Mazda’s new TCR racer is pretty impressive thanks to that huge rear wing and 350 horsepower.
In collaboration with Long Road Racing, the same folks that build the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup car, Mazda brings us their brand new Mazda3 TCR racer. It’ll debut in the 2020 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenger series as part of the Rolex 24 four-hour Endurance Challenge at Daytona weekend on January 26, 2020.
And no, it’s not road legal, so don’t go asking Mazda for one unless you have a flatbed that can drive it to and from the track.
The Mazda3 TCR is based on the "latest iteration of the brand’s signature Kodo – Soul of Motion design language," which mostly involves a body kit with huge fenders and an even larger rear wing. There's also a big front splitter, rear diffuser, a custom hood, and a center-mounted exhaust.
Each corner is supported by an 18-inch Rays wheel wrapped in Michelin Pilot tires. Brembo brakes and Bilstein dampers are standard, while Öhlins dampers are an optional extra.
Under the hood is a turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine with 350 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque. Mazda didn't provide us the displacement, but it seems likely to be built on their 2.5-L SkyActiv-G 4-banger. Power is routed through a 6-speed SADEV sequential transmission with paddle shifters, while an Xtrac transmission is available.
On the inside, SPARCO racing seats, an MPi racing steering wheel, and a Motec L180 track performance data system round out the offering.
“TCR represents a great opportunity for us to showcase the new Mazda3 and provide our customers another avenue to race Mazda vehicles,” said Masahiro Moro, Mazda North America Chairman and CEO. “Some of our most important successes in IMSA and SRO TC Americas have been thanks to dedicated customers who chose to race with Mazda, and we hope the next generation of Mazda racers see the same potential in the Mazda3 TCR.”
Contact Mazda or Long Road Racing for orders.