Many people remember the 90’s as the Japan’s most exciting motoring period; however, the 80’s produced some of the country’s finest motoring achievements. Some of the most memorable cars ever produced came from this period and we’ve put together a list of eight of our favourite. Make sure you check out our “Best 10 Japanese Cars from the Golden 90’s” list as well.
日产天际线R32 GT-R
We might as well start off this list with a bit of a bang. The R32 GT-R might not have started the GT-R namesake but it is responsible for bringing it up to legendary status. Nissan canned the GT-R name in 1973, but brought it back when they needed a new car for Group A racing homologation rules.
R32 GT-R与以前的GT-R是截然不同的野兽。它具有复杂的全轮驱动系统，这是一种强大的2.6升双涡轮增压发动机，产生了276 hp，重量刚过1,400公斤以上。
A Nismo edition was launched in 1990 with a total production run of 560. This featured some aerodynamic changes, removal of the ABS system, and weight saving. It was also only available in a gun metal grey colour.
R32 GT-R主导澳大利亚汽车现场时，以哥斯拉的名字命名。这辆车在澳大利亚如此统治，以至于在该国彻底撕毁了A组比赛，并在此过程中被禁止。
Toyota MR2
丰田在推出原始MR2时震惊了世界。没有人期望这家日本汽车制造商会做类似的事情，但是他们以某种方式与MR2“将其淘汰了”。丰田主要以其实用的家庭汽车而闻名，但是MR2并非如此。
The first generation was introduced in 1984 with the model code “W10”. When fitted with the 1.5-liter 3A engine, it was known as the “AW10”. Likewise, the 1.6-liter 4A version is identified by the “AW11” code.
Toyota engineered the MR2 to be as light as possible, with a body weight of 950kg for the Japanese model. Handling was a primary focus of the engineers at Toyota and they decided to opt for a lightly powered, small-displacement engine for the car. Lotus engineer, Roger Becker came aboard to the design the suspension system for the MR2.
Originally, the MR2 was just sold with a naturally aspirated 4A-GE 1,587cc inline-four engine, however they decided to introduce a supercharged model in 1986. This increased power from around 128 hp to 145 hp.
The MR2 won the “Japanese car of the year” award when it launched in 1984.
本田CRX
本田CRX于1983年至1991年生产，并获得了最佳汽车的多个奖项，并在其一生中获得了最佳进口汽车。CRX起源于日本制造商的另一辆传奇汽车Civic。本田使用与第一代CRX的Civic相同的动力传动系统，但具有独特的造型和内部家具。
Japanese and European models came with a 1590 cc DOHC engine that put out 135 hp for the UK-spec model and 140 hp for the Japanese domestic market (JDM model). This combined with a weight well under 900kg meant the CRX had some real ‘get up and go’ performance.
于1988年被引入,一系列变化s original torsion bar in the front and beam axle and trailing link in the rear to 4-wheel double wishbone suspension, in line with its sister Civic/Ballade models. VTEC-equipped models also received a makeover, with updated suspension, brakes, lights, and bumpers amongst other things.
One notable feature of the CRX though was its abysmal safety rating, with the Australian Used Car Safety Rating stating that the car had “Significantly worse than average” protection for its occupants. Still, at least it’s a blast to drive!
Toyota AE86
我们怎么能忘记AE86。不仅以初始D而闻名的汽车，而且还因为其令人难以置信的造型和驾驶特性。丰田于1983年推出了这辆车，生产在87中结束。这辆车后来启发了丰田GT86的开发。
86可以在日本和欧洲使用燃油注射的4缸双挡板1587 CC 4A-GE发动机，该发动机也用于第一代Toyota MR2，Toyota Celica GT-R和GT Carina中。该发动机的最大总功率输出为128 hp，尽管净输出量后来速率下降了118 hp。
The AE86 came with a 5-speed manual gearbox, and later came with the option of an automatic. The 4A-GE engines used in the AE86 and AW11 were equipped with Toyota’s Toyota Variable Intake System (T-VIS). Additionally, Toyota offered the AE86 with the option of a LSD.
在某种程度上，AE86启发了一代汽车爱好者。它可能不像GT-R，SOPRA或NSX那样令人印象深刻，但是AE86是我们有史以来最受欢迎的汽车之一。它还可以制造出出色的豆腐送货车。
Nissan 180SX
Coming in at the tail-end of the 1980’s, the 180SX was produced from 1988 until 1998. It was based on the S13 chassis from the Nissan S platform. The 180SX was built and sold by Nissan as a sister model to the Nissan Silvia, however, the S13 Silvia was discontinued in 1993. Interestingly, the two models were sold at different stores in Japan. The 180SX was sold at the Nissan Bluebird stores, while the Silvia was sold at Nissan’s Prince stores.
汽车包括弹出headl之间的区别amps and a liftgate with different bodywork at the back for the 180SX. Originally, the 180SX came with a 1.8-litre CA18DET turbocharged engine, however a 2.0-litre SR20DE engine was added to the car in 1991. This either came naturally aspirated or with the option of a turbocharger.
