Feature: MX-5’s… with a whole new attitude

I was ecstatic to find out that there was a Mazdaspeed booth at the SEMA show this year. When we checked it out, I was definitely pleased with what I saw.   Being a Miata owner myself, I bolted straight for the two MX-5s and learned as much about them as I could.  Hopefully you guys will appreciate this as much as I did!

First up is the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Cup Car.  The MX-5 Cup Series pits similarly modded MX-5s against each other in a series of road races.  The motor mods are tame, which is the standard for all cup cars.  This MX-5 has a Mazdaspeed cold air intake, which is required for all cars in the series.  For suspension, Mazdaspeed developed a kit comprised of double adjustable shocks, springs and threaded perch coil-overs.

For the competition the brake rotors must be stock.  Teams then have their choice of any of the 17×7 wheels that come stock on the MX-5.  The tires used on this car are 225/45/17 BFGoodrich G-Force R1s.

All MX-5 Cup cars run a fully welded 8 point roll cage, racing seats, head/neck restraint, electrical shut off switch and a incorporated fire extinguish system.

This next one, is the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Super 20.  From what I am told this car will be going into production for 1 year, to celebrate the MX-5s 20th anniversary.  Now here is the cool part,  the Super 20 will be looking mean with its storm grey paint with black trim, hard top, fender flares, semi-stripped interior and bright orange roll bar.  It will be powered by a supercharged Cosworth motor, DPTune flashed ecu, ACT street clutch and a Racing Beat stainless steel header and exhaust.

Mazdaspeed definitely did not ignore steering and braking.  The Super 20 comes with Mazdaspeed coil-overs, Racing Beat front and rear sway bars and a Mazdaspeed shock tower brace.  For brakes, you can expect to see Power Slot slotted rotors, Stoptech (DOT approved) stainless steel brake lines and Street Performance brake pads.  All of this is cooled with the Speedsource front brake ducts.

Completing both the performance and aesthetics of this car are the 16×9 Enkie RPF1 wheels. These wheels are wrapped in 245/45/16 Toyo Proxes RA-1s which is of course an R compound tire.  These are mounted to the car against 20mm wheel spacers in the rear and 15mm wheel spacers in the front.

I want to congratulate Mazda for rekindling my faith in new cars, I personally can’t wait to see another Super 20 in person.  Now keep an eye out for another post that will include the Redline Time Attack Mazda6, the GT RX8 and the Evil Track Mazda2!