These Affordable Japanese Sports Cars Can Obliterate The New Mustang On The Track
The Mustang, currently the longest-produced Ford nameplate, is an icon among Ford vehicles. Through thick and thin since 1964, the Mustang has been offered in several body styles over six generations. For the 2021 model year, it comes in seven trims ranging from the Ecoboost to the award-winning Shelby GT500.
At the bottom of the food chain, the Ecoboost coupe, priced at $28,400, is powered by a 2.3-liter inline-four engine. With 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque to play with, it hits 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and does a standing quarter-mile in 13.7 seconds. While this is an impressive feat, there are numerous car brands, past and present, from Japan that can do better than that. So read on for a list of ten JDM cars that can obliterate the new Mustang on the track.
10 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
The 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, a 4-door sports sedan, is one of a special breed of cars that are developed purely to be enjoyed by driving enthusiasts. Both trims offered for 2014, GSR and MR, boast serious performance as they rely on the same 2-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine for power.
Spurred on by 291 ponies and 300 lb-ft of torque, the GSR hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds while the MR trim does it in 5 seconds. Thanks to the advanced all-wheel-drive system that comes standard on both trims, handling and traction are superb making the Evo a fun car to drive.
9 2014 Nissan 370Z
The 2014 Nissan 370Z is a 2-seater sports car that was offered in three trims and in coupe and roadster body styles. Whichever trim you go for, you will be rewarded with a powerful and responsive V6 engine that displaces 3.7 liters to power the rear wheels.
With a starting MSRP of $29,990 when new, the 2014 370Z in coupe form and the standard 6-speed manual transmission could hit 60 mph in 5 seconds. While the lesser trims are no slouch, the Nismo trim takes the game a step higher with an upgraded suspension, brakes, and engine.
8 2017 Honda Civic Type R
Based on the tenth generation Civic, the 2017 Type R is the high-performance 5-door hatchback that was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Power is supplied by a turbocharged and intercooled inline-4 engine displacing 2 liters to generate 302 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
Paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, it sends the Type R to 60 mph in 5 seconds and on to a top speed of 170 mph. Despite credible track capabilities, being a touring model, it comes with refinements like a well-equipped infotainment system and dual-zone automatic climate control.
7 2007 Subaru Impreza RB 320
The Impreza RB 320 was created in 2007 to celebrate the life of Richard Burns who won the World Rally Championship in 2001 and died in 2005. Limited to 320 units which sold out in weeks, the RB 320 was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
With 316 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque sent to the four wheels, it had excellent traction for impressive takeoff. Tipping the scales at 3295 pounds, it could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and max out at 158 mph.
6 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Redesigned to enhance its performance, the 2005 Impreza WRX STI left the stables of Subaru’s motorsport division as one of the fastest cars with a $32,445 sticker price. Under the scooped hood, lies a turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-liter flat-4 engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission.
The setup generates an impressive output of 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque which is pumped to the four wheels for better grip. With a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 13.1 seconds, the 2005 WRX STI is a sedan with the soul of a serious sports car.
5 2020 Subaru WRX STI
Apart from a few cosmetic upgrades, the Subaru WRX STI was mostly unchanged for the 2020 model year. The same old 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 engine noisily churns out 310 hp and sends it to the four corners through a 6-speed manual transmission.
While it can hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds, it also handles extremely well, thanks to the AWD and the adjustable central differential. True, the 2020 WRX STI is not perfect, but for those who want a no-frill high-performance sedan, it remains one of the best options.
4 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR
uilt based on Mitsubishi’s successful rally cars, the Lancer Evolution MR is a sports car disguised as a 4-door sedan. Although it is benign enough to be used as a daily driver, its 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds is not to be scoffed at.
Furthermore, it clears the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds and maxes out at 155 mph thanks to a 2-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that pumps out 276 hp. Mated to a 6-speed close-ratio manual gearbox that channels the power to all the wheels, it gives the Evo MR a mean reputation.
3 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400
The Q60 Red Sport 400 is a 2-door coupe that combines stellar performance and luxury in an attractive body that is built to turn heads. Supplying the Red Sport 400 with power is a 3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine churning out 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque 1600 to 5200 rpm.
Unfortunately, although a manual transmission is not offered, the existing 7-speed automatic still gets the job in style. From rest, the Red Sport 400 hits 60 mph in a respectable 4.5 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile mark in 13.1 seconds.
2 2021 Toyota GR Supra 2 .0
The 2021 GR Supra 2.0 is named after its power source, a BMW 2-liter twin-scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder unit that churns out 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, it sends the power to the rear wheels to give the Supra solid performance.
Sprinting from rest to 60 mph takes only 4.7 seconds while the quarter-mile is cleared in 13.3 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph is attained. Furthermore, the GR Supra is a well-rounded sports car that combines high performance, agile handling, and responsive steering in an affordable body.
1 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX SE
The Special Edition of Impreza WRX for 2013 was special not just for the limited production run of 200 units, but also for performance that would shame many sports cars. Launching hard, the streak of orange hits 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and blitzes past the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 100 mph.
Weighing in at 3206 pounds, the WRX SE is pushed by a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-4 engine with an output of 265 hp and 244 lb-ft of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission channels the power to all the wheels for exceptional performance.
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