Jump to content

Updated Mazda Mx-5 Drive


Troutman
 Share

Recommended Posts

IPB Image

 

Mazda says these cars are not direct competitors for the MX-5, but its decision to drop the soft-top version from the Australian MX-5 range (it's a folding hard-top or nothing now) and rumours of a forthcoming convertible Toyota 86 could bring these cars even closer in future.

 

We'll have to wait until the all-new MX-5, due late-2014, arrives to see how Mazda responds to this challenge, and until then be satisfied with the minor update that came this month.

 

Visually, the changes are subtle but do make an impact. The MX-5's smiley front face has evolved towards the Kodo design language seen on the CX-5 soft-roader and the new Mazda6 due next month. A wider front opening, redesigned fog lights and the relocation of the number plate are the giveaways. Gunmetal grey alloy wheels fitted to the Roadster coupe give the car real aggression. The upper-spec Sports model continues with silver 16-spoke BBS alloy wheels.

 

Mechanically, very little has changed. The MX-5 still derives its performance from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 118kW of power and 188Nm of torque. It still sends that power to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Fuel economy remains the same at 8.1 litres/100 kilometres.

 

Mazda says engineers have changed suspension settings to reduce pitching under brakes and rearing under acceleration. Mazda has also tweaked the throttle map and brake map - how the engine and brakes respond to driver pedal inputs. All this seems superficial and clearly the work of a team more focused on the all-new MX-5 due in two years. And it does little to address the MX-5's biggest weakness.

 

The MX-5's engine has never been particularly powerful; Mazda has always said it had the power to suit the car. But the world has moved a long way since this generation launched in 2005, most notably in the area of turbocharging, which gives today's engines strong torque across their entire rev range. In contrast, the MX-5's regular 2.0-litre feels lacklustre and slow to rev.

 

Inside the cabin, the MX-5 retains its familiar layout and good driving position. The only change is the colour of the insert that runs across the dashboard. The MX-5 still has no USB for MP3 player connectivity. Despite being standard on almost every new car on the market – including Mazdas less than half its price - Bluetooth costs another $500.

 

http://theage.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews...1101-28lou.html

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...