Wednesday 10th May 2006

Mazda to beef up the MX-5?

256bhp turbocharged MPS version rumoured

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Mazda MX-5

Will there be a heated-up version of the evergreen Mazda MX5?

It appears that the iconic roadster, which restarted the roadster market on its own -- will gain an MPS-badged sibling, possibly with up to 256bhp.

Autocar reckons that rumours hint at a go-faster version powered by a Mazda's 2.3-litre turbocharged engine, although this is believed to cause packaging difficulties: they're not sure it'll fit. Another solution would be to turbocharge the exiting 2-litre mill.

Either way, it's clear that the MX-5 chassis can handle the power...

[dinkel]

S2000 competition . . . wonder what Honda will do . . . new V6 in an S3000? please . . .

[dinkel]

skibum said:

mmm 3.0 V6 Vtec (a la NSX) in an S2000 - that would be nice!

Err, that Accord mill is new afaik . . . Beefed up to about 275 will do to make a huge performer. Seems logic.

Nice choice then: NA Honda and turboed Mazda.

[dinkel]

ploz said:

Everyone knows it needs a nice small rotary package - RX5 anyone?

Nah, better do a targa RX then . . .