When Mazda announced that the most powerful production version of the MX-5 would be a Japan-exclusive release, a collective sigh of sadness hushed over the international visitors at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon—including our own assistant managing editor, Leandre Grecia, and video producer, Charles Banaag.
But it looks like even buyers in Japan won’t have it that easy. Apart from only 200 12R units and just 2,000 standard Roadsters being made, Mazda will be distributing reservations through an online lottery. It could be the fairest way to carry out such a limited release, but we’re still wishing a full global launch was taking place.
Thankfully, on a recent visit to Mazda Fan Festa at the Fuji Speedway, our publisher, Carlo Chungunco, got to see the Spirit Racing Roadster in all its unattainable glory. We’re surely missing out on this one.
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To jog your memory, the Spirit Racing Roadster 12R is the quickest production Miata in history. Mazda’s racing division modified the 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine to give it 197hp—16hp more than today’s standard MX-5. It’s then mated to a six-speed manual transmission, while the whole body sits on Rays TE37 wheels, made special for the Spirit Racing Roadster.
Winners of the lottery can expect their Roadsters in January 2026, and we’ll still be here yearning. Though that’s not to say the Philippines has not received its fair share of special Miata models.
Back in 2023, the MX-5 ND was offered in a special design to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Miata Club of the Philippines. And in February, the MX-5 35th Anniversary Edition hit Philippine roads in a limited run. We sure love our Miatas.
