If you ask any gearhead what Mazda is most famous for, the response you'll get is usually a snicker and 'Wankel'. Far from being a derogatory remark, Wankel refers to the revolutionary rotary engine designed by German engineer Felix Wankel that Mazda adopted and fitted to some of its most iconic sporting creations.
Beyond the use of groundbreaking power plants, Mazda has amassed a cult following thanks to standout creations that lure buyers away from their eurobox BMW's and Audi's, more traditional sports cars such as the Corvette and into cars like the RX-7 Turbo, Cosmo Sport, and the hugely popular MX-5 Miata.
From daily runarounds to tire smoking race cars, sporty sedans to electric SUVs, Mazda can deliver a scratch to whatever itch you have and these are the most important cars in the Japanese brand's history
10 The RX8 Spirit R
Loved and hated in equal measure, the RX8 was released to rapturous applause, as the silky smooth rotary engine combined with the flawlessly balanced chassis delivered one of the best driving experiences available.
A last hurrah for the marque, the Spirit R was a limited edition car with 232 hp, Recaro bucket seats, Bilstein shocks, exclusive headlights and tail lights, unique badging, special paint finishes and the ability to hit 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
9 The R360 & B360
Mazdas first passenger car, the R360, was a two-door four-seater coupe with distinctive looks. Making use of a rear-mounted 356cc V-Twin engine that produced 15 hp, would top out at 54 mph and had rubber suspension parts.
Offered as a utility vehicle, the B360 was available as a pickup or van and was often used as a taxi. Measuring only 2.98 meters in length, both versions were rated as Kei cars and became popular for both commuters and business owners.
8 The Cosmo Sport
Hailed as the first mass-produced rotary powered sports car, the Cosmo Sport was an indication of things to come from Mazda. A premium item unveiled in 1963, the Cosmo Sport was powered by a twin-rotor engine that produced 110 hp and would hit 60 mph in 8.8 seconds.
Gorgeous to look at and rotary powered, the Cosmo Sport was the only vehicle type of its kind available at the time, and driving it was described as being more akin to flying. Now a sought-after collector's car, the Cosmo Sport set a mark in the sand for Mazda.
7 The Parkway and 929
Sticking with its love of rotary power, Mazda released the Japanese market exclusive Parkway in 1974. Fitted with the 13B unit, an engine that has now seen over 30 years of service in various guises, the bus was a bizarre departure.
Sold as a sedan, wagon and a Bertone-designed coupe, the 929 was squarely manufactured to appeal to both European and American buyers. With a humble 83 hp 1.8-liter engine, the coupe would hit 60 mph in 8.8 seconds.
6 The RX-7
The Mazda RX-7, a two-door sports coupe, ran for three generations between 1978 and 2002 with over 800,000 vehicles sold. Highlights from the range were the Second Gen Turbo II with its angular styling and 182 hp engine and sub 7 second 0-60 mph time.
The ultimate road going version, though, had to be the RZ, a 276 hp monster with custom Recaro interior, bespoke Bilstein suspension set-up and the ability to hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds before topping out at 172 mph.
5 The Miata/MX-5
A lightweight two-seater sports car with a mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel-drive, the Miata was first released in 1989 and is still in production. It has sold over one million units, making it the best-selling 2-seater in history.
Having evolved into a far more sophisticated machine, the latest MX-5 come equipped with a 2.0 liter 181 hp Skyactiv engine that will ensure a 0-60 mph time of just under 6.5 seconds whilst Bilstein suspension ensure keen handling.
4 The 787B
In June 1991, the Mazda 787B racing car was the first ever entrant by a Japanese car company to win at the Le Mans 24hrs. Subsequently, due to rule changes, it would also be the only time a rotary powered car would win the famous sporting event.
The custom-built R26B rotary engine was capable of pumping out 950 hp at 10,500 rpm from its naturally aspirated 2.6-liter powerplant, but was limited to 650 hp at 8,500 rpm for reliability. The 787B would destroy the o to 100 mph sprint in 6 seconds flat.
3 The 323 GT-R and MX6 Coupe
Way back in 1993 decades before the VW Golf R, Audi S3 or Toyota Yaris GR flexed their AWD hatchback muscles there was the Mazda 323 GT-R. Fitted with a trio of bonnet vents, bulging body kit and a 208 hp 1.8 liter turbocharged engine, the 323 GT-R was a car released way before its time.
Being a much sleeker and modern looking machine, the generation two MX-6 could be specced with a 2.5-liter V6 engine that produced 164 hp and shared much of its equipment with the Ford Probe. A comfortable cruiser, the MX-6 is often wrongly ignored in favor of more powerful siblings.
2 The 3 And 6 MPS
Released in 2010, the second generation Mazda 3 MPS, or MazdaSpeed3, retained the previous model's 2.3-liter turbocharged DISI 256 hp engine, but now posted a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 mph.
Something of a wolf in sheep's clothing, beneath the drab looking hood of the 6 MPS lurks the same 2.3 liter DIZI engine but uprated to 270 hp. In addition, the 6 was equipped with AWD making it one of the finest handling saloon cars on sale at the time.
1 The MX-30
It takes a lot to stand out in the SUV market, and the MX-30 can proudly say that it has achieved that goal. With a 'freestyle' door layout reminiscent of the RX-8, the electric powered MX-30 utilizes modern plug-in technology to offer a 124-mile electric range.
Inside the cabin is a sensory delight with the use of unusual materials such as cork and recycled plastic bottles used to reinforce the SUV's Green credentials. Laden with tech, the Mazda has a HUD, twin LCD screens and a tactile raised drive selector.