Leipzig 2012: Mazda MX-5 ‘Yusho’

Rear-wheel drive sports coupés from Japan seem to be the special of the week and Mazda doesn’t want to miss out on all the fun. They’ve just debuted this supercharged MX-5 “Yusho” concept at the 2012 Leipzig Motor Show in Germany.

The 2.0 litre four cylinder engine has been warmed over with a supercharger kit from US tuning house Flyin Miata. Thanks to them the Yusho now offers a much sportier 177kW/274Nm. That represents a very healthy gain of 59kW/86Nm over the standard car.

But Mazda didn’t just stop at the blower, they’ve done this properly and beefed up the engine internals, as well. Pistons and conrods have been sourced from Cosworth. The engine drinks from uprated fuel injectors and a new engine map keeps things in check. A customised exhaust system helps to free gasses more easily and a clue to this car’s extra grunt is given by the centrally mounted tips poking out from a carbon fibre (look) rear valance.

Suspension has been taken car of with Bilstein shocks, plus Eibach springs and sway bars. Add to the package some sticky Toyo semi-slicks on 17″ alloys and you end up with what should be a very well sorted MX-5.

The matt white paint finish and suede/alcantara interior trim details round out the look rather nicely.

‘Yusho’ is Japanese for victory and, clearly, Mazda is on a winner here. In fact, we’d quite like one please! Alaz, there’s no word at this stage on production plans, so we’re not sure we’ll ever get the chance to buy one.

The Mazda MX-5 is learning to fly

• 2.0-liter gasoline engine with supercharging delivers 241 horsepower
• Clutches and shorter final drive ratio for enhanced dynamics
• Modified radical suspension and wheel-tire combination

More radical still was not a MX-5: A prototype “Yusho” (Japanese for “victory”), the Mazda Roadster its sporty talents may now live on the streets unchecked. A supercharger kit for the American MX-5 Tuning specialists “Flyin ‘Miata” increases the power of the free-revving 2.0-liter MZR petrol engine to 177 kW/241 hp and drives the roadster to legend about 240 km / h speed.

The compressor including intercooler gives the four-cylinder over the entire rpm band as an equally powerful homogeneous power and torque delivery. At 5400rpm with peak torque of 274 Nm available. In addition, the engine with a modified engine management system, new fuel injectors and metal sport catalysts has been fitted. Special Cosworth pistons and connecting rods provide excellent stability of the motor. The exhaust gases are released through an individually designed muffler with large cross sections and centrally positioned double tailpipes, which can be adjusted by control valve in its acoustics.

The six-speed manual transmission with special sports clutch and the usual crisp gearshifts, the best power transfer to the rear wheels safe, while the shorter final drive ratio to 4.1 increases the driving dynamics and improving sprint qualities in all gears. The suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, sport, larger stabilizer bars and lowering springs from Eibach is aligned to the model compared to the standard even higher dynamic requirements. The power transmission benefits from a semi-slick tires the manufacturer Toyo mounted on anthracite gray alloy wheels size 8Jx17 is.

Even the look sets the MX-5 “Yusho” civilized street from his brothers: the matt-white film wrapping and an equally dull white foiled rear spoiler are available in an appealing contrast to a specially developed rear diffuser in carbon fiber-optics and the dark wheels. The interior is enhanced with a suede-trimmed steering wheel and Recaro sport seats with leather and Alcantara ® covers the dynamic requirements of the prototype.