Mazda MX-5 2011 News

Mazda has indicated it is considering putting rotary power back into a sports car, possibly in the form of a merger between the MX-5 and the RX-8. Mazda CEO Takashi Yamanouchi has repeatedly ensured the future of the rotary powerplant - despite the RX-8 production scheduled to end in 2012 - "we will continue the research on the rotary engine - we won't extinguish the flame of the rotary engine," he said.The joint-venture sports coupe developed by Toyota and Subaru has kept the door open for a rotary sports car from Mazda, including the possibility of a rotary-powered MX-5."That kind of product is iconic for our brand, so the current MX-5 or RX-8 we have decided in the future to maintain that kind of product, I can't say if they will be separate - they may be merged into one," the CEO says.Mazda Research and development director Hirotaka Kanazawa confirmed the next MX-5 would remain naturally-aspirated with a Skyactiv powerplant of similar outputs to the current car's 118kW/188Nm outputs (for example, the incoming CX-5 SUV has a direct-injection two-litre producing 114kW and 196Nm), but less burdened by weight.The modern-classic Mazda sportscar will be taken back to its roots, with weight reduction targets aimed at taking the 1135kg two-seater (in its lightest guise) below a one tonne kerb weight, while retaining a soft top and hard top model."We want to go back to the lightweight sports origins, the power is not so much, it is easy to handle and it is fun to drive," he says. Kanazawa-san also says the company is aiming to reduce weight without compromising crash safety performance, which would entail using Skyactiv high-strength steel body structures and composite plastic materials for a hard-top. "We must achieve crash safety, starting with CX-5 the Skyactiv body with load paths and enhanced crash safety, we will apply this to our rear-wheel drive."The R&D director didn't rule out turbocharged versions of the sub-two-litre Skyactiv engines - "We haven't decided that we won't do turbocharging, but first of all we wanted to enhance combustion efficiency of naturally-aspirated engine, that was our first priority"- but maintains the first priority was developing naturally-aspirated engines.

Australia scored the first shock with the fastest qualifying time and victory in the first of two two-hour races.  The nation was represented by six motoring journalists including pole sitter and Carsguide Big Wheels reporter James Stanford and Carsguide motoring reporter Mark Hinchliffe.The first race started as an Ashes struggle between Australia and the UK, but ended in a cold war with Russia.  Australia emerged the clear winner by more than 90 seconds over 21 laps of the 4.9km course.The win earned Australia pole for the second two-hour race which was an arm wrestle with Russia who adopted identical pit strategies.  Panel paint was swapped aggressively between the two countries in the last few laps, but Russia held on for victory over Australia with Belgium in third.The ice race was the second MX-5 promotional event after the first last year in Venice to celebrate the sports car’s 20th year.  National teams raced in 20 cars with some countries sharing cars. Among the 120 drivers was former Formula One racer Rene Arnoux.“I have driven on ice before in France but that is a short 600m course which is like a slalom,” he said. “This was bumpy and fast and very challenging.”The event was run by Mazda in Europe with Australia the only non-European entrant.  Mazda Europe boss Jeffrey Guyton said he was pleased Australia had flown from the other side of the world to compete.“The idea was to have a bit of fun, but who could have written a script like this,” he said of the close result.Guyton said the event was a “significant investment” for the promotion of its hero car which holds the Guinness record for the most sales of a two-seater open-top roadster, having passed the 900,000 mark recently.Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver said the race was designed to show “zoom zoom” potential of the MX-5.  He said he would love to see the event staged in Australia some time.The cars were lightly modified mainly with weight stripped out and studded tyres for the ice.  The course was a tight slalom of 23 left corners and 20 right carved out on the ice of Lake Kallsjon in northern Sweden. 

While the original MX-5 was quite a basic car; nicely appointed but hardly luxurious, the current iteration with its 20 years of refinement is in a new league. The Mazda designers have managed to evolve the car over that time, completely changing it along the way while always keeping it exactly the same. They have developed a look that is instantly recognisable through three major redesigns while improving it with each iteration.In its market space the MX-5 Roadster Coupe has only two true competitors, the BMW Z4 and the Mercedes SLK. These are the three two-seat rear-drive roadsters currently available with the folding metal hardtop. The MX-5 is by some margin the cheapest. The fact that it does not have the prestige of the Germans does not diminish its appeal, however as there are a large percentage of buyers that simply like it as a package over the other two. All three for some reason suffer from the hair-dresser reputation, which in our opinion is ridiculous.When the new top was first introduced, a number of automotive journalist where asking why bother, it's not broken, it doesn't need fixing. The soft-top and the experience it brings may not be broken but the folding hardtop has enormous appeal for many buyers. Drivetrain Power comes from a 2-litre, 16 valve DOHC in-line four cylinder engine that develops 118kW at 7000 rpm in the manual version and 118kW at 6700rpm in the automatic we tested with paddle shifters. Both develop a maximum 188 Nm of torque at 5000rpm. Exterior With 20 years of very good sales it would be hard to find anybody who can’t recognise an MX-5. The Roadster Coupe with its folding hardtop adds a bump to the body behind the seats. This metal torneau manages to not adversely impact the simply lines of the car. The 17-in wheels fill the continuous arch of the wheel wells beautifully and the whole package is very neat.Interior The cocoon that is the cockpit is appealing to all senses. Visibility is very good and the only thing that may be troubling initially is finding the petrol cap release - it's in the compartment between the back of the seats.  Operation of the folding hardtop is a simple lever release near the rear vision mirror and then it’s a matter of holding the button down until it buzzes - all while in Park. Just do the same in reverse to put it back up. Safety The MX-5 features both front & side SRS airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) as well as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) which alters power delivery when the car judges it needs to intervene with an overly aggressive turn-in. This can be switched off.Pricing The MX-5 starts at $43,850 for the base manual soft top and goes through to $53,655 for the folding hardtop with automatic and the Sports package (as tested). This excludes all current additional charges and taxes.Driving Driving is a joy. It is far from a hardcore sports car but it does give you a refined sports car experience.  Steering is very direct, as it should be - you point it and goes and stays where you point it. The steering we found very neutral with no surprises.The cockpit is very comfortable and there is not a great deal of road noise for a small two-seat. A bit more engine note into the cockpit would actually be a good thing.  It is extremely easy to drive - in automatic you can just putter around sedately and feel comfortable. Rev it a bit and start using the paddles correctly and it becomes a true sports car.SummaryThe Mazda MX-5 is the epitome of a practical sports car.  It has its market space all to itself as you need to move up several price rungs to reach the competition. While the competition might beat it in the performance stakes, they still only equal it on overall appeal to many buyers.  The MX-5 is also quite a practical mode of transport if you don't need space. It is easy to park, fits in small garages and only consumes 8.1l/100km.Verdict: 9.1/10