产生了第一次迭代的两种变体。这些称为I型（标准类型）和II型（高级类型）。Nissan的HICAS II四轮转向系统仅在II型180SX上是可选的。所有版本的CA18DET发动机具有175 hp。所有类型都可以使用5速手动和4速自动变速器。
Outside of Japan, the car was re-badged as a 200SX, while the US market used the 240SX nomenclature.
马自达RX-7 FC (Savanna RX-7)
We all think of the 90’s RX-7 when we here the name, but that doesn’t take away from how epic the previous generations were. The second generation was produced from 1985 until 1988 and featured styling that was reminiscent of the Porsche 924.
该汽车的第4系列版本带有自然吸气，注射燃料的13B-VDEI，在北美规格中生产146 hp。可选的涡轮增压型号，在美国市场中被称为涡轮II，有182 hp。
The Series 5 version of the car came in 1989 and lasted until 1992. This featured a better engine management system, updated styling, lighter rotors and a higher compression ratio for both the naturally aspirated and turbocharged models. The series 5 turbocharged 13B engine could produce around 215 hp.
he rotary engine had financial advantages to Japanese consumers in that the engine displacement remained below 1.5 litres, a significant determination when paying the Japanese annual road tax which kept the obligation affordable to most buyers, while having more power than the traditional inline engines.
This meant that the RX-7 could offer comparable performance to other Japanese sports cars, with added benefits. It could be lighter, more lively, have a more balanced chassis and the road tax expense was less. Another benefit was the epic noise the rotary engine made.
丰田A60 Celica
The A60 Celica is a car I always remember fondly. A high school friend of mine had three of these beauties at once, and they were great to drive despite not being the greatest examples out there. August 1981 was when the third-generation Celica was introduced with buyers getting the choice of either a coupe or liftback model. The liftback was the more successful of the two models.
Celica提供了各种各样的发动机包，包括1.6升4a，1.6升2t，1.8升3T，1.8升4T，1.8升1s，2.0升2s，2.0升18R-G和2.0升21R，具体取决于市场。但是，尽管有所有这些选择，但您真正想要的是2.4升。2.4升发动机也是任何Celica型号提供的最大的四缸发动机。
1983年8月推出了更新的模型。新模型已修订了功能，例如完全可伸缩的大灯，重新设计的格栅和Airdam。还修改了后组合灯。日本的Celica 1600 GT获得了新的4A-GE发动机，并引入了同一发动机的1600 GT-R型号。还发布了涡轮增压1800 GT-TR型号。
Transmission options included a 4-speed automatic gearbox or a 5-speed manual and the curb weight was anywhere from 970 to 1,227kg depending on the model.
Mitsubishi Starion
任何人都记得Top Gear的“不是保时捷挑战的1500英镑汽车”。好吧，如果您不这样做的杰里米·克拉克森（Jeremy Clarkson）在那个挑战中开车的汽车是三菱的饥饿，但是这可能不是一个很好的例子。
The Starion is a two-door, turbocharged four-cylinder rear-wheel drive four-seat hatchback sports car that was produced by Mitsubishi from 1982 until 1989. It wis also one of the first modern turbocharged Japanese cars to use electronic fuel injection. North America had rebadged variants of the Starion under the Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth brands.
大多数市场都收到了SOHC 2.0 L Sirius 4G63发动机，但是美国市场收到了更大的2.6升SOHC Astron G54B发动机。有趣的是，2.0和2.6升模型产生的功率大致相同，但是2.6升确实产生了更大的扭矩。显然，Starion是第一辆使用受控燃油注入和涡轮增压的日本汽车。
After 1987, European models were fitted with the 2.6-litre engine, along with the GSR-VR for Japan. The reason for this was because worldwide emissions restrictions were tightening to meet American standards.
根据型号和涡轮增压器的不同，星坐石的产生的含量为150hp至197 hp。此外，功率图取决于是否使用了8个阀门或12个阀头。
A naturally aspirated version known as the GX was offered in the Japanese market, with production ending in 1983. The Starion GX was offered without power windows, air conditioning, independent rear suspension, fuel injection or power-assisted steering.
日产DR30 RS涡轮
虽然GT-R和其他更著名的日产汽车不在那儿，但DR30系列的日产汽车当然不应该被遗忘。DR30范围始于1981年的生命，其自然吸气的4气缸DOHC FJ20E发动机生成148 hp。但是，我们在这里关注的是1983年的涡轮增压模型。
Nissan fitted a turbocharger to the FJ20ET engine in the DR30 in 1983, while making a number of other changes and updates as well. Front brakes were also significantly upgraded to cope with the power increase and the model received a facelift.
Due to the new look of the car, the DR30 facelift was branded with the nickname “Iron Mask” for its distinctive front end. Power from the turbocharger increased power from 148 hp to 188 hp. At the time, this was the most powerful Japanese production engine of the period.
Further changes were made in 1984, most notably the addition of an air-to-air intercooler allowing the compression ratio to be increased from 8.0:1 to 8.5:1 with a revised turbocharger exhaust housing that increased power to just a shade over 200hp.
The DR30’s legacy is that it really rejuvenated the Skyline brand in the early 1980s. It also paved the way for the eventual re-introduction of the legendary GT-R badge and that could only be a good thing. While it may not be the best Nissan, its legacy is what made us put the DR30 Turbo on this list.