Mention JZX100 to just about any car enthusiast and they will instantly imagine a big, boosted barge getting sent sideways. The sporty handling offered superb balance, and the engine offered supreme power when you loaded it up with a bunch of turbo boost pressure. The names Chaser and Mark II immediately come to mind, for both are capable of the same thing without the need for a full overhaul of the car’s mechanicals. It’s as though Toyota built them for drivers instead of commuters, and the siblings became immortal pretty much overnight. Today we focus on the slightly more upscale Mark II, which presents itself in a tidier fashion compared to the Chaser. Different face, same muscular DNA.
The Chaser and Mark II combo have been a huge part of JDM and drift culture, praised for their engine and handling characteristics. However, the Mark II was marketed as the softer option compared to the Chaser, being the more luxurious model for the more discerning customer. The design was closer to the regal Crown which sat above this car in the lineup, so you knew that it had more class compared to the Chaser. It also cost more, so less of them were sold as a result. This exclusivity definitely makes it jump out more at car shows, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to capture this one. The best part about the Mark II are the tail lights because it matches the most prominent lines of the rear end. It’s more interesting than a full-width light bar arrangement.
Now I say that the Mark II is this luxurious model, but it’s only true in a vacuum because if you REALLY want an opulent sedan, you avoid this car completely. That’s what the Crown Majesta is for. The Mark II is basically a higher-trim level Chaser because the mechanicals are identical, right down to the suspension. The only real difference is the suspension set up, so you’re only deciding between the 2 designs nowadays. This particular car has been tarted up a little with a different front bumper, rear bumper and sideskirt assembly. The wheels have also been changed for a sportier appearance. It’s just enough to let people know that you care for and appreciate the ethos of the JZX100 chassis.
Toyota’s decision to put the turbocharged 1JZ engine into a sedan was AMG levels of madness, because they knew full well that people would pull insane horsepower numbers out of it. The Supra was a full-bore sports car, and the 1JZ was very much built for a sporty drive, unlike the V8s made for smoothness. Taking all of that and shoving it into a sedan all on it’s own seems like overkill, but Toyota made it work with a responsive chassis that could handle spirited driving. That made life a hell of a lot easier for amatuer and pro drifters alike, reducing the need for chassis bracing.
I have been desperate to give this car it’s dues here on my blog becuase it’s an important and highly relevant car in the JDM scene. This car was thrusted back into the spotlight along with the Chaser as both showed up in the August update for GT7. I mean, it doesn’t get much better for me as driving in GT7 is my substitute for real life driving. Yes, I really hold the physics in high regard right now. Anyway, virtual or not, the Mark II is not the sort of car you back away from.
