Mitsuoka Zero 1 Review: Generations, Specs and Which Version to Buy
Overview of the Mitsuoka Zero 1 roadster (1996–2000): its single generation, 130 hp engine range, gearbox and drivetrain options, and which modification makes the most sense to buy.
The Mitsuoka Zero 1 is a roadster produced from 1996 to 2000, offered in a single generation with 130 hp across the range. It is a rear-wheel-drive two-seater aimed at drivers who want an open-top car with classic roadster proportions rather than outright power, and who value rarity over mainstream choice.
The lineup is compact and easy to navigate. There is one generation, one body style, and just two modifications, differing by gearbox: the Mitsuoka Zero 1 was sold with either a Manual or an Automatic transmission, both with rear-wheel drive and both rated at 130 hp. That makes the buying decision unusually simple compared with models that span multiple generations and engine families — the real choice comes down to how you want to shift.
Mitsuoka Zero 1 generations
1 generation (1996–2000)
The first and only generation of the Mitsuoka Zero 1 was built from 1996 to 2000 exclusively as a roadster. All versions deliver 130 hp, so the power range is flat from the base car to the top of the lineup. The generation counts 2 modifications, split between Manual and Automatic gearboxes, and every Mitsuoka Zero 1 sends power to the rear wheels. The notable version is the Mitsuoka Zero 1 1.8 MT, which pairs a 1839 cc engine with a manual gearbox and 130 hp — it is the mass version of the lineup.
Which Mitsuoka Zero 1 to buy
- 1.8 MT (1 generation): the mass version of the range, with a 1839 cc engine, 130 hp, a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive — since every Mitsuoka Zero 1 makes the same 130 hp, the manual is the default pick unless you specifically need an automatic.
On the used market, the picture is straightforward: production ended in 2000, so any Mitsuoka Zero 1 you find is from the same 1996–2000 window and the same generation. With only 2 modifications and no differences in power or drivetrain between them, there is no risk of picking a weaker engine by mistake — condition and history matter more than chasing a specific spec.
Mitsuoka Zero 1 specs at a glance
The Mitsuoka Zero 1 range is defined by one set of numbers: 130 hp at both ends of the power range, a 1839 cc engine in the 1.8 MT, rear-wheel drive on every version, and a choice of Manual or Automatic transmission. Production ran for four model years, from 1996 to 2000, all in roadster form. There is no dominated version in the data — the two modifications differ only by gearbox, so neither is objectively worse on the numbers.