Hardcore Mazda cars are back with Mazda Spirit Racing

Back in the early 2000s, if Mazda wanted a more focused version of its cars, they turned to the guys in their in-house tuning division, Mazdaspeed. Much like the relationship between Gazoo Racing at Toyota and Nissan’s Nismo division, Mazdaspeed turned Mazda’s cars into high-powered road racers. 

The people at Mazdaspeed were professionals who regularly competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance races back in the 90s. Also, if you’re a bit of a geek about Mazda’s rotary engines, you probably know that the iconic 787B Le Mans racer was crafted by the Mazdaspeed team. The 787B was the first Japanese car to win at Le Mans and the first and last non-piston engine to win such a feat. The 787B was so dominant in that race that it won with a two-lap advantage over its competitors.

Now, why are we talking about Mazda’s defunct tuning division? Easy, that’s because they’re introducing a new one. At the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, Mazda brought out two highly modified versions of the MX-5 and the Mazda3 hatchback. While these two cars seem like they’re only modified on the outside, they herald the comeback of an in-house tuning division for the Mazda brand. This division is called Mazda Spirit Racing, and it will be known as the new performance arm of the Japanese manufacturer.

Starting with the Mazda Spirit Racing RS, this modified MX-5 features a front splitter and side skirt, complemented by red accent tabs on the bumper and black-painted side mirrors. The package is completed with Volk Racing TE37 wheels adorned with Bridgestone tires. Inside, the Roadster has Recaro bucket seats and harnesses paired with suede and Alcantara upholstery for the interior. 

Meanwhile, the Mazda Spirit Racing 3 Concept is featured alongside it. The modified Mazda3 hatch showcases bodywork enhancements, including a large front chin splitter, expanded side skirts, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler. Similar to the MX-5, the Mazda Spirit Racing 3 Concept is equipped with its unique set of TE37 wheels and is adorned with distinctive light gray paint, featuring black Mazda Spirit Racing decals.

In terms of performance, Mazda hasn’t mentioned a power increase for both vehicles. However, if we’re examining the modifications on these cars, Mazda Spirit Racing is likely more focused on making these cars handle better on the track at high speeds. Mazda says they will be rolling out these track-focused cars sometime in the near future. In addition, they’re also hinting that the rotary sports car is set to make a comeback as well.

Here in the Philippines, both the Mazda MX-5 and the Mazda3 hatchback are available for sale.  Explore their stunning collection of cars and crossovers on AutoDeal.com.ph and get a free quote for one there. Moreover, if you're contemplating owning a Mazda in the future, it's worth noting that Mazda receives the highest ratings for after-sales service satisfaction from its owners.