7 Cool JDM Cars you Might Not Have Heard Of

1. Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R (2002 - 2005)

Photograph attributed to 100yen

The car most of us know as the “Mitsubishi Outlander”, bears the name “Airtrek” in Japan, the variant of interest here being the so called “Turbo R”. This particular spec, as made obvious by the name, is a turbo charged variant using a de-tuned version of the 4G63 engine used in the legendary Lancer Evolution. Boasting 240 metric HP at the engine, this makes for one zippy SUV. Unfortunately this only came with a 5-speed automatic option, with no manual version being produced. Still, an excellent basis for a sleeper if ever there were one.

2. Nissan March Super Turbo (1989)

Photo attributed to Tennen-Gas

You may have seen this one on Mighty Car Mods. I’ll admit, if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t know they even existed. An incredibly rare version of the Nissan March (known as the Micra in other markets), with an engine fitted with both a turbo and supercharger - this combination being the namesake of the car. This set up combines the responsiveness of a supercharger with the high-end performance of a turbocharger. An incredibly impressive set-up for the time, and this car’s value is only augmented by the fact that a mere 10,000 were produced. The combination in the 1980s of a not-shabby 110 metric HP and incredibly light weight of 770kg made for a Micra that can get it self from 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.7 seconds.

3. Subaru Alcyone SVX (1991 - 1996)

Photo attributed to jeremyg3030

Edit: Powered by a flat-6 , not V6

If you watch Initial D you’ve probably already seen this car heaps of times driving around as part of background traffic. The Subaru Alcyone SVX (also sold in the US as simply just the Subaru SVX) was Subaru’s attempt to break in to the luxury and performance markets. It was intended to combine both comfort and performance into one vehicle. This car features many funky design elements, including an unusual window-in-window set-up for the side windows. Perhaps not one of Subaru’s best decisions, however, as it’s stated that Subaru actually sold these at a $3000 loss per vehicle. On top of this, a 0 - 60 mph time of 7.3 seconds only puts it slightly ahead of our aforementioned and less high-hoped Nissan March Super Turbo, meaning perhaps the only thing worth noting about this car is its alternative looks.

4. Nissan X-Trail GT (2002 - 2007)

Edit: This car is indeed All Wheel Drive , and very hard to find information on

We all know the X-Trail, that’s a given. What I’m willing to bet is not many of us know the rare Japan-only variant - the Nissan X-Trail GT. This particular variant features a turbo charged Nissan SR20 we all know and love from the Silvia, however this time configured for front wheel drive and including Variable Valve Lift (VVL). This engine is designated the SR20VET and is the most powerful factory delivered SR20 available.

5. Toyota Century (Second generation, 1997 onwards)

Photo attributed to Mytho88

The Toyota Century is a four-door limousine, mostly only marketed to Japan. It’s big, luxurious and sports traditional Japanese styling with its fender-mirrors. But Toyota aren’t the only Japanese manufacturer doing a four-door limousine, with the Nissan President also taking a share of the market. What’s of interest here, is not so much the car, but what powers it. A 5-litre front mounted V12 engine - designated the Toyota 1GZ-FE. The Toyota Century is the only Japanese production car with a V12 in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. Anyone else wondering how many of these engines wind up in Supras?

6 & 7. Nissan BE-1 and Nissan Pao

Photos attributed to Tennen-Gas and Mi-ta’smetro

Okay, I’m sorry if you feel ripped off by this list featuring two extraordinarily similar cars. You might have seen the Nissan Figaro featured on Mighty Car Mods, but what you might not be aware of is that the Figaro was just one of a few retro-styled cars that made its way into Nissan’s line-up in the late 1980s. The Nissan Figaro, Pao, BE-1 and S-Cargo all came to be known as Nissan’s “Pike Cars”. Both cars featured the same one litre inline four engine (designated the MA10S), putting out an un-impressive 52 metric HP. Both cars reportedly seat 5 people, but this doesn’t mean they seat 5 comfortably. Still, at least to me, their retro-styling in the electronically progressive late 80s to early 90s mark these as a cool car in my book.