When we talk about cars from an enthusiast’s point of view, performance is always at the top of the demands list, and we want the car to deliver the thrill of driving, inside out. That is what makes the JDM segment special. The term JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market and is used for some performance homegrown Japanese cars. These cars were made specifically for the Japanese market and were meant to be sold within Japanese borders only.
JDM car culture gained popularity because the cars belonging to such culture were engineered to deliver the thrill of driving. These cars were meant to be modified and tuned according to your preference, and they were fabulous rally cars. JDM cars have a strong name tag in the world of motorsports. In India, there are a few JDM cars that people have managed to import, but the numbers are declining with the ban on old cars. However, let us look at JDM models that would have received a lot of appreciation from the Indian market.
1. Nissan Skyline GTR
The first generation of Nissan Skyline GTR was in production between 1969 and 1972. It came with a 2.0 liter inline six engine which was designed for racing. The suspension setup in this car was superb for racing.
The second generation of this car was known as “Kenmeri” or “long nose skyline” and was produced between 1972 and 1977. This car came with a 2.6 liter inline six engine and was even more suitable for motorsports than the previous generation.
The third generation of the Skyline was known as “R-32” and was produced between 1989 and 1994. This one came with a twin-turbocharged 2.6 liter inline six engine and one numerous rally championships. It also featured a fabulous all-wheel drive system which gave it fabulous grip on road and on track.
2. Toyota Supra
The Supra is one of the most iconic Japanese sports cars of all time. It was first introduced in the year 1978 and was known for its sleek design, powerful performance and fabulous handling. Out of all the Supras, the fourth-generation model which was in production from 1993 to 2002 is considered as the best.
The fourth generation Supra came with a 3.0 liter inline six engine that produced about 320 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful cars in its segment. The Supra offered top class performance along with reliability and the 2JZ GTE engine that it came with is regarded as one of the most legendary engines of all time.
3. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
This vehicle is popularly known as the Lancer Evo and is famous as a high-performance sedan. It was first introduced in the year 1992 and quickly won hearts of enthusiasts with its brilliant handling and performance. This car came with proper rally-inspired performance and handling which made it the most sought-after car for rallying.
Out of the Lancer Evo lineup, the most popular one is the Evo IX, which was produced from 2005-2007, and came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, an upgraded suspension system and aggressive looking body kit. This was really an appealing vehicle.
4. Honda NSX
Also known as Acura NSX, this was Honda’s answer to the likes of Ferrari and Porsche. First introduced in 1990, it was the first mass-produced car to feature an all-aluminum monocoque chassis and came with a mid-mounted V6 engine that was powerful and fuel-efficient.
What made the car even more special was that apart from offering great performance, the car boasted of amazing handling and was easy to drive in the city as well. This car was very practical in the sense that it had decent space in the cabin and even the boot-space was decent. So, you could even use it as your daily drive.
5. Mazda RX-7
The Mazda RX-7 is seen as one of the most enjoyable cars to drive, due to its superb acceleration, nimble handling and strong braking. What made the Mazda RX-7 even more special is its unique rotary engine which churned out ample power and was a very rev-happy engine.
The most popular model of the RX-7 has to be the third generation which was produced from 1992-2002. This was a technical marvel and came with a twin-turbocharged rotary engine with sequential turbocharging on offer. Even the suspension system was rather sophisticated on this car, keeping you in control even at high speeds.
