buying A Mitsubishi Starion

Via: Pinterst

Performance-wise, the Starion was not a slouch. However, it had gotten its name from a misunderstanding over a phone call. According to a BBC Top Gear episode hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, the Starion was supposed to be called the Stallion. However, the guy at the other end of the phone call got it all wrong.

2 Mitsubishi 3000GT

Via: Mitsubishi Motors Oman Official

The ‘90s ushered an era of sports car craze and an influx of Japanese sports cars in the market. That’s what prompted Mitsubishi to release the Mitsubishi 3000GT. Initially, the Mitsubishi 3000GT was released as the GTO, before it evolved into the 3000GT and the Dodge Stealth stateside.

Via: YouTube

The earlier 3000GTs were formidable and futuristic machines that featured a potent 225-hp V6 engine under the hood and active aerodynamics, a rather alien term at the time. The 225-hp engine output was later upped to 300 hp in the VR-4 models that followed.

1 Honda S660

Via: Wikipedia

When talking about sports cars from Honda and you start with an S, the average gearhead will scream “S2000”. That is the most popular offering from this Japanese automaker that closely challenges anything in the name and size of a Miata. However, there’s the S660.

Via: Car Pixel

This sports car is lesser known because it’s only sold in Japan. However, there’s a great push to have this car exported by enthusiasts who’ve happened to take one for a spin. Firstly, it’s a Kei car. However, it dons a rather conventional styling, unlike most Kei productions.

Secondly, it beautifully complies with Kei car rules, blended with a nice fun touch to it. The S660 runs on a 660cc three-cylinder power unit that produces 63 hp. However, thanks to the incredibly lightweight, this tiny two-seat roadster is a ton of fun to drive.

NEXT: Britain Vs Japan: Who Makes Weirder Cars?