New Mitsuoka Himiko Is A ‘Fancy’ Way To Rebody A Mazda MX-5

Believe it or not, this is a rebodied Mazda MX-5 (ND) by Japanese coachbuilders Mitsuoka.

If you’ve never heard of obscure Japanese ‘coachbuilders’ Mitsuoka, here’s a quick recap: Founded in 1996 as the 10th Japanese automaker registered in Japan since Honda, the marque is renowned for building unique cars that sport unconventional styling largely inspired by British, European, and American classics.

Pictured here is the firm’s latest creation, dubbed the Mitsuoka Himiko. Said nameplate is now in its second-generations and, believe it or not, it actually underpins the current (ND) generation Mazda MX-5 underneath its skin.

Mitsuoka is a firm renowned for styling their cars with cues inspired by classic, British, European, and American classics.

Available in seven colour choices, the second-gen Himiko’s design features cues largely inspired by classic British roadsters like the Morgan Aero 8 and Jaguar XK120. Other changes include a tweaked grille and badging, as well as new leather seats that can be colour-matched with the exterior.

The most obvious change from the MX-5 base car lies in the Himiko’s overall size too, with the latter sitting longer, wider and taller than said base car too. In fact, the figures read at 4,580 MM long with a 2,910 MM wheelbase, 1,740 MM wide, and 1,235 MM tall.

Besides its striking new looks, the Himiko also sits 665 MM longer, 10 MM wider, and 5 MM taller over the MX-5 roadster it underpins.

Overall, this makes the Himiko 665 MM longer, 10 MM wider, and 5 MM taller than the MX-5 it underpins. Also, the added bodywork does see weight go up by 100 KG over said Mazda base car to 1,190 KG too, and the next set of facts might make this wildly-styled roadster seem just a tad bit less.

That’s because underneath, the Himiko harnesses the 1.5-litre 4-cyl nat-asp 4-cyl petrol mill that once powered the MX-5 prior, which outputs just 130 HP and 152 NM to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic box. Given the added bodywork and weight, we don’t expect the Himiko to be any quicker than the now-unavailable 1.5-litre variant of the MX-5.

Apart from the body colour-matching upholstery, much of the Himiko's base interior design remains unchanged from the Mazda MX-5 it's based upon.

On board, the base car’s traits starts the become clearer, namely in the cabin where you’ll see the MX-5’s base design remains largely unchanged. Key amongst which include the analogue instrument clocks, air vents design, as well as the familiar MZD Connect infotainment control pad and display screen.

As for price and availability, just 10 units of the Mitsuoka Himiko will be built, each priced from ¥6,787,000 – approximately RM219,636 – in Japan, which sees it cost more than the base MX-5 1.5-litre variant it underpins when said base car was still on sale.

Would you fancy this wildly-styled Japanese oddity over its arguably perfect base car? Or would you rather have spent the same amount on something with proven sporty chops, i.e. a Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ? Hit the comments below with your thoughts of the Mitsuoka Himiko then…