The Miata has long been a hot topic among car enthusiasts, especially roadster fans. Its performance marks it as an elite driving vehicle, with each generation bringing something new. If you’re looking to get even more speed out of your Miata, you’re in luck. There’s a new speedster kit in the works that is nearly available for purchase.

A quick look back at the Miata

It debuted in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show when few roadsters were still on the market. The Miata was instantly embraced. It had spent nearly a decade in production, with its Tokyo and California design teams competing to create the best model in the early eighties. The California model, with a front-engine, RWD format, and either a hard top or soft top, won the day and began production in 1986.

By 1989, the newly christened MX-5 was ready for the world. The original weighed a little over a ton and was priced less expensively than the Alfa Romeo Spider, perhaps the most popular remaining roadster on lots at the time. The first-generation model, the Mazda MX-5 (NA), was in production until 1997 and won multiple “Best of” and “Car of the Year” lists.

The next generation Miata, the MX-5 (NB), was introduced in 1997 and available until 2004. The most significant change between it and its predecessor was the loss of its retractable headlamps for safety reasons.

Over time, the NB saw styling and powertrain updates as well. The third generation (NC) was available until 2015 and notably includes a power retractable hardtop, among other design improvements.

The current generation (ND) has been on dealer lots since 2015. It’s nearly identical style-wise to the NC but features multiple powertrain improvements and a Retractable Fastback variant.

Xenex Motorsports’ Miata MX speedster kit

Per The Drive, Xenex Motorsports, recently inspired by a freelance automotive design, began working on a speedster kit for the MX-5, which is nearly available for purchase. It gives the Miata the classic Fifties speedster look by removing the windshield and replacing several exterior components. As a result, the Miata loses 250 pounds, making it even lighter than before.

You can purchase kit add-ons to make your Miata even more aerodynamic, such as premium brakes, a suspension fitted for the track, and 17-inch wheels. You can get even more power from the Miata if its standard 181-hp isn’t enough. There’s a supercharger kit that can get you up to 200 hp. There’s also a 350-hp LS-V8 MS Speedster Kit as well.

Both options, along with the kit itself, can be ordered starting in April 2023. But given how much more this kit can make your Miata, you should be ready to pull out your card on April 1. Xenex’s kit is sure to be in high demand.

Does the 2023 Miata really need the speedster kit?

Of course, it’s entirely up to you whether you think the Miata needs more performance enhancements. The 2023 version is already a top-ranked roadster, and with a below $30,000 MSRP, it’s affordable to boot.

The MX-5 sports a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four engine and a six-speed manual transmission with a six-speed automatic also available. This powertrain combo and the Miata’s lightweight make driving a pleasure.

To keep you safe while you’re tearing up the highway, Mazda offers lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and low-speed auto emergency braking. However, you can also get traffic sign recognition, curve-adapting headlights, and adaptive cruise control, among other optional advanced safety features.

The Miata isn’t the kind of car to buy if you’re looking for many tech features. But Mazda does equip each with a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, push-button start, keyless entry, and speed-sensing automatic volume control.

The base model is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the latter is unavailable on the premium trim. Still, the Club RF version does offer heated seats, a nine-speaker audio system, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

So, no lousy tech features. But really, with the Miata, the performance is the thing. With or without the speedster kit, you will have one enjoyable ride.