The new in-house racing brand is the spiritual successor to Mazdaspeed, poised to develop more track-focused cars.

Mazda enthusiasts, it's time to sit up. The long-dormant spirit of Mazdaspeed, which left us yearning for more after its last hurrah in 2013 with the Mazda 3 MPS, is stirring once again.

Just when we thought the shift to electric might have dimmed the prospects of a revival, Mazda has given us a delightful surprise: the birth of Mazda Spirit Racing.

Mazda chose the aptly appropriate Tokyo Auto Salon to announce the exciting news.

Mazda Spirit Racing is set to be the new performance division, infusing Mazda’s lineup with track-focused vigour, inspired by its racing endeavours in Japan’s Super Taikyu series.

While Mazda has kept us on tenterhooks about the exact models to expect, they’ve tantalized us with a glimpse into the future, using the iconic MX-5 and the Mazda 3 as their canvas.

The MX-5 (or Mazda Roadster depending on where you’re from) has been spruced up with an aggressive front splitter, sleek side skirts, stylish Rays alloy wheels, and a bumper that means business.

The car boasts upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and a cockpit that houses Recaro bucket seats and an Alcantara steering wheel.

The Mazda 3 isn’t left behind in this performance parade, mirroring the MX-5's upgrades. It shares the body kit, brakes, wheels, and interior enhancements.

The burning question remains: will there be a power boost under the hood? Mazda's tight-lipped on this, leaving us speculating if these models will follow the path of enhancing everything but the engine power.

It’s a route we’ve seen before with other Japanese manufacturers, like Subaru's STI division.

As we eagerly anticipate the evolution of Mazda Spirit Racing, there's a collective hope among enthusiasts: let this not just be about aesthetics and handling. We're yearning for a resurgence, a rekindling of the fire that once defined Mazda's performance cars.