Tag: MX5

Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

Leipzig 2012: Mazda MX-5 ‘Yusho’

Mazda MX-5 Yusho prototype

Rear-wheel drive sports coupés from Japan seem to be the special of the week and Mazda doesn’t want to miss out on all the fun. They’ve just debuted this supercharged MX-5 “Yusho” concept at the 2012 Leipzig Motor Show in Germany.

The 2.0 litre four cylinder engine has been warmed over with a supercharger kit from US tuning house Flyin Miata. Thanks to them the Yusho now offers a much sportier 177kW/274Nm. That represents a very healthy gain of 59kW/86Nm over the standard car.

But Mazda didn’t just stop at the blower, they’ve done this properly and beefed up the engine internals, as well. Pistons and conrods have been sourced from Cosworth. The engine drinks from uprated fuel injectors and a new engine map keeps things in check. A customised exhaust system helps to free gasses more easily and a clue to this car’s extra grunt is given by the centrally mounted tips poking out from a carbon fibre (look) rear valance.

Suspension has been taken car of with Bilstein shocks, plus Eibach springs and sway bars. Add to the package some sticky Toyo semi-slicks on 17″ alloys and you end up with what should be a very well sorted MX-5.

The matt white paint finish and suede/alcantara interior trim details round out the look rather nicely.

‘Yusho’ is Japanese for victory and, clearly, Mazda is on a winner here. In fact, we’d quite like one please! Alaz, there’s no word at this stage on production plans, so we’re not sure we’ll ever get the chance to buy one.

Continue reading “Leipzig 2012: Mazda MX-5 ‘Yusho’”
Categories
Alfa Romeo Fiat Mazda

Mazda and Fiat hop into bed together

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Good news kids! Mazda and Fiat have been fooling around together behind the bus shelter after school and want to take their relationship to the next level.

In adultspeak that means they have formally signed a non-binding MoU to collaborate on two new roadsters based on the MX-5 platform. Remember, that’s a rear wheel drive platform for those playing at home. The agreement states the new models shall be lightweight, distinctly styled and brand specific. Awesome.

So, what’s with the picture of the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept above? Fiat knows you only look at her because she’s got a bit of cash, she’s smart enough to know she’ll tease more cash from you if she struts a sexy Alfa Romeo in front of you. Much like the 4C, really.

To be clear, then, the two new models will be sold under the Mazda and Alfa Romeo brands. This story just got a little bit cooler, don’t you think. For Mazda they get to work with the style gurus from Italy. While Alfa Romeo gets to work with the efficiency masters from Hiroshima, which is where the current plans suggest the two cars will be built.

Assuming the courtship goes well then the Mazda–Alfa Romeo roadster romance should be consummated by the end of the year.

The official word can be read below and includes comments from the father’s of both families.

Continue reading “Mazda and Fiat hop into bed together”
Categories
Mazda Motorsports

VIDEO: Mazda MX-5 GT onboard at Spa

Mazda MX-5 GT

Formula One’s mid-season slumber will end in just over one week when the circus comes to the small Belgian village of Spa-Francorchamps. Home, of course, to one of the world’s most loved racetracks. Helping us to get back into the swing of things is this footage from Mazda UK filmed onboard an MX5-GT. Mark Ticehurst was at the wheel and he talks us through the lap as well.

Take the jump to watch the lap in full.

Continue reading “VIDEO: Mazda MX-5 GT onboard at Spa”
Categories
Mazda

Mazda MX-5 aiming to be the biggest loser

Mazda MX-5 rendering

Last November Autocar brought word that Mazda is hoping to bring its next-gen MX-5 to market with a sub-1000kg kerb weight. Now, InsideLine has raised expectations further by nominating a sub-800kg figure. However, it’s unlikely that Mazda will reach such a low weight, so expect a kerb weight somewhere near the first-gen MX-5, which was 940kg. The current model tips the scales at roughly 1100kg, so a saving of 150kg or more is quite significant.

They go on to say the new MX-5 could be powered by a 1.4 litre turbocharged engine. High-strength steel could be used to aid weight reduction, along with a lesser spec for on-board equipment. Indeed, even the owner’s manual could be supplied on a USB stick, rather than in printed form.

Light, zippy zoom-zoom engine; it’s bound to be a great drive.

[Source: Inside Line | Pic: Autocar]

Categories
Mazda

Mazda targets sub-1000kg weight for next MX-5

Mazda MX-5 rendering

Along with the above rendering Autocar brings word that Mazda are aiming to keep the weight of its next MX-5 under 1000kg. A saving of over 130kg on the current model. As usual, we can expect a nice little handler. Further aiding nimble handling is the adoption of production techniques from the RX-8 which will allow the engine to be mounted behind the front axle, while the fuel tank and heaviest parts of the exhaust will be in front of the rear axle.

Mazda is scheduled to unveil its fourth generation MX-5 towards the end of 2011 at the Tokyo Motor Show, before its sales launch in 2012.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

Frankfurt: Mazda MX-5 Superlight

Mazda MX-5 Superlight

You’ve probably seen and read a bit about the Mazda MX-5 Superlight by now. If so, you’ve seen enough to know that, in pure performance terms, this car is a having bit of a laugh. It has bugger all power and as a result it’s quite slow. There’s a meagre 93kW on offer and that’s just enough to break 9 seconds for the 0-100 sprint.

Thing is, though, I reckon it is one of the best cars revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Simply because I think it looks so damn cool. The long bonnet, the bespoke interior details (what’s left of it) and the rollover hoops complete a look that is pure sportscar.

I like the fact Mazda’s engineers have gone about producing a car with a sole focus. That they have looked at the overall car and taken the approach of removing stuff first, then thinking about what actually needs to be put back in.

“I’ve dreamed of building a Mazda MX-5 with this kind of radical form for a long time,” says Peter Birtwhistle, Mazda Motor Europe’s Chief Designer, referring to the project. “Now that weight reduction has become a dominant factor in automotive development, the time is ripe for it. We show how lightweight a car today can be.”

But, its not all beer and skittles. I am quite puzzled as to why the show car’s power has dropped by 22% from the 118kW that you get from an entry level MX-5. Also, the reality is that the Superlight’s strict weight loss program has only saved 134kg compared the soft top road car.

Lucky it looks so good. There’s a long press release from Mazda below along with a comprehensive photo gallery.

Continue reading “Frankfurt: Mazda MX-5 Superlight”
Categories
Mazda

More MX-5 Superlight images

Mazda MX-5 Superlight

New images of the Mazda MX-5 Superlight have emerged on the evo website. The Superlight will make its debut at the Frankfurt IAA along with pretty much anything else with wheels. Expect the Mazda PR department to hit the ground running with these in the next day or so. In the meantime check out the article at evo—the interior shot will have track purists watering at the mouth!

[Source: evo]

Categories
Mazda

Mazda MX-5 Superlight

Mazda MX-5 Superlight

Mazda haven’t revealed too much about this exciting bit of kit. So we’ll just have to use our imagination to think how awesome a stripped out, track focused MX-5 Superlight could be. We’ll find out more at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a few weeks. As if this teaser pic isn’t already cool enough, just check the high mount rear stop lights in the rollover hoops. Nice!

Continue reading “Mazda MX-5 Superlight”