Mazda to sell race-ready NR-A in Japan
Japanese consumers who are itching to get their race on can now purchase the NR-A model Roadster (a.k.a. the MX-5 to us) that comes equipped with race-ready parts to compete in “Roadster Party” one-make races sponsored by Mazda in Japan.
The NR-A features height adjustable Bilstein dampers, a torque-sensing ‘Super LSD’ and front strut tower bars that make more capable the already superlative handling MX-5. A leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals are the only other mods. The MSRP for the MX-5 NR-A will be 2.3 million yen, or $19,706 US. Unfortunately the track-ready model will only be available in its own domestic market of Japan.
Check out more pics after the jump…
[Source: Mazda]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Otto Ingineer 4:09PM (3/23/2006)
The front tower brace is already standard equipment on the new MX-5 (at least in the US). Nice. Too bad not available in the US, since it gets rid of all the heavy "fluff", and makes an ultra-distilled roadster. 1/2 the Elise cost, but probably 9/10 the fun, eh.
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Corey 4:34PM (3/23/2006)
Nice. Pity that we won't get it in the states.
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Jeff the Baptist 4:41PM (3/23/2006)
Perhaps this stuff will go into the Mazdaspeed Miata whenever they come out with a new one? Too bad the car still looks like a jellybean.
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Rusty 5:31PM (3/23/2006)
That is not race ready. Autocross ready maybe, but not open track. In the U.S. it would require a roll cage, 5 point harness and fire supression system.
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C 5:34PM (3/23/2006)
Why isn't this the US "Club Spec"?
This is frustrating because the cheapest MX-5 you can get here with a limited-slip is $24,000, according to Mazda's website. I would think that would be a nice option on a race car, unlike A/C.
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Gunnar Heinrich 5:35PM (3/23/2006)
I miss the looks of the predecessor Miata - a much nicer looking Japanese drop top.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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TennisD 6:32PM (3/23/2006)
Interesting, although to really be a better car, it still needs more power and a redesign. It's not like the MX-5 can't handle.
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starlightmica 9:04PM (3/23/2006)
> Why isn't this the US "Club Spec"?
Mazda hasn't done well with stripper Miata sales previously - only a few dozen Miata R's (no AC, no power steering, suspension pieces) were sold in 1997.
There are parts for the 2006 MX-5 Cup series available from mazdaspeedmotorsports.com but I recall that it costs over $30k fully installed with full racing cage. Prototype pics here: http://www.awrracing.com/pages/06MX5R/index.html
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Mr. Wankel 4:24AM (3/24/2006)
I want to cry, the 160BHP model with "Sportive" finish in Europe is about 34.000$.
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Clark Kent 8:48AM (3/24/2006)
Race Car?? Miata? Don't make me laugh!
REAL RACE CARS DON'T HAVE DOORS! But the Elise is as close to a real race car as you can get in a street legal car.
The Miata has always been nothing more than a
"Jelly Bean on Wheels"
"1/2 the cost of an Elise but 9/10 the fun" Anyone who thinks that has not ever driven and Elise.
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theSAWzall 10:01AM (3/24/2006)
"Sports Car Revolution" (I think it's on Speed Channel) has been showing a Spec Miata Racer build. It's been pretty cool.
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naggs 6:27PM (3/24/2006)
the mx5 has a girly rep in this country for a reason, it is marketed as a drivers car but to get all the good hardware (lsd, shocks) you have to get the leather ac and dead weight. mazda deserves to have its halo sports car be a girl/gay only car. if they were serious about performance they would sell a stripped out version with only the hardware you need to go fast while making very litte or maybe loosing money for each one they sell, of even better how bout a coupe?
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Clark Kent 7:57AM (3/25/2006)
Naggs, I didn't want to be the first to say it, lest I upset the drivers of the Miata's, but you are 110% correct. The Miata is a "Girly Car" Always has been. Always will be.
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meGrimlock 6:14PM (4/27/2006)
pretty harsh comments from people who possibly have never been in the seat of an mx-5. i agree it has a girly reputation, and mazda is notorious for making awesome "special edition" trims that are not available in the US. but with the NR-A the fun-to-dollar ratio can't be beat by an s2000. go higher-end and even the z4 starts to look excessive. and lets not forget the success of these roadsters can be partly attributed to the success of the mx-5.
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DPC car videos 11:45PM (8/31/2006)
We never get the good stuff in the US, even Euro cars have specs that we never get in the US.
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