The 1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R (BCNR33) is the top 1995 JDM sports car, with a twin-turbo straight-six rated at 280 PS. The Toyota Supra RZ (280 PS) is #2 and the Honda NSX (280 PS) is #3; all power figures are Japanese-market claims in PS.
Hand-built 1.8 L B18C rated at 200 PS (147 kW) in Japanese specification
The sharpest front-drive car of its era
Pick by what you want
Best overall
1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R (BCNR33)
Most torque
1995 Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo (Z16A)
Best rally-bred sedan
1995 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III (CE9A)
Best rotary
1995 Mazda Efini RX-7 (FD3S)
Most affordable turbo coupe
1995 Nissan Silvia (S14)
The ranking
1
1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R (BCNR33)
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe newest and most complete car here.
Power (JDM claim): 2.6 L RB26DETT twin-turbo straight-six rated at 280 PS (206 kW), the cap in the Japanese carmakers' gentlemen's agreementOn sale: The R33 GT-R went on sale on 6 January 1995 as the base GT-R and the V·specWeight: The base R33 GT-R weighs 1,540 kg (3,395 lb); the V·spec is 10 kg heavierNürburgring: Nissan recorded 7:59.887 before release, the first production car under eight minutes
The R33 GT-R went on sale on 6 January 1995. Its 2.6 L twin-turbo straight-six is rated at 280 PS, it weighs 1,540 kg (3,395 lb) in base form, and Nissan recorded 7:59.887 at the Nürburgring, the first production car under eight minutes.
Go ifThe complete all-wheel-drive turbo benchmark of 1995
Skip ifYou want a light car (it weighs 1,540 kg)
Why #1 over #2: It shares the 280 PS claim with the Supra, but it is the newest car here and the benchmark for all-wheel-drive pace.
2
1995 Toyota Supra RZ (JZA80)
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe tuner legend in stock Japanese form.
Power (JDM claim): Twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE rated at 280 PS (206 kW) and 431 N⋅m (318 lb⋅ft) in the Japanese modelLaunch: The fourth-generation Supra was introduced in May 1993 in GZ, RZ and SZ trimsRZ spec: The RZ received Bilstein sport shock absorbers as standardSpeed limit: Japanese-market turbo cars are restricted to 180 km/h (112 mph)
The Japanese Supra uses a twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE rated at 280 PS and 431 N⋅m. Introduced in May 1993, the RZ trim added Bilstein sport shock absorbers, and Japanese turbo cars are limited to 180 km/h.
Go ifThe torque king of the 280 PS club
Skip ifYou want a targa roof (the Aero Top was not offered on the RZ)
Why #2 over #3: Its 431 N⋅m and twin turbos put it ahead of the naturally aspirated NSX at the same 280 PS.
3
1990-1996 Honda NSX (NA1)
Photo: 先従隗始 / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe everyday exotic.
Power (JDM claim): 3.0 L (2,977 cc) C30A V6 rated at 280 PS at 7,300 rpm with the 5-speed manual; 265 PS with the automaticTorque: 30.0 kg·m at 5,400 rpmLaunch: Developed exclusively for the NSX, launched in September 1990Weight: 1,425 kg (3,142 lb) for 1995-1996 carsBody: All-aluminium semi-monocoque, a first for a production car
The NSX's 3.0 L (2,977 cc) C30A V6 makes 280 PS at 7,300 rpm and 30.0 kg·m at 5,400 rpm. It was launched in September 1990 and weighs 1,425 kg (3,142 lb) in 1995-1996 form.
Go ifA mid-engine exotic you can use every day
Skip ifYou want turbo torque (it is naturally aspirated)
Why #3 over #4: It matches the GTO's 280 PS at 1,425 kg, below even the 1,650 kg GTO MR, thanks to its all-aluminium semi-monocoque.
4
1995 Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo (Z16A)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe big-torque GT.
Power (JDM claim): DOHC 24-valve twin-turbo V6 rated at 280 PS at 6,000 rpm and 417 N⋅m at 2,500 rpmName: Sold in Japan as the GTO and elsewhere as the 3000GT; the facelift was unveiled in Japan in August 1993Drive: Turbo models use all-wheel drive with a 45% front, 55% rear splitLighter MR: The GTO MR of August 1994 cut weight to 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)
Sold in Japan as the GTO, the twin-turbo V6 is rated at 280 PS and 417 N⋅m. Turbo models use all-wheel drive with a 45% front, 55% rear split, and the GTO MR of August 1994 cut weight to 1,650 kg (3,638 lb).
Go ifA grand tourer with 417 N⋅m of torque
Skip ifYou want a lean sports car (the MR still weighs 1,650 kg)
Why #4 over #5: Its 280 PS and 417 N⋅m are more than the 275 PS STi.
5
1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GC8)
Photo: Mr Bungle / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rally homologation special.
Power (JDM claim): The regular WRX STi (Version II era) is listed at 275 PS (202 kW)Weight: 1,240 kg (2,734 lb), with gold wheels like the WRC ImprezaFirst STi: The first STi-badged Impreza arrived in February 1994 with 250 PS; about 100 per month were builtWRX: In November 1994 the standard WRX rose to 260 PS (191 kW)
The regular WRX STi is listed at 275 PS and weighs 1,240 kg (2,734 lb). The first STi arrived in February 1994 with 250 PS, and the standard WRX rose to 260 PS in November 1994.
Go ifRally-bred grip in a four-door
Skip ifYou want the full 280 PS claim (the STi is listed at 275 PS)
Why #5 over #6: Its 275 PS is above the Evolution III's 270 PS.
6
1995 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III (CE9A)
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Evo that set the template.
