This Mazda MX Speedster Is The Ultimate Miata Project Car

Different people have different tastes and preferences when it comes to cars. Depending on their wishes and needs, people will buy SUVs, sedans, pickup trucks, sports car Or even supercars. Of course, there are many factors in this choice, including the need for an exhilarating road experience. To achieve this experience, some drivers go for muscle cars, sports cars, and related vehicles. We choose cars that are equipped, but some drivers prefer to drive exciting open-top vehicles such as roadsters. There is one model that has achieved legendary status among roadsters. mazda MX-5 Miata. Regarded as the best convertible of all time, the Miata, especially the first-generation model, offers a driving experience and accessibility that perhaps even modern roadsters can't easily match. Such an icon has made the MX-5 Miata the subject of countless projects. At Xenex Motorsports, the Miata will serve as the basis for the new MX Speedster project car. All of the company's project cars started as concepts and are now a reality.

From 3D renderings to real-world rebody kits

For many people, the NA MX-5 Miata is a favorite because it represents the ideal, if not perfect, car. The Mazda Roadster is an underpowered car compared to other sports cars. But what it lacks in power, the Miata makes up for in many other ways. The Miata was relatively affordable and didn't have unnecessary features. The lack of this feature somehow helped the Miata to be lighter, thereby contributing to its good power ratio. On the other hand, this allowed the Miata to offer excellent handling. Additionally, people found the Miata to be very easy to tune.Thus, roadsters existed before the Miata came out, but critics argued that this model made the open-top car a driver's choice. I believe it made me popular. Perhaps Miata's iconic character inspired car designer Kasim Tribekov to create a beautiful rendering of the Mazda Roadster as a more athletic MX speedster. Tlibekov and his Tlibekua design studio partnered with Petersen Motorsports to turn the rendering into reality. His Xenex Motorsports, founded by Kim Petersen, now builds the MX Speedster. The MX Speedster and NA MX-5 Miata may look a bit similar. That's because the MX Speedster has a new fiberglass body kit. Petersen said in his MotorTrend that the MX Speedster isn't a turnkey car, it's speed, fun and adventure. Installation of the rebody kit is done by the customer or a mechanic of their choice. RELATED: These Fundamental Upgrades Transform Your Mazda Miata NA Completely

Convert MX-5 Miata to MX Speedster

The only visually noticeable similarities are the pop-out headlights marked on the front and the wider lower front grille on the MX Speedster. Additionally, the rebody kit narrowed the MX Speedster in the middle, making the front and rear appear wider. The MX-5's design was elegantly simple, but the MX Speedster wins a variety of curves and corners. These elements, along with a lower profile, make the Xenex creation look sportier and more dynamic than the first-generation Miata. Perhaps the most obvious difference between the NA Miata and the MX Speedster is the lack of a windshield on the latter. Same with Aston Martin Speedster and McLaren Elva. However, there is a small windshield in front of the driver's seat. No windshield is part of the plan to make the MX Speedster about 551 pounds lighter than the Miata. However, this creates some problems for customers who live in states where the provided windshield is illegal, or for customers who want to keep their Miata windshield. In the event of an incident, the customer could keep the original Miata windshield and Xenex could provide the necessary instructions for the modification, he said. RELATED: This Is What Makes The Mazda Miata NA So Special

LS-V8 version available for MX Speedster RS

But Petersen noted that customers may go all out beyond rebody kits. This is thanks to the fact that Xenex also developed and made optional elements such as track-ready suspension upgrades, 17-inch wheels and tires, and competition-grade Wilwood brakes. Xenex is currently testing various optional features of the MX Speedster to further improve performance. The full conversion MX Speedster – base version – comes with basic upgrades including camshaft and header upgrades for the car's 1.6 liter engine. The MX Speedster S version employs a Fastforward supercharger kit that boosts power output to nearly 200 horsepower. The RS version, on the other hand, boasts an "IMSA-like" design and optional his LS-V8 mill that delivers more than his 350hp at 6,800hp. The RS is a serious truck weapon. Interestingly, customers sometimes opt for carbon fiber kits to significantly lighten their MX Speedsters. Xenex is currently putting the finishing touches on the MX Speedster and will be accepting customer orders in February 2023. The company aims to deliver the first kits to waiting customers in March 2023. Source: Xenex Motorsports, MotorTrend