Launched in November 2008 in Japan, the iQ was to revolutionize the world of urban cars with its almost four seats in an overall length of just over three metres/118 inches. Although interesting, the concept was unfortunately a failure. This 2010 model year wears the colours of Tein, a major Japanese tuning company founded in 1985. This J-Collection was released in August 2015.

Before launching the 4-door sedan, Subaru released a hatchback Impreza WRX STI. That was in 2008, about a year after the "classic" versions of this Impreza. The model car we have here is the 296 hp "Carbon" version, unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in late 2009. Based on the STI A-Line with automatic transmission, the model receives a carbon fiber roof.

Launched in November 2008 in Japan, the iQ was to revolutionize the world of city cars with its almost four seats in a 3-metre/118 inches overall length. Unfortunately, in all markets, this model was a failure. Still it remains of interest. The firefighters version reproduced here is dated 2009 and is used in Essex, in Great-Britain.

The Skyline name, often associated with the sporty version GT-R that became a separate model, was launched in 1957 under the brand Prince, later acquired by Nissan. The one reproduced here in hybrid version was released in February 2014 and is the twin of the Infiniti Q50. The car also now wears the Infiniti logo, but remains a Nissan, since Infiniti is not available in Japan!

In Japan, the Toyota 86 (called GT 86 in Europe) is a great success, with 22,500 units sold in 2012 and 12,400 in 2013. To cast a wide net, this coupe developed with Subaru (which calls it BRZ) is also available in the simplified version RC: steel wheel rims, no air con’, black bumpers and a price 30% lower than a GT 86 equivalent to the one that is sold in Europe! Also reproduced by Ebbro.

In December 2012, the Sylphy succeeded the Bluebird Sylphy in Japan, where Nissan’s range includes another three-box sedan, the Latio. The Sylphy is 4.62 m/182 in.-long and sells mainly in China. In Japan the front wheel-drive is the only model available, which is a curiosity: on this market, cars are generally also available in four-wheel drive.

The Latio is Nissan’s global car, except it remains totally unknown in Western Europe. This model is called Versa in the U.S., Sunny in China and India (or even Renault Scala in India). In Japan, the Latio succeeded the Tiida Latio in October 2012. The latter was a variant of the Tiida sedan, another compact family car unknown in Europe. Available in red, white or silver.

The Latio is Nissan’s global car, except it remains totally unknown in Western Europe. This model is called Versa in the U.S., Sunny in China and India (or even Renault Scala in India). In Japan, the Latio succeeded the Tiida Latio in October 2012. The latter was a variant of the Tiida sedan, another compact family car unknown in Europe.

Toyota is considered the number-one specialist in hybrid cars. But Honda also offers a wide range of models running on both gasoline and electricity: Jazz, Insight, Freed (in Japan), and the 2010 CR-Z coupe, the only hybrid car available with a manual transmission. You will also find the Mugen version, reproduced by Ebbro, on Minicarweb.

Replicas in 1:43 scale of "keijidosha" (k-cars) are rare. To take advantage of reduced fees, these cars, that hold one third of the Japanese market, need to observe the following dimensions: 3.40 m long, 1.48 m wide, and 660 cc max. The Daihatsu Hijet, here in an Airport Service version, is part of the Japanese automotive landscape, as a utility vehicle as well as a personal car.

The thirteenth-generation Crown was released in Japan in 2008 (and was replaced at the end of 2012). Under the short bonnet of this large family sedan, several gasoline V6 engines could be housed, and even a V8 on the Crown Majesta. The Crown Hybrid, reproduced here, receives the combination of a 3.5-litre V6 and an electric motor. Note the discreet monogram on the front fenders.

The history of the Crown began in 1955 and seems endless, as this large family sedan has been renewed every five or six years in Japan, and always with the same success. J-Collection reproduced here the eleventh generation, sold between 1999 and 2003, in the rather high-end version Royal Saloon.

The March is the Japanese version of the Micra. Of course, its steering wheel is on the right side, and its registration plates are more square than in Europe. The decals of the third-generation March (introduced in 2002 in Japan and in 2003 in Europe) that we have here are supposed to be artistic. But Minicarweb's team still does not get its meaning. Any suggestions?

Diffusée en Europe et aux États-Unis sous l'appellation Infiniti G, cette routière reste livrée au Japon sous l'appellation Skyline, désormais sans sa variante GT-R qui vit sa vie de son côté. Il s'agit ici d'une version 50e anniversaire, fêtant en 2007 les 50 ans de la Skyline, née à l'origine sous la marque Prince, rachetée ensuite par Nissan.

Launched in 1996, the first-gen Stagea was a hit in Japan, the only country where it was available. So Nissan designed a second generation for this sporty station wagon. But this new Stagea, reproduced here by J-Collection and sold between 2001 and 2007, was unfortunately not as successful as the former one, and was finally not replaced.

The Japanese market is fond of big MPVs. Here we have the third-generation Elgrand (since 1997), released in 2010 and only available with gasoline engines: a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder (170 hp), or a big 3.5-litre V6 (280 hp). With a different front grille, this model is renamed Nissan Quest in the USA.