Japan’s Latest Corvette Lookalike Is Just a Mazda MX-5 in a Styling Suit

Mitsuoka is set to unveil a new two-seat roadster in November, and the latest teaser confirms it’s a retro-styled homage to the 1950s Chevrolet Corvette—specifically the post-1958 C1 model with its iconic quad headlights. The Japanese coachbuilder has a history of repurposing existing platforms, and this one is no exception: the new roadster is widely expected to ride on the Mazda MX-5 ND’s underpinnings, just like the Mitsuoka Rock Star (2018) and Himiko did before it. The design, penned by Takanori Aoki—who also styled the Rock Star and Himiko—features a bespoke body with round headlights, a bold grille, side gills echoing the C1 Corvette, sculpted rear fenders, a sharp splitter, sporty side skirts, and a matching diffuser. Mitsuoka has released two teasers so far, with more scheduled for July, August, and September ahead of the November reveal. The company hasn’t confirmed the mechanicals, but if it follows the MX-5 ND’s playbook, the roadster will likely pack the naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 181 HP (135 kW / 184 PS), mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Like most Mitsuoka creations, this will almost certainly be a limited-run model aimed at the Japanese market, staying true to the brand’s eccentric, retro-focused ethos.