The Mitsuoka Roadster is coming to the UK

Japanese coachbuilder Mitsuoka Motor Company is best known for taking modern cars and giving them a retro-English facelift. Its Viewt, for example, is essentially a Nissan Micra with imitation Jaguar Mark 2 front and rear ends grafted on.

Another of the firm’s models is the two-seat Himiko, which is about to be launched in the UK thanks to a distribution agreement with dealer group T W White and Sons. Here, it’ll simply be known as the Roadster.

Mitsuoka Roadster (2015) Front SideMitsuoka Roadster (2015) Side

Beneath the skin is a third-generation Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé, although that might not be immediately obvious. A completely restyled nose bears Jaguar XK150 influences, while a wheelbase stretch plus an extended rear overhang increase the overall length to 4,575 mm (15’ 0”).

Using the Mazda as a base vehicle certainly makes a lot of sense, because most of the MX-5’s complex components are retained. These include the stability and traction control systems, anti-lock brakes, airbags and power-operated retractable hardtop.

Mitsuoka Roadster (2015) Rear SideMitsuoka Roadster (2015) Interior

Mechanically things are standard Mazda too. Therefore power is provided by a 2.0 litre normally-aspirated engine, which delivers its output to the rear wheels via either six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.

The Mitsuoka Roadster is priced from £53,800. To put that considerable figure into perspective, a similar amount would buy a Porsche Boxster GTS or a Mercedes-AMG SLK55.

Related posts:
2016 Mazda MX-5 UK specs and prices
MX-5 25th Anniversary Limited Edition

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