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Mazda’s heats up MX-5 with Cup Racer and RS version

Spicier roadsters announced for overseas

Mazda MX-5 Cup Racer and RS version
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For those of you who dream of an MX-5 with a little more spice or drama, America or Japan may be the most interesting place for you right now.

America’s announced its Miata Cup Racer, a MX-5 built to one-make series spec, can be had for US$53,000 or $74,410.

The 2.0-litre race car comes with a sealed engine block, ECU, transmission and differential, and will qualify you for Mazda’s 2016 global race series with a turn-key ready racer, bar a racing seat.

Mx-5 cup racer 2But if door-rubbing isn’t what you had in mind, Mazda Japan hasn’t wasted any time in spicing up its 1.5-litre Roadster for its local market.

It’s built a hotter RS version which will feature a host of bits that focus on refining its lithe package.

Outputs stay put at 96kW and 150Nm, but the RS’s suspension package welcomes Bilstein shock absorbers and a front strut brace, while the steering has been tweaked and bigger brake discs feature too.

Mx-5 cup racer 1Mazda’s also sharpened the Roadster’s rasp by fitting an upgraded exhaust.

The effort to improve the car’s feel good vibe continues on the inside, where seat-wizards Recaro have fitted a pair of pews finished in fake suede and Nappa leather.

Mx-5 cup racer 3And like our range-topping MX-5 GT, the RS features a nine speaker Bose stereo system.

Japan will be the only market to receive the 1.5-litre Roadster RS, priced at AU$37,240 converted, meaning we’ll have to make do with the big-block 2.0-litre MX-5 to quench our thirst for more performance.

Mx-5 cup racer 5But will we see any of the Roadster RS’s bits on a special edition sold in Australia down the track? Mazda Australia couldn’t provide a comment right now, but we will check back in due course.

Louis Cordony
Contributor

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