Power (JDM claim): 270 PS (199 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 309 N⋅m (228 lb⋅ft) at 3,000 rpmLaunch: The Evolution III arrived in February 1995; the Evolution II before it was rated at 260 PSProduction: 8,998 GSRs and 1,082 RS models, 10,080 in totalThe cap: Domestic Evolutions advertised no more than 280 PS until the Evolution IX in 2005
The Evolution III arrived in February 1995 with 270 PS and 309 N⋅m. Mitsubishi built 8,998 GSRs and 1,082 RS models, 10,080 in total.
Go ifTurbo rally-car pace in a sedan
Skip ifYou want a coupe (it is a four-door sedan)
Why #6 over #7: Its 270 PS is above the 255 PS RX-7 and Celica.
7
1995 Mazda Efini RX-7 (FD3S)
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rotary icon.
Power (JDM claim): Sequential twin-turbo 13B-REW rotary rated at 255 PS (188 kW) and 294 N⋅m (217 lb⋅ft) in the Series 6Models: Sold in Japan through Mazda's Efini brand as Type S, Type R (the lightweight sports model), Type RZ, Type RB, A-spec and Touring XLaunch: Announced in October 1991 and on sale in Japan in December 1991
Sold in Japan under the Efini brand, the FD3S RX-7 uses a sequential twin-turbo 13B-REW rated at 255 PS and 294 N⋅m in Series 6 form. The Japanese range included the lightweight Type R and the Type RZ.
Go ifA rotary sports car with a lightweight Type R
Skip ifYou want 280 PS (the Series 6 is rated at 255 PS)
Why #7 over #8: It ties the Celica on 255 PS, and its rotary engine and lightweight Type R give it more significance.
8
1995 Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe rally coupe.
Power (JDM claim): 1,998 cc 3S-GTE turbo four rated at 255 PS at 6,000 rpmWeight: Curb mass of 1,380 kgLaunch: Launched on 2 February 1994Tax issue: Its width no longer complied with Japanese dimension rules, adding a tax liability for Japanese buyersRally link: Influenced by Toyota Team Europe; the most powerful Celica produced to that date
The ST205 Celica GT-Four launched on 2 February 1994 with a 3S-GTE rated at 255 PS and a curb mass of 1,380 kg. It was wider than Japanese dimension rules allowed, which added tax for buyers.
Go ifA rally-homologated all-wheel-drive coupe
Skip ifYou want the biggest power figure (it is rated at 255 PS)
Why #8 over #9: Its 255 PS is more than the 220 PS Silvia, and it brought all-wheel drive.
9
1995 Nissan Silvia (S14)
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe entry-level turbo coupe.
Power (JDM claim): The K's SR20DET turbo is rated at 220 PS (162 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 274 N⋅m (202 lb⋅ft) at 4,800 rpmLaunch: The S14 Silvia debuted in Japan towards October 1993K's update: The S14 K's got a new SR20DET with N-VCT variable cam timing and a larger T28 turbochargerTrims: Aero variants of the Q's and K's added large rear wings and mild ground effects
The S14 Silvia debuted in Japan in October 1993. The K's turbo is rated at 220 PS and 274 N⋅m, with a new SR20DET using N-VCT and a larger T28 turbocharger.
Go ifAn affordable turbo coupe
Skip ifYou want 250 PS or more (it is rated at 220 PS)
Why #9 over #10: Its 220 PS turbo is above the 200 PS Integra Type R.
10
1995 Honda Integra Type R (DC2)
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Power (JDM claim): Hand-built 1.8 L B18C rated at 200 PS (147 kW) in Japanese specificationLaunch: The Integra Type R debuted in Japan in 1995Revs: Rev limiter set at 8,600 rpm for JapanGearbox: Close-ratio 5-speed manual with a helical limited-slip differentialLightweighting: Less sound insulation, a 10 percent thinner windscreen and lighter wheels
The Integra Type R debuted in Japan in 1995 with a hand-built 1.8 L rated at 200 PS and an 8,600 rpm limit in Japan. It adds a close-ratio 5-speed manual and a helical limited-slip differential.
Go ifThe sharpest front-drive car of its era
Skip ifYou want turbo power (it is naturally aspirated at 200 PS)
How we ranked these
We ranked ten sports cars that Japanese buyers could order in 1995 on their Japanese-market claimed power in PS, the unit Japanese makers quote. Because Japan's gentlemen's agreement capped claims at 280 PS, four cars share that figure, and we broke the tie on the weight and significance sourced on each pick. Each model appears under its Japanese name and chassis code. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
Why do so many 1995 JDM sports cars claim 280 PS?
Japanese carmakers kept to a gentlemen's agreement not to advertise more than 280 PS (206 kW), so the GT-R, Supra, NSX and GTO twin turbo all share that claim.
When did the R33 Skyline GT-R go on sale?
The R33 GT-R went on sale on 6 January 1995 with the base GT-R and the V·spec.
What power did the 1995 Lancer Evolution III make?
The Evolution III arrived in February 1995 with 270 PS (199 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 309 N⋅m at 3,000 rpm.
Was the Integra Type R sold in Japan in 1995?
Yes. Honda says the Integra Type R debuted in Japan in 1995, and the Japanese specification is rated at 200 PS.
Claimed power in PS (JDM) at a glance
1995 Honda Integra Type R (DC2)200 PS
1995 Nissan Silvia (S14)220 PS
1995 Mazda Efini RX-7 (FD3S)255 PS
1995 Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205)255 PS
1995 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III (CE9A)270 PS
1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GC8)275 PS
1995 Nissan Skyline GT-R (BCNR33)280 PS
1995 Toyota Supra RZ (JZA80)280 PS
1990-1996 Honda NSX (NA1)280 PS
1995 Mitsubishi GTO Twin Turbo (Z16A)280 PS
Claimed power in PS (JDM), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
