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Feature | Japan's Sports Cars

CAR / FEATURES

August 3, 2015

Feature | Japan's Sports Cars

Spotlight: Japan's Sports Cars

Japan's sports car scene is vibrant once again. The Mazda Roadster, a global benchmark for lightweight sports cars, has evolved into its fourth generation. In the Kei car category, open-top sports cars like the Honda S660 and Daihatsu Copen have reappeared, drawing considerable attention. This feature shines a light on Japanese sports cars.

Mazda Roadster

Mazda Roadster

Test Drive: The New Mazda Roadster (ND)

The new Mazda Roadster (ND) is off to a strong start. In just one month since its release, orders have exceeded its monthly sales target of 500 units by more than tenfold. The production line is reportedly operating at full capacity. This new model, the fourth generation, is an ambitious creation developed with a focus on returning to the original concept since the first model debuted in 1989. We test drive both the latest MT and AT Roadsters.

Honda S660

Honda S660

Test Drive: The Honda S660, A Minimalist Mid-Engine Sports Car

After two years since its reveal as the "S660 Concept" at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, the highly anticipated S660 is finally going into production. It carries on the concept of the Beat, a mid-engine sports car in the Kei car class. We took the S660, a testament to Honda's ambition and engineering prowess, out for a spin on public roads.

Daihatsu Copen

Daihatsu Copen Robe

Test Drive: The Daihatsu Copen, A Kei Car Specialty

Among the open-top sports cars born from Japan's unique Kei car genre, the Daihatsu Copen, popular for its electric retractable roof and classic looks, has been reborn into its second generation. Yasuhiko Kawamura test drives the new Copen, which sports a significantly different styling image from its predecessor.

Nissan GT-R NISMO

Nissan GT-R NISMO

Test Drive: Nissan GT-R NISMO

Eight years have passed since the debut of the Nissan GT-R. Just before the Tokyo Motor Show in Autumn 2013, alongside the updated standard 2014 model, the "GT-R NISMO" emerged, engineered for the circuit by Nissan's motorsport division, NISMO. We take another look at this NISMO, which was briefly mentioned during our previous impression of the GT-R 2014 model.