October 2, 2015
Here in the U.S., Mazda’s latest MX-5 Miata is available only with a 155-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. That might sound like a pipsqueak, but globally, there’s also a 1.5-liter four making—get ready—129 horsepower. In Mazda’s home market, the 1.5-liter is the only engine option, so don’t ever complain about the Miata not having enough power, you insufferable complainers. Anyway, Mazda Japan has just released a new Miata trim level dubbed “RS,” and it comes with some of the performance hardware bolted to the U.S. market’s mid-level Club model, albeit with the smaller engine, smaller wheels, and some classy interior bits. Why do we care? Because Miata.
Available in Crystal White Pearl Mica only, the RS adds hardware such as Bilstein shocks, a front strut-tower brace, and an “induction sound enhancer.” According to Mazda’s Japanese consumer website, the RS also utilizes “large-diameter disc brakes,” but whereas the other suspension and chassis upgrades are part of the U.S.-spec MX-5 Club trim level, the brakes don’t appear to be the Brembo-branded pieces we get on the Club. On the flip side, the RS comes with nappa leather and faux-suede-upholstered Recaro seats, which are not available on any America-bound Miata. Oh, and it costs just $26,900 at current exchange rates, about a grand less than our base Club.
While drooling over the RS on Mazda’s Japanese website, we also saw the impressive array of sweet accessories such as chassis braces, red-painted tow hooks, and even a roll cage. We’ll likely never get the small-engined Miata RS, but you can bet we’ll be keeping our eyes on Mazda’s accessories catalog for some Japanese love.
Source:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/mazda-mx-5-miata-rs-a-high-po-miata-for-japans-eyes-only/
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