After experimenting with various MPS performance concepts of the 2nd generation Roadster, Mazda launched a factory turbo model in early 2004. Roadster Turbo was limited to 350 models, so is quite a rare edition. As well as an intercooled turbo engine, this model also featured 17" Racing Hart branded Enkei wheels, lowered Bilstein suspension with silver dampers and red springs, and some unique exterior aero parts and interior colour combinations. The turbo model was available from Mazda dealerships in Japan and could also be ordered online through the Web Tune Factory.
Mazda used the older BP-ZE engine for the turbo model, it has a slightly lower compression ratio (9.5:1) than the BP-VE. The turbo itself was made by Japanese engineering firm Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI), and was tuned to provide a relatively modest boost of power to 172PS @ 6000rpm and 209Nm @ 5500rpm, this was a 20% increase in torque over the standard model. The engine was fitted with iridium spark plugs, a small intercooler, an upgraded radiator with larger core, and an exclusive cam cover with a nice red finish featuring silver lettering. The standard strut tower bar was given a silver finish to help brighten the engine bay. To cope with the torque boost, the turbo model gets an uprated clutch and transmission, stronger engine and differential mounts, and strengthened drive and prop shafts. It also used a strengthened Bosch TORSEN brand helical limited slip differential and a specially designed exhaust muffler with Mazdaspeed logo on the polished trim.
To make the car stand out visually from regular models, the turbo had newly designed front and rear lip spoilers not used on any other model, a unique large bootlid spoiler, smoked inner headlamp bezels, and special Roadster Turbo badges on the front wings. The interior had some nice parts too such as the black leather steering wheel, shift knob, and handbrake, all with red contrast stitching. There was also a rear-view mirror cover with the Roadster logo and a set of alloy pedal covers. The seats were an exclusive red and black cloth as standard but there were also options for plain black cloth, beige leather, and exclusive black leather with red stitching. You could have a Roadster Turbo in one of four colours; Velocity Red, Pure White, Sunlight Silver, and Grace Green, it would set you back 2,570,000 JPY.
Some additional options were available so that Turbo owners could use their car in Mazda's Speed Cup Circuit Trials. These trackday events were for standard cars but JAF regulations still required some safety equipment to be fitted. A demonstration model was presented at the 2004 Tokyo Auto Salon complete with upgraded Mazdaspeed brake pads and discs, red Mazdaspeed bucket seats, Takata racing harness, and a rollbar.
Mazda used the older BP-ZE engine for the turbo model, it has a slightly lower compression ratio (9.5:1) than the BP-VE. The turbo itself was made by Japanese engineering firm Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI), and was tuned to provide a relatively modest boost of power to 172PS @ 6000rpm and 209Nm @ 5500rpm, this was a 20% increase in torque over the standard model. The engine was fitted with iridium spark plugs, a small intercooler, an upgraded radiator with larger core, and an exclusive cam cover with a nice red finish featuring silver lettering. The standard strut tower bar was given a silver finish to help brighten the engine bay. To cope with the torque boost, the turbo model gets an uprated clutch and transmission, stronger engine and differential mounts, and strengthened drive and prop shafts. It also used a strengthened Bosch TORSEN brand helical limited slip differential and a specially designed exhaust muffler with Mazdaspeed logo on the polished trim.
To make the car stand out visually from regular models, the turbo had newly designed front and rear lip spoilers not used on any other model, a unique large bootlid spoiler, smoked inner headlamp bezels, and special Roadster Turbo badges on the front wings. The interior had some nice parts too such as the black leather steering wheel, shift knob, and handbrake, all with red contrast stitching. There was also a rear-view mirror cover with the Roadster logo and a set of alloy pedal covers. The seats were an exclusive red and black cloth as standard but there were also options for plain black cloth, beige leather, and exclusive black leather with red stitching. You could have a Roadster Turbo in one of four colours; Velocity Red, Pure White, Sunlight Silver, and Grace Green, it would set you back 2,570,000 JPY.
Some additional options were available so that Turbo owners could use their car in Mazda's Speed Cup Circuit Trials. These trackday events were for standard cars but JAF regulations still required some safety equipment to be fitted. A demonstration model was presented at the 2004 Tokyo Auto Salon complete with upgraded Mazdaspeed brake pads and discs, red Mazdaspeed bucket seats, Takata racing harness, and a rollbar.
The Australian market gets a special mention here as they had an altogether different turbo model. The MX-5 SP (Special Performance) became available in 2002. This model was based on a standard 1.8 MX-5 NB2 that was upgraded under direction of the Mazda Motorsport Division based in Sydney. The car predates the factory turbo model and differs in a number of ways. It uses the BP-VE engine with S-VT fitted with a carbon fibre airbox and an intercooled Garrett Turbo conversion running 8psi.
These modifications give the car a huge power boost to just over 210PS @ 6800rpm and maximum torque of 289Nm @ 4600rpm. It was a bit of a brute and the conversion wasn't particularly neat. There were no unique wheels or aero parts either, the car looked very much like a standard MX-5 with the only giveaways being the intercooler in the front grille and an "SP" badge on the rear.
These modifications give the car a huge power boost to just over 210PS @ 6800rpm and maximum torque of 289Nm @ 4600rpm. It was a bit of a brute and the conversion wasn't particularly neat. There were no unique wheels or aero parts either, the car looked very much like a standard MX-5 with the only giveaways being the intercooler in the front grille and an "SP" badge on the rear.