Volkswagen Polo Vs Volkswagen Golf - How To Choose The Right Hatchback

By Matt Robinson

Volkswagen cars are renowned for their reliability, comfort and performance with the VW Polo and VW Golf demonstrating this in style. But if you’re looking for a brand-new Volkswagen hatchback, how do you choose between the two? Our car expert Matt Robinson breaks down the differences between the two helping you decide whether the Polo or the Golf is your ideal next car.

History And Background

The Golf debuted first, in 1974, and we’re now onto our 8th generation of this sector-defining hatchback. The Polo, meanwhile, arrived just 1 year later in 1975, but strangely we’re only on the Mk6 model at the moment – because the Mk2 of 1981 managed to last for 13 years, mainly thanks to a heavy-duty facelift in 1990 which prolonged its existence. Either way, the Polo and the Golf have been honed and crafted carefully by Volkswagen over the course of almost 50 years of production each.

Which Body Types Are The Golf and Polo Available In?

Over the years, the Polo has been available as a saloon (known as the ‘Derby’), a 3-door hatch, a small estate and even a coupe, but right now it comes solely in 5-door hatchback format – and that’s true even when it is specified as its high-performance GTI model. The Golf is slightly more varied, with the 5-door hatch and a roomy estate available.

Are Size And Storage Comparable?

Spec	Golf 8	Polo
Boot Space	381 litres	351 litres
Boot length, with rear seats upright	800 mm	706 mm
Boot length, with rear seats folded	1493 mm	1380 mm
Dimensions	Length: 4284 mm Width: 1789 mm Height: 1491 mm	Length: 4074 mm Width:1,751 mm Height:1,451 mm

WhatAre The Engine Choices?

Both offer a smooth array of engines, in the main (but not exclusively) turbocharged. They are predominantly also front-wheel drive, although there are some all-wheel-drive versions of the Golf (such as the Alltrack and the R). Gearboxes amount to manual 5- and 6-speed units, or a 7-speed DSG twin-clutch unit on certain models, with any plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions using an old 6-speed DSG.

As with many of the facets of these two cars, the Polo has far fewer engine choices than the Golf.

Polo Engine Range: The main range is made up entirely of 3-cylinder petrol engines, all with a 1.0-litre swept capacity. The base model, with 80hp, is non-turbocharged, but both the next two derivatives – badged the 95 TSI and 110 TSI according to their horsepower figures – do have turbos. The 80hp car has a 5-speed manual gearbox only, while the 110 TSI is exclusively fitted with a 7-speed DSG, and it’s only the 95hp mid-range version where you get the manual as standard and the option of having the DSG at extra cost. Standing alone is the Polo GTI, which uses a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine developing 207hp. It is only available with the 7-speed DSG alone.

Golf Engine Range: The Golf uses the same 110hp 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine as the Polo for just its entry point, but every other engine in the range is a 4-cylinder unit of some sort. There’s also a subtle badging difference between ‘TSI’ and ‘eTSI’ here – the former is a pure petrol, while the latter is a mild-hybrid version. As a result, all the TSI engines have 6-speed manual transmissions and the eTSI powertrains all have the 7-speed DSG. Power on the petrol side of things ranges from 110hp through 130hp and up to 150hp, the latter two outputs coming from a 1.5-litre engine.

There’s then a 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel 4-cylinder, which makes either 115-, 150- or 200hp, the last of these reserved exclusively for the performance GTD model (see below). The 115hp engine comes with a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG transmissions, but the 150- and 200hp derivatives are paired with the DSG only.

After that, there are two PHEVs – a ‘regular’ model called the 1.4 TSI eHybrid with 204hp, or the sportier version in the form of the 245hp GTE. Both use a 1.4-litre petrol turbo engine and a 7-speed DSG. And finally, a powerful 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol makes between 245- and 320hp for all of the GTI, GTI Clubsport and R rapid models of the Golf Mk8. Only the normal GTI can have a 6-speed manual here, with the 7-speed DSG an option; but the auto is the standard (and saloon) ‘box on the Clubsport and R.

