Make one of the most desirable new roadsters look like a classic British sports car.
Japan’s Mitsuoka is an unusual company that has a tendency to add bizarre looks to existing vehicles. The latest project it has undertaken is the Himiko, which takes the Mazda MX-5 Miata to a modern look and makes the exterior retro-inspired.
The Himiko draws its inspiration from classic British roadster designs like the Morgan and MGT-Series. The Himiko’s design is a nod to Mitsuoka’s past. The trunk and front fenders are made of satin black. This is because it doesn’t match the retro design.
The interior is almost identical to that of the Miata except for Mitsuoka’s tweaking of the upholstery. The interior retains all modern features like blind spot monitoring, Lane departure warning, and Mazda’s infotainment system at the top of its dashboard.
Mitsuoka increases the Miata’s length from 154.1 inches (3.914 mm), Mazda’s version. The vehicle’s mechanical structure doesn’t change. The Skyactiv-G 1.5-liter four cylinder produces power with 129 horsepower (96 Kilowatts) & 111 pound-feet (135 Newton-meters). The buyer can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a six speed automatic.
If the price is right, this strange roadster could become a huge hit in the United States. The Miata is already a top-of-the-line sports car in its class. The Himiko looks almost like any other new car on road, aside from the few Morgans that have entered the country.
Mitsuoka actually sold , a Miata-based retro-inspired roadster in the United Kingdom in the past. The hardtop was power-retractable. The price was 53,800 Pounds ($75,000 today).