Japanese cars are known for their reliability and approachable pricing, but automakers in the land of the rising sun know how to have fun, too. Over the years there have been some legendary Japanese sports cars, including the original Datsun 240Z, Mazda RX-7, Mk IV Toyota Supra, first-generation Acura NSX, Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota MR2, the original Mazda Miata, and many more. Those Japanese classics delivered precise handling, respectable power, and supreme driver involvement—not to mention that aforementioned reliability and approachable pricing. Some of today’s sporty Japanese cars are favorites among MotorTrend editors, and we’re eager for any chance to get behind the wheel. These Japanese performance cars are worth a look.
Nissan GT-R
Even more than a decade into its sales cycle, the R35 Nissan GT-R continues to be a formidable opponent, especially among other Japanese sports cars of today. Godzilla remains one of the quickest all-wheel-drive [...]
Occasionally, as a 12-month long-term test draws to a close, it can be hard to come up with new or interesting observations to put in our updates. And while that can be a problem from a writer’s perspective, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with the car. Sometimes a car just has nothing to hide. The 2019 Infiniti QX50 is not one of those cars.
As I mentioned in our QX50 Arrival story, there were plenty of questions that needed to be answered. From powertrain performance to interior quality and even driver-assist technology reliability, there was a lot to figure out with Infiniti’s handsome new crossover. One year and more than 20,000 miles later, we have (most of) our answers.
The QX50’s fancy new engine, for example, has been a huge disappointment. It promised more power when you needed it and better gas mileage when you didn’t. What it delivered was a not-so-fuel-efficient Real [...]
Every once in a while, the photography for a Vette car feature falls through the cracks and disappears into the abyss, but we believe Robert Lombardi’s 1992 Chevrolet C4 Corvette photographed by John Machaquiero in 2015 sets a new record. A lot can happen in five years, so we were quite pleased when Robert returned our call and gave Vette the lowdown on the ’92 Corvette coupe he used to own.
This article was originally featured on HOT ROD. For more stories like this, check out the HOT ROD Network. And if you want to learn about the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, head here.
Prior to the ’92 C4, Robert owned a 1987 Porsche 928 GT4, but said it wasn’t fast enough and it would have cost too much to modify. Robert made a visit to Corvette Conspiracy in Cleveland and bought one of the 1,995 1992 Corvettes finished in Pollo Green II metallic. [...]
Twentieth birthdays should be joyous, but such isn’t the case with the Audi TT. To celebrate two decades of its sporty compact, Audi introduced a 20th Anniversary Edition, but it’s hardly a consolation prize for learning the TT will end its run in a few years.
Along with a special edition, the TT receives a light refresh for 2019. This includes updates to the exterior design to make it even sharper and a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to replace the previous six-speed. Overall, though, it’s the same road candy it has always been.
Despite its looks, the TT is not a true sports car—those looking for thrilling performance will likely want a TT RS. The regular TT packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a respectable 228 hp. Its 6.2-second run from 0 to 60 mph isn’t exactly sports car territory. But if you can get past a bit of lag when you first press the [...]
Is there anything better than a British beast of a grand touring car? Specifically, one that’s stuffed with a 12-cylinder powerplant, covered in fist-bitingly gorgeous sheetmetal, and lined with fine, sweet-smelling leather? Why, yes. Two of them.
That Aston Martin and Bentley arrive simultaneously with Union Jack–waving coupes is the world’s good fortune. That they are both outstanding reimaginings of the grand touring genre is providential.
Aston Martin comes to the table swinging the car I enjoy calling Big Sexy, the DBS Superleggera. Packing a 5.2-liter twin-turbo V-12 that rocks 715 hp and 664 lb-ft, this GT is the best design of the last 50 years and a veritable rocket ship.
Of course, the Bentley Continental GT ain’t no shrinking violet. New from the ground up, the muscular Conti comes complete with a 626-hp, 664-lb-ft twin-turbo W-12. The Bentley is down on power compared with the Aston, but the former’s all-wheel drive more than makes [...]