Engine Type	Golf	Polo
Petrol	1.0-litre TSI 110hp, 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds 1.0-litre eTSI 110hp, 0-62mph: 10.2 second 1.5-litre 130hp 0-62mph: 9.2 seconds 1.5-lite 150hp 0-62mph: 8.5 seconds 2.0-litre 245hp (GTI) 0-62mph: 6.2 seconds 2.0-litre 320hp (Golf R) 0-62mph: 4.7 seconds	1.0-litre 80hp 0-62mph: 15.5 seconds 1.0-litre 95hp 0-62mph: 10.8 seconds 1.0-litre turbocharged 110hp 0-62mph: 10.4 seconds 2.0-litre 207hp (GTI) 0-62mph: 6.5 seconds
Diesel	2.0-litre 115hp 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds 2.0-litre 150hp 0-62mph: 8.4 seconds 2.0-litre diesel 200hp (GTD) 0-62mph: 7.1 seconds
	1.4-litre eHybrid 204hp 0-62mph: 7.4 seconds, electric range 43 miles (official) 1.4-litre 245hp (GTE) 0-62mph: 6.7 seconds, electric range 38 miles (official) Are There Any High-Performance Models Of The Golf Or Polo? Yes, both of them have ‘fast’ versions – but, again, when it comes to the Golf, you get many more options. The Polo’s sole ‘hot’ derivative is the GTI. The Golf, meanwhile, has a much longer heritage of GTI-dom – there has been a performance version of every 1 of the 8 generations of Golf so far – and it also has a greater variety of speedy models in its past, such as the Rallye, the VR6 and the R32; some of these employing V6 engines, instead of the usual 4-cylinder fare of VW’s hot cars. In the current range, there are no fewer than 5 performance models… including two GTIs! That’s right, there’s a regular 245hp model and then a more hardcore, focused GTI Club sport with 300hp. Some say the Club sport is the best-driving Golf of them all, being as it is front-wheel drive and limited-slip-diff-equipped, but it is not the flagship nor fastest version. That honour belongs to the Golf R, which has the benefit of 4-wheel drive and 320hp, enough for 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and a limited top speed of 168mph with the right options packages. For those looking for more ecologically minded performance, either the GTE or GTD are worth considering. The GTE is a PHEV petrol-electric with the same 245hp as the GTI, only it can go up to 37 miles on electric power alone and its CO2 emissions are as low as 27g/km. The GTD is a torquey turbodiesel with 200hp and strong performance, but it’ll do 54.3mpg if you drive it sensibly. Bear in mind, though, that all 5 powertrains are only available in the hatchback body of the Golf – if you want a Golf Estate, you are restricted to the Golf R Estate as your sole performance option. There used to be the choice of having the GTD as a wagon too, but for the Mk8 even that has been stripped away – and the GTE, GTI and GTI Club sport have never been offered as estates by Volkswagen. Can I Get An Electric Or Hybrid Version Of Either? In a word, for the Polo… no. There aren’t any hybrid models and there isn’t a full electric variant either. Tsk, VW. For the Golf, there’s a little more choice, but while there used to be an e-Golf EV in the Mk7 generation, the advent of the all-new and all-electric ID.3 hatchback means a fully electric Golf is no longer a ‘thing’. So the best you get is an eHybrid or GTE, both of which are PHEVs. Polo Vs Golf Interiors And Kit Life is the entry-level grade for both cars but, on the Golf, you get more kit for your money than you do on the Polo. That said, a Polo Life comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, LED lights all round on the outside, a leather multifunction steering wheel, the 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, wireless App-Connect for smartphones, electric windows all round, electrically adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors, manual air conditioning, automatic headlights and wipers, and even cruise control with a speed limiter. There’s a good spread of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) as well, although the infotainment is only ‘nav-prepped’, rather than ‘nav-equipped’. To that end, a Golf Life is a little more generous. It has the same LED exterior illumination, auto lights and wipers, and electric door mirrors as the Polo, but it gains bigger 16-inch alloys, nav-equipped Discover Media infotainment, a larger 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro cluster, Keyless Go, 10-colour interior ambient lighting, full climate control, uprated Adaptive Cruise Control with a speed limiter, and front and rear parking sensors too. It also has enhanced ADAS compared to a Polo Life. Check out our Golf trim guide for a more detailed look. Which Drives Better, The Polo Or The Golf? Realistically, both cars offer much the same solid, safe driving manners. This isn’t surprising, as the Polo has long been modelled on the Golf’s behavioural traits, so what you get with both of them is some of the most grown-up dynamic experiences in each class – as in, the Polo is more refined and assured than the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208 et al, while it’s much the same story for the Golf in the sector above, where it competes with the Toyota Corolla, Skoda Octavia, Renault Megane, Honda Civic and more. What you’ll benefit from in either Volkswagen is a smooth, comfortable ride, excellent sound suppression in the passenger compartment, and a general feeling of stolid quality from both. The Polo and the Golf have good grip and nicely calibrated steering, but they don’t serve up much joy if you throw them through the corners with a bit of gusto. That’s less true of the performance models but, again, it’s the Golf which has the edge here. The Polo GTI has never truly blossomed into a great hot hatch.  The Golf is better, with the GTI, GTI Club sport and the R as the choice of the keenest enthusiasts. For sheer bragging rights, the AWD R wins hands down – it’s much quicker for 0-62mph than either version of the GTI and it has all the traction advantages of drive being sent to all 4 wheels. We’ll happily accept the Mk8 R is the best ultra-Golf we’ve seen so far (that means any other generation of R or R32)… we’d be putting our money into the Club sport. Once it is up and running, the fact it is only 20hp and 20Nm down on the R, and considerably lighter too, means the GTI Club sport feels every bit as fast and gratifying as its supposedly bigger brother. And with just two driven wheels, it requires more effort from its driver, which in turn leads to more reward when you get it right. Which Is Better, The VW Polo Or The Golf? For this head-to-head, the Golf. The Polo has always been in the shadow of the Golf, even if it only landed in showrooms a mere year after the Golf Mk1 debuted. Overall the Golf offers that bit more choice, equipment and ownership feel good factor throughout its range than the Polo does. If we could afford it, we’d be going for Golf. If we wanted an electric Volkswagen hatchback, and we were worried that neither of these two could truly fulfil that ecological brief? Then we’d be looking at the ID.3.  Volkswagen Golf = 8/10 Volkswagen Polo = 7/10 For more articles, you can check out our car features and guides section. Or if you're looking for a brand new vehicle, we've got a huge range of cars to lease at unbeatable prices. Original Article is on this link: vanarama.com

