Mitsuoka transforms the Mazda MX-5 into a kind of Morgan

Mitsuoka is a Japanese coachbuilder who turns humble Nissans and Hondas into (bad) copies of a Jaguar Mark II. This Himiko looks more like a Morgan Aero 8 and is a Mazda MX-5 in disguise.

In Europe, few people have probably heard of Mitsuoka, but in Japan the car brand – because we can call it that – is quite popular and even has a number of showrooms here and there.

MX-5 based Mitsuoka Himiko

At the time of writing, Mitsuoka sells the Buddy (a Toyota RAV-4 with classic Land Cruiser characteristics), the Rock Star (a Mazda MX-5 that resembles a Corvette C2), and the usual Rolls-Royce and Jaguar-style sedans.

This Mitsuoka Himiko – based on the MX-5 ND – has been around for a few years but has now received a major update including new colors and different upholstery materials. Surprisingly, the standard equipment also includes a CD/DVD player. Do the Japanese still use them?

Much longer than a Mazda MX-5

Observant viewers will notice that the Himiko is quite a bit longer than an MX-5 ND. It has grown by a whopping 60 centimeters both in length and in wheelbase. Mitsuoka has thus moved the front wheels forward.

Don’t think this was made to accommodate a fat V8 or a six-cylinder. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. And see the mini headlights?

So, like the MX-5, it has 131 hp but doesn’t do 8.3 seconds to 100 km/h. Compared to the Mazda, the Mitsuoka is almost 140 kilos heavier, partly due to the additional bodywork and lengthening of the chassis.