The most powerful Japanese cars: rating with photos

Once upon a time, the power of a car engine was determined by its volume. However, this is no longer the case - automakers have learned to squeeze the maximum out of the power plant using turbochargers and hybrid technologies.

Japanese car brands have been especially successful in this. And TopSpeed decided to tell you about their best developments. Here is a rating of 10 Japanese cars that maximize power and efficiency with the highest horsepower per liter of engine displacement.

Lexus RC F

94 horsepower per liter

The Lexus brand produces some of the most comfortable and luxurious sedans and SUVs, but the RC F breaks the mold. The small two-door coupe belongs to the sports family. And all thanks to the adaptive suspension, limited-slip differential and Brembo brakes, as well as other sporty improvements. However, the main feature of the RC F is its 5.0-liter V8 engine, which, by today's standards, may seem old-fashioned. However, it still produces an incredible 472 horsepower. And that is impressive.

Toyota GR 86

95 horsepower per liter

Some enthusiasts say that the 228-horsepower Toyota GR 86 and its cousin, the Subaru BRZ, need more power. Which is true in an era when 300-horsepower cars are the norm. However, in terms of liters of engine displacement, it turns out 95 hp, which is very, very good. No, the Toyota GR 86 won't push you into the seat when accelerating quickly, but equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, the productive engine will still delight the driver with its abilities. The automatic transmission on the same model also works well, but it is better suited for city driving.

Honda Civic Si

100 horsepower per liter

When it comes to getting the most power per liter, the 1999 Honda Civic Si was one of the best of its time. Back then, achieving 100 horsepower per liter was impressive, especially for a naturally aspirated engine. What made this Civic's powerplant even more incredible was Honda's VTEC technology, which optimizes airflow at higher rpm, allowing the engine to run more efficiently all the way to its redline of 8000 rpm. Aside from the engine, the 1999 Civic Si was also a great all-rounder and a great daily driver. Its suspension was stiffer than its conventional counterpart, but still quite comfortable. This Civic Si was a fun, efficient, and sporty coupe.

Subaru WRX

113 horsepower per liter

The Subaru WRX is a powerful sedan with a rally character. It is equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 271 horsepower, which corresponds to 113 horsepower per liter. With this kind of power and a symmetrical all-wheel drive system, the WRX can easily tackle dirt roads, doesn't lose power in bad weather and handles well in more favorable conditions. In addition to its power, the WRX's four-door architecture makes it very practical when it comes to transporting people and things.

Lexus LFA

117 horsepower per liter

While Lexus has shown that it can build a true sports car, such as the RC F and LC 500, its best achievement in this class was the LFA. It didn't last long in the automotive market, mostly because it was rare and had a price tag of $375,000. But there is no denying that the Lexus LFA was a powerful car. Under its hood was a large 4.8-liter V10 engine that could rev up to 9000 rpm, producing a staggering 553 horsepower. That is 117 horsepower per liter. By the way, prices for used LFAs now reach up to $1 million and even exceed this figure.

Honda S2000

120 horsepower per liter

In terms of horsepower per liter, the Honda S2000 was second to none in the early noughties. The early versions of the S2000 were equipped with a 2.0-liter atmospheric engine with 240 horsepower, which translated to 120 horsepower per liter. This is a lot, considering that the model produced this power without the help of a turbocharger. Although the engine used VTEC technology and could reach 9000 rpm. However, Honda redesigned it for later model years and increased the displacement to 2.2 liters, which in turn increased torque but reduced the horsepower per liter ratio.

Toyota GR Supra

127 horsepower per liter

The engine of the Toyota GR Supra was designed by BMW engineers. The robust turbocharged inline six-cylinder unit produces 382 horsepower, which is equivalent to 127 horsepower per liter. Essentially, it's like having three Nissan Versa engines under the hood. Despite this, the GR Supra is a fast sports car with an aggressive appearance that is sure to attract attention anywhere. It also responds well to modifications, so any car enthusiast who wants to extract more power from the engine can do so quite easily. Some tuners have even been able to squeeze almost 1000 horsepower out of their GR Supra.

Nissan Z

133 horsepower per liter

The Nissan Z has a retro look that recalls many of the styling cues of the nineties 300ZX. Its muscular architecture and overall design make it unlike anything else on the road today, even among sports cars. However, the Nissan Z didn't make this list for its looks. It impresses with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 420 horsepower, or 133 horsepower per liter. This is 100 horsepower more than the 300ZX, which shows how much Nissan has improved this car with new technologies.

Acura Integra Type S

160 horsepower per liter

The Acura Integra Type S is the highest available trim level for this model. Under its hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 320 horsepower, or as much as 160 horsepower per liter. Such a powerful engine is mated to a smooth six-speed manual transmission that makes the driving experience even better. But what makes the Integra truly special is its overall practicality, thanks to its four doors and hatchback shape.

Toyota GR Corolla

187.5 horsepower per liter

The Toyota GR Corolla is a real four-wheeled wonder. It is based on the popular suburban hatchback, but is equipped with a powerful three-cylinder engine that produces a staggering 300 horsepower. Thus, it takes the top spot on this list with its impressive 187.5 horsepower per liter. It is worth keeping in mind that the regular Corolla hatchback produces 169 horsepower, so this modification is called a real rocket. Moreover, the GR Corolla's all-wheel drive system can distribute power to all four wheels in different configurations at the touch of a button to achieve the best traction on any surface.

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