Hundreds of damaged VW Polos and Ford Rangers stuck at South African port

 

A ship carrying hundreds of VW Polo hatchbacks and Ford Ranger bakkies bound for export has been damaged by inclement weather and is now moored at the Port of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

The damage to the vehicles and equipment on board the 200m-long vessel, which can carry as many as 8,000 cars, is estimated to stretch into the millions of rands.

Investigations underway

Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Maritime Business Chamber, Unathi Sonti, told eNCA that the ship was hit by high winds and storms while out at sea and returned to the port after sustaining damages.

Upon its arrival, the vehicles onboard were offloaded to shore while authorities carried out inspections.

Footage of the port shows that the vast majority of the cars were VW Polo hatchbacks with a handful of what appears to be VW Caddy vans and Ford Ranger bakkies also being among the valuable cargo.

“The current understanding is there was a hydraulic failure within the vessel itself whilst it was still at sea, and that was the result of the high seas when we had all the storms in the past week,” said Sonti.

“So that is, for now, what we see as the cause towards this incident in that vessel.”

Investigations to determine the root cause of the incident and the extent of the damages are still underway. The owners of the ship were unwilling to comment on the matter.

Major automakers including Ford, Isuzu, and VW have manufacturing facilities in the Eastern Cape.

Isuzu fabricates the D-Max bakkie in the province and VW assembles the Polo and Polo Vivo hatchbacks; whereas Ford produces the engines for the Ranger and VW Amarok bakkies built at its Gauteng plant.

These companies use the Port of Port Elizabeth to ship hundreds, even thousands of vehicles to global markets every month.

Article Source : Topauto.co.za

5 awesome features in the new Haval Jolion Pro

 

The Haval Jolion Pro has finally arrived in South Africa and is ready to shake up the popular family crossover scene.

The Pro is arguably the most important new car to come from the GWM Group this year, as it is a sportier addition to what is already one of the best-selling models in the country.

I recently attended the Pro’s South African launch where I got to spend a day in the driver’s seat experiencing everything it has to offer, and was impressed by these five things that are likely to win over both new and existing fans of the brand.

Enhanced exterior

The biggest change to the crossover’s package are the visual enhancements brought about by the Pro badge.

This includes a new vertical grille with chrome highlights, an aerodynamic package with a front and rear splitter, flared wheel arches, gloss black roof rails and mirrors, and redesigned LED headlights with separate daytime running lights.

