Today Mazda unveiled the Mazdaspeed MX-5 Miata at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It is the tenth new model for Mazda in 12 months. The Mazdaspeed Miata has 1500 different parts compared to the base version. Under the hood is the well-known 1.8-liter engine that got revised heads and the assistance of a turbocharger to generate 178 hp at 6000 rpm, up 25 percent from the normally aspirated Miata. New is the use of ball bearings instead of floating bearings for the turbo.

The turbo engine generates 166 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm (up 33 percent) and is teamed to a six-speed stick shift transmission. Furthermore this Miata has a different differential and a tuned suspension. The car has been lowered 7 mm and uses 17-inch wheels and high-performance Toyo tires.

A new front fascia, rear lid spoiler and a new diffuser mark the exterior. The two-tone cloth interior, a new instrument cluster and center stack are the most significant interior changes.
The Mazdaspeed Miata will go on sale in the spring and is priced at $25,500 with cloth interior and $26,200 with a leather interior. -Henny Hemmes

http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/7577_image.jpg

i saw this a few wee ago....was hopin for over 200hp. i love miatas. should b easy to mod a reliable 200 out of tho. i dig it

Peformance-wise, that 2004 Elise will literally slaughter it like doomed cattle. But the price is also way higher at almost $40,000 versus $25,000+ for the Miata. Still, not bad for a car under 2,500 pounds and 178 HP.

Elise and this car are not comparable..

I don't think people buying this car will be worried about running into an Elise...

True. I don't think an Elise owner is bother by a Miata anyway..

Peformance-wise, that 2004 Elise will literally slaughter it like doomed cattle. But the price is also way higher at almost $40,000 versus $25,000+ for the Miata. Still, not bad for a car under 2,500 pounds and 178 HP.
.....

Hahahahaha...

I wonder what an F-body could do against this car :o