Many car enthusiasts refer to any Japanese car as JDM, but that’s just plain wrong. JDM cars are available solely in Japan, so they are built to comply with Japanese regulations only. Over the years, perhaps especially during the 90s, often referred to as the golden era of Japanese cars, automakers and tuners from the land of the rising sun have built some exquisite and desirable limited edition models. Unfortunately, many of those cars were never available outside Japan.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most excellent JDM special edition cars. While they were all forbidden fruit outside of Japan, some are eligible for U.S. import today.
EK Honda Civic Type R
In 1997, Honda decided to make the hottest Civic possible, so the Type R was born. It was an absolute game-changer, as the Japanese carmaker pulled out all the stops, utilizing its extensive motorsport background to the fullest. Sadly, Honda only sold it in Japan.
Under the hood of the EK Civic Type R heart was the legendary B16 1.6-liter 4-cylinder VTEC engine. It wasn’t the only Civic to feature this engine, but the Type R produced 182 horsepower and revved to 8,200 rpm. Honda also put the Civic on a serious diet to save weight, improved the chassis, and gave it a red interior with Recaro seats.
Subaru Impreza 22B STI
The Subaru Impreza 22B STI is probably the world’s most famous limited-edition JDM car. It was built to celebrate Subaru’s 40th anniversary and third consecutive WRC victory. Subaru only intended to build 400 cars, all for the JDM market, but decided to make 24 extra cars for the export market.
Subaru replaced the Impreza’s turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine with a 2.2-liter unit, and the 280 horsepower went to all four wheels. Exterior-wise, the 22B had a wider body and several WRC-inspired parts. It’s not the rares Impreza ever, but it’s probably the most sought-after and considered the Holy Grail Subaru among enthusiasts.
2005 Honda NSX-R GT
Honda built several limited-edition versions of the NSX during its years in production. The 2005 NSX-R GT is definitely among the coolest. Honda built it as a homologation special so they could race (and win) the Super GT championship. They only made five cars, and just one was sold.
At the front, the NSX-R GT has an extended carbon fiber nose with larger intakes and a front splitter. Moving to the back, there’s a spoiler under the wing, the carbon fiber rear bumper and apron are extended, and a large diffuser in the middle. The most eye-catching feature is the massive snorkel, which isn’t functional on the road-going car.
Nissan Fairlady Z432
When Nissan released the 240Z, it changed the sports car world forever. In Japan, Nissan sold the 240Z as the Fairlady Z, and it didn’t take long before they decided the sports car needed a more potent engine. Enter the Fairlady Z432.
The Fairlady Z432 had the Skyline GT-R’s 2.0-liter twin-cam, triple-carburetor engine that produced 160 horsepower. Around 420 Z432 cars were built, and there was also a homologation special, of which 50 were built, all of them painted orange with a matte black hood.
Nissan Skyline GT-R NISMO 400R
The R33 Skyline GT-R may not be as iconic as the R32 and R34, but it’s still a fantastic machine. That’s especially true for the NISMO-developed 400R version. It’s the most powerful factory-tuned R33 GT-R, and you may have guessed it packs 400 horsepower.
The power increase was partly achieved thanks to the RB26DETT engine growing from 2.6 to 2.8 liters. All that power also made the 400R rather quick. It would reach 60 mph from a standstill in just four seconds and had a top speed of 186 mph. Nissan originally intended to build 100 cars, but when the R33’s production ended, they’d only built 44.
Nissan Stagea Autech 260RS
German carmakers are probably the ones best known for making fast station wagons, but the Japanese have also built some good ones. One such JDM wagon is the Nissan Stagea Autech 260RS.
Autech is a Japanese tuning company that realized the Stagea had some untapped potential. Mechanically, the station wagon resembled the R33 Skyline, but when Autech was done, it was practically an R33 GT-R in wagon form. The Skyline’s RB26DETT engine and AWD system found their way into the Stagea, so it’s essentially a supercar with a five-door body.
Honda NSX Type R
Not to be confused with the NSX-R GT we mentioned earlier, the Honda NSX Type R is another track-focused version of the Japanese mid-engined sports car. Honda mainly focused on reducing weight and upgrading the suspension with the Type R.