It looks just as good at the back, too, as the taillights have been merged into a singular light bar with a more intimidating aura, and there’s a gloss black rear wing that helps to complete the silhouette.

Rounding out the appearance is one of three 18-inch alloy wheel designs, depending on the trim level, with the gloss black rims on the “S” derivative being particularly appealing.

Solid performance

The Jolion is available with one of three returning powertrains, including a hybrid-electric (HEV) unit.

Sadly, the HEV was not at the launch, but we have tested the hybrid in the past and were impressed by its substantial fuel savings.

As for the other two drivetrains, you can expect a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol plant producing either 105kW and 210Nm, or 130kW and 270Nm if you grab the higher-tier S specification.

The power of the S can be felt immediately thanks to a sensitive throttle that doesn’t need much pressure to pick up the revs, but even the base-spec car can provide a good time as the 105kW on tap is still above average relative to many of its competitors.

Great gearbox

The Jolion Pro is sold with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which is rather unusual for this segment.

Most entry-level to mid-range crossovers are sold with a CVT as they tend to be cheaper and performance is not much of a concern in this bracket, but Haval has clearly not compromised on this front, providing motorists with a more coveted shifter.

Even better is that the Pro comes with paddle shifters on the steering wheel for snappy changes, which sells the sporty angle of the crossover that much more.

Extra technology

Even before the Pro came onto the scene, the Jolion was seen as one of the more feature-rich vehicles in its price bracket, as is common to see from Chinese brands like Haval and Chery.

Now that the sporty models have arrived, you can expect even more kit like the aforementioned paddle shifters, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated seats.

There are also three different screens, including a larger infotainment system, an updated digital instrument cluster, and a heads-up display on the windscreen.

Affordable price tag

There has been a trend over the last few years of automakers bringing out flashier versions of their most sought-after products, with Toyota rolling out the GR-Sport treatment for the Corolla Cross while Chery has introduced the Max nameplate to its Tiggo 7 and 8 Pro ranges.

Both of these cars clock in at a minimum of R500,000, while the cheapest Jolion Pro can be had for just R391,150, lowering the cost of entry to this more exclusive club by a substantial margin.

The Chery may have more power, but when it’s R110,000 more expensive, it’s hard not to argue that Haval has a very price-competitive model on its hands.

Article Source : Topauto.co.za

Why a used hybrid might be best for local buyers seeking efficiency

 The automotive landscape is changing, with manufacturers engineering electrified vehicles in response to customer needs and changing legislation.

Efficiency is at the forefront of many consumers' minds, but electric vehicles (EVs) remain expensive, particularly in South Africa, where consumers are also concerned about the state of national charging infrastructure. 

Hybrid vehicles, particularly plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), are an excellent stepping stone for motorists who aren’t ready to embrace the electric car lifestyle.

What is a PHEV and how does it differ from a conventional hybrid?

While a diesel or petrol-powered engine powers both, a PHEV has a battery that is large enough to allow the car to travel on electric power for greater distances. Like an EV, the battery can be replenished through plug-in charging. This improves fuel economy, reduces C02 emissions and, if used correctly, can be driven on electric power most of the time. Another benefit is the flexibility. Unlike EVs that must be plugged in, PHEVs can rely on their engines if charging isn’t possible. 

A mild-hybrid is a type of electrified vehicle that uses a combination of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a smaller electric motor and battery to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. However, unlike a regular hybrid of PHEV, a mild hybrid cannot drive solely on electric power. A traditional hybrid, also known as a self-charging hybrid, can be operated on electric power alone, but cannot be charged in the same way as a plug-in hybrid. Instead, the battery charges through regenerative braking and the combustion engine. 

In a recent AutoTrader survey, 88.4% of respondents said fuel efficiency was the most significant advantage of a hybrid vehicle. Furthermore, 60% said the lack of charging infrastructure was the biggest drawback to owning an EV, followed by pricing. As a result, PHEVs are the best compromise, with 66% of survey respondents choosing a PHEV compared to 34% who opted for a self-charging hybrid. 

“It is no surprise consumers are leaning towards hybrids and PHEVs. They offer the best of both worlds, with strong power and performance, electric range and the benefit of a traditional petrol or diesel-powered engine,” said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie.

“This eliminates range anxiety and makes the vehicle more practical, specially in a country with a developing charging infrastructure. To top it all, PHEVs and hybrids are cheaper than their battery-electric counterparts,” said Mienie.

The Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge is a fine example of a competent PHEV. It combines a turbocharged and supercharged 2.0l petrol engine with an electric motor. This results in solid performance and superior efficiency. Volvo claims an average fuel consumption figure of 1.6l/100 km. With combined outputs of 340kW and 709Nm of torque, it can reach 100km/h in 4.8 seconds. The all-electric range is a claimed 81 km, courtesy of the 19kWh battery. 

If you’re looking for something more affordable, the Toyota Corolla Cross offers exceptional value for money, particularly on the secondhand market. The Japanese crossover pairs a 1.8l, four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack for combined outputs of 90kW. Claimed fuel economy is excellent at 4.3l/100 km, which means an average fuel range of around 830km. The Corolla Cross is a self-charging hybrid, and can’t be plugged into a charger like the XC60 T8 Recharge. 

Plug-in hybrid technology is also used to enhance performance cars. BMW demonstrated this with the since discontinued i8. It pairs the 1.5l three-cylinder engine with a battery (11.6kWh in later models) for combined outputs of 275kW and 570Nm of torque. The i8 can travel 37km on electric power, which isn’t as impressive as newer PHEVs, but the benefit is a sporty vehicle with excellent fuel economy. The i8 has a top speed of 250km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.4 seconds. Considering the claimed fuel use figure of 2.5l/100 km, the BMW i8 offers both performance and efficiency.

Article Source : TimesLive.co.za

Age vs mileage: which is more important when buying a used car?

 Used car buyers often face a difficult choice: should they choose an older car with lower mileage or a newer one with higher mileage? Which option is better?

Car pricing experts at getWorth price thousands of used cars each month, analysing market data extensively. Colin Morgan, getWorth’s head of pricing, provides an example.

“Imagine you are considering two options for the same car, selling for the same price. One is a 2021 Kia Picanto 1.2 Street Auto with low mileage — 20,000km. The other is a 2022 model but it has 50,000km. Which one offers better value?”

Morgan said market data provides a clear answer.

“The used car market acts like a weighing machine. The prices cars sell for indicate what consumers are willing to pay for different ages and mileages. Our algorithms analyse this data and can precisely determine the market values for these two cars. A year of age on this Kia Picanto affects the price by 6% and each kilometre adds 42 cents. This means these two cars should be almost identical in price.”

“However, our in-house preference is slightly different. We tend to favour lower mileage over age. Personally, I would choose the older car with lower mileage.”

Morgan explained the reasons for the getWorth house view. It is mostly use and wear on components that affects a car’s mechanical condition. The age of the parts makes less of a difference. 

Lower mileage usually means the car is in better condition cosmetically as well.

“If you assume the same driver habits, the higher mileage car will have had 30,000km more time in the driver’s seat, wear on the carpets, time on the road with little stone chips and scuffs and so on.”

Warranties, services and maintenance plans can also affect the price. For example, a car with an additional year on its manufacturer warranty and service plan might save you money on a service and present a lower mechanical risk.

While age and mileage are crucial in determining the value of a used car, expert advice leans towards lower mileage, which usually means less wear and tear on mechanical components and better overall condition. Ultimately, understanding your personal priorities and the vehicle's history is key to making the best decision.

Article Source ; Timeslive.co.za

Why South Africa's used car sales took a knock in May

In the model stakes, the Toyota Hilux continued to lose ground against the Ford Ranger, monthly sales contracting by -15% to 1,271 units vs the Ranger’s 7% increase to 1,612 units.
Image: Supplied

The New Car Market Hit The Skids in May.

New car passenger sales fell by -11.7% year-on-year while used car sales were not that far behind, falling by -10.5% year-on-year and -3% month-on-month.  

“While the drop in sales is indicative of a market coming under pressure, one must be cognisant of consumer uncertainty about the elections, which affected May car sales,” said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie.

In May, sales in the used car market contracted by -996 units resulting in 27,729 used cars sold. The cumulative value of used cars sold amounted to R11,276,303,350, a decline of -10.5% year-on-year.

But it was not all doom and gloom. AutoTrader data shows in May, the average car price dropped by 0.3% to R406,661, and that was for a one year younger — 2019 — model. Paying less for a younger car will be sure to warm the cockles of car buyers’ hearts.

