Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport review
by David Morgan (28 November 2005)
The new version of Mazda's classic budget roadster is far more refined than the car it replaces, offers better creature comforts and delivers extra power. All good stuff - but has it shed its "everyman" image, gone too far upmarket and lost its way?
Don't despair. A mid-winter test drive has proved the latest MX-5 is everything its predecessor was and more. It's a delight, an affordable lightweight sports car dream which is snug enough to keep you warm and draft-free, even in a blizzard.
The 2006 MX-5 is built on the floorpan of the rotary-engined RX-8. That makes it longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. The wheelbase has grown by 65mm and front and rear track are wider by up to 75mm. Extensive use of high-strength steels and aluminium has increased torsional stiffness and crash-survivability and standard equipment levels are better than ever.
It all adds up to 10kg more than the model it replaces, but with extra power from the 124bhp entry-level 1.8-litre and 158bhp from the flagship two-litre test car, there's no drop-off in performance. Both models are quicker than the old MX-5, but the best news is that the original car's 50/50 weight distribution is intact and the new car handles with the precision and agility of a sophisticated kart.
I spent a lot of time with the 2.0i Sport, a great-value model costing £18,900 that gains a six-speed gearbox, 17" alloy wheels, front foglights, Bilstein shock absorbers, heated leather seats and a front suspension strut bar.
Unlike the 1.8i entry car, which has a vinyl soft top and 16" steel wheels, the Sport has a snug-fitting cloth roof which can be dropped and raised single-handedly in just six seconds. There's also dynamic stability control, a limited slip rear differential and side airbags to complement the standard driver and passenger protection. It's a brilliant package.
The new MX-5 started hitting British roads in November, a daft time to launch a little roadster in chilly Britain. But bleak winter days are no problem for this tiny roadster and its simple draft-free hood. Driving in horrendous conditions of sleet, snow and heavy rain I put the MX-5 through the ultimate snugness test. It comes complete with a heated glass rear window and passed with flying colours.
As a veteran of the original Lotus Elan's useless soft top I can recommend the MX-5 to anyone who enjoys keeping warm and comfortable. And if you really crave winter comfort there's a hard top option. The cabin has more space than before and there's a trio of handy storage compartments behind the seats.
Heating and ventilation are as good as in any family saloon, the seats are comfortable and the dash and switchgear look great and work well. Top-down there's very little slipstream buffet, thanks to a neat pop-up deflector. The boot is marginally bigger than before and can swallow a set of golf clubs.
The car performs with real poise. Steering is precise and ABS on all models helps soak up excess speed with ease. The only handling weakness I could find was shown up by the two-litre's traction control. With more power and torque than before the rear wheels struggle for grip on anything other than a dry surface. Careless use of the 158bhp and 138lb/ft of torque gets the traction control working overtime.
On a wet road it was constantly cutting in, while running with it switched off had the MX-5's back end stepping out of line. But there's no problem in bringing it back under control. It has near-perfect balance and is an absolute delight on a twisty side road.
It's still a bit of a girlie sports car - but so what? If you enjoy affordable open-top sports car driving the latest MX-5 has it all.
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