Japan has made some fantastic vehicles, and fast examples grace the track and the road. While several prominent examples came in road versions, such as the Nissan R390 GT1 and the Toyota GT-One, limited examples were made. Nissan only constructed one road version now on display at Nissan's Zama facility, and the two Toyotas sit on show in Cologne, Germany, and the Toyota HQ in Aichi, Japan.
Aside from the two homologated models, Japan has created some fantastic production cars, with the fastest sitting above the 200 MPH mark. You can purchase some of the fastest JDM production cars today for less than $40,000, such as the Civic Type-R. On the other hand, the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition is worth its weight in gold, and then some! The fastest JDM production cars are sure to surprise and excite!
10 Mitsubishi 3000GT
For a decade, Mitsubishi produced the 3000GT. The 3000GT featured a 3.0L 6G72 SOHC V6, which was powerful enough to achieve a top speed of 153 MPH!
Wonderfully, the Mitsubishi 3000GT came in AWD, but heavy curb weight prevented any kind of agility. But with a 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, the 3000GT remains one of the fastest to ever come out of Japan.
9 Subaru Impreza 22B STi
In the late 1990s, Subaru began production on a widebody Subaru WRX STi; the result was the Impreza 22B Sti. The 22B featured the EJ22G engine, a 2.2L flat-4 that powered 276hp to all four wheels. With a top speed of 157 MPH, the 22B STi was tuned for speed.
Featuring unique design elements that mark it as distinct from the standard WRX STis of the day, the Subaru 22B STi could close 0-60 in 5 seconds flat.
8 Mazda RX-7FD
Mazda's mad experiments with the Wankel rotary engine produced the wildly successful RX-7 FD. Utilizing a lightweight construction and an updated turbocharged 13B REW engine, the RX-7 FD was capable of 160 MPH!
By the time production ended in 2002, the RX-7 FD was refined to 276hp. The Sequential twin-turbo system pushes the RX-7 to 60 in 5.4 seconds, but the FD is a master of the corners with such a low curb-weight!
7 Honda Civic Type-R FK8
Hot hatches are known for their sleeper abilities, but the Type-R takes that to a whole new level. While several hatches are quick, the Type-R ranks amongst the fastest sports and supercars to come out of Japan with a blistering top speed of 169 MPH!
With a hatch this hot, one has to wonder what's powering the beast that is the Honda Civic Type-R. It may be surprising to learn all that speed comes from a 2.0L VTEC capable of 306hp! Further, a 0-60 in 5.1 seconds adds to the capabilities of the FWD master.
6 Honda NSX
The first-generation NSX, branded as the Honda NSX, is an iconic sports car with mid-engine greatness. The NSX featured a 3.0L VTEC V6, and by reducing weight through various means, the NSX can reach a top speed of 170 MPH!
The design of the Honda NSX is both classic and provoking. Though not the fastest 0-60, the NSX could close the gap in just 5.7 seconds. But with style and a higher top speed overall, the NSX reigns as one of the fastest cars to come out of Japan.
5 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII FQ-400
Though limited to only 100 models, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo FQ-400 was built to celebrate Mitsubishi's entry into the UK market 30 years before 2005. Refined to produce an insane 405hp, the Lancer Evo FQ-400 has a top speed of 175 MPH!
The top speed wasn't the only number to see improvement. This AWD machine hits 60 in only 3.5 seconds, making it one of the fastest to come from the Japanese islands!
4 Toyota Supra Turbo
Technically the Toyota Supra Turbo has a top speed of only 155MPH, but that is only because there is a limiter on models outside of Japan. In reality, the 321hp engine could propel the Supra Turbo to an actual top speed of 177 MPH!
In addition to being a joy to drive, the Toyota Supra Turbo MK4 had an outstanding 0-60 of 4.7 seconds. Being paired to a 6-Speed manual has its benefits, as this JDM classic is one of the fastest out there!
3 Acura NSX (Current Gen)
Modern innovations have been kind to the Japanese car world, and Acura has revived the NSX with fantastic tech. Propelled to greatness by a 573hp hybrid drivetrain coupled to a 9-Speed automatic transmission, the Acura NSX enjoys a top speed of 191 MPH!
The Acura NSX can power each wheel using the hybrid system, and top speed isn't the only thing quick about this beautiful work of art. With a 0-60 in 3 seconds flat, the Acura NSX glues the driver to the seat!
2 Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition
In a world with unlimited money, the Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition provides a JDM supercar that cracks a top speed of 203 MPH! This Lexus LFA spent plenty of time at the Nürburgring to refine its track capabilities, thus leading to the name.
The Lexus LFA Nürburgring Edition featured improved aerodynamics and an upgraded engine with maximum power upgraded to 563hp. This particular LFA is able to hit 60 in only 3.7 seconds, making it second only to the GT-R for the fastest production car from Japan!
1 Nissan GT-R Track Edition
We're still salty that the Skyline isn't available stateside, but forgiveness can begin with the GT-R Track Edition available. The GT-R Track Edition is the pinnacle JDM supercar. The GT-R features a 565hp, 3.8L twin-turbo engine with all-wheel drive, Brembo braking system, and refined aerodynamics to hit a blistering top speed of 207 MPH!
Plus, with a 0-60 in 2.7 seconds, the Nissan GT-R Track Edition stands as the fastest production car to ever come out of Japan. This Nismo makes up for the loss of the Skyline, for now.