The NSX Type R is a proper track weapon, so you won’t find any creature comforts here. In fact, Honda removed anything that didn’t make it faster around the track, including the sound deadening, traction control, and air-con. The suspension has been stiffened up, and Honda played around with the gear ratio to improve acceleration.
Toyota Altezza RS200 Z Edition
The Toyota Altezza was the JDM version of the first-gen Lexus IS. It came with a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six 2JZ engine in the States. That engine was also available in Europe, but most cars there had a 2.0-liter inline-six. In Japan, the Altezza was available with the excellent 2.0-liter 3S-GE BEAMS four-cylinder engine in the RS200 version.
The Z edition of the Altezza RS200 offered various exterior and interior upgrades, so it was basically the top-spec Altezza.
Mitsubishi Galant AMG
AMG is Mercedes-Benz’s performance division, but before 1999, it was a separate company, which is why an AMG Mitsubishi could exist. The 1989 Galant AMG wasn’t the first time these two companies worked together—they’d also created the Mitsubishi Debonaire AMG two years prior.
The Mitsubishi Galant AMD limited edition was based on the GTi-16v model. It received some mild engine upgrades, which increased power to 168 horses, a unique body kit, different wheels, and a leather interior. Only 500 AMG Galants were built, and they were sold exclusively in Japan.
Nissan NISMO 380 RS
Nissan celebrated by creating something exceptional after winning the 2007 Japanese Super Taicyu Endurance Series. Nissan’s performance division, NISMO, got its hands on 300 road-going 350Z cars and stuffed the 3.8-liter racing engine under their hoods.
The engine was based on the VQ35HR unit found in the 350Z but with most of the race engine’s internals. The NISMO 380 RS was also fitted with a unique aero package that improved downforce. It had forged RAYS wheels and upgraded Brembo brakes, among other upgrades.
Subaru WRX STI S208 Special Edition
Subaru has built many special editions of the WRX over the years, but most were never made available outside the Japanese market. One such model is the 2017 Subaru WRX STI S208.
Subaru only built 450 S208s, all with upgraded Bilstein suspension, a quicker steering rack for improved handling, and the turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer unit now produced 324 horses. The roof, front splitter, and spoiler were made from carbon fiber, and the interior also received some upgrades to remind you it’s a special edition car.
Toyota Supra TRD 3000GT
The Toyota A80 Supra has become one of the most idolized and sought-after Japanese cars ever. However, as good as it is, it can’t match the limited edition TRD 3000GT revealed in 1994 when Toyota entered the Supra into the Japanese Grand Touring Championship.
The TRD 3000GT had many upgrades compared to the standard Supra, including a much wider body, massive wing, and upgraded suspension.
Subaru WRX STi S202
Here, we have another of Subaru’s excellent S models. The S202 was a second-generation Impreza, and it would pioneer many of the features now considered standard on the Subaru S-line Imprezas.
The S202 was the first time Subaru gave an S car a six-speed manual transmission and an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing. There was also a titanium muffler and a retuned ECU to ensure the performance met expectations.
Nissan Skyline GTR Nismo Z-Tune
There are many highly desirable special edition Nissan Skyline GT-Rs, but none are as rare and sought-after as the NISMO Z-Tune. As the R34 GT-R’s production neared its end, NISMO wanted to celebrate its legacy.
Instead of using brand-new cars, NISMO bought 20 lightly used R34 Skyline GT-R V-Spec cars, stripped them down, and rebuilt them better than ever. The Z-Tune received carbon fiber bodywork, aggressive aero, upgraded Sachs suspension, and improved Brembo brakes. The engine was also given some TLC, producing 493 horsepower, making it one of its era’s most powerful JDM cars.
Nissan Sileighty
The Nissan Sileighty, or Sil80, is a hybrid of the Nissan Silvia and 180SX, with the Silvia’s front end fitted to the 180SX. It was developed in the late 1980s as the 180SX was the car of choice for drifters, and when they crashed, the Silvia parts were cheaper.
Kids-Heart, a Japanese tuning company, contacted some Nissan dealerships and asked if they wanted to sell a ready-made conversion. Around 500 official Sileighty models were planned, but no one knows how many were built; plus, there are also many homemade Sileighty cars.
