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The R390 had a road version, but it was essentially a race car built to enter the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only one road car was actually built. It's said that it could reach a top speed of 354 km/h (220 mph). This, however, has never been confirmed.
Under the hood of the Lexus LFA, you'll find a whooping 4.8-liter Yamaha-tuned V-10 engine. And how cool does it look, right?
The affordable mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive MR2 was around for three generations. This classic two-seater remains a favorite among Japanese sports car fans.
With a 5.0 liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine, the LC500 is powerful and fast, and certainly has the looks to match.
If there was one car that could compete with the mighty Impreza's rally pedigree, it was the Mitsubishi Evo.
This Mazda two-door coupe is a joy to drive. All its three generations featured the lightweight Wankel rotary engine.
The Cosmo was Mazda's first Wankel rotary engine-powered sports car. The two-door coupe's most powerful engine had 130 hp.
The cool Suzuki Cappuccino shares the same engine as the Autozam, and it was equally fun to drive.
The Datsun 240Z, also sold under the names Nissan S30, and Nissan Fairlady Z in Japan, appealed to those looking for a cool grand tourer that could deliver in both style and performance.
Arguably one of the best front-wheel drive cars ever produced, the Integra Type R handles superbly and is really fun to drive!
A more affordable alternative to the 2000GT, the Sports 800 was Toyota's first production sports car. This cute targa was known in Japan as Yota-Hachi, or "Toyota 8."
A charming little car, the Datsun Roadster was built in two generations. The last generation had an optional Competition package featuring a 2.0-liter U20 engine with 150 hp.
The gull-wing doors might not be the most practical thing in the world, but they certainly look cool! This tiny sports car was designed and manufactured by Mazda and featured a 657 cc turbocharged Suzuki engine.
The Honda S2000 provided the Mazda Miata a run for its money. Roadster thrones aside, the S2000 certainly puts a smile on your face when you drive one, that's for sure!
The car was a success, and the latest generation is definitely worth a spot on this list as well. It features a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 500 hp, as well as three electric motors that increase power output to 573 hp.
You might remember the orange 1994 Toyota Supra Mark IV driven by Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) in the movie 'The Fast and the Furious.' That says something about the Supra cred among tuning fans, right?
The 300ZX features a twin-turbo V-6 engine. In 2010, GQ Magazine listed the Z32 model (pictured) as one of the most stylish cars in the past 50 years.
This turbocharged, all-wheel drive, rally icon was all the rage in the '90s, particularly the WRX models.
The Acura NSX was such a cool car that designer Gordon Murray used its chassis as inspiration for the McLaren F1 supercar.
The R34 is probably the coolest Skyline Nissan ever built. The model's fifth generation, especially those with the 2.8 L twin-turbocharged (Z-Tune) engine, were real beasts, both on the road and the racing track.
This small roadster features a three-cylinder 656 cc engine that produces 63 hp. Not a lot, but the Beat never claimed to be a high-performance sports car!
When we talk about cool Japanese cars, the Miata usually comes to mind. This affordable and fun rear-wheel drive roadster remains Mazda's most popular car to this day.
This rear-wheel drive sports car is no longer in production, but it remains very popular among drifting enthusiasts.
The 2000GT featured an European-inspired design, born from a collaboration between Toyota and Yamaha. Even James Bond drives one in the 1967 movie 'You Only Live Twice.'
Known in Japan as the Mitsubishi GTO, this car came in two versions: as a two-door liftback coupe, and as a convertible. Its 3.0-liter engine certainly matched the sporty design.
The first generation of the Mitsubishi Eclipse was lightweight and featured turbocharged engines. There were both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.
The Corolla GT-S is an iconic car. It popularly featured in the Japanese manga and anime series 'Initial D' (1995–2013).
The Figaro was a retro-inspired little car from 1991. Just over 20,000 units were produced in Japan. How cute is it, right?
Originally launched as a concept car, the Mitsuoka Orochi's design might not be for everyone, but its 3.3 L Toyota V6 engine certainly doesn't disappoint!
Also known as the Mazda Savanna, this car lasted for three generations up until 1991. The first one (pictured) was indeed the most iconic.
Sources: (Road & Track)
See also: Celebrating the best classic muscle cars ever built
Japanese cars are very much loved by a large number of people. Throughout the years, many of these have become highly sought-after vehicles; not just by the general public, but also among car tuning enthusiasts. Many cars manufactured for the Japanese domestic market (also known as the JDM) also differ from the export versions, and some people are really into them. Indeed, Japan has produced some of the most powerful, stylish, and fun cars to drive.
In this gallery, we bring you a list of some of the coolest Japanese cars ever made. Click on and get to know them!
The coolest Japanese cars ever made
Beyond the Miata!
LIFESTYLE Vehicles
Japanese cars are very much loved by a large number of people. Throughout the years, many of these have become highly sought-after vehicles; not just by the general public, but also among car tuning enthusiasts. Many cars manufactured for the Japanese domestic market (also known as the JDM) also differ from the export versions, and some people are really into them. Indeed, Japan has produced some of the most powerful, stylish, and fun cars to drive.
In this gallery, we bring you a list of some of the coolest Japanese cars ever made. Click on and get to know them!