Top 10 sold used models in May 2024 (Source: AutoTrader Used Car Sales Data: May 1 - May 31 2024).
Image: Supplied

Still, little changed in May. The top 10 most sold brands remained unchanged in the used car market. Toyota moved 4,700 units, staying on track as the best seller ahead of Volkswagen and Ford; the Ford Ranger continued to top the best-selling model table; and the VW Polo Vivo 1.4l remained the top-selling variant.

In the model stakes, the Toyota Hilux continued to lose ground against the Ford Ranger, monthly sales contracting by -15% to 1,271 units vs the Ranger’s 7% increase to 1,612 units. Meanwhile, the VW Polo with 1,203 sales is nipping on the Hilux’s heels. 

Despite being the oldest in the line-up with an average age of eight years, premium sedan Mercedes-Benz C-Class grew used car sales by 16%. Models with about 101,704km mileage sold for R399,570 on average. Three-year-old Suzuki Swift models, the youngest in the model ranking, sold for an average price of R189,595.

Still with model sales, the Nissan NP200 half-tonne bakkie made a comeback in May selling 389 units with a month-on-month increase of 11% to oust the Ford EcoSport and earn it ninth spot in the ranking.

“With elections now behind us, the coming months will hopefully bring added impetus to vehicle sales and provide a clearer picture of the health of the car market,” said Mienie.

Article Source ; Times Live.

10 Japanese Sports Cars That Used To Be Everywhere, But You Won't See Them Today

Mecum Auctions

 

In recent years, the massive shift in the automotive landscape has seen numerous Japanese sports cars disappear from the public eye.

The land of the rising sun is home to some of the most respected sports cars on the market today, including the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, Nissan Z, Lexus RC F, and Mazda MX-5. Looking back to the Japanese Golden Age in the 1980s and '90s, it's mind-blowing how the country evolved from a blip on the automotive radar in years past to a global leader. Due to their respectable power, superior reliability, excellent driver involvement, and approachable pricing, dozens of legendary Japanese sports cars dominated the global market.

However, technological advances and consumer preferences have seen the automotive landscape shift massively in the last decade alone. As a result, numerous iconic Japanese sports cars disappeared from the public eye. Relegated to weekend driving, garage collections, car meets, or even track days, it's increasingly rare to see these sports cars. Here's a list of sports cars that used to be everywhere, but you won't see them today.

10/10Toyota Celica

The Celica broke new ground for sports cars with its go-anywhere, do-anything attitude, establishing itself as a formidable sales success and a revered motorsport icon. Throughout its lifetime, Toyota sold the Celica in coupe and liftback body styles with numerous engine configurations like the beloved 4A-GE and the legendary 3S-GTE.

With stricter emission regulations and a gradual shift away from sports cars weighing down on production, Toyota discontinued the Celica in the U.S. in the summer of 2004 after 35 years of production. Almost two decades later, the Celica population is dwindling significantly, despite the popularity of models like the sixth-generation GT-Four and the striking XYR-designed seventh-generation coupe.

9/10Mitsubishi Eclipse

The iconic Eclipse sports coupe appealed to enthusiasts with its futuristic design, road-hugging stance, and heart-thumping mechanics. A proper driver's car of the time, the three-starred sports coupe made its mark in pop and tuner culture alongside legends like the Skyline and Supra with stellar performances in the Fast and Furious franchise.

Mitsubishi sold the Eclipse for over two decades up to 2012 and across four generations, opting to discontinue the model in favor of developing battery technology and meeting global environmental targets. Despite enjoying a solid fanbase of motorsport enthusiasts and sports car aficionados, the Eclipse also fell victim to changing tastes and has become a rare sight on the roads today.

8/10Nissan 240SX

Nissan conceived the 240SX as a modestly sensible two-door sports car primarily aimed at the lower end of the market. Designed with a desirable front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration, a lightweight yet stiff chassis, independent suspension, and a slick-shifting manual transmission, the 240SX made an immediate impact as a massively fun-to-drive sports car.

The 240SX made more inroads in the U.S. than its predecessors, developing a dominant reputation in the drifting, racing, and tuner communities. Interestingly, Nissan produced over two million 240SX models for the American market before it got axed in 1998. However, the demanding life most of these models experienced ensured only a few remain on the roads today.

7/10Acura Integra GS-R

From top to bottom of the lineup and across four generations, the Acura Integra stamped its authority on the market as one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive sport compacts. This achievement was especially true with the GS-R variant, also revered for its neutral balance, impressive dynamics, and thrilling feedback, allowing it to surpass larger, more potent sports cars of the time.

