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Mazda gave the automotive world a welcome surprise last year when the company announced a new high-performance road-going vehicle division that would carry forward the essence of the now-defunct Mazdaspeed.

The new venture is called Mazda Spirit Racing (MSR), and three MSR variants of Mazda models have already been introduced to the world, albeit some only in concept form. The Mazdas on the receiving end of the MSR treatment so far include the CX-60, the Mazda 3, and the MX-5 Miata, although we’ve only seen a production version of the latter. It also became the first production MX-5 ever to hit 200 horsepower, albeit only in metric units.

Despite this, there is plenty for Mazda enthusiasts (and car enthusiasts in general) to be excited about. Here is what we know about Mazda Spirit Racing, and about the three models that have been revealed so far.

What Is Mazda Spirit Racing?

Mazda Spirit Racing is the latest incarnation of Mazda’s high-performance division, which was most recently called Mazdaspeed. Mazdaspeed has a very long history of producing souped-up versions of the brand’s models, as well as taking part in motorsport (including a historical victory at Le Mans).

Mazdaspeed’s origins lie in a racing team called Mazda Sports Corner, started in 1967 by one of Mazda’s distributors, rather than by the company itself. The team took part in several racing events both in Japan and internationally; in 1983 its name was changed to Mazdaspeed. The team’s crowning achievement arrived in 1991, when the 787B won the 24 Hours of Le Mans; no other Japanese team would claim the title until Toyota in 2018.

Mazdaspeed wasn’t limited to racing; it also produced Mazda-approved performance products compatible with several of the company’s models, including the 323, 626 and, naturally, the MX-5. In 1991, Mazda took control of the Mazdaspeed team, and four years later, it began to offer high-performance variants of its models under the Mazdaspeed name.

This arrangement would last another ten years, with the 2013 Mazdaspeed3 being the last model to carry the name. However, Mazda has now created a new division that embodies the spirit of Mazdaspeed: the appropriately-named Mazda Spirit Racing.

Mazda first began to use the Spirit Racing name in 2021, as a motorsport team racing in Japan’s Super Taikyu Series. Three years later, at the start of 2024, the company made an announcement at the Tokyo Auto Salon, introducing the new performance sub-brand that carries the MSR name. The company unveiled two concept cars to illustrate its vision for the new sub-brand: the RS Concept (based on the MX-5) and the 3 Concept (based on the Mazda 3 hatchback).

MSR MX-5

The RS Concept we were introduced to last year spawned not one but two production variants: the MSR Roadster and the MSR Roadster 12R, named after the #12 MX-5 race car that competes in the Super Taikyu racing series. While the Roadster is heading for large-scale production, its 12R variant will be very rare, with only 200 units produced in total.

Both variants receive some upgrades compared to the run-of-the-mill Miata: these include new brakes courtesy of Brembo, new tires, upgraded cooling and suspension, improved aerodynamics, and a new set of wheels. Mazda has also released some details regarding the work done on the suspension: while the double-wishbone front and multi-link rear layout have been retained from the original model, Bilstein height-adjustable dampers were added to improve handling.

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Only 200 examples of the MSR 12R will be created, but another version of the MX-5 exists that is even rarer.

In keeping with the Mazdaspeed tradition of producing aftermarket accessories, a series of MSR-branded options are set to be available to customers: these include a sports exhaust with a titanium muffler, upgraded brake pads, and a “sports alignment kit” with reinforced suspension bushings and bump stops.

When it comes to horsepower, the standard Roadster does not go beyond the output of the regular Miata, while under the hood of the 12R things get more interesting. This high-spirited version writes a new chapter in the model’s long history, being the first one to break the barrier of 200 metric horsepower (PS). This milestone was reached thanks to a series of modifications on the Skyactiv-G engine, including a revised cylinder head, updated piston and exhaust manifold design, and a redesigned camshaft.

The 12R also distinguishes itself from its more ordinary sibling through a host of unique features and visual touches: the bodywork is finished in Aero Grey paint, with a unique set of decals. Inside the car, we can find full bucket seats (with four-point racing harnesses as an optional MSR accessory).

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MSR 3 Concept

The second model to be introduced as part of the MSR family is the 3 Concept, based on the Mazda 3 Hatchback hatchback; although there isn’t as much information available about this car, it’s still a fascinating model, built to compete against the likes of the GR Corolla.

The Mazda 3’s participation in the Super Taikyu Racing Series heavily inspires the 3 Concept, which takes cues from the world of motorsport. We still don’t know what engine powers the 3 Concept car that was showcased in Tokyo last year, but we do know the Super Taikyu race car is powered by a 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel engine, which runs on biofuel.

The 3 Concept follows similar design principles to its Miata sibling, the RS Concept (which went on to inspire the production Spirit Racing Roadster). New side skirts and a new front splitter have been added, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels. The 3 concept also features a carbon fiber rear wing, which isn’t present in the Miata (either the RS concept or the production Roadster).

MSR CX-60

It’s not all roadsters and hatchbacks at Mazda Spirit Racing: the brand’s lineup also includes a high-performance variant of the CX-60 crossover. The MSR CX-60 was the third and most recent model to be announced, revealed at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The CX-60 is not sold in the States, but it shares Mazda’s Large Product Platform with two models that are: the CX-70 and CX-90. The CX-60 is known for its solid driving characteristics and nimbleness, and the MSR version takes advantage of these characteristics with a large spoiler and bucket seats to keep occupants in place during high-spirited driving. Other upgrades include 6-piston opposed brake calipers, as well as an underguard for improved protection when venturing off the beaten track.

One thing that has been left untouched is the engine, which is the same one found in the production car: the e-Skyactiv D powertrain pairs the diesel inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Meanwhile, on the visual front, MSR decals and badging set the car apart from the standard CX-60; inside the cabin, Mazda has made extensive use of Alcantara in the center console, steering wheel, and dashboard.

What MSR Models Could Arrive In The Future?

Of course, with information still scarce, we can only speculate about what other Mazda cars could get the Spirit Racing treatment in years to come. However, there are some models that we would love to see become part of the MSR lineup in the future. Mazda has several crossovers and SUVs in its lineup, which could lend themselves well to a high-performance MSR version with the right modifications.

The CX-50 is an already exceptional adventurous compact crossover, and if given the same treatment as the CX-60 above, it would become incredible. Performance SUVs have become all the rage in recent years, so Mazda may be wise to consider an MSR version of the CX-80 and CX-90, too. While we have no way of knowing what fun and fast creation Mazda will pull out of its hat next, we do know that whatever it is, it’s going to be exciting.

Sources: Mazda