SEMA 2009: Turbo rotary Mazda MX-5 begs to be flogged
Turbo Rotary Mazda MX-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery
If you get the impression things are all high gloss and dubs in Vegas, you wouldn't be far off. But walk around the SEMA compound long enough and you come across something cool that that speaks to the gearhead, track rat in each of us.
Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of details about this red NA Mazda MX-5, but we do know it's been worked over by Mike Burlas Designs from Rialto, California, and it has a turbocharged 13B rotary underhood. Further, it has been kitted out with an adjustable suspension, upgraded brakes and what appears to be a fiberglass (or Kevlar) blistered fender kit.
But the crowning jewel is the carbon fiber fastback roof which the company is selling in fiberglass form for $1,800. It's not quite as cool as the MX-5 coupe concept from way-back-when, but it's nice to see the Miata getting some S2000-style fixed roof love in Sin City.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ricky 4:24PM (11/05/2009)
WGAF....junk ass piece of rice. Whats with all the lame features guys? C'mon.
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Pat 4:35PM (11/05/2009)
Rice, imo, is something that is all show and no go (ie, 99% of what is at sema)
This looks like someone actually drove this car on a track and put actual functional go-fast parts on it. Crazy, I know - to think that a car can be raced and isn't just a canvas for someone's airbrushing and chrome.
Your priorities are mixed up.
Nick 7:11PM (11/05/2009)
Please explain how this is "rice" .
Turall 4:41PM (11/05/2009)
Pat is correct. A 2500 pound car with a boosted rotary engine and carbon fiber bodywork =/= rice.
"The pejorative is often intended to denigrate cars which have been modified cosmetically to give a false impression of high performance, but not actually capable of it."
Were it a normal miata or civic or whatever with 100hp up front, blingy wheels and a huge wing, that would be the posterchild of a rice rocket.
Sadly, the term has been misused practically since inception.
Back on topic, I think it's the nicest Miata I've ever seen.
i just hit your wife 4:44PM (11/05/2009)
crawl out from under your nascar rock.
the miata is one of the best selling sports cars in the world. since you obviously dont know jack, at least act like you know something.
Tourian 5:57PM (11/05/2009)
We as real car guys no what rice means, but to guys like him any Japanese car is rice. It doesn't matter what this car's priorities are when it comes to its features, or its track performance, it never had a chance in his eyes. No sense wasting time on people like him.
Scott 6:02PM (11/05/2009)
Over 50% of Autoblog's posts seem to be about American made muscle cars in the last week, what are "all the lame features" you are talking about?
This car isn't rice, so it is obvious you don't know what you are talking about.
fmwso 6:28PM (11/05/2009)
Dude, you're stupid. You definitely don't know what the term "rice" means. I love when ignorant people like you call every modified Japanese car as "rice". A riced out is all show and no go. This definitely is not rice at all.
Howard H. 7:32AM (11/06/2009)
I agree with you. It is just another rice burner. It looks like there are a bunch of 20 somethings on here that love their Jap/rice burners here. They get all excited over turocharged wankel engined chick car.
MUSASHI66 4:23PM (11/05/2009)
Very nice! Refreshing to see something with a sense of purpose at SEMA
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Dru 4:41PM (11/05/2009)
I think that another wing needs to be added to the back, because the 2 spoilers in the back just isn't enough!
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skablaw 4:58PM (11/05/2009)
I wish Mazda would just sell a hard-top MX-5 already. The Z4 coupe was a triumph of that form-factor, and I would kill for an affordable alternative.
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Nick 7:14PM (11/05/2009)
This. I've been lusting after a North American-market MX-5 Coupe ever since first laying eyes on the old Japan-exclusive NA and NB Roadster Coupes.
Thankfully, Toyota's coming to my rescue with the FT86. Too bad so sad, Mazda, you lost a sale.
ZombieR 5:11PM (11/05/2009)
The car looks like a hoot to drive - but theres no way I'm going to buy their parts with gaps like the ones at the front of the hood....
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Scott 5:36PM (11/05/2009)
Agreed, fitment of that hood is pretty bad.
Matt 5:17PM (11/05/2009)
Feature about a sweet motor swap, and no shots of the engine bay?
PICS OR IT DIDNT HAPPEN!
=)
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aarontrini85 6:43PM (11/05/2009)
they wont pop the hood atleast from what ive read on forums. seems to be claiming a 13msp from a rx8 under there but looking through the bumper you can see the dip stick on the passanger side so not a msp. but nice i do like that a budget build car is getting some exposure though. stock evo intercooler, budget rims, and im guessing a stock fc motor. this is there company http://autokonexion.com/
Jeff Banks 5:34PM (11/05/2009)
I didn't just vote this down. I tagged it for removal.
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Scott 5:37PM (11/05/2009)
That was a great way to point out you don't know anything about cars Howard.
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sestormen 6:06PM (11/05/2009)
Looks like a great track weapon.. but Falken Ziex tires? Are they kidding?
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