Tuesday 22nd October 2013

Jota Mazda MX-5 GT on sale!

That's right, the concept is now a production car with a near-identical spec

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With the minimum of fuss and fanfare, the Jota Mazda MX-5 GT has been launched. We think that's rather a big deal though, so here's everything you need to know.

From the limited details released by Jota, the new car appears identical in spec to the MX-5 GT Concept of last year. Power is rated at 205hp (the concept made 'over 200'), we'd have to assume through the same combination of Jenvey throttle bodies and some remapping work. Jota's press release confirmed nothing more than the power output.

Spliiter offered as an option, orange sadly not

A 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds is now claimed, with top speed now 140mph. Apparently the change to fuel consumption is 'minimal'.

In a change from the concept, the MX-5 GT uses Bilstein dampers now rather than Mazda's standard items. We're promised the upgrades make the GT sharper and have created 'a focused driver's car'. An additional Ohlins road track kit is also available.

But before you go rushing out to the local Mazda showroom, a couple of small hurdles must be overcome. The first issue is that the MX-5 GT isn't an official car. Despite Mazda being involved in development, it 'handed over the project' to Jota earlier this year. Whilst the warranty remains intact (there's cover for the uprated parts too) and the servicing intervals are unaffected, it does mean that GTs can only be purchased at the Lodge Garage in Aylesbury.

It will also cost you £29,995 to buy an MX-5 GT. This was the price hinted at last year, and places it at exactly £5K more than the GT86/BRZalliance. But then an Elise 1.6 Sport is £30,650, and what else can it realistically be compared to? We applaud Jota for its commitment to the project and can't fail to be interested. Shame it doesn't come in orange really.

[Ved]

I like it and it appeals to me more than a BRZ. Still a bit expensive, mind, but as the article says they should be given a thumbs up for making at available.

[Aftershox]

I have an MX5, however i would have an Elise over this one in a heartbeat.

[SamGad]

Sounds good, hopefully they sell a few so I can pick one up cheaper in a few years time!

[kambites]

Nice, but £30k puts it up against some serious competition.

[TheJimi]

£30k?

Nice, but ah'm oot.



LOVE the orange car though, looks amazing!

Edited by TheJimi on Tuesday 22 October 11:22

[Krikkit]

So it's this or a Lichfield BRZ/GT86... Hmm... I think I'd take the ITB'd Mazda over the supercharger, but what a good pair they are!

[Gunslinger1979]

Bilstein dampers? Don't all MX5's in Sport tech trim come with those already?

Like the enthusiasm and Jota should be praised for pushing to concept but Mazda really need to do an in-house 'GT' for the Mk4.

[TaylotS2K]

S2000 with 15k-20k in my pocket thanks.

[dank]

30k for an MX5! have they gone mad!

[BlackpoolRock]

30k I'll have a mint 4.5 Cerbera and 10k in the pocket I think.

[V8RX7]

Surely they'd be better offering it as a retro fit package to used cars.

However I'd rather have the BBR / Cosworth Supercharger.

[Dale Lomas]

I love it. If only it was a production car, then we could race it against those pesky GT86s here at the 'ring... Oh, wait, we're still winning with only 160hp!

[Hellbound]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mazda/mx-5/fir...

Meh@3/5.

[SonicHedgeHog]

Any news on whether this will be available to retrofit? While I disagree with new versus used comparisons the price appears a little steep given you can get a new, top of the range MX5 for well under £20k.

[BoRED S2upid]

You can have a Mk1 BBR Turbo with 220bhp made to measure for less than £10k if money is no object saving yourself over £20k.

[samdale]

BlackpoolRock said:

30k I'll have a mint 4.5 Cerbera and 10k in the pocket I think.

I'd quite like a brand new cerbera with a warranty too...

Ditto the post about the S2K.

The new vs old comparison is still just as irrelevant as it ever was. Only now, this new new vs old comparison hasn't depreciated as much as the old new vs old comparison

[Gavinio]

I'm sure it'll be brilliant to drive, but £30k puts it into another realm of nearly new 370Z's, Porsche's, Elise etc... The MX-5 is best in its standard form, that's why they've sold so many, and I love mine even with its puny 126bhp.

[arkenphel]

Someone is eventually going to say it, so it might as well be me...



M135i...

[TaylotS2K]

samdale said:

BlackpoolRock said:

30k I'll have a mint 4.5 Cerbera and 10k in the pocket I think.

I'd quite like a brand new cerbera with a warranty too...

Ditto the post about the S2K.

The new vs old comparison is still just as irrelevant as it ever was. Only now, this new new vs old comparison hasn't depreciated as much as the old new vs old comparison

IMO - the old vs new comparison is relevant depending on the car. If I had a budget of 30k I would not be buying a new MX-5. It simply isn't special enough to warrant that outlay, so if I was looking for a roadster - I would look elsewhere. Which many people would. So it is relevant.

[em177]

BlackpoolRock said:

30k I'll have a mint 4.5 Cerbera and 10k in the pocket I think.