This Japanese-market Roadster with factory-fitted forced induction is more than just a Lotus Elan M100 with the “right” drivetrain configuration!
Mazda was all-in on experimenting with different variations of the Mazda Roadster during the NB-generation’s lifespan domestically in Japan. Of course, some snippets were introduced via motor shows and equally-limited editions from the first-generation Roadster.
In 1996, Mazda presented the M Coupe concept in the New York Motor Show to many “woos” and “yeahs” from the crowd with a fixed roof eerily mirroring the rear pillar design of the MX-6 coupe. The audience liked it, but Mazda back in Japan wasn’t – it never came to fruition.
Many essays and videos have covered the rocky conceptualisation of the Mazda Roadster throughout its ideation phase to production, to which possibly due to how late the concept arrived in 1996, with the next generation due to debut in 1998, meant that even if the M Coupe came to public market, it would immediately be superseded by the next generation.
Amongst the other reasons is that the Mazda Roadster was best as a Mazda roadster – a coupe MX-5 eliminates the reason for its creation as a resurgence of the classic convertible British sports car (although said cars had coupes) and obviously removes the top-down fun.
Back to the early 2000s around 2003 and 2004 and Mazda Japan was throwing everything at the production board to see what resonated with buyers the most. This includes, again, the Coupe, found as the extremely rare Type A, Type E and Type S trim levels.
The NB-generation Coupes were sold as limited editions and ended up more limited than initial plans. 200 total of the three trims were proposed and roughly 179 were actually produced.
But slightly more common and conventional (styling wise) is what the Mazda Roadster Turbo is. More commonly in all media is it referred to as the Mazdaspeed Miata thanks to its United States Domestic Market (USDM) equivalent who received more publicised press than the Japanese market units did. Both JDM and USDM cars are seemingly identical, but while all official markets like the USA and Canada received around 6,000 units in total for the Mazdaspeed, the Roadster Turbo had a population of 350.
The Mazda Roadster Turbo is based off the RS trim and doesn’t use the newer 2002-model-year-and-beyond BP-VE 1.8-litre, instead using an older BP-ZE(T) motor of same displacement but new in 1998. The turbocharger was produced by IHI – Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries – a RHF5 VJ35 single scroll unit that on the USDM Mazdaspeed pushed 7.25 PSI of boost with a lower compression ratio of 9.5:1 (naturally aspirated Roadsters/MX-5s received 10:1).
The power and torque increment rose to 169 horsepower at 6,000RPM and 209Nm at 5,500RPM – a noticeable bump over the BP-VE that made 158 horsepower at 7,000RPM and 170Nm at 5,500RPM. The aspiration system was aided by factory-fit iridium spark plugs, intercooler and a thicker radiator, finished cosmetically with a bespoke valve cover in red with silver lettering and matching silver front strut bar. Drivetrain reinforcements were extensive that included clutch, driveshaft and propeller shaft, differential and its mounts, engine mounts and the transmission, plus a Torsen Limited-Slip Differential.
Handling was also improved, with factory-fit lowered Bilstein strut suspension and stiffer front and rear stabilizer bars.
As for cosmetic work, the Roadster Turbo received several bespoke changes, including 17-inch Racing Hart alloys produced by Enkei, silver brake calipers and the body kit. The kit comprises of an exclusive Mazdaspeed front and rear lip, exclusive bootlid spoiler, smoked headlight bezels and muffler with Mazdaspeed logo.
The interior as standard featured red contrast stitching on the leather components like steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake. The gauge cluster panel and center console were finished in a silver metal material alongside an aluminium pedal set. The cloth seats as standard were a black and red contrast for outer and inner fabric, but manufacturer options of full black cloth, beige leather and black leather with red stitching seats were available.
Four colors for the Roadster Turbo were available – Velocity Red, Pure White, Sunlight Silver and Grace Green Metallic.
This is incidentally one of two Mazda Roadster Turbos in Singapore – a surprise to me as I was only aware of this Sunlight Silver unit for a few years. This is also an impromptu encounter at the carpark at Clarke Quay – by complete chance was I required to be there for work and happened to spot the silver knight parked up.
To my understanding, some parts on this unit has been swapped out for a more track-ready approach. The RECARO RZ seats presumably reupholstered in brown leather is already as rare as the car itself, exclusive only to the RX-7 Type RZ (in black) and RX-7 Spirit R (in red). The front brake calipers are upgraded alongside an AutoExe NB-02 front bumper and SR 2 sideskirts, while the original Racing Hart wheels and Mazdaspeed rear spoiler remain intact.
Nothing that I can say about the drivetrain and internals, but the original specification was already fit for 6.7 (don’t start) seconds during a 0-100km/h sprint and a top speed of 204km/h limited by gear ratios – not too bad but very similar performance times to the decade-old (by then) Lotus Elan SE.
Then again, comparing prices, the Elan when new was around 6.65 million yen, whilst the Roadster Turbo had a suggested retail price of 2.698 million yen – that’s progression, isn’t it?
What distracted me writing was the MX-5 badges. I know I’m looking too deep into this, but in 2004 was Mazdaspeed/Turbo not included in sale prices from the official Mazda dealer – only the 1.6M and 1.8A was offered, the Category A-friendly item delisted halfway through. Should it (and likely it is) be a parallel-imported unit, this would still be a Japanese Mazda Roadster Turbo, which the LTA registry agrees with instead of calling it MX-5.
Another two generations later up to the ND-generation and Mazda would still keep the Roadster formula the same – except for circling back to pick up the Coupe and transformed it into the RF (Retractable Fastback). Apart from that and non-Mazda conversions by BBR, the model hasn’t seen another turbocharged attempt at creating a faster convertible – the existing smiles per gallon already works for the average Roadster buyer; who are pretty old.
~Efini
Gallery:
Photos taken 21/11/25
Read more: SG Archives: Lotus Elan SE (Netherlands export)
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