'We will not give up on engines': Mazda vows to keep combustion alive as it launches Spirit-tuned 147kW MX-5, hotted-up CX-60 on its way to eventual Rotary-powered RX-7 revival: Reports

With many European brands feeling the sting of slowing electric car sales expansion and intense competition from China, Japan is doing things differently. 

Mazda is no stranger to thinking outside the box and at this month’s Tokyo Auto Salon car show, boss Masahiro Moro declared Mazda “will not give up on [combustion] engines," according to a report from BestCar.

At the show Mazda flexed the muscles of its new Spirit performance sub-brand, showing a modified limited-run MX-5 and an off-road version of its premium medium SUV, known as the CX-60 Rally Concept. 

The MX-5 Spirit 12R previews a production version of the roadster that, for now, is Japan only. Its power is increased from 135kW to 147kW — 200hp in the old money — using classic naturally aspirated engine tuning techniques. 

A new cold-air intake, higher lift exhaust camshaft, polished cylinder heads and freer flowing exhaust manifold help extract an extra 12kW. The 12R is limited to just 200 units for Japan, with ‘Aero Grey’ paint, different alloy wheels and aerodynamic tweaks, such as a front splitter. 

Also present at Mazda’s booth was a hotted-up Mazda CX-60 mid-size SUV and it’s quite a wild idea. It is essentially a tarmac rally SUV, sporting a huge rear wing, lowered suspension, larger alloy wheels, six-piston brake calipers and a roof scoop for cabin ventilation. 

Inside, the CX-60 Rally concept is a two-seater, meaning production of a potential X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 rival as you see it here is extremely unlikely. 

With help from digital artist Thanos Pappas, we've also imagined a production version of Spirit Racing Mazda3. A rival for the Hyundai i30 N and Volkswagen Golf GTI, it gets a rear wing, more aggressive front end aero, red brake calipers and six-spoke lightweight alloy wheels.

We'd imagine Mazda could fit the 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder as it has done in the United States, but with a focus on cornering and driver feedback more than outright speed. All-wheel drive would be a nice bonus.

Mazda has a deep history with performance models under various monikers, including Mazdaspeed and MPS, along with others, but none as long standing as say, Audi RS, BMW M or Mercedes-AMG. 

The first two Spirit Racing concept vehicles — the MX-5 concept and a Mazda3 — made an appearance at the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon. The CX-60 is the third instalment. 

Mazda is yet to delve into the history and meaning of its new ‘Spirit’ brand but the name was used on variants of the Iconic Mazda RX-7 ‘FD’ generation. 

The Japanese marque’s commitment to combustion engines (and hybrids) is evident, following collaboration with Toyota at the Multi-Pathway workshop last year and Mazda’s ongoing development of the Iconic SP concept into a spiritual RX-7 successor complete with a rotary engine that can drive the rear wheels via a six-speed manual.