2004 MAZDA Mazda speed MX-5 / Miata 1.8L 16V Turbo 6MT (178 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mazda produced for almost two years a turbocharged version of its well-known MX-5/Miata roadster and tuned-it for road and track use.

The Mazda MX-5/Miata was the best-selling roadster in the world in 2004. It was the first, true, daily driver roadster that could serve as a commuter car thanks to its high fuel efficiency and a fun car thanks to its rear-wheel-drive and low overall weight. The Mazdaspeed version was a different kind of roadster. The carmaker took a standard, second-generation (NB) Miata, put a turbocharger under the hood, and improved the suspension. It wasn’t a Honda S2000 killer, but it could keep up with that on a tight race track. And it only came in red color.

But Mazda couldn’t just let the turbocharged Miata look just like the rest of the range. It added a body kit with different air-intakes in the front apron and no mesh-grille at all. Through the big gap, the car showed its intercooler placed behind the bumper. A set of aerodynamic side-sills channeled the air to the sides to avoid ground-effect turbulences on the sides. In the back, a small lip spoiler enhanced the car’s rear look.

Inside, Mazda continued with some other upgrades, such as the Bose sound system with a CD player. Also, the aluminum pedals sported the Mazdaspeed lettering. A short-shifter kit was added for the gear-stick. The sport bucket seats with integrated headrests promised good lateral support thanks to their bolsterings.

It was a factory-tuned Mazda MX-5/Miata that came in the same year as the “2Fast 2Furious” movie. Under the hood, there was a turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine. Mazdaspeed lowered and stiffened the suspension for better cornering speed and added low-profile tires on 17″ Racing Heart alloys. The six-speed manual was standard, but the air-conditioning was on the options list.