At the 2011 SEMA Show, Mazda->ke53arrived with a cool MX-5 Super20 Concept that lit up the stage in Las Vegas. Mazda claimed that the concept was loud, proud, and boisterous with its bursts of turbocharged energy, but that they have brought something even better to the 2012 SEMA Show: the Super25. Mazda claims this new version is better, meaner, and has been crafted with endurance racing in mind.

Such a great amount of attention has been placed on Mazda's resident sports car because they say the MX-5 Miata->ke1185 "is the epitome of a light and limber sports car that won't burn a hole through an enthusiast's pocket." No arguments there, as the MX5 is small, light, and puts up the right kind of competition to other, more expensive sports car. That being said, is this enough to handle such long-distance, weary-heavy racing?

Hit the jump to find out whether the Mazda MX-5 Super25 has what it takes.

2012 Mazda MX-5 Super25

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Mazda MX-5 Super25
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The new MX-5 Super25 is painted in the usual MazdaSpeed Motorsports Development colors: black, gray, and red. The car's dominant color is a commanding Super Red gloss, but highlights in Brilliant White were used for minimal character details along the hood. Matte Black Mica was also used in the lower portions of the vehicle from the front and rear fascia and the side skirts. The car was fitted with a "55" racing number - a tribute to the brand's historic 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans win.

Above the modified grille, you will notice a customized four-lamp lighting pod equipped with bright-for-the-night (and day) PIAA 40 Series halogens on the inside flanked by 510 Super White Driving halogens on the outside.

The car sits on a new set of 17" Volk Racing T37 six-spoke matte black wheels wrapped in in BFGoodrich g-Force R1 225-45ZR17 tires.

Interior

The same racing theme continues on the interior where Mazda has placed new Sparco Evo competition racing seat and a new cockpit customized with Mazda Design-developed Charcoal ultra-suede material featuring Tomato Red perforated inserts. There is also a suede Sparco R323 competition steering wheel, plus a six-point racing harness by Sparco.

Engine

At this point, we're not sure what engine Mazda has used for the Super25, but judging by the name, their new Super25 concept should have something supercharged fitted under that hood. We do know that the Super25 will feature some ECU modifications, which probably means that it will maintain the 2.0 liter four cylinder engine, but tweaked to deliver more than the standard 170 HP and 140 lb-ft of torque.

When Can I Drive One?

This is a question that doesn't really have an answer. The Super25 is just a concept, or at least this is what Mazda stated when introducing the vehicle in SEMA. We're hoping that the Super25 wasn't created solely for the show and that it will later inspire a race car that will bring Mazda back to the winning stature it had in 1991 when it became the first Japanese manufacturer to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Here's to hoping....