The Mazda MX-5 Miata has offered arguably the purest driving experience of any car on sale since it first hit showrooms in 1990, but it has also faced criticism for its relatively modest power output. Mazda just unveiled the most powerful factory Miata ever at the Tokyo Auto Salon, a limited-edition racing-inspired trim called the MX-5 12R. Despite being the most powerful factory-produced version of the little roadster ever, it still only cranks out 197 horsepower. It’s meant to balance daily driveability and track day capability, and Mazda plans to produce just 200 units for the Japanese market only.
Miatas are known for their light weight and playful driving dynamics, and are often the example used to prove that cars don’t need a ton of power to be fun to drive.
The 12R was developed in tandem with Mazda’s racing division Mazda Spirit Racing, and features a similar 2.0-liter I-4 to the one used in the standard MX-5, but with new cams, cylinder heads, pistons, and a new exhaust manifold.
With these updates it produces 197 horsepower, and Mazda hasn’t released official torque figures for it yet but it will only be offered as a soft top with a six-speed manual transmission, upgraded Brembo brakes and height-adjustable dampers. On the outside, going for the 12R gets 200 lucky Japanese buyers an Aero Gray paint scheme with some subtle graphics, a tame body kit that adds a front splitter, side skirts, and a rear spoiler, and forged RAYS wheels.
The most powerful factory Miata is a bit of an oxymoron, and seeing as how it gains a mere 16 horsepower over the standard car it’s still not a great choice for any aspiring drag racers out there, but it is a very light car by modern standards weighing in at about 2,500 pounds.
Beyond the aforementioned details, Mazda hasn’t released many specs for its most powerful factory Miata. No interior photos are available, but Mazda says it will feature Alcantara-upholstered bucket seats.
As someone who has never driven a Miata because I’m too tall to safely fit behind the wheel, I hope those bucket seats give the MX-5’s tight interior a few extra inches of leg room. Not that I’m likely to ever drive an MX-5 12R, but a very tall guy can dream. If anyone has a Miata with mods that give it extra leg room in Southern California that they’d be willing to let me drive I’d be forever grateful!
