Mazda MX-5 to use low-carbon fuel in 2025 Super Taikyu Series

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the Mazda Spirit Racing RS Future Concept MX-5 that is currently competing in the 2025 ENEOS Super Taikyu Series , will run on E20 low-carbon fuel supplied by ENEOS Corporation in the remaining rounds of the series.

The multi-class Super Taikyu Series is Japan’s leading endurance racing series that includes the flagship Fuji 24 Hour race, which took place last month. The number 12 Mazda Spirit Racing will now compete with low-carbon petrol.

E20 is a more sustainable fuel blend, consisting of approximately 20% bioethanol mixed with conventional petrol. While 10% bioethanol blends are now widespread in many regions, the supply and adoption of 20% blends remain limited globally, including in Japan and Europe.

Mazda’s participation in the Super Taikyu Series forms part of its broader commitment to carbon neutrality, with motorsport serving as a proving ground for advancing low-emissions technologies.

Within this context, Mazda will evaluate the performance and viability of E20 fuel in the demanding environment of motorsport, working closely with ENEOS and other partners to share knowledge and address challenges. This effort supports a wider initiative to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral society.

By strengthening both vehicles and fuels through collaboration, Mazda and its partners aim to drive innovation in sustainable mobility.

In line with its Multi-Solution Strategy, Mazda will continue to evolve the internal combustion engine for the era of electrification. The company is developing technologies capable of accommodating a wider variety of fuels, offering customers more environmentally responsible options in the future.

Mazda remains committed to enhancing the joy of driving through its human-centred philosophy—creating emotionally engaging, enriching mobility experiences in Mazda’s involvement in the Super Taikyu Series supports its wider commitment to carbon neutrality, using motorsport to advance low-emissions technologies.

In the Super Taikyu Series Mazda Spirit Racing also competes in the ST-Q class – that is specifically for cars powered by alternative fuels. Here the the Mazda3 Bio concept, Mazda3 is entered, it’s powered by next-generation biodiesel fuel, while a CNF powered MX-5 has also competed in this class.

To achieve carbon neutrality, Mazda believes that it is important to provide customers with a variety of options, and will accelerate efforts not only for electrification but also for carbon-neutral fuels. In addition to developing technology options that can handle a variety of fuels for the future, we will utilise vehicles with a wide range of characteristics, such as torqueful front-wheel-drive diesel vehicles and lightweight rear-wheel-drive gasoline vehicles, to develop driving performance that makes Mazda feel the joy of driving.

In the ST-Q class of the super endurance race, we are working on the development, recognition, and popularization of carbon-neutral fuel while competing and cooperating with other Japanese automakers. The carbon-neutral fuel used to replace gasoline this time will be the same fuel used by Toyota Motor Corporation’s “ORC ROOKIE GR86 CNF concept (1.4L in-line 3-cylinder direct injection turbo engine)” and SUBARU Corporation’s “Team SDA Engineering BRZ CNF Concept (2.4L horizontally opposed 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine)”, which are already participating in the ST-Q class. 

In addition, from the perspective of training “people and cars” through racing, all vehicles of Mazda Spirit Racing are developed in-house. Engineers involved in mass production development are engaged in the training of human resources and technology that can be used in future car manufacturing. The system for running the race was also constructed by our employees and the service mechanics of Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd.

In the UK, Mazda UK has switched its Heritage Fleet to run on sustainable fuel, while in November 2022 Mazda UK drove an MX-5 for 1,000-miles around the UK powered by sustainable fuel.