Subaru WRX STi S207
The S207 is another excellent S-line Subaru that’s forbidden fruit outside the land of the rising sun. Subaru only made 400, and 200 had the NBR Challenge Package, which included a badge commemorating the carmaker’s class win at the 2015 Nürburgring 24 hours and a carbon-fiber rear spoiler. Of those NBR cars, 100 were painted Sunrise Yellow.
There’s more to the S207 than just a fancy paint job and some badges, though. It had a quicker steering rack, STI-tuned Bilstein suspension, and six-piston Brembo brakes, and the engine churned out 323 horsepower.
Mazda RX-7 FD Spirit R
The last-generation Mazda RX-7 was only sold in the States from 1992 to 1995, but in Japan, it was available until 2002. To celebrate the legendary rotary-powered car’s run, Mazda decided to do something special for the final 1,500 cars – the Spirit R editions.
The Spirit R is the most sought-after RX-7. It combines all the good stuff from the previous special edition models into one very attractive driver-focused package, making it the ultimate RX-7.
FD2 Honda Civic Mugen RR
As if the regular Civic Type R wasn’t special enough, Mugen took 300 cars and turned everything up to 11 when it created the Honda Civic Mugen RR. It was only available in Milano Red and was exclusively available on the Japanese market.
The Mugen RR had carbon fiber bumpers and an aluminum hood to reduce weight, the engine was given various Mugen performance parts to increase power to 237 horses, and the interior received some exclusive upgrades.
NB Mazda MX-5 Coupe
Mazda released the first MX-5 (or Miata) in 1989, and the Mazda Engineering and Technology division kept playing around with the idea of a coupe version. There was a one-off concept based on the first-gen car, but in 2003, Mazda finally built it.
The MX-5 Coupe was based on the second-generation car, and the steel roof was a structural part of the car. Mazda even managed to keep the weight down, so the coupe only weighed 22 lbs more than the roadster.
Toyota MR2 TRD2000GT
Like the Supra-based TRD 3000GT, the 2000GT was built to pay homage to Toyota’s racing program. Toyota Racing Development offered an official conversion in 1998, consisting of a widebody kit and engine tuning.
Customers could choose the engine, suspension, wheel, and interior upgrades their cars should have, so no two TRD2000GTs are identical. One received a 500-horsepower engine, while others only had a few performance parts. The body kit was made from lightweight fiberglass, and each car was re-classified as a new car with a specially numbered TRD VIN plate.
TOM’S T020 Toyota MR2
TOM’S is another Japanese tuner that developed official body kits and tuning parts for the Toyota MR2. The T020 MR2 was a second-gen model, but unlike most tuners who chose to focus on the Turbo version, TOM’S went with the naturally aspirated model.
Behind the driver was a stroked 3S-GE engine that now measured 2.2 liters and produced 240 horsepower, thanks to various performance parts. TOM’S also upgraded the suspension and brakes, and the exterior received new bumpers, a larger rear spoiler, forged wheels, and engine scoops.
Nissan Fairlady Z Type E
In 2004, Nissan built five Fairlady Z Type E cars for homologation requirements so they could race in the Japanese Super GT series. Judging by its power figures, the Type E’s engine was seemingly left alone, as it still produced 276 horsepower.
Exterior-wise, the Fairlady Z Type E had a longer nose and rear overhang, and Nissan also added several other aero parts to help improve downforce or reduce drag.
WRX STI TC380
The JDM-only Subaru WRX STI TC380 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter EJ20 boxer engine, but with 380 horsepower, it had more power than most Imprezas.
Whereas the regular STI had IHI turbochargers, Japanese tuning company and aftermarket specialist, HKS, supplied the turbos for the TC380. This model was the final celebration of the fourth-generation WRX STI, and Subaru only built 50 cars.
1993 HKS Zero-R R32
The R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R was practically unbeatable in every racing series it entered in Japan and Australia. Its dominance eventually led to it getting banned from Bathurst, and it received one of the best nicknames in automotive history: Godzilla.
HKS quickly realized the potential of the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R and its twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter RB26DETT engine and decided to take it to the next level. They took ten cars, increased the engine displacement to 2.8 liters, installed some other upgrades, and called it a day. The HKS Zero-R R32 produced an astonishing 591 horsepower – more than most supercars of that time.
