9 REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT THE MAZDA SPIRIT RACING MIATA

Mazdaspeed has been out of commission ever since the 2013 Mazdaspeed3 finished its run, but we're finally getting a true successor to Mazda's performance sub-brand in the form of Mazda Spirit Racing, with a new track-oriented MX-5 Miata to kick things off.

The question is, why should anyone care? It's been a long time since Mazdaspeed offered anything to the public, and we don't have much to go on when it comes to setting our expectations for the new Miata. So what is it about a performance-oriented MX-5 that should get us excited? Here's why we think the new Miata could be one of the coolest new cars of 2025.

It's A Real Track Car

The Car Is Being Tuned According To Countless Miles Of Track Data

The new MX-5 has been spotted undergoing development on Germany's Nürburgring, which tells us that Mazda Spirit Racing wants to make sure that the new MX-5 is legitimately track-ready. You don't need to fly all the way to Germany to add a new spoiler and call it a day. Beyond its Nürburgring exploits, Mazda Spirit Racing has cited Super Taikyu racing as a major reference point for building the new car.

Performance That Will Speak For Itself

But Horsepower Might Not Be The Focus

The standard Miata packs a two-liter, four-cylinder engine generating 181 horsepower. It's easy to speculate that the Mazda Spirit Racing MX-5 will run a turbocharged version of the Miata's Skyactiv engine, but, according to MX-5 engineer Dave Coleman, a substantial horsepower boost might not be the main focus of the new Miata, as that would demand bigger brakes and a stronger drivetrain, which could compromise the Miata's low weight. Still, the chances of Mazda simply releasing an MX-5 with improved suspension and no real changes to the performance specs seem slim, so we'll have to wait and see exactly what this car has to offer over the standard Mazda Miata.

Pricing Should Be Reasonable

The 2005 Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata Sold For Under $26,000

The base convertible Mazdaspeed MX-5 sold for $25,780 on launch. Adjusting for inflation, that's around $42,600 in 2024 dollars. The Mazdaspeed MX-5 Cup launched at $53,000 in 2016, or around $70,600 today. Mazda has always been one of the more affordable options for performance-oriented cars, and there's no reason to expect the new Miata to be the exception. Pricing for the 2025 MX-5 lineup is already out, and it still starts at under $30k. The most expensive model (for now) is the MX-5 Miata RF in Grand Touring trim, priced at an MSRP of $37,980 with the six-speed automatic. We don't see the MSR model pushing much beyond the $40k mark.

It Looks Like A Performance Miata Should

The Car Looks The Part Of A Track Star

The Mazda Spirit Racing MX-5 is instantly recognizable as a Miata, but with a number of touches that set it apart as a track-oriented roadster. We're not sure if we've seen the final version of the new Miata's design yet, but the latest teaser sees a split rear spoiler and a new front splitter, and a slick white color scheme with subtle bits of red here and there. The concept that previewed the production model sported a few upgrades over a standard Miata, many of which we expect to reach production:

• Six-spoke lightweight RAYS wheels
• Red brake calipers
• A new front splitter
• New side skirts
• A new ducktail rear spoiler

It'll Be Street Legal

The MX-5 Cup Car Is Not Currently Street Legal, But The New Miata Should Be A Track-Ready Daily Driver

Mazda Spirit Racing isn't building a track-only supercar version of the Miata, but an accessible performance-oriented version of the MX-5 we know and love. The Super Taikyu race series which inspired the Mazda Spirit Racing Miata is specifically intended for commercially available cars, either stock or with minimal modification. Early rumors suggest that ride quality will be a key focus, making this a relatively comfortable highway driver.

Mazda Spirit Racing Wants To Make A Good First Impression

The Future Of The Brand Rests On This Launch

The Mazda Spirit Racing name has been around since 2021 in the Super Taikyu scene, but the new Miata will be MSR's debut as a commercially available Mazda sub-brand, along the lines of Toyota's GR models, or, well, Mazda's own Mazdaspeed. MSR is essentially a continuation of the defunct Mazdaspeed lineage, but it's a new brand name, and you only get one chance to make a first impression.

A Mazda Spirit Racing Mazda 3 Hot Hatch Is In The Works, Too

And Who Knows What Else They Have In The Pipeline?

In addition to the MX-5, we've already seen the Mazda Spirit Racing 3 Concept previewing a Mazda 3 hot hatch. The Super Taikyu Mazda 3 runs on a 2.2-liter biofuel turbodiesel, and will likely switch to a gas-powered 2.5 inline-four by the time it hits the market. We've been doing a bit of daydreaming ourselves on the subject of new Mazda Spirit Racing models, like a rally-ready CX-50. All we know for sure is that the Miata isn't the only thing the team has in the works.

The New MX-5 Will Probably Bring A Bunch Of Special Editions, Too

Mazda Loves Its Special Editions

If a Mazda plant passes its termite inspection, you're gonna get a special edition to commemorate the occasion every five years. The brand loves its special editions, and we wouldn't be surprised to see some Mazdaspeed throwbacks launched alongside the new MX-5. A Le Mans edition with the orange and green paint scheme almost seems like a given. We're on record stating that a splash of color is the only thing the standard Miata really needs, and this could be a perfect opportunity to make the MX-5 a little more fun to look at.

It's Coming Sooner Than You Think

A Reveal At The 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon Is Confirmed

In other words: you're not going to be keeping tabs on this car for a month only to lose interest by the time it actually hits the market. Mazda Spirit Racing is in the final stretch before launch, and we'll know exactly what the Japanese production model roadster looks like very early in 2025, at the Tokyo Auto Salon. That's when Mazda will unveil the production version. Where that places the release window for North America, we're not 100% certain, but we'd estimate an arrival later in 2025, possibly for the 2026 model year.

Sources: Mazda

2024-12-29T12:22:00Z