My lactose-intolerant ass would like to personally thank Wrekt for this surprisingly cheeseless (and, in a sense, casual) CSR. I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole otherwise - that's more than enough sweat for one summer.
On January 1st, 2000, people across the globe rang in the new year, and the new millennium with it. This included a number of sponsored events by entertainers, artists, and governments alike, but not so much those in the car industry.
Well, with an exception being the Rinkai Motor Company, based in Japan.
Founded in 1974, the comparatively young automaker, while moderately successful in its own right, decided to look to the future in the wake of economic stagnation in the early 1990s. To that end, it drew up a plan to join forces with motorcycle and luxury car manufacturer Sanekiyo, which would take effect come the 21st century.
With the ambitious endeavour involving a reworked brand strategy and the development of more than one new vehicle platform and engine architecture, it seemed at first glance as though everything was accounted for. By 2001, though, although Sanekiyo’s motorcycle division was largely unaffected by the shake-up, its luxury vehicle offerings had yet to make a return, and most importantly of all, the rebranding of Rinkai export models to Mizuiros failed to attract any more attention outside of Japan.1
Thus began an effort led personally by CEO and founder Kouei Ishii2 to convince the world that in spite of the name change, his car company’s new lineup still had what it took to appeal to the customer base it was now at risk of losing.
The result was the unorthodox Seigun MR-Spec.
Proudly adorned with a storied FR compact sports nameplate,3 underpinned by a bespoke lightweight monocoque chassis, and driven by a mid-mounted 3-litre V6, the 2002 Seigun MR-Spec is equal parts flashy sports car and unadorned runabout, just as suited for daily driving as it is for being pushed to the limit.
The Seigun MR-Spec is a high-risk, high-reward car, though moreso for the company than the customer thanks to clever packaging and extensive reproportioning of the original design meant to aid in both weight balance and frunk space.
Other styling changes include a subtle aero kit and larger haunches for the wider rear wheels, but perhaps the most notable difference from the standard front-engined Seigun is the Kamm-style rear liftgate. Striking a balance between the hatch size of a full notchback liftgate and the low weight of a conventional trunk, it allows for easier access to the already sunken-in engine bay.
Able to produce over 250 hp (184 kW) from a smooth, linear power curve as well as achieve fuel economy figures of less than 8 L/100km, the Seigun MR-Spec’s HC30D DOHC V6 is equipped with variable valve timing and lift and paired to a tried and true six-speed manual gearbox.
Despite the Seigun MR-Spec’s value proposition being based almost entirely on its odd layout, it was never intended to be a volume seller. As such, a total of 500 units, including those retained for display by Mizuiro and not sold to the public, were produced.
Specifications
| Name |
Mizuiro Seigun MR-Spec '02 |
| Price (New) |
$36,000 |
| Price (Second-Hand) |
$10,724 |
| Colour |
Eventide Blue Metallic |
| Displacement |
2997 cc |
| Max. Power |
256 hp (188 kW) @ 6,500 RPM |
| Max. Torque |
307 Nm (227 ft-lb) @ 4,900 RPM |
| Drivetrain |
MR |
| Aspiration |
NA |
| Transmission |
6MT |
| Footprint (L x W) |
3.91 m x 1.67 m |
| Weight |
1016 kg (2240 lb) |
Notes
1: The Mizuiro brand was used in Japan ever since the inception of the Rinkai Motor Company, but cars were sold in most export markets as Rinkais until 2000-2005 due to the name being perceived as easier to pronounce.
2: 磯井興栄, Ishii Kōei (b. 1951)
3: In production since the late 1970s, the Rinkai Seigun (星群), later Mizuiro Seigun, is a compact sports coupe akin to the real-world Starion, Silvia, and 86/BRZ. It has had no different export names throughout its history.
