Toyota Mark II
JDM · Toyota
Toyota Mark II: The 1JZ Sedan That Built Japanese Drifting
The Toyota Mark II is a rear-wheel-drive executive sedan whose JZX90 and JZX100 generations put a turbocharged 1JZ-GTE under an unassuming four-door body, making it one of the most tuned cars in Japan.
The Mark II nameplate ran from 1968 to 2004 across nine generations, sold in Japan alongside its near-identical siblings the Chaser and the Cresta. For most of its life it was an ordinary comfortable sedan for company managers. Then Toyota fitted the JZ family of inline-sixes.
The cars enthusiasts want are the JZX90 (1992 to 1996) and the JZX100 (1996 to 2000) in Tourer V trim. Both use the 2.5-liter turbocharged 1JZ-GTE, rated around 280 PS under Japan gentleman agreement of the era, driving the rear wheels through an available five-speed manual. The JZX100 upgraded to a single turbo with VVT-i, which broadened the torque curve and made it the more sought-after of the two. A limited-slip differential and a well-balanced chassis came as part of the package.
That combination is why the Mark II became a drift staple. It is a four-door with a strong stock turbo engine, huge aftermarket support shared with the Supra and Soarer, and enough space to carry tires to the track. Japanese drift series and street scenes ran them in enormous numbers, and the JZX100 remains a favorite chassis today.
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