In news that is bound to annoy the MX-5/Roadster/Miata fans among you, Mazda has officially scotched rumours that a harder-core, turbocharged version of the NC MX-5 is on its way. The reason? Apparently the 2.3-litre turbo MZR inline-four from the Mazdaspeed 3 (currently the fastest Mazda on sale today) just plain doesn’t fit within the confines of the NC’s engine bay.

It’s a bit disappointing, particularly after Mazda teased us with the delectable-looking Roadster Mazdaspeed Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon earlier this year (above and below), but apparently the problem stems from the high pressure fuel pump that feeds the 2.3-litre MZR’s direct injection system, which is driven off the cam and mounted at the back of the head and therefore fouls on the NC’s firewall and makes installation a nightmare. A firewall modification could possibly fix the problem, but sheetmetal alterations like these are just the kind of expensive modification that makes automakers like Mazda pull the plug on such a project.

So, factory-fitted forced-induction is officially off the agenda for the NC, but we’re sure the aftermarket industry will soon step in with a remedy for that. Cosworth are still in the midst of developing their supercharger kit for the NC’s 2-litre MZR, and it should be one of the first blowers available for Mazda’s roadster. We’ll keep you posted on that one.

[Source: Autoblog]
[Images: Mazda]