Part of the GS-R's specialness came from its engines, considering it was the second model after the NSX to cause waves in the U.S. with the rev-happy VTEC. Although Acura eventually resurrected the Integra nameplate following a 15-year hiatus, the iconic predecessors that set the benchmark in the 1990s and 2000s are rarely seen in action.

6/10Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The Lancer Evolution series became more of a rally weapon than a typical sports car thanks to Mitsubishi's ceaseless quest for automotive dominance and its long-term commitment to ruggedness. With legendary rally drivers like Tommi Mäkinen and Richard Burns on the wheel, the Lancer Evolution ascended into the WRC hall of fame and achieved cult status among enthusiasts.

The Lancer Evolution also influenced pop culture through epic performances in blockbuster films like Fast and Furious and Taxi 2, not to mention stellar features in video games such as Gran Turismo, Forza Horizon, and Need For Speed. Later variants like the Evo X still garner attention from automotive enthusiasts today, but most of the earlier models that established the Lancer Evolution legacy are less active in public.

5/10Toyota MR-2

Toyota was not the first company to produce a small, budget-friendly, mass-produced sports car, but it was undoubtedly the first to enjoy significant sales success, thanks to the legendary MR-2. The MR-2's light chassis, fun-to-drive nature, and desirable mid-engine layout made it one of the best sports cars on the track and the streets.

Toyota's understanding of the 'win on Sunday, buy on Monday' philosophy saw the popular MR-2 enjoy considerable success in motorsport, from the Japanese Grand Touring Championships to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Swiss Touring Car Championship. MR-2 production ceased in 2005 after a global slowdown in sports car demand, and its numbers on the road have gradually dwindled over the years.

4/10Nissan 300ZX

The 300ZX introduced Japan's first mass-produced V-6, not to mention innovative technology such as a computerized Voice Warning System and the Body Sonic audio system with a bass amplifier. Produced across two similar yet unique Z31 and Z32 generations, the Nissan 300ZX was a sensation that set the stage for world-class rear-wheel-drive Japanese performance cars.

The more desirable Z32 restored the legendary Z-car sports car status, utilizing the Porsche 944 and Chevy Corvette as benchmarks for the resurgence. Depending on who you ask, the 300ZX is still one of Nissan's most loved Z sports cars. Unfortunately, this classic is a rare gem at auction blocks today, meaning it's getting even harder to see in public.

3/10Mazda RX-7 (FD)

The RX-7 changed the game through its unconventional twin-turbocharged rotary engine, lightweight construction, impeccable handling, and relative affordability compared to other up-market sports cars. Although Mazda built the RX-7 over three generations, the last chapter was arguably the best since it transformed from a Japanese GT to a no-compromise sports car.

In addition, the RX-7's iconic influence on pop culture is hard to underplay, with several notable appearances in the Fast and Furious film franchise and the Need for Speed video game series. The RX-7 FD's stunningly fluid design language makes it as timelessly modern as it did at its debut, but the complicated durability of the rotary motor contributes to the limited numbers that survive today.

2/10Honda S2000

The Honda S2000 was Japan's version of the Porsche Boxster or BMW M Roadster, developed with a more sophisticated front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout than its Mazda MX-5 Miata rival. The S2000 honed Honda's world-beating engineering across the AP1 and AP2 generations, not forgetting the higher-spec S2000 Club Racer.

The humble S2000 also joined an exclusive group comprising primarily of supercars thanks to its class-leading naturally-aspirated VTEC inline-four engine, capable of a stratospheric 9,000rpm redline. The S2000 deservedly transitioned into a bona fide modern classic in recent years, and it's just a shame that its population is quickly thinning out.

1/10Toyota Supra A80

The iconic Supra, undoubtedly Toyota's most famous sports car nameplate, spawned initially from the Celica coupe to challenge the Nissan Z-Cars that ruled the 1980s and 90s. Besides marking the peak for the Supra model, the fourth-generation (A80) model propelled the 2JZ-GTE engine to legendary status and helped define the Golden Age of Japanese cars.

Even more impressive, the Supra A80 left an indelible mark in motorsport, pop culture, and the tuner community. Unfortunately, Toyota put the Supra A80 to pasture in 2002 following declining sales of sports coupes, and the increasing rarity since then has seen its value skyrocket to astronomical figures.

Author..... Simon KIM. Click to read original article.