Mazda Kills MazdaSpeed Performance Lineup In US

We’ve spent the last few years wondering how Mazda’s upmarket push would impact its focus on performance. But keeping tabs gradually devolved into holding out hope that the brand wouldn’t totally snub fun-to-drive products to broaden its appeal. While there’s a wealth of Japanese brands ready to sell you comfortable and well-appointed automobiles, there aren’t many devoting a sizable amount of resources into maintaining engaging driving dynamics for the whole of their lineup. Mazda used to be the exception but now seems interested in banking on its above-average styling and novel luxury aura to drive sales.

It’s not a bad strategy but appears to have come at the expense of performance. Despite Mazda products rarely being famous for the output of their powertrains (unless we’re talking in the context of size), the brand is not making up the difference in handling anymore. It also hasn’t built any new Mazdaspeed performance products in years and doesn’t seem interested in trying.

PUGPROUD - 11/10/2020 4:31:50 PM

+4 Boost

Cost savings mistake. You build performance models by consistently offering models year in year out. Japanese companies don't seem to get it....Supra, NSX, RX7,etc for example.

valhallakey - 11/10/2020 10:18:03 PM

+2 Boost

I agree, the Japanese manufacturers should focus on making a performance model out of one or two of their mainstream car and SUV models instead of only wasting time on an NSX, Supra, RX-7 etc... They should plan the performance version from day one of the development. Do it consistently year over year and once you get some presence in this space, then start making the NSXs, Supras etc...

vdiv - 11/10/2020 11:46:02 PM

+2 Boost

Keep the "in the US" thing in mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyfOupPZy64

MDarringer - 11/10/2020 4:56:58 PM

0 Boost

The real issue is that Mazda and performance are not synonymous.

mpls - 11/10/2020 7:04:13 PM

+2 Boost

Probably Mazda don't do motosports Touring Cras or in japans case Japan Super GT, but only mazda do prototype racing which bears no relation to any road cars

MDarringer - 11/11/2020 8:48:07 AM

0 Boost

Mazda has never built a performance version of the Miata that screams for such treatment. Not doing a Miata GT is actually insulting.