Mazda Rolls Out New Supercharged MX-5 Yusho Prototype with 237hp at Leipzig Show [39 Photos]

The new MX-5 Senshu Edition wasn't the only Miata to debut at Mazda's stand at the 2012 Auto Mobil International Show (AMI) in Leipzig, Germany, on Friday.

Mazda surprised show-goers with a far more intriguing proposal in the form of the MX-5 Yusho prototype, named after the Japanese word for "Victory".

The matte white paint together with the 17-inch anthracite gray alloy wheels wrapped around in semi-slick Toyo Proxes R888 tires size 215/45 R17, lowered suspension, boot lid spoiler and the carbon-fiber rear diffuser housing the centrally mounted twin tailpipes tell only part of the story.

The real magic occurs under the bonnet with the heavily fettled 2.0-liter MZR four cylinder petrol engine gaining a supercharger system, an intercooler, special Cosworth pistons and connecting rods, a custom exhaust system and reprogrammed software.

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New Mazda MX-5 Senshu Special Edition Debuts at Leipzig Show

Mazda pulled back the wraps on yet another localized special edition version of its extremely popular MX-5 roadster, this time for the German market.

The new MX-5 Senshu was revealed at the at the 2012 Auto Mobil International show (AMI) in Leipzig, Germany. The special edition model gets its name from a Japanese word meaning "player", according to Mazda.

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It Came from eBay Hell: The BMW Z3 Miata Edition

Back in 1989, Mazda took the automotive world by surprise with the launch of the MX-5, also known as Miata in North America and Eunos Roadster in Japan.

The frisky and affordable rear-wheel drive MX-5 was an instant success and as a result, many carmakers tried to emulate Mazda's move by presenting their own compact-sized roadsters, including BMW, which introduced the Z3 in 1996 shortly after being featured in the James Bond movie, Golden Eye.

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Subaru BRZ vs Mazda MX-5 vs Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 Turbo in Four-Cylinder Grudge Match

In our ongoing $25k sports car poll, the Subaru BRZ has taken a clear lead with 20 percent out of more than 6,100 votes cast up until today.

Oddly enough, its Scion FR-S twin has only managed to gather 7 percent (despite being the same car), the same as the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 Turbo, which is still enough to place both higher than the Mazda MX-5 that has secured 4 percent of your votes.

Why do mention these cars specifically? Because Road&Track magazine brought together the Subaru BRZ, Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0 Turbo and the MX-5 soft-top roadster to find out which of the three ticks the most boxes for enthusiasts looking for a fun, rear-wheel drive sports car without breaking the bank.

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Official: New Alfa Romeo Spider to be Based on the Next Mazda MX-5!

In a surprise announcement that is bound to excite Alfa Romeo fans, the Fiat Group and Mazda revealed today that they have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and production of a new roadster model for the Mazda and Alfa Romeo brands based on the rear-wheel drive architecture of the next MX-5.

"The study calls for both Fiat and Mazda to develop two differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific light weight, roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive," the two automakers said in a joint statement, adding that each car will be powered "by specific proprietary engines unique to each brand".

According to the plan, the next Mazda MX-5 and Alfa Romeo's successor to the Spider will be manufactured at Mazda’s Hiroshima plant in Japan, with production for the Italian model to begin in 2015.

With the exception of the limited production 8C Competizione Spider (2008-2010) and the RZ (1992-1994), the last time Alfa Romeo had a roadster with a front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout was the classic Spider built from 1966 to 1993. This particular model was featured in the 1967 movie The Graduate with Dustin Hoffman.

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Mazda to Discard V6 Engine, Plans to Develop Skyactive Rotary Engines

When premium carmakers such as BMW and Audi put so much focus on their four-cylinder powerplants, it's only reasonable that mainstream brands like Mazda do the same.

Currently, the Japanese carmakers offers a larger V6 engine on its Mazda6 sedan and CX-9 crossover, but that won't be the case with their successors. Speaking to Car & Driver magazine, Robert Davis, Mazda’s senior vice president of U.S. Operations, told the publication that it has no plans to develop a next generation V6 under it SkyActive program.

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Mazda MX-5 Almost Crashes Into a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

Driving an exotic supercar like the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera through a parade of modded cars and an equally crazy crowd of people in a parking lot is just about as wise as taking your date to a sausage fest: someone is bound to hit on your gal.

And this is what almost happened to the owner of the white Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera when the driver of a second generation Mazda Miata wanted to show off with a little burnout that didn't go as planned just barely missing the Italian exotic.

Watch the short clip right past the jump.

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