Monday 13th January 2025

Mazda Spirit Racing lifts MX-5 to 200hp

'Roadster 12R' shown at Tokyo promises a lot - but there's a catch

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Never let it be said that the days of the JDM special are done. At a pleasingly busy Tokyo show something called a Mazda Spirit Racing Roadster 12R made its first appearance. A name straight from Gran Turismo, and the ideal label for something the world has been yearning for decades. Or certainly our world has, at least: a 200hp, naturally aspirated MX-5 built by Mazda. 

Well, Mazda Spirit Racing technically, the new performance offshoot launched at Tokyo last year and is tasked with bringing some motorsport kudos to Mazda’s showroom models. Obviously the MX-5 is the only place to start. Thanks to all the desirable, expensive modifications we love to see on an atmospheric engine - a freer flowing head, a new piston design, unique cams and exhaust manifold - the 12R takes the MX-5 from 184hp to the heady heights of 200 for the first time. Nobody said nat-asp gains were easily achieved…

Additionally the Spirit Racing car gets a swathe of upgrades to make good on the power. All the stuff you’d have spent Gran Turismo credits on improving something called a 12R, essentially, including Rays wheels, Brembo brakes, Yokohama AD09 tyres, Bilstein dampers, Recaro seats and a Fujitsubo exhaust. Finally, there’s an MX-5 from the factory with a proper sports car spec. 

Not that there will be very many of them. From what can be pieced together right now, there will be just one hundred 12Rs made (to honour a #12 MX-5 Super Taikyu racer) that seem likely to stay in the domestic market. They’ll be priced at seven million yen, or about £36,000. Which, yes, isn’t much more than a normal MX-5 will cost here in 2025. But there is some hope for UK-based enthusiasts, because there’s also a plain Mazda Spirit Racing Roadster at Tokyo. The grey car goes without the extra power, but does benefit from similar upgrades to the wheels, brakes, suspension, interior and body as the 12R. So perhaps a more serious brand of factory-backed MSR accessories isn’t out of the question for the future. There’s always BBR on hand if not…

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• 2024 Mazda MX-5 RF Exclusive Line | PH Review
• Toyota GR86 vs. BBR MX-5 (ND) Supercharged

[wistec1]

I applaud the work but this creation is a bit late in the day considering what's gone before it and that would be a lot of MX 5 tuning. The BBR supercharged is far more appealing and will be more easier to get hold of according to this piece. Having said that at least I'm not reading that it's another car that's been sacrificed and screwed up by the E.V resto brigade. Something else to applaud for that as well.

[Bright Halo]

I think that is superb!
Looks the part too.

[Kawasaki2000]

wistec1 said:

I applaud the work but this creation is a bit late in the day considering what's gone before it and that would be a lot of MX 5 tuning. The BBR supercharged is far more appealing and will be more easier to get hold of according to this piece. Having said that at least I'm not reading that it's another car that's been sacrificed and screwed up by the E.V resto brigade. Something else to applaud for that as well.

I guess enough people disagree for the electrogenic and plenty more to exist. Deep breath and remember to tell yourself it's just a car and ther people have real problems. Otherwise it's going to be at a tough next 25 years.

[Quickmoose]

wheel offsets. They matter.

Otherwise. Love it.

[S600BSB]

Isn’t there a rather fantastic EV version on its way -

[Terminator X]

When the answer is always MX5, you wonder why they bother

TBF though that looks great.

TX.

[TWPC]

S600BSB said:

Isn’t there a rather fantastic EV version on its way -

There is indeed. It will be a hybrid powered by an electric motor or motors with a rotary engine to recharge the traction battery.
https://www.insidemazda.co.uk/2024/11/07/mazda-ico...

IMHO, the most beautiful concept car produced in the last few years...

P.S. Any news about further development of the MX-5 is good news: a good start to a wintery week in January.

[bobj42]

[quote=Terminator X]When the answer is always MX5, you wonder why they bother

I think there are at least 2 cases where the MX5 is not the answer:
1. you're tall so you can't get comfortable,
2. you're average height for a UK male, you want to do trackdays, but worry that any aftermarket rollover bar that fits under the convertible hood is going to be lower than your head + helmet.

Same goes for the Elise, and a lot of other sports cars = more sales for Porsche and BMW.

