A rare and highly anticipated version of the Mazda MX-5 Miata made its debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon in early January, but there’s a catch—it’s exclusive to Japan. The fourth-generation MX-5 (ND) is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, and to mark the occasion, Mazda has introduced the MX-5 12R—the most powerful factory-built Miata to date. Unfortunately for enthusiasts outside Japan, it looks like all 200 units will remain in Mazda’s home country.
A Race-Ready Miata with Serious Upgrades
The Mazda Spirit Racing Roadster 12R isn’t just a standard MX-5 with a few tweaks—it’s a track-focused machine packed with high-performance upgrades. Under the hood, it boasts a revised 2.0-liter engine featuring a new cylinder head, pistons, camshafts, exhaust manifold, and a high-performance radiator. These modifications push its power output to 197 horsepower, making it the most potent factory MX-5 ever.
While Mazda has yet to reveal the final torque figures, they are expected to surpass the 151 lb-ft of the standard MX-5, complementing the extra 16 horsepower.
Brembo Brakes, Bilstein Dampers, and Track-Ready Handling
Designed for track-day enthusiasts, the MX-5 12R comes equipped with high-performance hardware, including:
- Brembo 4-piston brakes for superior stopping power
- Custom Bilstein dampers and bespoke coil springs for improved handling
- Mazda Spirit Racing strut brace and underbody reinforcements for added chassis rigidity
Visually, the 12R stands out with a carbon fiber body package, dark grey Mazda Spirit Racing decals, lightweight 17-inch Rays wheels, and a lowered ride height. Gloss black and red trim elements further enhance its aggressive styling.
Inside, the 12R continues the performance-focused theme with a black-and-red cockpit, Recaro bucket seats, a sportier steering wheel, and a four-point harness. And for purists, it comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
Will a Version of the 12R Make It Overseas?
While it’s disappointing that the MX-5 12R won’t be available outside Japan, there is a silver lining—Mazda is reportedly working on an export-friendly version of the Mazda Spirit Racing Roadster. However, this model will likely retain the standard MX-5’s 181-hp 2.0-liter engine rather than the 12R’s more powerful setup.
Additionally, Mazda USA has managed to secure 300 units of the MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition, which debuted last year—giving American enthusiasts at least one special-edition Miata to look forward to.
While the MX-5 12R remains a Japan-exclusive dream car, its impact on Mazda’s performance lineup could signal exciting developments for Miata fans worldwide.