Autodrive | 5 Cars we wished they still made

 

Mazda RX-8 [2003-2012]

 

The Mazda RX-8 was known for its aggressive styling, sporty interior and agile handling.

Powered by a 1300CC RENESIS rotary engine, it produced 212 BHP. It was available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The RX-8 had a few shortcomings.

The main issue was the design of the rotary engine, which didn't produce an adequate amount of torque and had poor fuel economy.

The RX-8 was discontinued in 2012 as a result of poor volume sales. There have been rumours that the RX-8 replacement has been in the works, but Mazda has not made a formal announcement on its successor.

 

Honda S2000 [1999-2009]

 

This was Honda's two-seat roadster, marking a revival of the roadsters of the 1960s produced by the company. The S2000 was fun, praised for its high-performance engine, quick steering and a perfectly balanced chassis. With a minimalist cockpit, and a racetrack-ready suspension, the S2000 was a thoroughbred sports car.

The last update of the famed S2000 was fitted with a 2200cc engine tuned to produce 237 BHP. Production ended in 2009, as sales of the unit slowed down and there has been no announcement on a new model to replace it.

 

Toyota Starlet GT/Glanza V [1989-1999]

 

A reliable 'pocket rocket', the Toyota Starlet GT/Glanza V was powered by a 1300CC turbocharged engine turning out 133 BHP. The car had a dual-mode turbo, allowing users to switch between an output of 115BHP on low boost and 133BHP on high boost. It was known for its Toyota reliability and its impressive power-to-weight ratio.

Production ended in 1999, and shortly after in the mid-2000s, the less attractive Vitz RS was provided as a 'replacement' for the Glanza V.

 

Nissan Bluebird Attesa LTD [1991-1997]

 

Competing mainly with the Honda Civic SiR sedan, the Bluebird Attesa LTD was a current production Bluebird, outfitted with Nissan's four-wheel drive system (advanced total traction engineering system for All-Terrain) and a 2000CC turbocharged engine, similar to the unit used in the Pulsar GTi-R at the time. It was capable of producing 206 BHP. Even though the Bluebird nameplate has continued production, there was never an attempt to construct another Attesa LTD project.

 

Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 [1987-2003]

 

The Galant VR-4 was originally introduced to comply with new Group A regulations of the World Rally Championships, and was later offered a detuned version to enthusiasts. The VR-4 was powered by a 2400CC, six-cylinder twin-turbo engine, producing 276BHP. With the Evolution franchise coming to an end this model year, there is an immediate need for a sports sedan from Mitsubishi.