[Justin-ow582]

wistec1 said:

I applaud the work but this creation is a bit late in the day considering what's gone before it and that would be a lot of MX 5 tuning. The BBR supercharged is far more appealing and will be more easier to get hold of according to this piece. Having said that at least I'm not reading that it's another car that's been sacrificed and screwed up by the E.V resto brigade. Something else to applaud for that as well.

BBR haven't provided a supercharger kit for any models since the ND1.
Their ND2 Super 200 and 220 upgrades are NA only.
No BBR engine upgrade available for the ND3 so if you want 200bhp from a new MX-5 options are limited.

[LuS1fer]

Dear Mazda,

Your colour choices for the MX5 ND are terrible.

At least when you make a special edition, put a decent colour paint on it. Electric blue, metallic claret, anything but the boring colours you seem to think we want.
( Mine is Soul Red).

[markcoopers]

I realise that emission targets will kill the factory offering these as a factory build and sold complete car model, but an "aftermarket kit" with warranty from mazda would be (price aside) interesting.......If only they would add in ITB's as well for that authentic "restomod" soundscape and feeling.

That said i am one of many that will say it is great but never actually buy it, i have an ITB'ed Mk1 MX5 already,

[wistec1]

Justin-ow582 said:

wistec1 said:

I applaud the work but this creation is a bit late in the day considering what's gone before it and that would be a lot of MX 5 tuning. The BBR supercharged is far more appealing and will be more easier to get hold of according to this piece. Having said that at least I'm not reading that it's another car that's been sacrificed and screwed up by the E.V resto brigade. Something else to applaud for that as well.

BBR haven't provided a supercharger kit for any models since the ND1.
Their ND2 Super 200 and 220 upgrades are NA only.
No BBR engine upgrade available for the ND3 so if you want 200bhp from a new MX-5 options are limited.

I'm referring to this model: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/toyota-...

[wistec1]

Justin-ow582 said:

wistec1 said:

I applaud the work but this creation is a bit late in the day considering what's gone before it and that would be a lot of MX 5 tuning. The BBR supercharged is far more appealing and will be more easier to get hold of according to this piece. Having said that at least I'm not reading that it's another car that's been sacrificed and screwed up by the E.V resto brigade. Something else to applaud for that as well.

BBR haven't provided a supercharger kit for any models since the ND1.
Their ND2 Super 200 and 220 upgrades are NA only.
No BBR engine upgrade available for the ND3 so if you want 200bhp from a new MX-5 options are limited.

And this: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonhea...

[_ppan]

wistec1 said:

I applaud the work but this creation is a bit late in the day considering what's gone before it and that would be a lot of MX 5 tuning. The BBR supercharged is far more appealing and will be more easier to get hold of according to this piece. Having said that at least I'm not reading that it's another car that's been sacrificed and screwed up by the E.V resto brigade. Something else to applaud for that as well.

I wonder if you ever made such a remark about a power hike for a Mercedes or Audi because an external tuner already did it.

[CG2020UK]

Looks great

[DMZ]

I would prefer Mazda’s factory version over a tuner. Hopefully they find a way to bring it or some variation over. You can always privately import anyhow.

I read somewhere that the MX-5 doesn’t need particulate filters. Maybe they are on the edge with the standard car.

[The Pistonsdead]

That does look rather splendid in the photo.

[MyV10BarksAndBites]

S600BSB said:

Isn’t there a rather fantastic EV version on its way -

Looks everything but fantastic to my eyes....

[Justin-ow582]

wistec1 said:

Justin-ow582 said:

wistec1 said:

I applaud the work but this creation is a bit late in the day considering what's gone before it and that would be a lot of MX 5 tuning. The BBR supercharged is far more appealing and will be more easier to get hold of according to this piece. Having said that at least I'm not reading that it's another car that's been sacrificed and screwed up by the E.V resto brigade. Something else to applaud for that as well.

BBR haven't provided a supercharger kit for any models since the ND1.
Their ND2 Super 200 and 220 upgrades are NA only.
No BBR engine upgrade available for the ND3 so if you want 200bhp from a new MX-5 options are limited.

And this: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/general-pistonhea...

Yes, both ND1 conversions, not available on the previous (ND2) or current MX-5 (ND3)

[Quickmoose]

MyV10BarksAndBites said:

S600BSB said:

Isn’t there a rather fantastic EV version on its way -

Looks everything but fantastic to my eyes....

I have to ask out of curiosity
What current (or near future) car does look fantastic to your eyes?