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Five JDM Comebacks That Need To Happen

With the new Honda NSX already far passed its infancy and the Toyota Supra just around the corner, I’ve been wondering what other legendary JDM heroes are going to be returning in the coming years. So let’s go through five Japanese cars we all want to return.

5. Honda S2000

Honda had some incredible cars back in the day. But looking at their current lineup I wouldn’t blame you if you shed a tear of sadness. The S2000 owned a gorgeous 2.0-litre VTEC screamer which boasted 237bhp and would coax you to hit the rev-limiter every time before shifting. Not only that, but it holds the trophy for having the highest specific output for a normally aspirated engine of its capacity.

4. Mazda RX7

How long has it been without a rotary on the market? 16 years since the FD? Yep, that’s too long! The RX7, while it may have been difficult and expensive to maintain, was an engineering masterpiece. Mostly. The third generation, the FD model, was the first mass built sequential twin-turbo system to come out of Japan.

Thanks to its 50:50 weight distribution and low weight due to aluminium bodywork, it could certainly take a corner as well, but the legendary Rotary engine is always going to take first on this car. It produced 237bhp, allowing the car to do 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds and 155mph.

3. Nissan 300ZX

Nissan has already rekindled our love for the Skyline name, but there’s still one more Nissan that needs to return. The 300ZX with its twin-turbo V6 produced 300hp, all of which is taken straight to the rear wheels. Alongside its memorable sporty looks, its performance of 0-60mph in just 5.5 seconds and top speed of a limited 155mph makes this car a legend. Even though it’s usually shadowed by its big Skyline brother.

2. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo

Let’s forget about the Evo X for this one. It wasn’t that great a car compared to its previous versions, and a lot of you didn’t appreciate the way it looked. But as the Evo has now disappeared from Mitsubishi’s lineup, we want it back. With a vast history of rally success, the Evo wasn’t just a good car, but was a legend in its own right. The fastest gets to 60mph in only 4 seconds from its turbocharged 2-litre engine.

1. Mitsubishi 3000GT

The 3000GT has been a forgotten hero for along time now. But back in its day, it took the fight straight to Toyota and Mazda. It was a powerful GT car with 300hp being produced from a twin-turbo 3-litre engine, and capable of fast sprints to 60 in just 5.6 seconds.

It was however quite a heavy thing, but that was made up for by its ridiculously cool active (yes, active) wing at the rear and its four-wheel steering, four-wheel drive, electronic suspension and variable exhaust modes. It was a technological marvel that needs to return.

Alex Harrington

Alex started racing at a young age so certainly knows his way around a car and a track. He can just about put a sentence together too, which helps. He has a great interest in the latest models, but would throw all of his money at a rusty old French classic and a 300ZX. Contact: [email protected]

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