Over 9,500 People Wanted This Special Miata, 9,300 Missed Out

Mazda might be wondering if limiting production of its new special edition Miata was the right call. When it opened applications for the sporty MX-5 Spirit Racing Roadster 12R earlier this year, it planned to build just 200 units. That seemed exclusive enough, until more than 9,500 people signed up for a chance to buy one.

The overwhelming response wasn’t exactly a shock, though. This is the debut model from Mazda Spirit Racing, the brand’s new performance division stepping into the shoes of the old MazdaSpeed.

Its version of the MX-5 is sold only in Japan and was first teased back in 2024, stirring plenty of interest among enthusiasts.

Read: You Can’t Buy Mazda’s Best MX-5 In America, But You Can Drive It In GT7

Applications opened on October 5 and closed on October 20. Mazda likely didn’t expect quite such a flood of interest, but it still faced the unenviable job of choosing just 200 buyers by October 23.

According to local reports, the company has since admitted that the level of enthusiasm may prompt a second model in the same spirit – pun intended.

What Upgrades Have Been Made?

Two different versions of the MX-5 Spirit Racing have been released, starting with the base model and the more focused 12R.

Both share the same 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, but there’s a key difference in output. The standard car is rated at 184 PS (181 hp), while the 12R gets a lift to 200 PS (197 hp) courtesy of a new intake port, revised exhaust manifold, and updated camshafts. That’s makes it one of the most powerful factory Miatas ever.

The only transmission offered for both models is a six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels. Both come fitted with specially tuned Bilstein dampers, promising to further improve handling.

The 12R’s exterior stands out with its Aero Gray paint, offset by darker gray accents on the aerodynamic pieces, including the front splitter, side skirts, and rear spoiler. It also gets special decals.

The two models diverge inside the cabin too. Every Roadster 12R features Alcantara-wrapped bucket seats with four-point racing harnesses, while the standard version settles for semi-bucket seats.

Pricing reflects the difference in exclusivity. The standard MX-5 Spirit Racing starts at 5,265,700 yen (around $34,400) and will be limited to 2,200 units.

The rarer Roadster 12R, restricted to just 200 cars for the Japanese market, begins at 7,612,000 yen (roughly $49,700). For the lucky few chosen, it’s as close as most will get to owning a factory-tuned racer built with Mazda’s precision.