By Steve Laser
As Japan’s long-running boutique automaker, Mitsuoka Motor celebrated its 55th anniversary last year and introduced the sporty new M55 Concept vehicle. And now, Mitsuoka has announced the production model, called M55 Zero Edition, planned for an initial run of 100 vehicles in 2025.
Like other Mitsuoka models, the M55 artfully blends the past with the present. It starts out as a 2024 Japan-market Honda Civic, and is transformed with retro-influenced styling. M55 brings to mind 1970s performance icons, like the vintage Dodge Challenger and Nissan Skyline GT-R.
Up front, the restyle captures the essence of sportiness with a new fascia featuring quad circular headlights, a narrow split grille, lower spoiler, and LED fog lights. All Zero Editions will be dressed with Legendary Gray Metallic paint and ride on exclusive design 18-inch alloy wheels.
The rear design sports back glass louvers, unique taillights, special trim, a Mitsuoka badge, and M55 Zero Edition emblems. From this angle, the style appears to be influenced by ‘70s-era Nissans. Meanwhile, the side view retains the donor Honda Civic greenhouse.
Power is supplied by the Civic 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, rated at 134kW (182PS) at 6,000 rpm, and 240 Nm torque at 1,700-4,500 rpm. All Zero Editions feature a 6-speed manual transmission. Mitsuoka says it is considering future M55 variants with CVT and e:HEV systems.
Inside, the M55 looks similar to the Japan-market Civic, while gaining a unique ambience. Among the changes, Mitsuoka reupholsters the seats, applying exclusive leather-trim materials, topped with Zero Edition embroidery.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel features a special Mitsuoka M55 center emblem, while a leather-wrapped shift knob is also included.
Standard features for the M55 Zero Edition include a 9-inch display, 8-speaker audio system, automatic air conditioning, and ETC2.0 in-vehicle unit. Advanced safety systems include collision-mitigation brake system, road departure prevention, lane keeping assist, blind-spot information, parking sensor system, and adaptive cruise control.
Mitsuoka was founded in 1968 by Susumu Mitsuoka. Its recent vehicle lineup includes the Rock Star (based on the Mazda Roadster), Buddy SUV (based on the Toyota RAV4), neo-classic Viewt (Nissan March), Ryugi (Toyota Corolla), Galue (Nissan Teana), and Himiko (Mazda Roadster).
The company makes (or remanufacturers) built-to-order vehicles, largely by hand, on the donor platforms, at its plant in Toyama City. Mitsuoka has showrooms located throughout Japan, including Tokyo (Setagaya and Azabu), Toyama, Yokohama, Nagoya, Amagasaki, and Fukuoka.
Note: Models, features and specifications apply to Japanese market vehicles and are subject to change without notice.
News source and photos courtesy of Mitsuoka Motor Co., Ltd. (Photos are posted in this story for editorial use)
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