Top 10: Great Japanese sportsters
There was a time when Japanese car makers were primarily known for their well-equipped, keenly-priced but terminally dull saloons and estates. (Datsun Sunny or Toyota Corolla, anyone?) Then they discovered there was a demand for more entertaining models. And suddenly there was no stopping them...
Toyota MR2
What makes it great? With handsome looks, eager performance and handling to match, the original MR2 is revered as one of Toyota’s all-time greats
For five years, the MkI MR2 sold to buyers attracted by its wedge-shaped styling, mid-engined layout and entertaining driving style. It might not have been spectacularly powerful by ’80s standards, with 122bhp on tap; but when you realise this was produced at a heady 6600rpm, all via just a 1.6-litre twin-cam four-pot, it was quite an achievement by the standards of 1984. With a top speed of 120mph, a 0-60 sprint time of just 7.6 seconds and the kind of handling that was both surefooted and thrilling, the MR2’s fun factor was probably only slightly less than a day out at Alton Towers.
groaver on 25 October 2016
Suzuki Cappuccino.Loads of fun in a tiny package.
POB123 on 23 July 2018
Where's the Honda S2000?bobber on 23 July 2018
Mitsubishi Evo?Add a comment