Recently shown at SEMA, the MazdaSpeed MX-5 Miata is being seen for the first time by the general public here in Los Angeles. Fitted with a ball-bearing single-scroll turbocharger and an air-to-air intercooler, the 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine now makes 178 hp at 6000 rpm - 25 percent more than the normally aspirated Miata. To handle the extra power from the turbocharging system, the engine block and cooling system have been modified, and the manual transmission, clutch, pressure plate, driveshaft, and differential all have been optimized. These engine modifications, combined with a durable short-throw six-speed gearbox, MazdaSpeed sport-tuned and lowered suspension, and 17-inch Racing Hart aluminum alloy wheels shod with Toyo Proxes R28 205/40R17 80W high-performance tires all make for a quickest, most agile Miata to date. The MazdaSpeed MX-5 Miata will go on sale in select North American markets in spring 2004, priced at $25,500 with cloth interior ($26,200 with leather), thousands less than a BMW Z4 and promising nearly the same horsepower.
