THE JUDAN
Completely reworked for the '87 release, the “mk II” Judan continued the legacy of it’s predecessor as a “daily sportscar” of sorts, while bringing major improvements over it’s predecessor. The chassis was similar, but stiffer and, for the first time, fully galvanized; and despite being a full 10 cm longer, it was also lighter due to the use of alluminum for the door panels, the top, and the bonnet of the car.
Under the bonnet, a choice of alluminum boxer engines was used: starting from the standard 2.2 liter boxer 4 of the base model, all the way up to the bonkers mad, mule kicking twin-turbo 3.3 liters boxer 6 of the top of the range GT-T. In all models, the boxers ensured a lower center of gravity and better all around handling in perfect Matsumoto tradition.
The result? A 4-seat mini-GT capable of carrying people and some stuff around, and still kick above it’s paygrade on both open roads and twisters. Coupling fantastic handling, ease to drive, and japanese reliability, to an actually liveable interior that didn’t make you think twice about your purchase, the Judan has stayed as one of Matsumoto bestsellers between young rascals and midilife crisis dads alike, marching on towards the 90s as a reminder that hot hatches can be better, but never as cool as coupes.
TA Series
The TA Series (rumored to be an acronym fo Tsukuba Attack, in honor to the Time Attack meetings of Tsukuba circuit) is a series of cars made by Matsumoto as souped-up, stripped down alternatives to their classic base models. Featuring more spartan interiors and accessories, but uprated engines and tyres, TA models have garnered a cult following between car enthusiasts as the bargain bin of performance cars.
The '87 Judan came in both TA4 and TA6 trims, featuring respectively a new 4 cyl, 2.5 liter DOHC boxer capable of 180 PS, and the old but gold XC boxer 6, a 3.3 liter SOHC unit putting out a meaty 230 HP. The TA6 is the most interesting of the two, not as spartan as the hyper-focused TA4, and yet nearly as quick, retaining it’s status as a daily-able sports while drastically improving performance over the baseline 3.0 liter model. At a measly 13000 AMU, it only lacks an (optional) LSD to become a perfect blend of speed and practicality, and if you can live without ABS, the TA6 delivers on it’s premise like few other cars have ever done before.
Full Specs
Matsumoto Judan - TA6
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CHASSIS
FR Drivetrain, Galvanized steel unibody; All-Around double wishbone suspension.
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BODY
2-door hardtop coupe; 4 full passenger seats.
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ENGINE
XCi-2ZA six cyilinder boxer All-Alluminum engine,
with chain driven SOHC, four valves per cyilinder, and MCC-i multipoint fuel injection;
Fully forged internals, 10:5:1 compression ratio;
Power: 230 PS - 6500 RPM;
Torque: 297 NM - 4500 RPM;
91 RON/ 87 AKI fuel required.
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TRANSMISSION
5-speed manual transmission;
4.08:1 final drive ratio;
Open differential.
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DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 252 cm
Lenght: 432 cm
Width: 174 cm
Dry weight: 1136 kg
Weight Distribution: 52% Front / 48% Rear
Tyre Size: 215/55 R16
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TYRES AND BRAKES
Tyres size: 215/55 85W;
Rims: 6 spoke, 16 inch alloy wheels;
Front brakes: 295 mm vented discs, 2 pistons calipers;
Rear brakes: 255 mm vented discs, 1 piston calipers.
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PERFORMANCE STATS
Top speed: 255 KPH
0-100 KPH: 5.5 seconds
Quarter mile test time: 13.86 second
Skidpad test: 1.10 g
Fuel consumption: 11.9 L/km
