Mazda MX-5 Yusho Concept Unleashed

Just the Facts:

• The Mazda MX-5 Yusho Concept was unveiled at the Leipzig show.
• The MX-5 Yusho features a supercharged 2.0 four-cylinder engine boosted to 237 horsepower.
• The concept also gets a lowered suspension and matte white paint.

LEIPZIG, Germany — Performance was clearly the watchword when Mazda developed its new MX-5 Yusho Concept, unveiled here at the Auto Mobil International Show.

The Yusho (Japanese for "victory") is a red-hot edition of the MX-5, fitted with a supercharged and intercooled 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and beefed-up six-speed manual gearbox with sports clutch. Output has been boosted to 237 horsepower, with torque climbing to 202 pound-feet. Mazda did not provide 0-60 acceleration figures, but said top speed is 149 mph.

Engine mods include Cosworth pistons and conrods, a reprogrammed ECU, new fuel injectors and a custom exhaust system with sport metal catalysts and twin tailpipes.

The MX-5 Yusho features an uprated suspension with Bilstein shocks, Eibach lowering springs and larger stabilizer bars. The car rides on anthracite gray 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888 tires.

Changes to the body are subtle, limited mainly to the addition of a modest deck-lid spoiler and a carbon-fiber rear diffuser. Not so subtle is the handsome matte-white exterior paint scheme.

The cabin sports Recaro buckets in leather and Alcantara, as well as a suede-trimmed steering wheel and dash.

Inside Line says: The Yusho may hint at yet another special edition of the long-running MX-5, also known as Miata, before Mazda's popular two-seater is replaced in 2015 by a new version that is being jointly developed with Alfa Romeo.