The trend of retro models has been gaining momentum, especially with the rise of electric vehicles. However, Japanese⁣ car manufacturer Mitsuoka has been embracing retro designs since the 1980s. Recently, they unveiled a redesign of the Honda Civic, drawing inspiration from the Nissan Skyline.

Mitsuoka,a small⁣ Japanese automaker,is known for its retro creations based on existing cars. Their designs often spark debate, with some finding them ‍appealing adn others less so. Last year, the company surprised enthusiasts⁣ with a reimagining of⁤ the current-generation Honda Civic, featuring a design reminiscent of the Dodge Challenger ⁢muscle car and the fourth-generation Nissan Skyline from the 1970s.

Despite being based on a modern ‍five-door liftback, mitsuoka has managed to refine the proportions of the Civic. While the design remains distinctive, it avoids ⁢being overtly unattractive. ‍The mechanics remain largely untouched, with a 134 kW four-cylinder engine and manual transmission powering the front wheels.

In comparison, the fourth-generation Skyline, known as the “Kenmeri,” featured four- and six-cylinder engines and was available in sedan, estate, and coupe body styles. The GT-R version boasted a 118 kW two-liter six-cylinder⁢ engine with rear-wheel drive.However, it was not commercially successful, with only 197 units produced in a single year.

Initially, the Mitsuoka M55 was intended as a concept car to celebrate the brand’s 55th anniversary. Though, due ⁤to customer demand, the ⁣company produced a limited “Zero Edition” series of 100 units.The starting price was approximately 8,085,000 yen.

Demand for the M55⁣ was so high that Mitsuoka implemented a lottery system for purchasing the initial units, which were scheduled to be delivered in May. Despite initial reports of a limited production run of ‍100 units for the Zero Edition,it truly seems Mitsuoka received over 1,300 orders.

Mitsuoka has announced a follow-up edition called the “1st ‍Edition,” offering more customization options. unlike ‍the Zero Edition,which had limited equipment and paint choices,the ⁣1st Edition will be available in 10 paint ⁤colors and three equipment levels. In ⁢addition to the combustion engine version,a hybrid variant will also be offered. Production will be limited to 250 ⁣units, ‍with deliveries expected in 2026. The starting price is 7,568,000 yen. Given the “1st Edition” designation, further iterations are anticipated.

Pre-orders for the 2025 Mitsuoka M55 1st Version began on March ‍27, 2025, at authorized dealerships in Japan. Production will be limited to 250 ⁣units in 2026. Once reservations reach this limit, orders will be temporarily closed.